About work
Cultivating the proper disciplines and the proper degree of discipline. By limiting options, you may give more attention to priorities.One who is all over the map is no less lost than one without a map.Avoid asceticism (Asceticism meaning : rigorous self-denial); , however. Deprivation is not wise discipline.The key here is regulation, not restriction.
My work SITUATION ANALYSIS: This is a time for dealing with reality as it is, not as you would have it be.If you realize that in this situation you are the receptor, not the transmitter of the stimulus, you will find yourself reaching goals that seemed unattainable under your own steam.If you persist in futile efforts to be the Shaper rather than the Shaped, you will completely miss this unique opportunity.
3/9/12
Restaurant Excellent Food and service provided in Singapore
Tried and tested great for company dinner location.
They can prepare in set.
This is a good Italian restaurant with excellent services and food.
If you are looking to spurge with some nice dining. You can try this place out.
I am not associated with this restaurant... just posting to keep a record of all the places & facilites available. Also to share with all other.
The open space dining is on the 2nd floor. Do remember to make a reservation.
Oso Ristorante
46 Bukit Pasoh Road Singapore 089858
Tel: (65) 6327 8378 Fax: (65) 6224 9610
Email: reservations@oso.sg
Opening Hours Lunch : 12pm - 2:30pm (Mon - Fri)
Dinner : 6:30pm - till (Mon - Sat)
http://www.oso.sg/home.html
For those who prefer to dine in privacy, OSO Ristorante has 3 private rooms elegantly designed for all coporate /informal events. 2 of these rooms named after a prominent wine and champagne, AZELIA and Billecart Salmon
They can prepare in set.
This is a good Italian restaurant with excellent services and food.
If you are looking to spurge with some nice dining. You can try this place out.
I am not associated with this restaurant... just posting to keep a record of all the places & facilites available. Also to share with all other.
The open space dining is on the 2nd floor. Do remember to make a reservation.
Oso Ristorante
46 Bukit Pasoh Road Singapore 089858
Tel: (65) 6327 8378 Fax: (65) 6224 9610
Email: reservations@oso.sg
Opening Hours Lunch : 12pm - 2:30pm (Mon - Fri)
Dinner : 6:30pm - till (Mon - Sat)
http://www.oso.sg/home.html
For those who prefer to dine in privacy, OSO Ristorante has 3 private rooms elegantly designed for all coporate /informal events. 2 of these rooms named after a prominent wine and champagne, AZELIA and Billecart Salmon
What's job are suitable for your personality type?
Came across this and thought of keeping this for a while for reading...
May be I can do a personality check to understand more about myself.
By Melainne Chiew
Originally beginning life in the 1950s as a way of determining whether one had a higher chance of developing coronary heart disease, the Jacob Goldsmith theory (or the Type A and Type B personality theory) has evolved to include two more alphabets, Type C and Type D, as a way of segmenting 7 billion people into 4 different boxes.Even though numerous medical and psychological experts have consistently debunked this personality segmentation theory, the idea has slowly gained steam throughout the years, becoming an integral part of our business culture and helping to determine what kinds of career would be suitable for each of us.Due to the nature of the work, different personality types will excel in certain industries. Type A: Management, politics, business, entrepreneurshipType B: Advertising, events, marketing, salesType C: Engineering, accounting, programmingType D: Administrative workWant to know which type you are and whether you’re in the right industry? We break down the characteristics of the 4 different personality types for you.Type A: The BulldozerHell hath no fury for the aptly described number one alphabet. Uptight, detail-oriented and very tense, type A personalities are in it to win it. Often seen and heard exploding into the room like a blazing comet, type As are ready to shred any obstacles in their path without mercy. They are also early risers and early birds, reaching their intended destination long before the sun has risen so that they can snap up every last worm in the soil. They’re also incredibly competitive and do well in an office environment that continually presents them with difficult challenges which they can obliterate. Their innermost desire is to finally see a day that lasts 36 hours.While generally considered the ideal personality type for getting ahead in one’s career, Type As are notoriously known for their elevated levels of anxiety, and as such lack the ability to relax even when the occasion calls for it. They’re also more prone to depression, perpetual dissatisfaction, nightmares about work, and may have many enemies.Good & bad characteristics in a nutshell: Independent, decisive, efficient, deadline-driven, ambitious Aggressive, blunt, rushed, insensitive, controllingType B: The SocialisersOften highly creative and full of interesting thoughts, type B personalities are extremely magnetic and enjoy being the center of attention. They have an amazing ability to socialise with pretty much anyone and are extremely sensitive to the nuances and distinctions in everyday human interaction. They can tell whether a person is feeling happy or sad just by noticing the way the person’s eyebrow is arched.Type B people are also extremely easygoing and take things slowly and steadily, which translates to their careers as well. They take time to think before making a decision and tend to leave work until the last minute.Very fond of sleep, type Bs often sleep way into the day, only rising when the sun is beginning to set. Due to their constant need for attention, Type Bs become extremely hurt when no one pays any heed to their stories. They’re also prone to stagnancy, failure, and frequent bouts of ennui.Good & bad characteristics in a nutshell: Charismatic, humorous, energetic, enthusiastic, gregarious Dwells on failures, excessive socializing, shoddy last-minute workType C: The Detail SeekersFor these people, the devil, angel and God are in the details. Type C personalities are natural introverts who enjoy taking a work or piece apart to understand what makes it tick. They are very devoted to their work and pride themselves as perfectionists, ensuring that everything is as accurate as humanely possible.Type C people are extremely patient and will tend to dive into the smallest possible detail, which makes them very dependable because they will check everything inside out before taking the next step.Unfortunately, type Cs are pushovers when it comes down to the crunch. They are more likely to conform to the wishes of other people rather than deal with confrontation, even if it means hurting themselves in the process. They’re also almost devoid of human emotions and prefer to remain rational.Good & bad characteristics in a nutshell: Accurate, logical, analytical, consistent, thoughtful Excessively detail-oriented, unassertive, overly serious, emotionlessType D: The Risk AverseThe final personality type, Type D stands for “distressed”.These are the people who think of the glass as empty, stained and chipped off the sides. Life is always bleak for type D personalities and they tend to suppress such negative emotions, making them prone to depression.Typical feelings felt by type Ds are anxiety, irritability and chronic sadness, and they might exhibit behavior commonly identified as social inhibition.When confronted with change, type D people retreat into their shell; they are extremely risk-averse and prefer walking on the downtrodden path that others have already explored and created road signs and maps for. They are extremely good at following orders and will try as much as possible to avoid all forms of responsibility.Good & bad characteristics in a nutshell: Punctual, structured, orderly, dependable Lacks initiative, depressed, risk-averse, tense--No one is fully one type or the other; we are all a mixture of different types. However, remember that you are what you become. Like Carl Jung, famous psychologist, once said, “Personality can never develop unless the individual chooses his own way, consciously or with moral deliberation.”Are you in the right industry? Share with us in the comment box below!The JobsCentral Group, a CareerBuilder company, is the owner of JobsCentral.com.sg, one of Singapore's largest job and learning portals. Get a free career personality test and more career- and education-related articles at JobsCentral and JobsCentral Community. Alternatively, Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter for more career-centric content!
May be I can do a personality check to understand more about myself.
By Melainne Chiew
Originally beginning life in the 1950s as a way of determining whether one had a higher chance of developing coronary heart disease, the Jacob Goldsmith theory (or the Type A and Type B personality theory) has evolved to include two more alphabets, Type C and Type D, as a way of segmenting 7 billion people into 4 different boxes.Even though numerous medical and psychological experts have consistently debunked this personality segmentation theory, the idea has slowly gained steam throughout the years, becoming an integral part of our business culture and helping to determine what kinds of career would be suitable for each of us.Due to the nature of the work, different personality types will excel in certain industries. Type A: Management, politics, business, entrepreneurshipType B: Advertising, events, marketing, salesType C: Engineering, accounting, programmingType D: Administrative workWant to know which type you are and whether you’re in the right industry? We break down the characteristics of the 4 different personality types for you.Type A: The BulldozerHell hath no fury for the aptly described number one alphabet. Uptight, detail-oriented and very tense, type A personalities are in it to win it. Often seen and heard exploding into the room like a blazing comet, type As are ready to shred any obstacles in their path without mercy. They are also early risers and early birds, reaching their intended destination long before the sun has risen so that they can snap up every last worm in the soil. They’re also incredibly competitive and do well in an office environment that continually presents them with difficult challenges which they can obliterate. Their innermost desire is to finally see a day that lasts 36 hours.While generally considered the ideal personality type for getting ahead in one’s career, Type As are notoriously known for their elevated levels of anxiety, and as such lack the ability to relax even when the occasion calls for it. They’re also more prone to depression, perpetual dissatisfaction, nightmares about work, and may have many enemies.Good & bad characteristics in a nutshell: Independent, decisive, efficient, deadline-driven, ambitious Aggressive, blunt, rushed, insensitive, controllingType B: The SocialisersOften highly creative and full of interesting thoughts, type B personalities are extremely magnetic and enjoy being the center of attention. They have an amazing ability to socialise with pretty much anyone and are extremely sensitive to the nuances and distinctions in everyday human interaction. They can tell whether a person is feeling happy or sad just by noticing the way the person’s eyebrow is arched.Type B people are also extremely easygoing and take things slowly and steadily, which translates to their careers as well. They take time to think before making a decision and tend to leave work until the last minute.Very fond of sleep, type Bs often sleep way into the day, only rising when the sun is beginning to set. Due to their constant need for attention, Type Bs become extremely hurt when no one pays any heed to their stories. They’re also prone to stagnancy, failure, and frequent bouts of ennui.Good & bad characteristics in a nutshell: Charismatic, humorous, energetic, enthusiastic, gregarious Dwells on failures, excessive socializing, shoddy last-minute workType C: The Detail SeekersFor these people, the devil, angel and God are in the details. Type C personalities are natural introverts who enjoy taking a work or piece apart to understand what makes it tick. They are very devoted to their work and pride themselves as perfectionists, ensuring that everything is as accurate as humanely possible.Type C people are extremely patient and will tend to dive into the smallest possible detail, which makes them very dependable because they will check everything inside out before taking the next step.Unfortunately, type Cs are pushovers when it comes down to the crunch. They are more likely to conform to the wishes of other people rather than deal with confrontation, even if it means hurting themselves in the process. They’re also almost devoid of human emotions and prefer to remain rational.Good & bad characteristics in a nutshell: Accurate, logical, analytical, consistent, thoughtful Excessively detail-oriented, unassertive, overly serious, emotionlessType D: The Risk AverseThe final personality type, Type D stands for “distressed”.These are the people who think of the glass as empty, stained and chipped off the sides. Life is always bleak for type D personalities and they tend to suppress such negative emotions, making them prone to depression.Typical feelings felt by type Ds are anxiety, irritability and chronic sadness, and they might exhibit behavior commonly identified as social inhibition.When confronted with change, type D people retreat into their shell; they are extremely risk-averse and prefer walking on the downtrodden path that others have already explored and created road signs and maps for. They are extremely good at following orders and will try as much as possible to avoid all forms of responsibility.Good & bad characteristics in a nutshell: Punctual, structured, orderly, dependable Lacks initiative, depressed, risk-averse, tense--No one is fully one type or the other; we are all a mixture of different types. However, remember that you are what you become. Like Carl Jung, famous psychologist, once said, “Personality can never develop unless the individual chooses his own way, consciously or with moral deliberation.”Are you in the right industry? Share with us in the comment box below!The JobsCentral Group, a CareerBuilder company, is the owner of JobsCentral.com.sg, one of Singapore's largest job and learning portals. Get a free career personality test and more career- and education-related articles at JobsCentral and JobsCentral Community. Alternatively, Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter for more career-centric content!
2/27/12
woman boss information
When the person calling the shots is a woman, keep these points in mind:
1. Women are more comfortable with cooperation than with hotdogging."Women are much more into networks of connections and involvement," says Karen Lawson, Ph.D., president of her own management-consulting firm in Philadelphia. "They want input, and they're often interpreted by men as being indecisive, when that's not it at all. They're just being consultative."
2. The boss may nod when you speak, but it doesn't mean she's down with what you're saying."She's indicating, 'Yes, I'm listening,' " and encouraging you to go on, but it's not to be interpreted as agreement," Lawson says. "She'll listen more and talk less in the boardroom, but don't take advantage of her silence," because she's simply taking account of opinions and "weighing all options before verbalizing her own opinion."
3. If she talks about what happened on the golf course last weekend, don't think she's dropping hints."Women often draw on personal experiences to illustrate a point or explain an idea," says Lawson. Don't take it to heart.
4. Be careful about how you oppose her."Women tend to get defensive when challenged because they see it as a personal attack on their credibility," says Lawson, "whereas men see challenging as a sign of respect and equal treatment."
5. When she says, "I'm sorry," it's not necessarily an apology for wrongdoing-she just may be showing that she understands. "Women tend to say, 'I'm sorry,' to express empathy or shared feeling, and men often interpret it incorrectly," Lawson says.
6. If the boss comes to you and presents a problem that needs solving, don't dole out advice until she finishes. "She's using the man as a sounding board, and when he begins to tell her what she should do or how to handle the problem, she gets annoyed because she just wants him to listen, not solve the problem," says Lawson.
7. She's not NECESSARILY a stickler for protocol. "Women will ask for team and individual input, with relationships and impact sometimes more important than rules," says Marilyn Manning, Ph.D., president of The Consulting Team, in Mountain View, California. "A man prefers to decide who's right and wrong, winner or loser, as in all sports games."
Read more at Men's Health: http://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/gender-and-work-how-handle-having-woman-boss#ixzz1nb7F2I8y
1. Women are more comfortable with cooperation than with hotdogging."Women are much more into networks of connections and involvement," says Karen Lawson, Ph.D., president of her own management-consulting firm in Philadelphia. "They want input, and they're often interpreted by men as being indecisive, when that's not it at all. They're just being consultative."
2. The boss may nod when you speak, but it doesn't mean she's down with what you're saying."She's indicating, 'Yes, I'm listening,' " and encouraging you to go on, but it's not to be interpreted as agreement," Lawson says. "She'll listen more and talk less in the boardroom, but don't take advantage of her silence," because she's simply taking account of opinions and "weighing all options before verbalizing her own opinion."
3. If she talks about what happened on the golf course last weekend, don't think she's dropping hints."Women often draw on personal experiences to illustrate a point or explain an idea," says Lawson. Don't take it to heart.
4. Be careful about how you oppose her."Women tend to get defensive when challenged because they see it as a personal attack on their credibility," says Lawson, "whereas men see challenging as a sign of respect and equal treatment."
5. When she says, "I'm sorry," it's not necessarily an apology for wrongdoing-she just may be showing that she understands. "Women tend to say, 'I'm sorry,' to express empathy or shared feeling, and men often interpret it incorrectly," Lawson says.
6. If the boss comes to you and presents a problem that needs solving, don't dole out advice until she finishes. "She's using the man as a sounding board, and when he begins to tell her what she should do or how to handle the problem, she gets annoyed because she just wants him to listen, not solve the problem," says Lawson.
7. She's not NECESSARILY a stickler for protocol. "Women will ask for team and individual input, with relationships and impact sometimes more important than rules," says Marilyn Manning, Ph.D., president of The Consulting Team, in Mountain View, California. "A man prefers to decide who's right and wrong, winner or loser, as in all sports games."
Read more at Men's Health: http://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/gender-and-work-how-handle-having-woman-boss#ixzz1nb7F2I8y
Top tips to start every day refreshed and focused
The best ways to get a morning boost
Welcome to the realbuzz.com guide to the best ways to get the most out of your mornings, so that you start every day feeling refreshed and focused.
Your morning ritual is something which shapes how you feel for the rest of the day. If you’re someone who constantly reaches for the snooze button again and again, then chances are you end up prizing yourself out of bed, only to feel rushed and frantic because you're running late.
Okay, some of us are just not ‘morning’ people, but you can make yourself go some way to becoming one just by modifying your morning routine. The following tips focus on how to improve how you feel from the very moment you wake.
Move your alarm clock
You may want to have you alarm clock close to hand so you can constantly keep leaning over and pressing it for a few extra minutes snooze time. The reality is it doesn’t really help. Place your alarm just that bit further away so that you really have to stretch or even get up to reach it — any stretching movement stimulates the waking part of the brain.
Avoid caffeine
It may be through habit that one of the first things we do when we get up is go straight for the caffeine hit, but this should be avoided if possible. Since your body has been several hours without fluid, what you need is a proper rehydrating drink such as freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice. A cup of hot water with a touch of lemon and honey is also a good way to start the day. If you can, add some ginger — this acts as an extra boost your circulatory system.
Exercising in the morning
Although many of us probably don’t feel like it, a bit of morning exercise will help. We are not talking about a full-on several-mile run, just some activity to increase your body temperature, and get your metabolism and enzyme activity kick-started. This could involve just doing a few basic stretches or even jogging on the spot. If you do fancy taking on something more energetic in the morning, then ensure that you have thoroughly warmed-up.
Deep breathe
There is often a sense of anxiety ahead of a stressful day and sometimes we are far from relaxed when we get up. To get your body into a state of relaxation, it is important to control the functions of the body, like the beating of the heart and breathing properly. A good method is to try 2:1 breathing, this is easy and really effective — you gently slow the rate of exhalation so that you are exhaling twice as long as you are inhaling.
Surroundings
Your surroundings can have an impact on your mood from the moment you wake. If you wake up surrounded by clutter, then that is hardly going to get you off to the right start. Keep your bedroom as clutter free as possible. You can also pay attention to your décor — certain colours can be good for your mood, choose something that uplifts you. If possible have some green plants in your bedroom — a little bit of greenery can do wonders to enhance your mood and positivity.
Good posture
Your body position is fundamental, bad posture has the effect of limiting the flow of oxygen through your body, meaning you are not getting the maximum benefit, and waking your body up will be a real struggle. Pay attention to straightening your posture, feet flat on the floor, hold your stomach in and extend up through your spine. These small movements will work wonders and act to relieve tension before you get out and face the day ahead.
Breakfast
Is this the most important meal of the day? Yes! After a long sleep, breakfast is responsible for replacing your liver glycogen, which helps you stay focused and switched-on throughout the morning. Choose your breakfast carefully — sugary breakfast cereals only give you a quick hit and can rapidly wear off. The best bet is to eat some protein combined with carbohydrate to help maintain your alertness throughout the morning. If you find yourself hungry before you have even reached work, you might want to consider eating part of your breakfast at home, and then preparing the remainder to have at work.
These simple changes to your morning ritual will be strange at first but they will slowly become habit and then second nature — before you know it bleary eyed, groggy mornings will soon be a distant memory.
To get refreshed and focused
— start tomorrow!
Welcome to the realbuzz.com guide to the best ways to get the most out of your mornings, so that you start every day feeling refreshed and focused.
Your morning ritual is something which shapes how you feel for the rest of the day. If you’re someone who constantly reaches for the snooze button again and again, then chances are you end up prizing yourself out of bed, only to feel rushed and frantic because you're running late.
Okay, some of us are just not ‘morning’ people, but you can make yourself go some way to becoming one just by modifying your morning routine. The following tips focus on how to improve how you feel from the very moment you wake.
Move your alarm clock
You may want to have you alarm clock close to hand so you can constantly keep leaning over and pressing it for a few extra minutes snooze time. The reality is it doesn’t really help. Place your alarm just that bit further away so that you really have to stretch or even get up to reach it — any stretching movement stimulates the waking part of the brain.
Avoid caffeine
It may be through habit that one of the first things we do when we get up is go straight for the caffeine hit, but this should be avoided if possible. Since your body has been several hours without fluid, what you need is a proper rehydrating drink such as freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice. A cup of hot water with a touch of lemon and honey is also a good way to start the day. If you can, add some ginger — this acts as an extra boost your circulatory system.
Exercising in the morning
Although many of us probably don’t feel like it, a bit of morning exercise will help. We are not talking about a full-on several-mile run, just some activity to increase your body temperature, and get your metabolism and enzyme activity kick-started. This could involve just doing a few basic stretches or even jogging on the spot. If you do fancy taking on something more energetic in the morning, then ensure that you have thoroughly warmed-up.
Deep breathe
There is often a sense of anxiety ahead of a stressful day and sometimes we are far from relaxed when we get up. To get your body into a state of relaxation, it is important to control the functions of the body, like the beating of the heart and breathing properly. A good method is to try 2:1 breathing, this is easy and really effective — you gently slow the rate of exhalation so that you are exhaling twice as long as you are inhaling.
Surroundings
Your surroundings can have an impact on your mood from the moment you wake. If you wake up surrounded by clutter, then that is hardly going to get you off to the right start. Keep your bedroom as clutter free as possible. You can also pay attention to your décor — certain colours can be good for your mood, choose something that uplifts you. If possible have some green plants in your bedroom — a little bit of greenery can do wonders to enhance your mood and positivity.
Good posture
Your body position is fundamental, bad posture has the effect of limiting the flow of oxygen through your body, meaning you are not getting the maximum benefit, and waking your body up will be a real struggle. Pay attention to straightening your posture, feet flat on the floor, hold your stomach in and extend up through your spine. These small movements will work wonders and act to relieve tension before you get out and face the day ahead.
Breakfast
Is this the most important meal of the day? Yes! After a long sleep, breakfast is responsible for replacing your liver glycogen, which helps you stay focused and switched-on throughout the morning. Choose your breakfast carefully — sugary breakfast cereals only give you a quick hit and can rapidly wear off. The best bet is to eat some protein combined with carbohydrate to help maintain your alertness throughout the morning. If you find yourself hungry before you have even reached work, you might want to consider eating part of your breakfast at home, and then preparing the remainder to have at work.
These simple changes to your morning ritual will be strange at first but they will slowly become habit and then second nature — before you know it bleary eyed, groggy mornings will soon be a distant memory.
To get refreshed and focused
— start tomorrow!
7 ways to spring clean yourself
I really like this and I am doing this now... still in process.. you can do so too...
Clean up your relationships
Many of us cling on to friendships and relationships well past their use-by date, believing that quantity is more important than quality when it comes to the people in our lives. However, if you are holding on to relationships that no longer make you feel good, it may be time to let them go. If you think you may just be going through a rough patch then it is worth talking things through with your partner or friend; however, if they have been bringing you down for a while and there’s no resolution in sight, it may be time to focus on those people who make you happy instead.
Dust off your talents
From ballet classes to music lessons, children are always rushing about from one activity to the next. Yet as we get older, many of us abandon the hobbies and interests we used to love in favour of a growing list of chores and obligations. To add some fun back in to your routine, try starting up an activity again that you used to enjoy or be good at. If you find that your passion is no longer there then move on to something else – with so many hobbies out there to try, you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.
Straighten out your finances
If you want to start afresh with a clean slate and a clear mind, one of the best things you can do is to get your finances in order. While it may be scary to assess your financial situation, going on in ignorance will only cause your worries to eat away at you and may even lead to a worse situation further down the road. Bite the bullet and, if necessary, set yourself a budget for the next few months or so. Make a plan to cut down on anything that you don’t need to be splurging on, such as your morning cup of coffee or that fancy store-bought lunch.
Declutter your mind
Many of us harbour negative emotions over time such as anger, jealousy and hatred; however these emotions are not only worthless, they can also be detrimental to your health and happiness. Try to realise that these feelings aren’t adding anything to your life and let go of any negative emotions or grudges you have been holding. Also, find a method to deal with any anxiety and stress, such as through yoga, meditation or counselling. Remember that worrying won’t change the future; it will only ruin the present.
I heard that by reading books it is much better than watching TV or listening radio. The activities occuring in our brain cells are much higher.
Trying reading some improvement books
Clear your schedule
How are you spending your time? Is it on things worth spending it on? The truth is that many of us go through our lives wasting precious hours on things that don’t matter and then complaining that we can’t fit in things that do. Rather than letting your time slip away unnoticed, mentally go through your week and work out how you spend your time, writing down everything you do and how long you spend on it. Once you have your week written out in front of you, you can identify how to maximise your hours, what to cut back on and how to make room for more valuable activities.
Spruce up your diet
Whether due to lack of inspiration or habit, we often end up eating the same meals over and over with little variation in our diets. However, repeatedly sticking to the same foods may mean that you are missing out on certain nutrients and it will also lessen your enjoyment of meals. To liven up your mealtimes and boost your inspiration for cooking, try experimenting with different foods you have never tasted and interesting new recipes. If you are a snackaholic this may be the perfect time to start sampling some healthy replacements for those biscuits and crisps!
Get rid of clutter
While you’re dusting off the other areas of your life it’s a great time to have a traditional spring clean and clear out any household clutter. Throw away or give to charity anything you don’t use anymore (including clothes you’ve been waiting for years for the “right occasion” to wear!), clear your kitchen cupboards of junk food and re-arrange the furniture to freshen up your home. Not only will this give you space for more useful things, but decluttering your home can also boost your mental health.
Read more on realbuzz.com...Top tips to start every day refreshed and focused10 ways to boost your happinessImprove your health and happiness
Clean up your relationships
Many of us cling on to friendships and relationships well past their use-by date, believing that quantity is more important than quality when it comes to the people in our lives. However, if you are holding on to relationships that no longer make you feel good, it may be time to let them go. If you think you may just be going through a rough patch then it is worth talking things through with your partner or friend; however, if they have been bringing you down for a while and there’s no resolution in sight, it may be time to focus on those people who make you happy instead.
Dust off your talents
From ballet classes to music lessons, children are always rushing about from one activity to the next. Yet as we get older, many of us abandon the hobbies and interests we used to love in favour of a growing list of chores and obligations. To add some fun back in to your routine, try starting up an activity again that you used to enjoy or be good at. If you find that your passion is no longer there then move on to something else – with so many hobbies out there to try, you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.
Straighten out your finances
If you want to start afresh with a clean slate and a clear mind, one of the best things you can do is to get your finances in order. While it may be scary to assess your financial situation, going on in ignorance will only cause your worries to eat away at you and may even lead to a worse situation further down the road. Bite the bullet and, if necessary, set yourself a budget for the next few months or so. Make a plan to cut down on anything that you don’t need to be splurging on, such as your morning cup of coffee or that fancy store-bought lunch.
Declutter your mind
Many of us harbour negative emotions over time such as anger, jealousy and hatred; however these emotions are not only worthless, they can also be detrimental to your health and happiness. Try to realise that these feelings aren’t adding anything to your life and let go of any negative emotions or grudges you have been holding. Also, find a method to deal with any anxiety and stress, such as through yoga, meditation or counselling. Remember that worrying won’t change the future; it will only ruin the present.
I heard that by reading books it is much better than watching TV or listening radio. The activities occuring in our brain cells are much higher.
Trying reading some improvement books
Clear your schedule
How are you spending your time? Is it on things worth spending it on? The truth is that many of us go through our lives wasting precious hours on things that don’t matter and then complaining that we can’t fit in things that do. Rather than letting your time slip away unnoticed, mentally go through your week and work out how you spend your time, writing down everything you do and how long you spend on it. Once you have your week written out in front of you, you can identify how to maximise your hours, what to cut back on and how to make room for more valuable activities.
Spruce up your diet
Whether due to lack of inspiration or habit, we often end up eating the same meals over and over with little variation in our diets. However, repeatedly sticking to the same foods may mean that you are missing out on certain nutrients and it will also lessen your enjoyment of meals. To liven up your mealtimes and boost your inspiration for cooking, try experimenting with different foods you have never tasted and interesting new recipes. If you are a snackaholic this may be the perfect time to start sampling some healthy replacements for those biscuits and crisps!
Get rid of clutter
While you’re dusting off the other areas of your life it’s a great time to have a traditional spring clean and clear out any household clutter. Throw away or give to charity anything you don’t use anymore (including clothes you’ve been waiting for years for the “right occasion” to wear!), clear your kitchen cupboards of junk food and re-arrange the furniture to freshen up your home. Not only will this give you space for more useful things, but decluttering your home can also boost your mental health.
Read more on realbuzz.com...Top tips to start every day refreshed and focused10 ways to boost your happinessImprove your health and happiness
.....Natural Ways to Fight Depression
A depressive or anxious mindset continues to be one of the most common psychological ailments.
People seem hesitant to seek help, afraid that taking psychotic drugs or counseling will make them look ridiculous. If you are one of such folks, reading about natural ways of defeating depression might prove rather useful. Others, who don’t have a severe problem of depression but suffer from phases of low mood too can benefit from the following advice:
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly is perhaps the best, daily activity you can indulge in to ensure better mood. Researchers across the world have confirmed that you don’t need to be a gym-junkie or into hardcore weight training to feel the benefits of exercising. Just take upon any kind of physical activity that gets your heart pumping and makes you sweat. This includes running, jogging and a bit of stretching. If you can combine some bit of light-weight training, it is even better but not imperative. Exercise has a direct impact on our mood. It makes the body secrete more endorphins. These biochemicals are responsible for inducing a feeling of goodness that sustains for many hours after exercising. You should exercise for more than 30 minutes to use exercising as an anti-depression tool.
Make Small Dietary Changes
You can make small dietary changes to fight off depression. Ensure that you get your daily quota of vitamins, particularly folic acid and other types of vitamin Bs. For this, regularly indulge in green leafy veggies, bright-colored fruits, potatoes and dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese. These vitamins are essential for synthesis and release of mood-lifting chemicals within the brain. Vitamin B12 is required for the overall regulation of our nervous system. Combine this with some source of essential fatty acids. This includes flax and mustard seeds. Omega 3 fatty acids are required for release of mood boosters like Serotonin and Dopamine. Thus, increase your intake of walnuts, soybeans, fish and tofu.
Get Sufficient Sleep
All of us suffer from phases of troubled sleep. When this problem starts to surface regularly, it becomes an underlying cause of depression. Lack of good sleep causes irritation. It reduces your ability to handle low mood swings. Trying to catch a nap and staying-up late at night watching TV further reduce the quality of night sleep. Ensure that you get at least seven hours of peaceful sleep each night. Lack of sleep disturbs the body clock, and can push you towards chronic depression.
Take Psychological & Physical Breaks
Boredom and a mundane lifestyle are among the more common causes of depression. Even if you don’t have something really exciting to do, seek regular breaks. Here, a break refers to something that engages your mind and body. This ensures that you are holistically disengaged from your anxiety or depressive way of thinking. For instance, going shopping to the local market, playing a game of soccer outdoors, playing snooker or bowling indoors or washing your car occupy your mental and physical faculties. Try talking more among your friends and family to ensure your mind is engaged in healthy conversations or arguments that help you get rid of feelings of anguish or frustration.
Develop Better Lifestyle Habits
Some seemingly minor factors contribute to depression in a big way. For instance, lack of exposure to sunlight causes Vitamin D deficiency. This vitamin is essential for better mental health. Similarly, people on low-fat diets don’t understand that a basic amount of cholesterol is required for the synthesis of serotonin. Without this neurotransmitter, we cannot sustain that good/happy feeling. This makes us more prone to being anxious. Thus, extreme dieting should always be avoided.
Avoid Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition of lack of sufficient sugar in our bloodstream. This is often found among people who tend to fast for long periods, between meals. Phases of Hypoglycemia aren't good for your mental health. This impairs the release of serotonin. Hypoglycemia is often found among people who tend to consume too much of refined sugars. Such sugars are highly processed and get immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. This causes a surge in the blood sugar levels, inducing a feeling of goodness. However, the surge is soon followed by a sudden fall in sugar levels as refined sugar is metabolized quickly. Thus, a few minutes after eating a sugar-loaded candy, you might suffer from a short phase of Hypoglycemia. These wide fluctuations in blood sugar levels cause a spike in the release of stress hormones like cortisone and adrenalin, making us more prone to nervousness and anxiety. Thus, eat regular intervals but stay away from snacking on processed, sweet foods.
People seem hesitant to seek help, afraid that taking psychotic drugs or counseling will make them look ridiculous. If you are one of such folks, reading about natural ways of defeating depression might prove rather useful. Others, who don’t have a severe problem of depression but suffer from phases of low mood too can benefit from the following advice:
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly is perhaps the best, daily activity you can indulge in to ensure better mood. Researchers across the world have confirmed that you don’t need to be a gym-junkie or into hardcore weight training to feel the benefits of exercising. Just take upon any kind of physical activity that gets your heart pumping and makes you sweat. This includes running, jogging and a bit of stretching. If you can combine some bit of light-weight training, it is even better but not imperative. Exercise has a direct impact on our mood. It makes the body secrete more endorphins. These biochemicals are responsible for inducing a feeling of goodness that sustains for many hours after exercising. You should exercise for more than 30 minutes to use exercising as an anti-depression tool.
Make Small Dietary Changes
You can make small dietary changes to fight off depression. Ensure that you get your daily quota of vitamins, particularly folic acid and other types of vitamin Bs. For this, regularly indulge in green leafy veggies, bright-colored fruits, potatoes and dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese. These vitamins are essential for synthesis and release of mood-lifting chemicals within the brain. Vitamin B12 is required for the overall regulation of our nervous system. Combine this with some source of essential fatty acids. This includes flax and mustard seeds. Omega 3 fatty acids are required for release of mood boosters like Serotonin and Dopamine. Thus, increase your intake of walnuts, soybeans, fish and tofu.
Get Sufficient Sleep
All of us suffer from phases of troubled sleep. When this problem starts to surface regularly, it becomes an underlying cause of depression. Lack of good sleep causes irritation. It reduces your ability to handle low mood swings. Trying to catch a nap and staying-up late at night watching TV further reduce the quality of night sleep. Ensure that you get at least seven hours of peaceful sleep each night. Lack of sleep disturbs the body clock, and can push you towards chronic depression.
Take Psychological & Physical Breaks
Boredom and a mundane lifestyle are among the more common causes of depression. Even if you don’t have something really exciting to do, seek regular breaks. Here, a break refers to something that engages your mind and body. This ensures that you are holistically disengaged from your anxiety or depressive way of thinking. For instance, going shopping to the local market, playing a game of soccer outdoors, playing snooker or bowling indoors or washing your car occupy your mental and physical faculties. Try talking more among your friends and family to ensure your mind is engaged in healthy conversations or arguments that help you get rid of feelings of anguish or frustration.
Develop Better Lifestyle Habits
Some seemingly minor factors contribute to depression in a big way. For instance, lack of exposure to sunlight causes Vitamin D deficiency. This vitamin is essential for better mental health. Similarly, people on low-fat diets don’t understand that a basic amount of cholesterol is required for the synthesis of serotonin. Without this neurotransmitter, we cannot sustain that good/happy feeling. This makes us more prone to being anxious. Thus, extreme dieting should always be avoided.
Avoid Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition of lack of sufficient sugar in our bloodstream. This is often found among people who tend to fast for long periods, between meals. Phases of Hypoglycemia aren't good for your mental health. This impairs the release of serotonin. Hypoglycemia is often found among people who tend to consume too much of refined sugars. Such sugars are highly processed and get immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. This causes a surge in the blood sugar levels, inducing a feeling of goodness. However, the surge is soon followed by a sudden fall in sugar levels as refined sugar is metabolized quickly. Thus, a few minutes after eating a sugar-loaded candy, you might suffer from a short phase of Hypoglycemia. These wide fluctuations in blood sugar levels cause a spike in the release of stress hormones like cortisone and adrenalin, making us more prone to nervousness and anxiety. Thus, eat regular intervals but stay away from snacking on processed, sweet foods.
..The health benefits of antioxidants
The process in which oxygen combines with another material is called oxidation. For instance, unprotected iron will turn to rust when oxidized, fruits will turn brown, and butter will become rancid. A similar process occurs in the body causing it to degenerate and age, and as we get older more oxidation occurs in the body.
When our cells are exposed to free radicals, this process of oxidisation occurs. Therefore, our aging process depends on our ability to protect our cells from oxidation. However, this is no easy task; we are exposed to free radicals every day, introduced to the body from toxic chemicals that are either breathed in or absorbed through the skin.
The body’s oxidative reaction occurs due to the exposure to environmental toxins that are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the household products we use. And it is these ‘free radicals’ that contribute to the oxidative reactions in the body and cause tissues to damage and can also affect memory and mood, wrinkling of the skin, hardening of the arteries, stiffening joints — the list goes on.
Exposure to environmental toxins dramatically increases the level of free radicals in the body, sometimes beyond what our body can fight on its own. The human body is capable of handling and neutralising a certain amount, but when the system is overloaded the body’s normal ability to cope with them is compromised and become susceptible to premature aging and disease.
Free radicals can be found in the following:
Junk food
Refined foods, such as sugar and white flour
Processed foods (canned, frozen and ready made meals)
Colourings, preservatives and food additives
Chemotherapy or radiation exposure (X-rays, TV and computer monitors)
Drugs and medications
Coffee and tea
Hydrogenated and saturated fat (margarine and oils)
Fizzy drinks
Exposure to heat or cold
Household chemicals
Tap water
Cigarette smoke and alcohol
Natural antioxidants
Fortunately there are nutritional approaches to protect the body from free radical damage. Antioxidants are powerful nutrients that have shown to be efficient in minimizing the effects of free radicals. Antioxidants are nature’s free radical fighters and occur naturally in plant foods. Therefore, if we are not getting enough variety and quantity of antioxidants, these toxic chemicals will destroy cells leaving the body vulnerable to disease.
The body needs plenty of antioxidants to help destroy free radicals, to promote the growth of healthy cells and protect these cells against premature aging. Much of the damage can be repaired in a short amount of time by simply providing the brain and body with repeated doses of antioxidants. Eating fruits and vegetables at optimal ripeness and consuming them in less processed forms without removing their skins, provides quality antioxidants.
Organic produce is high in antioxidants as well as being rich in flavor and full in nutrients. It is worth remembering that no matter how healthy your lifestyle is, you will be exposed to free radicals. Therefore antioxidant-rich foods are a must to your everyday diet. To help protect your body, nature has provided us with a wide range of different antioxidants. They are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and seeds, beans and many other natural foods. The more antioxidants the body gets, the better it is able to adapt to stress.
Antioxidants can be found in the following foods:
Whole and unrefined foods
Natural plants (fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, whole grains, beans, raw nuts and seeds)
Raw foods
Cold-pressed oils (olive, canola and flax)
Seaweeds
Sprouts
Free-range meat and eggs
Nutrients that reduce free radical damage
The best sources of antioxidants to fight free radicals are rich in vitamins C, E and vitamins B, flavonoid and beta-carotene. Below is a quick guide to foods that are high in these nutrients, and therefore packed with antioxidants:
Berries (cranberries, blackberries, blueberries) and citrus fruits are potent antioxidants that promote collagen and reduce wrinkles keeping the skin looking young.
Carrots and apricots protect the skin against sun’s ray damage.
Green leaves, vegetables, apples, oranges, cherries, beets, carrots, artichokes and strawberries are rich in the minerals copper, magnesium, and selenium; all needed for healthy hair, nails and bones.
Bee pollen, royal jelly and bee propolis are complete foods. These powerful antioxidants contain 22 amino acids and vitamins D, K and E, carbohydrates and proteins. A human body can survive on bee pollen alone. This is an energy booster and can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Lycium fruits and liquorice flavonoids are high antioxidants which help counteract effect of chemotherapy and radiography (radiation).
Aloe Vera raw gel (cold-pressed only) contains an abundance of 75 minerals and vitamins including the rare B12 and 12 amino acids which help with digestive and skin disorders. Aloe Vera is a miracle plant and a natural healer.
Raw nuts and seeds, dark fish, seaweed and avocado are rich in EFA, omega-3, alpha- linoleic acid and selenium. These foods can influence against premature aging and enhance your memory.
Chestnuts, papayas, sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, kiwi, broccoli, cabbage, spinach can help detoxify the liver.
European studies have found that high intake of flavonoid from vegetables and fruits are related to low heart disease and cancer.
Many of these foods improve the functioning of the immune system. When the body is healthy it can cope with free radicals as it has a mechanism into place to ensure their destruction. To achieve a healthy complexion eat plenty of raw food and drink lots of water. What goes into your body reflects your overall appearance!
When our cells are exposed to free radicals, this process of oxidisation occurs. Therefore, our aging process depends on our ability to protect our cells from oxidation. However, this is no easy task; we are exposed to free radicals every day, introduced to the body from toxic chemicals that are either breathed in or absorbed through the skin.
The body’s oxidative reaction occurs due to the exposure to environmental toxins that are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the household products we use. And it is these ‘free radicals’ that contribute to the oxidative reactions in the body and cause tissues to damage and can also affect memory and mood, wrinkling of the skin, hardening of the arteries, stiffening joints — the list goes on.
Exposure to environmental toxins dramatically increases the level of free radicals in the body, sometimes beyond what our body can fight on its own. The human body is capable of handling and neutralising a certain amount, but when the system is overloaded the body’s normal ability to cope with them is compromised and become susceptible to premature aging and disease.
Free radicals can be found in the following:
Junk food
Refined foods, such as sugar and white flour
Processed foods (canned, frozen and ready made meals)
Colourings, preservatives and food additives
Chemotherapy or radiation exposure (X-rays, TV and computer monitors)
Drugs and medications
Coffee and tea
Hydrogenated and saturated fat (margarine and oils)
Fizzy drinks
Exposure to heat or cold
Household chemicals
Tap water
Cigarette smoke and alcohol
Natural antioxidants
Fortunately there are nutritional approaches to protect the body from free radical damage. Antioxidants are powerful nutrients that have shown to be efficient in minimizing the effects of free radicals. Antioxidants are nature’s free radical fighters and occur naturally in plant foods. Therefore, if we are not getting enough variety and quantity of antioxidants, these toxic chemicals will destroy cells leaving the body vulnerable to disease.
The body needs plenty of antioxidants to help destroy free radicals, to promote the growth of healthy cells and protect these cells against premature aging. Much of the damage can be repaired in a short amount of time by simply providing the brain and body with repeated doses of antioxidants. Eating fruits and vegetables at optimal ripeness and consuming them in less processed forms without removing their skins, provides quality antioxidants.
Organic produce is high in antioxidants as well as being rich in flavor and full in nutrients. It is worth remembering that no matter how healthy your lifestyle is, you will be exposed to free radicals. Therefore antioxidant-rich foods are a must to your everyday diet. To help protect your body, nature has provided us with a wide range of different antioxidants. They are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and seeds, beans and many other natural foods. The more antioxidants the body gets, the better it is able to adapt to stress.
Antioxidants can be found in the following foods:
Whole and unrefined foods
Natural plants (fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, whole grains, beans, raw nuts and seeds)
Raw foods
Cold-pressed oils (olive, canola and flax)
Seaweeds
Sprouts
Free-range meat and eggs
Nutrients that reduce free radical damage
The best sources of antioxidants to fight free radicals are rich in vitamins C, E and vitamins B, flavonoid and beta-carotene. Below is a quick guide to foods that are high in these nutrients, and therefore packed with antioxidants:
Berries (cranberries, blackberries, blueberries) and citrus fruits are potent antioxidants that promote collagen and reduce wrinkles keeping the skin looking young.
Carrots and apricots protect the skin against sun’s ray damage.
Green leaves, vegetables, apples, oranges, cherries, beets, carrots, artichokes and strawberries are rich in the minerals copper, magnesium, and selenium; all needed for healthy hair, nails and bones.
Bee pollen, royal jelly and bee propolis are complete foods. These powerful antioxidants contain 22 amino acids and vitamins D, K and E, carbohydrates and proteins. A human body can survive on bee pollen alone. This is an energy booster and can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Lycium fruits and liquorice flavonoids are high antioxidants which help counteract effect of chemotherapy and radiography (radiation).
Aloe Vera raw gel (cold-pressed only) contains an abundance of 75 minerals and vitamins including the rare B12 and 12 amino acids which help with digestive and skin disorders. Aloe Vera is a miracle plant and a natural healer.
Raw nuts and seeds, dark fish, seaweed and avocado are rich in EFA, omega-3, alpha- linoleic acid and selenium. These foods can influence against premature aging and enhance your memory.
Chestnuts, papayas, sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, kiwi, broccoli, cabbage, spinach can help detoxify the liver.
European studies have found that high intake of flavonoid from vegetables and fruits are related to low heart disease and cancer.
Many of these foods improve the functioning of the immune system. When the body is healthy it can cope with free radicals as it has a mechanism into place to ensure their destruction. To achieve a healthy complexion eat plenty of raw food and drink lots of water. What goes into your body reflects your overall appearance!
.....5 Habits to Adopt for Perfect Sleep
Sleeping issues continue to daunt most of us from time-to-time.
Our demanding schedules ensure that our sleep is disturbed either in terms of quality or duration-wise. A sporadic incidence of bad sleep isn't that big an issue. However, if you feel that lack of sleep or poor quality-of-sleep is hampering your performance at work or your health, you need to read about the following better sleeping habits:
1. Develop Your Personal Sleep Routine
You don’t need to follow sleep timing-related advice that surrounds us in the form of tabloids and blogs. Just develop a pattern that is suitable to your lifestyle. It doesn’t make sense to follow a routine that inconveniences you and makes you “work” towards getting proper sleep. However, you need to follow some sort of routine. This means knowing when you should switch-off the lights and when you need to wake-up. This is best done by noticing at what time you tend to get a bit heavy-eyed at night. Keep your going-to-bed time around this period. Follow this with a wake-up timing that allows you an extra few minutes to laze in the bed. Ensure a wake-up time with the flexibility of 15 to 20 minutes. Even if you get less than the recommended eight or nine hours of sleep, it won’t matter much if your quality of sleep is good.
2. Eat Lighter & Early Dinner
Ensure that you have had your major meal or supper at least three to four hours before the sleep time. Eating too close to bedtime tends to keep away the sleep. Since the body is actively involved in metabolizing the food that you have consumed, its metabolic rate is up. This means that chances of falling asleep decrease. You might wonder that often after having a heavy meal you get a bit drowsy. However, that is more of a nap that is induced by the body trying to maximize its resources towards digesting the food and slowing down other systems. However, to get a longer and refreshing nighttime sleep, you should eat lighter and a bit early.
3. Exercising Helps
This might sound a bit strange to you but exercise and the quality of your sleep are interrelated. You need to understand that sleeping patterns are essentially a part of your internal body clock. This includes the body’s ability to rest and return to active performance. However, due to issues like stress, anxiety and poor dietary habits, this inherent body clock is compromised. In order to sustain the optimal performance of our bodily rhythm, you need to exercise regularly. This doesn’t mean pumping iron in the gym is compulsory. Any sort of activity where you can dedicate about 40 minutes, combining some stretching, running and jogging is sufficient.
4. Choose Evening/Night Foods with Precaution
Once the evening sets-in, try to reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Even nicotine is known to disrupt the action of biochemicals in our body that induce sleep. There are some foods that help you in falling asleep with ease. For instance, milk and complex carbohydrates found in foods like brown rice contain a higher amount of Tryptophan. This compound is known to assist the sleeping cycle. Avoid foods that are high in sugar before bedtime. These tend to induce the sugar-rush that can disrupt your sleep cycle.
5. Keep Away From Nighttime Distractions
Your pre-sleep routine can include reading a book or watching a bit of TV but ensure that you don’t indulge in something so fascinating that it doesn’t let you switch-off your mind. Shun-out any kind of distracting light coming through the windows by drawing the curtains. Try to avoid watching typical genres on TV that can arouse your senses. This means keeping away from action-packed and thriller movies/serials. Switch-off the cell phone, laptops/tablets or any other gadget that might buzz you. (Health, MensXP.com)
Our demanding schedules ensure that our sleep is disturbed either in terms of quality or duration-wise. A sporadic incidence of bad sleep isn't that big an issue. However, if you feel that lack of sleep or poor quality-of-sleep is hampering your performance at work or your health, you need to read about the following better sleeping habits:
1. Develop Your Personal Sleep Routine
You don’t need to follow sleep timing-related advice that surrounds us in the form of tabloids and blogs. Just develop a pattern that is suitable to your lifestyle. It doesn’t make sense to follow a routine that inconveniences you and makes you “work” towards getting proper sleep. However, you need to follow some sort of routine. This means knowing when you should switch-off the lights and when you need to wake-up. This is best done by noticing at what time you tend to get a bit heavy-eyed at night. Keep your going-to-bed time around this period. Follow this with a wake-up timing that allows you an extra few minutes to laze in the bed. Ensure a wake-up time with the flexibility of 15 to 20 minutes. Even if you get less than the recommended eight or nine hours of sleep, it won’t matter much if your quality of sleep is good.
2. Eat Lighter & Early Dinner
Ensure that you have had your major meal or supper at least three to four hours before the sleep time. Eating too close to bedtime tends to keep away the sleep. Since the body is actively involved in metabolizing the food that you have consumed, its metabolic rate is up. This means that chances of falling asleep decrease. You might wonder that often after having a heavy meal you get a bit drowsy. However, that is more of a nap that is induced by the body trying to maximize its resources towards digesting the food and slowing down other systems. However, to get a longer and refreshing nighttime sleep, you should eat lighter and a bit early.
3. Exercising Helps
This might sound a bit strange to you but exercise and the quality of your sleep are interrelated. You need to understand that sleeping patterns are essentially a part of your internal body clock. This includes the body’s ability to rest and return to active performance. However, due to issues like stress, anxiety and poor dietary habits, this inherent body clock is compromised. In order to sustain the optimal performance of our bodily rhythm, you need to exercise regularly. This doesn’t mean pumping iron in the gym is compulsory. Any sort of activity where you can dedicate about 40 minutes, combining some stretching, running and jogging is sufficient.
4. Choose Evening/Night Foods with Precaution
Once the evening sets-in, try to reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Even nicotine is known to disrupt the action of biochemicals in our body that induce sleep. There are some foods that help you in falling asleep with ease. For instance, milk and complex carbohydrates found in foods like brown rice contain a higher amount of Tryptophan. This compound is known to assist the sleeping cycle. Avoid foods that are high in sugar before bedtime. These tend to induce the sugar-rush that can disrupt your sleep cycle.
5. Keep Away From Nighttime Distractions
Your pre-sleep routine can include reading a book or watching a bit of TV but ensure that you don’t indulge in something so fascinating that it doesn’t let you switch-off your mind. Shun-out any kind of distracting light coming through the windows by drawing the curtains. Try to avoid watching typical genres on TV that can arouse your senses. This means keeping away from action-packed and thriller movies/serials. Switch-off the cell phone, laptops/tablets or any other gadget that might buzz you. (Health, MensXP.com)
2/25/12
bACK PACK REVIEW FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL KIDS
Backpack Review
I was looking for the review of children backpack for my daughter in Primary 2.
I was looking for the review of children backpack for my daughter in Primary 2.
Books are heavy and i am sourcing for reasonable price back pack that is not too heavy.. I am thinking to ship in and buy a reasonable price one for her and myself... anyone interested?
Choosing between types of backpacks
This report covers backpacks for school and commuting, including rolling backpacks and kids' backpacks. We also take a look at laptop backpacks, which include a padded compartment for a notebook computer. ConsumerSearch has a separate report on hiking backpacks for camping and hiking trips, but for short hikes, many of the packs included in this report could be pressed into duty. Related Searches
Leather Backpacks for Women
Backpacks Kids
Kids Rolling Backpacks
Jansport Wheeled Backpacks
Backpacks come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and prices. Unlike some other consumer products, paying more won't necessarily get you a higher-quality pack. In fact, many of the top-rated backpacks are classic styles from JanSport and L.L.Bean that cost less than $50. These simple backpacks score highly for durability, but they don't feature many of the bells and whistles found on pricier packs, including those from The North Face -- another top-rated brand in reviews. Although you won't necessarily get better quality in an expensive backpack, you will usually get more extras such as internal organizers, mesh bottle holders, key fobs, headphone ports, ventilated back pads and laptop sleeves. Keep in mind that all of these extras add weight to the pack, so it pays to consider whether you really need lots of pockets and zippered pouches.
Backpacks for adults and older children in high school have capacities starting at about 1,800 cubic inches and ranging up to 2,700. Some smaller packs are available at about 1,500 cubic inches, like those designed specifically for women. For younger children, it's important to select a backpack that's appropriate for their size. The smallest packs for kids in preschool and kindergarten have capacities of about 800 cubic inches, while larger backpacks for elementary and middle school children can reach up to 1,200. Experts recommend that children carry no more than 10 to 15 percent of their bodyweight to avoid back strain. See our What to Look for page for more information on sizing and weight guidelines.
We found the best comparison tests of backpacks at ConsumerReports.org, even though the site hasn't updated its review since 2009. Editors test just six packs, rating each one on construction, durability, water resistance, convenience, comfort and safety features. ConsumerReports.org's testing is well-documented and very solid, but there's no analysis to accompany the backpack ratings and we wish more packs were included. Good Housekeeping also conducts a detailed test of backpacks, putting 32 packs to the test using a panel of kid testers. Each pack is tested for practicality, comfort and durability, and only seven earn a recommendation for children going back to school. A similar review, also from Good Housekeeping, evaluates 17 backpacks for storage capacity and organizational features. It recommends just one back for younger children and one for high-school-age kids.
Because backpacks are so frequently used as a convenient way to transport laptops, tech-focused publications also delve into backpack ratings. CNET.com, for example, says of backpacks (after mocking their less-than-sophisticated look when worn by adults), "Despite years of bag evolution, they're still the best way to carry a laptop, books and other assorted gear around campus." A related section on CNET includes dozens of individual product ratings and descriptions of backpacks, but most reviews haven't been updated since 2009. PCMag.com has a similar section, including individual backpack reviews with editors' ratings, most recently updated in 2010.
Owner-written reviews are also valuable when evaluating backpacks. Some of the best parental and kid assessments come from eBags.com, an online retailer that has thousands of reviews on a variety of different packs. Some backpacks attract hundreds, if not thousands, of individual reviews on this site. Likewise, LuggageOnline.com offers hundreds of backpacks, many of which earn a few dozen comments or more. Buzzillions.com, which aggregates consumer feedback from around the web, and Amazon.com are also good sources for backpack reviews.
2/22/12
something interesting about babies ....:)
Babies still too small to speak know how to make jokes and form friendships, say researchers at an Australian university who have spent two years filming the behaviour of young children.
Academics at Charles Sturt University are studying how children interact with other infants while in childcare using footage obtained from tiny cameras strapped to their heads.
The study affords a "baby's eye view" of the world in which even simple objects such as spoons appear oversized, said Jennifer Sumsion, foundation professor of early childhood at the university.
But it also shows that children aged from six months to 18 months use sophisticated but subtle non-verbal means to make friends and make each other laugh.
"We were very, very surprised to see just how sophisticated they were in terms of their social skills, their helping skills, in making sure they were inviting other children to be part of their group," Sumsion told AFP.
Sumsion said babies interacted with each other by making eye contact and with hand gestures and humour.
They used "little social games that you wouldn't necessarily see unless you were looking very closely", she said.
Examples of this included children pretending to hand another child a toy, only to snatch it away at the last minute, or babies sitting close to each other in highchairs playfully switching their drink bottles around.
In another instance caught on camera, a one-year-old girl tried to comfort a baby when she was frightened by gently placing a piece of see-through fabric over her so she could see out but feel protected.
The researchers, who analysed the baby-cam footage alongside other video shot of the children at the same time, did not force the babies to wear the cameras and they were only attached for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
They hope the research will shed light on the secret world of babies and their experience in childcare.
"What surprised us though was the games that they were playing with each other, even at that age. It's really very positive to see," Sumsion said.
mfc/jah
Academics at Charles Sturt University are studying how children interact with other infants while in childcare using footage obtained from tiny cameras strapped to their heads.
The study affords a "baby's eye view" of the world in which even simple objects such as spoons appear oversized, said Jennifer Sumsion, foundation professor of early childhood at the university.
But it also shows that children aged from six months to 18 months use sophisticated but subtle non-verbal means to make friends and make each other laugh.
"We were very, very surprised to see just how sophisticated they were in terms of their social skills, their helping skills, in making sure they were inviting other children to be part of their group," Sumsion told AFP.
Sumsion said babies interacted with each other by making eye contact and with hand gestures and humour.
They used "little social games that you wouldn't necessarily see unless you were looking very closely", she said.
Examples of this included children pretending to hand another child a toy, only to snatch it away at the last minute, or babies sitting close to each other in highchairs playfully switching their drink bottles around.
In another instance caught on camera, a one-year-old girl tried to comfort a baby when she was frightened by gently placing a piece of see-through fabric over her so she could see out but feel protected.
The researchers, who analysed the baby-cam footage alongside other video shot of the children at the same time, did not force the babies to wear the cameras and they were only attached for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
They hope the research will shed light on the secret world of babies and their experience in childcare.
"What surprised us though was the games that they were playing with each other, even at that age. It's really very positive to see," Sumsion said.
mfc/jah
Been really busy with my new job... trying hard to catch up with the new pace, new boss, new friends, new environment, new treats, new opportunity, new money :)
Found this article - information interesting...
Perfect spaces
Casually touching a guy's arm or knee while laughing at his joke is a great flirting techniqueit subconsciously tells him you're interested, and makes him feel more connected to you. But, warn experts, the move can sometimes backfire, so it's smart to test a man's personal space first. "
The bubble of air 18 inches around someone's body is their intimate space: a no-go zone when you first meet someone, says Judy Dutton, author of How The Science Of Sex Can Make You A Better Lover. "To see if someone's up for you breaking through this barrier, find an excuse to step briefly into this zone, say, by allowing someone behind you to pass, or to grab an appetizer off a wandering traythen step back out again. If this person is drawn to you, he will respond by stepping in closer after you've backed off, she says.
Found this article - information interesting...
Perfect spaces
Casually touching a guy's arm or knee while laughing at his joke is a great flirting techniqueit subconsciously tells him you're interested, and makes him feel more connected to you. But, warn experts, the move can sometimes backfire, so it's smart to test a man's personal space first. "
The bubble of air 18 inches around someone's body is their intimate space: a no-go zone when you first meet someone, says Judy Dutton, author of How The Science Of Sex Can Make You A Better Lover. "To see if someone's up for you breaking through this barrier, find an excuse to step briefly into this zone, say, by allowing someone behind you to pass, or to grab an appetizer off a wandering traythen step back out again. If this person is drawn to you, he will respond by stepping in closer after you've backed off, she says.
1/2/12
Pores......
This article is useful not only for teens for woman who reach 35 .. haha
I do admit that by squeezing the white and black head is so tempting. getting rid of the dirt.. seem like a must ... But that also leave some scares... doing some reading if there are any technique to extract at home.
A pore-refining cleanser is one way to treat common pore problems
By Maui V. Reyes for Yahoo! Southeast Asia
You probably won't admit it, but we're pretty sure you've spent a considerable amount of time staring at your face in the mirror, in awe of how your pores seem to have gotten bigger. Or maybe you're having another acne flare-up, or some blackheads just decided to pop up the day before a big date.
Problematic pores can be caused by a bunch of factors. It could be hereditary (thanks, mom!), or caused by hormonal fluctuations (hello, puberty). Often times, it's because of bad skincare habits, such as sleeping with your makeup on, or forgetting to wash your face after hitting the gym.
Whatever the cause, everybody gets them at one point in their life. Here, a rundown of the common pore problems women face, and how to treat them.
Blackheads. They're those black spots on your face that you're just oh-so-tempted to pick, poke, or pop. These buggers are formed when pores (called comedo, or the sebaceous follicle) get clogged with excess oil, dirt, or bacteria. When exposed to air, this mixture of pure grossness oxidizes, which gives it that lovely black color. This formation of dirt and bacteria will continue to gather even more dirt and bacteria, making it harder, more solid, and more tempting to pick at.
Treatment: Fight blackheads with a pore-refining cleanser and exfoliate once a week—this cleans out the pores and gets rid of dead skin cells and whatever grime you've collected. If your blackheads still insist on taking up residence on your face, consider consulting your dermatologist about other possible treatments.
Whiteheads. With the co-existence of whiteheads and blackheads, we understand if you feel like your pores are playing a game of checkers on your face. Like blackheads, whiteheads are formed inside the comedo, except the opening is so small that air can't oxidize all the goo that got trapped inside. The result is basically the same dirt and grime trapped under your skin, except, well, it's white. We know it's tempting to squeeze your pores 'til your whiteheads emerge, but resist doing so. You've probably also seen extracting tools being sold in drugstores as "whitehead removers" (they look like a thin metal stick with a loop at the end)—resist buying those, too. Whitehead extractions should be done by a dermatologist, with the right sterile tools.
Treatment: To keep whiteheads at bay, treat them the same way as blackheads: wash with a pore-refining cleanser (ordinary bath soap just won't cut it), and exfoliate once a week.
Acne. Acne happens when your pores get clogged with excess oil, dirt, or pollution. Unlike blackheads and whiteheads, however, acne develops when the pores actually get infected because of all the dirt and grime—hence, the unflattering inflamed, red spot. Unfortunately, women get them more than men, thanks to hormonal shifts, which cause skin to produce more oil and sebum.
Treatment: How to keep acne at bay? First off, use a facial wash suited for your skin type. Facial washes targeted for specific skin types are formulated to balance out how much oil the skin produces. If you're dealing with hardcore acne, it might be a good idea to seek the help of a dermatologist, who can prescribe an anti-microbial cream to disinfect your zit. Worst cases of acne require an oral antibiotic.
Enlarged Pores. Nothing can betray a woman's age the way enlarged pores do. Your pores become bigger because of wear and tear—think makeup, pollution, and dirt that accumulate in your pores over time. Factor in the oil that your skin still has to produce, which exits through the pores! Imagine a plugged-up faucet: with no way for all that oil to exit, the skin "stretches" to make room for the excess oil. Unfortunately for you, that could mean clogged pores…which could lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.
Treatment: So what's a girl to do? First off, don't go out under the sun without any sun protection: UV damage kills the collagen in your skin, a protein that helps keep skin cells strong and tight. Go for skin-firming serums and creams, and slough off dead skin cells with a light facial scrub.
Papules, pustules, nodules. Papules are small, solid bumps that appear in groups; pustules are bumps that contain white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria—making them look like whiteheads, but really, that's pus in there; and nodules are those pesky red bumps that are hard and painful to the touch. This trio certainly isn't a delight to have hanging around your face, but unfortunately, you can't get rid of them by yourself.
Treatment: Papules and pustules can be removed through light therapy, topical anti-microbials, or over-the-counter acne medications (ask your dermatologist what is best for you). Nodules, however, are deeply rooted in, and you might need a steroid shot to let them simmer down. Again, don't try to pop or prick them yourself—you will only worsen the condition by causing an infection!
How to extract white or black head
Do view her video.. I have yet to try it out http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-extract-whiteheads-and-blackheads-properly-77100/
I do admit that by squeezing the white and black head is so tempting. getting rid of the dirt.. seem like a must ... But that also leave some scares... doing some reading if there are any technique to extract at home.
A pore-refining cleanser is one way to treat common pore problems
By Maui V. Reyes for Yahoo! Southeast Asia
You probably won't admit it, but we're pretty sure you've spent a considerable amount of time staring at your face in the mirror, in awe of how your pores seem to have gotten bigger. Or maybe you're having another acne flare-up, or some blackheads just decided to pop up the day before a big date.
Problematic pores can be caused by a bunch of factors. It could be hereditary (thanks, mom!), or caused by hormonal fluctuations (hello, puberty). Often times, it's because of bad skincare habits, such as sleeping with your makeup on, or forgetting to wash your face after hitting the gym.
Whatever the cause, everybody gets them at one point in their life. Here, a rundown of the common pore problems women face, and how to treat them.
Blackheads. They're those black spots on your face that you're just oh-so-tempted to pick, poke, or pop. These buggers are formed when pores (called comedo, or the sebaceous follicle) get clogged with excess oil, dirt, or bacteria. When exposed to air, this mixture of pure grossness oxidizes, which gives it that lovely black color. This formation of dirt and bacteria will continue to gather even more dirt and bacteria, making it harder, more solid, and more tempting to pick at.
Treatment: Fight blackheads with a pore-refining cleanser and exfoliate once a week—this cleans out the pores and gets rid of dead skin cells and whatever grime you've collected. If your blackheads still insist on taking up residence on your face, consider consulting your dermatologist about other possible treatments.
Whiteheads. With the co-existence of whiteheads and blackheads, we understand if you feel like your pores are playing a game of checkers on your face. Like blackheads, whiteheads are formed inside the comedo, except the opening is so small that air can't oxidize all the goo that got trapped inside. The result is basically the same dirt and grime trapped under your skin, except, well, it's white. We know it's tempting to squeeze your pores 'til your whiteheads emerge, but resist doing so. You've probably also seen extracting tools being sold in drugstores as "whitehead removers" (they look like a thin metal stick with a loop at the end)—resist buying those, too. Whitehead extractions should be done by a dermatologist, with the right sterile tools.
Treatment: To keep whiteheads at bay, treat them the same way as blackheads: wash with a pore-refining cleanser (ordinary bath soap just won't cut it), and exfoliate once a week.
Acne. Acne happens when your pores get clogged with excess oil, dirt, or pollution. Unlike blackheads and whiteheads, however, acne develops when the pores actually get infected because of all the dirt and grime—hence, the unflattering inflamed, red spot. Unfortunately, women get them more than men, thanks to hormonal shifts, which cause skin to produce more oil and sebum.
Treatment: How to keep acne at bay? First off, use a facial wash suited for your skin type. Facial washes targeted for specific skin types are formulated to balance out how much oil the skin produces. If you're dealing with hardcore acne, it might be a good idea to seek the help of a dermatologist, who can prescribe an anti-microbial cream to disinfect your zit. Worst cases of acne require an oral antibiotic.
Enlarged Pores. Nothing can betray a woman's age the way enlarged pores do. Your pores become bigger because of wear and tear—think makeup, pollution, and dirt that accumulate in your pores over time. Factor in the oil that your skin still has to produce, which exits through the pores! Imagine a plugged-up faucet: with no way for all that oil to exit, the skin "stretches" to make room for the excess oil. Unfortunately for you, that could mean clogged pores…which could lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.
Treatment: So what's a girl to do? First off, don't go out under the sun without any sun protection: UV damage kills the collagen in your skin, a protein that helps keep skin cells strong and tight. Go for skin-firming serums and creams, and slough off dead skin cells with a light facial scrub.
Papules, pustules, nodules. Papules are small, solid bumps that appear in groups; pustules are bumps that contain white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria—making them look like whiteheads, but really, that's pus in there; and nodules are those pesky red bumps that are hard and painful to the touch. This trio certainly isn't a delight to have hanging around your face, but unfortunately, you can't get rid of them by yourself.
Treatment: Papules and pustules can be removed through light therapy, topical anti-microbials, or over-the-counter acne medications (ask your dermatologist what is best for you). Nodules, however, are deeply rooted in, and you might need a steroid shot to let them simmer down. Again, don't try to pop or prick them yourself—you will only worsen the condition by causing an infection!
How to extract white or black head
Do view her video.. I have yet to try it out http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-extract-whiteheads-and-blackheads-properly-77100/
11/23/11
Good Survey online
There are too much scam online. I do need like to join some authentic online survey website.
I would appreciate feedback on positive experience and authentic sincere survey company and website.
Below are some useful information on this.. Hope to share all the good stuffs with everyone.
www.acop.com American Consumer Opinions Poll (Anne Parks Surveys)
I have taken surveys for them for years.
Never had to give any personal info...eg ss number, etc...No fees
Just email surveys to me every week or so about different things eg
Opinions on different advertising labels...what gets my attention better, etc...
Very quick...usually 5 to 20 minutes and I receive a check in about 2 weeks usually between $8 and $12 per survey I took.
Not a lot of money, but not a lot of effort. Hope this helps
I would appreciate feedback on positive experience and authentic sincere survey company and website.
Below are some useful information on this.. Hope to share all the good stuffs with everyone.
www.acop.com American Consumer Opinions Poll (Anne Parks Surveys)
I have taken surveys for them for years.
Never had to give any personal info...eg ss number, etc...No fees
Just email surveys to me every week or so about different things eg
Opinions on different advertising labels...what gets my attention better, etc...
Very quick...usually 5 to 20 minutes and I receive a check in about 2 weeks usually between $8 and $12 per survey I took.
Not a lot of money, but not a lot of effort. Hope this helps
Proverbs & Funny information
Funny proverbs that I have saw online... Like to share with all
GOSH, I'M RICH!
Silver in the Hair
Silver in the Hair
Gold in the Teeth
Stones in the Kidneys
Sugar in the Blood
Lead in the Butt
Iron in the Arteries
AND An Inexhaustible Supply of Natural Gas!
I NEVER THOUGHT I'D ACCUMULATE SUCH WEALTH!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All about Diamonds
Dear all, let's talk about diamonds here.
Just my luck.. My poor little miserable wedding band diamond has fallen off and no where to find. I am so sick of seeing the small hole. Too bad I dont even have my salary now. Let me check out some details.. May be when there are fund.. i will try to stuff the hole with the best suitable diamond.
Tell me how to choose a fine diamond or share with me your first or most precious one you have.
I would like to consolidate information on how to choose a good diamond.
How about buying online loose diamond?
One of my girlfriend is into Diamonds.. learning as much as I can about Clarity, Colour grade of the diamond.
Here is an educational link on diamond.
http://sg.bluenile.com/diamonds/diamond-education
Just my luck.. My poor little miserable wedding band diamond has fallen off and no where to find. I am so sick of seeing the small hole. Too bad I dont even have my salary now. Let me check out some details.. May be when there are fund.. i will try to stuff the hole with the best suitable diamond.
Tell me how to choose a fine diamond or share with me your first or most precious one you have.
I would like to consolidate information on how to choose a good diamond.
How about buying online loose diamond?
One of my girlfriend is into Diamonds.. learning as much as I can about Clarity, Colour grade of the diamond.
Here is an educational link on diamond.
http://sg.bluenile.com/diamonds/diamond-education
11/22/11
KIDZ AMAZE playgound in SAFRA Jurong (kids playground in Singapore)
We were invited to come and try out the facilities by my hubby good friends. Our good friend drove us and his wife and 2 lovely girls there. We checked out playground area. It was huge. the girls are so excited. Too bad this location is too far as we stay in North East area and hubby is a spam member. 
Upon reaching the entrance of SAFRA, we immediately saw the HUGE indoor playground entrance beckoning to us. Upon entering the premise, we were greeted with a huge 3-storey indoor playground space! Awesome structure!
We checked out the rates and checked in the 3 eager girls into the play area. They were already jumping around in anticipation and excitement. Kindly take notes of the different rates.
Upon payment of the charges, the girls were given a stamp to officially allow them into the indoor playground... and they were told to sanitize their hands. The stamp allows children to go in and out of the play area to go for a break. I did accompany them in to play. We went around & eventually sat down at the cafe to have some snacks. I am almost out of breath. 
There was a long round yellow slide which the girls have taken but not without scratches and some minor cuts, despite folding their arms in while sliding down. Haha!
The long slide ended in a ball pool which the kids really like it. 
There were many colourful foam balls that the children could collect. I saw cuties packing balls into recycled bags available to be placed into vacuumed holes...
.... that brought all the collected balls into one giant cannon.
In every like 10minutes internal the cannon would auto shoot all over the place and colourful balls would be raining on everyone. The girls liked that a lot. Almost like the "raining gum balls" kinda experience Adam Sandler had in his movie; Bedtime Stories.
All the adults sat down for a break after the recce-ing around. I ordered some foods and drinks.
There is a cafe located beside the playground (Hanis Cafe) beside the seating area there is a small enclosed area which is within sight for younger children to play. Parents can chill out for drinks, snacks, catch up on ME time with reading... or free wireless surfing..
The cafe also offers venue for birthday celebrations and events.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indoor Playgrounds
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Video:
Here is a list of indoor playgrounds around Singapore:
Go-Go Bambini (Dempsey)Surrounded with nice eating places and its own cafe. Free for parents and kids under 1 year old.
Kidz Amaze (Toa Payoh Safra is being redeveloped so Kidz Amaze Toa Payoh is close. Thanks Funguy71 for the info. ) At just $7 for entrance and more discount for members, this playground is very popular. Have yet to check it out but heard it is worth every cent going in.eXplorerkid Members pay $11 while non members price is $22 during peak hours. Membership is for kids up to 12 years old.
Polliwogs (East Coast)For the parents, there is a very comfortable sitting area and free flow of coffee and tea. Bring coins. Your kids will want the snacks from their vending machine when they are taking a break from playing. $18 for 90 mins on weekends.
Kidz Amaze (Jurong Safra)It is new and big and full of challenging and fun stuff especially for older kids. Usual price is $15 for non members. Kidz Amaze membership are for age from 3yrs to 18 yrs.
Little O'Zone (Orchid Country Club beside the orchid bowl)$8 dollars an hour for non members. Interesting looking structures with facilities for toddlers. For kids 18 months to 12 years.
* Admission age and charges are base on the last published information on the individual centre’s website.
Check out more indoor playgrounds
Explorer Kid …
Frisk ‘n’ Romp Kids Playclub…
Go-Go Bambini…
Kidz Amaze (SAFRA Jurong)…
Polliwogs…
Adapt Your Parenting Style To Your Child's Growing Needs
One very important article that I think all of mums and dad should read.. very useful.
I am not weighing in on the debate Pro-Drilling or Against-Drilling. Because, I do both depending on the situation. I rather suspect that most Mommies here do too. We all do a bit of both I think. I am also not telling other mommies/daddies what best they should do because I am not in their situation.
I went and dug out The Daughter's report book. Here is my story.
The Daughter scored 79 for English, 88 for Math in P1. She placed in the bottom 25% of her YEAR. However, in P1 she scored 99% for Chinese because Grandma plied her with assessment books. Little Boy's grades followed the same pattern.
English, Math and Science were my subjects to coach. Chinese was Grandma's.
We took very different approaches. I looked past the grades in P1 & P2 for both my kids.
In P1 & P2 my objectives were (1) they get used to school, (2) they adapt well socially, (3) they learn basic self-management skills, (4) the kinda keep up, (5) they like learning (6) they understand the value of diligence and discipline, and (7) they take full ownership of their studies.
These were all specific qualitative aims I had in mind. Not quantifiable but I wanted to focus on laying this foundation so that I would have a strong foundation of work ethic and self-management skills to build on in Upper Primary.
P1 & P2: Foundational Study Skills
I expected my kids to pack their bags, take notes, keep track of homework etc... That's tough you know for the little ones. So many times, they forgot their books. My son lost his exam schedule and I didn't help him get another. For 3 weeks, he went to school with his transparent exam pencil box because we didn't know when exactly his exams where and which day was what exam.
How to get good grades like that?
Nonetheless, whilst they were thus struggling, I was always warm and supportive ... and I gave a lot of loving advice. Next time, you need to remember this and that and the other. I had high expectations (about specific behaviors, not grades) but I tried not to help. I didn't gloat or say "Hah! You deserved it!" That's very mean and discouraging. Every boo boo was an opportunity to talk about how my child could manage himself better.
I gave very little drills at this stage. If they remembered to do their homework, I was happy. My kids "failed" at this stage but neither really failed as in score below 50. I did not allow that to happen. Their lowest grades were still 70+. I reckoned that that was what I could live with... believing that catch up was imminently possible from a 70s range.
P3 & P4: Transiting From Skills Focus to Grades Focus
By P3, they pretty much got the hang of the skills required to keep one's head afloat in school. They took notes, their bags were neat and they owned their study process completely because whilst I was encouraging and free with my advice, I tried not to help too much. So, about P3, I began to set grade goals (90+ for every subject).
At first, neither kid believed they were capable (since neither had ever scored in that range before except for Chinese), but I told them that I knew they could do it.
I began to PROPOSE drills, and because both are close to me, they do bend to my wishes even when gently proposed. Mostly I gave them past year exams from other schools. I planned the schedule and checked in every weekend to see if everything was done, and done well. At this stage, I was still refining study skills. I wanted to see careful work, good handwriting... I was less fussy about grades than I was about general work quality. I threw absolute hissy fits when work was shoddy and careless, but looked past genuine errors and absolute scores.
By end-P4, they were hitting the 90s in English, Math and Science. Strangely though, their Chinese grades dropped to the 80s. I kept telling Grandma that the way she taught the children Chinese made them feel like they didn't own the process. When they did well in Chinese, Grandma felt proud that she was a good teacher and hardworking too and conscientious. But my kids felt dispossessed of their glory. Their Chinese marks belonged to Grandma. Also, as you move into P4, the syllabus changes. Whether Chinese, English, Science or Math, the kids nowadays are no longer tested what is in the textbook.
By P3 & P4, kids are tested OUTSIDE of what is stated in the textbook. Grandma was still drilling textbook material. To score in the 90s for Science, Little Boy had to do independent internet Science research! We constructed Powerpoint slides, put him in a Professor's geeky glasses and made him present his findings. To score in the 90s for English, we were reading tons of storybooks and practising how to create metaphors, analogies and alliterative effects (e.g., Pretty Puddle of Pungent Poo). We read poetry. Basically, there was no way to drill our way to success because there was no way to predict what would be tested. Anything could be tested, and so I took a blunderbuss approach - LEARN EVERYTHING INTERESTING and HAVE FUN. Look at what teacher taught, ask questions of yourself and look for the answers on your own. Never mind if not in syllabus. You learn more and you won't die, and you'll have fun.
"The grades will come" I promised them. Back then, it was me putting on a brave front and being a brave mother so that my children would have the strength to carry on and keep trying. I couldn't tell them I didn't believe in them. In this way, I concur with Amy Chua... the best thing you can do for your child is to believe in him.
Meanwhile, Grandma went on drilling from the textbook. And whatever I said to her, she wouldn't budge from her time-tested method. She had been a Chinese Teacher in the past and had tutored even Mrs Carmee Lim's daughters (ex-Principal of RGS). She thought she knew best but her methods were outdated and designed for a syllabus and an approach that was past.
P5 & P6: ABSOLUTE Grade Focus
In P5 and P6, I became Tiger Mother. The Daughter came home one day in P6 and waved a Science paper scored 98% in my face. I said "It was an easy exam. The PSLE won't be this easy." The Daughter has never forgotten that scathing comment.
I reckoned that by P5 & P6, my kids had amassed enough resilience and process skills to take some knocks and I did knock them about, though never as hard as what Amy Chua seems to have done.
Starting P5, there was a consistent practice schedule which intensified as we moved into the 2nd quarter of P6. I devised the schedule collaboratively with my kids and I was sensitive to their mental and physical states. I had no qualms about deleting work if I thought it was too much. I wanted to manage my kids energy levels. Must always have time to recharge even if grades suffered meantime. The rule in the house is to NEVER TOUCH BOOKS 3 days before and exam paper. And I made sure I allocated whole days or whole weeks of NO BOOKS so that they could play to their hearts' content.
There was a constant process of watching and adjusting. There was a lot of trust and dialogue. I worked them hard but I made sure that I was there to encourage and listen to their problems. But they still owned their study process. I proposed a work schedule and they decided if they could manage. More often than not, they would ADD in stuff and tell me "Mommy, I can try." They knew that the PSLE was an important exam.
I also built in a natural reward into the work schedule. If they somehow did their work fast and well, they had that extra time to play. I never gave more work when they finished theirs earlier than I had expected. And whenever I could, and they had finished earlier than expected, I would take time off work to play with them. Go somewhere they wanna go... do something they like... together.
Results
The Daughter placed consistently in the top 3 places from P5 to Sec 2. In Sec 3, she was handpicked for an accelerated program where the others were smarter and just as driven as she. To keep up, she really pushed herself. End Sec 3, she was in hospital with pneumonia, a result of 2 months of flu and insufficient rest. She was so motivated that it had become a problem. I went to school and got an exemption for one month of homework... plus I locked up her laptop. She vegetated at home that month.
Little Boy is now in P5. He looks at the work schedule that we worked out and if I decide to delete an item, he will say "Leave it in Mom. I will try."
Unfortunately, The Daughter's Chinese marks at 'O' levels went down to the 50s. She hated Chinese and rebelled completely against Grandma's micro-managing ways. Little Boy's Chinese dropped to 79 for the first time in end-P4. So, I've taken over Chinese from Grandma too... and I'm doing it my way now. Read a lot, have a lotta fun, and to hell with textbook. I will be introducing exam practices later in the year however. Learn and have fun first. Drill later.
Both drill and no-drill are important to me.
My Objective
I don't need my kids to be the best in class... but I want them to be the best they can be. If what they can be is 80+, then fine... and seriously, The Daughter's class now is full of people who are so smart she and I feel stupid. That's fine. We're not as smart. And we don't need to be.
She got where she was not because she was smart, but because she was motivated. Motivation can get a child farther than a parent's best wishes and most beautiful dreams. The Daughter is no longer at the top of her class anymore, but that is fine because I know she has reached her potential and maybe even a little beyond. The same with Little Boy. I know he can manage 90+ in every subject if he wants to. Even Chinese.
The trick is to make them want to. And the first step is to turn the ownership of the study process over to them... and make them own it. This should be done early enough (I think). I have just sacked Grandma and turned the ownership of Chinese over to Little Boy. He used to roll his eyes when Grandma complained he was slow. Today, in the car, he said "Mom, I have a problem. I am slow in my compo. Others have done 1.5 pages, I've only done 1."
He now owns his problem and I play the familar supportive role "Oh never mind... you keep on reading those books and one day, the grades will come. I promise" and I look at him with a confident smile. This way, he will keep on trying... and he will end up where he ends up in Chinese. And I will still be happy even if it isn't 90+.
Not the Only Approach
I consciously took an approach where I focused first on Foundational Study Skills to the detriment of grades. It worked for me. I am sure there are other parents who focused on both at the same time quite successfully. I am sharing my story because it isn't a usual approach, but it worked for me.
I am not weighing in on the debate Pro-Drilling or Against-Drilling. Because, I do both depending on the situation. I rather suspect that most Mommies here do too. We all do a bit of both I think. I am also not telling other mommies/daddies what best they should do because I am not in their situation.
I went and dug out The Daughter's report book. Here is my story.
The Daughter scored 79 for English, 88 for Math in P1. She placed in the bottom 25% of her YEAR. However, in P1 she scored 99% for Chinese because Grandma plied her with assessment books. Little Boy's grades followed the same pattern.
English, Math and Science were my subjects to coach. Chinese was Grandma's.
We took very different approaches. I looked past the grades in P1 & P2 for both my kids.
In P1 & P2 my objectives were (1) they get used to school, (2) they adapt well socially, (3) they learn basic self-management skills, (4) the kinda keep up, (5) they like learning (6) they understand the value of diligence and discipline, and (7) they take full ownership of their studies.
These were all specific qualitative aims I had in mind. Not quantifiable but I wanted to focus on laying this foundation so that I would have a strong foundation of work ethic and self-management skills to build on in Upper Primary.
P1 & P2: Foundational Study Skills
I expected my kids to pack their bags, take notes, keep track of homework etc... That's tough you know for the little ones. So many times, they forgot their books. My son lost his exam schedule and I didn't help him get another. For 3 weeks, he went to school with his transparent exam pencil box because we didn't know when exactly his exams where and which day was what exam.
How to get good grades like that?
Nonetheless, whilst they were thus struggling, I was always warm and supportive ... and I gave a lot of loving advice. Next time, you need to remember this and that and the other. I had high expectations (about specific behaviors, not grades) but I tried not to help. I didn't gloat or say "Hah! You deserved it!" That's very mean and discouraging. Every boo boo was an opportunity to talk about how my child could manage himself better.
I gave very little drills at this stage. If they remembered to do their homework, I was happy. My kids "failed" at this stage but neither really failed as in score below 50. I did not allow that to happen. Their lowest grades were still 70+. I reckoned that that was what I could live with... believing that catch up was imminently possible from a 70s range.
P3 & P4: Transiting From Skills Focus to Grades Focus
By P3, they pretty much got the hang of the skills required to keep one's head afloat in school. They took notes, their bags were neat and they owned their study process completely because whilst I was encouraging and free with my advice, I tried not to help too much. So, about P3, I began to set grade goals (90+ for every subject).
At first, neither kid believed they were capable (since neither had ever scored in that range before except for Chinese), but I told them that I knew they could do it.
I began to PROPOSE drills, and because both are close to me, they do bend to my wishes even when gently proposed. Mostly I gave them past year exams from other schools. I planned the schedule and checked in every weekend to see if everything was done, and done well. At this stage, I was still refining study skills. I wanted to see careful work, good handwriting... I was less fussy about grades than I was about general work quality. I threw absolute hissy fits when work was shoddy and careless, but looked past genuine errors and absolute scores.
By end-P4, they were hitting the 90s in English, Math and Science. Strangely though, their Chinese grades dropped to the 80s. I kept telling Grandma that the way she taught the children Chinese made them feel like they didn't own the process. When they did well in Chinese, Grandma felt proud that she was a good teacher and hardworking too and conscientious. But my kids felt dispossessed of their glory. Their Chinese marks belonged to Grandma. Also, as you move into P4, the syllabus changes. Whether Chinese, English, Science or Math, the kids nowadays are no longer tested what is in the textbook.
By P3 & P4, kids are tested OUTSIDE of what is stated in the textbook. Grandma was still drilling textbook material. To score in the 90s for Science, Little Boy had to do independent internet Science research! We constructed Powerpoint slides, put him in a Professor's geeky glasses and made him present his findings. To score in the 90s for English, we were reading tons of storybooks and practising how to create metaphors, analogies and alliterative effects (e.g., Pretty Puddle of Pungent Poo). We read poetry. Basically, there was no way to drill our way to success because there was no way to predict what would be tested. Anything could be tested, and so I took a blunderbuss approach - LEARN EVERYTHING INTERESTING and HAVE FUN. Look at what teacher taught, ask questions of yourself and look for the answers on your own. Never mind if not in syllabus. You learn more and you won't die, and you'll have fun.
"The grades will come" I promised them. Back then, it was me putting on a brave front and being a brave mother so that my children would have the strength to carry on and keep trying. I couldn't tell them I didn't believe in them. In this way, I concur with Amy Chua... the best thing you can do for your child is to believe in him.
Meanwhile, Grandma went on drilling from the textbook. And whatever I said to her, she wouldn't budge from her time-tested method. She had been a Chinese Teacher in the past and had tutored even Mrs Carmee Lim's daughters (ex-Principal of RGS). She thought she knew best but her methods were outdated and designed for a syllabus and an approach that was past.
P5 & P6: ABSOLUTE Grade Focus
In P5 and P6, I became Tiger Mother. The Daughter came home one day in P6 and waved a Science paper scored 98% in my face. I said "It was an easy exam. The PSLE won't be this easy." The Daughter has never forgotten that scathing comment.
I reckoned that by P5 & P6, my kids had amassed enough resilience and process skills to take some knocks and I did knock them about, though never as hard as what Amy Chua seems to have done.
Starting P5, there was a consistent practice schedule which intensified as we moved into the 2nd quarter of P6. I devised the schedule collaboratively with my kids and I was sensitive to their mental and physical states. I had no qualms about deleting work if I thought it was too much. I wanted to manage my kids energy levels. Must always have time to recharge even if grades suffered meantime. The rule in the house is to NEVER TOUCH BOOKS 3 days before and exam paper. And I made sure I allocated whole days or whole weeks of NO BOOKS so that they could play to their hearts' content.
There was a constant process of watching and adjusting. There was a lot of trust and dialogue. I worked them hard but I made sure that I was there to encourage and listen to their problems. But they still owned their study process. I proposed a work schedule and they decided if they could manage. More often than not, they would ADD in stuff and tell me "Mommy, I can try." They knew that the PSLE was an important exam.
I also built in a natural reward into the work schedule. If they somehow did their work fast and well, they had that extra time to play. I never gave more work when they finished theirs earlier than I had expected. And whenever I could, and they had finished earlier than expected, I would take time off work to play with them. Go somewhere they wanna go... do something they like... together.
Results
The Daughter placed consistently in the top 3 places from P5 to Sec 2. In Sec 3, she was handpicked for an accelerated program where the others were smarter and just as driven as she. To keep up, she really pushed herself. End Sec 3, she was in hospital with pneumonia, a result of 2 months of flu and insufficient rest. She was so motivated that it had become a problem. I went to school and got an exemption for one month of homework... plus I locked up her laptop. She vegetated at home that month.
Little Boy is now in P5. He looks at the work schedule that we worked out and if I decide to delete an item, he will say "Leave it in Mom. I will try."
Unfortunately, The Daughter's Chinese marks at 'O' levels went down to the 50s. She hated Chinese and rebelled completely against Grandma's micro-managing ways. Little Boy's Chinese dropped to 79 for the first time in end-P4. So, I've taken over Chinese from Grandma too... and I'm doing it my way now. Read a lot, have a lotta fun, and to hell with textbook. I will be introducing exam practices later in the year however. Learn and have fun first. Drill later.
Both drill and no-drill are important to me.
My Objective
I don't need my kids to be the best in class... but I want them to be the best they can be. If what they can be is 80+, then fine... and seriously, The Daughter's class now is full of people who are so smart she and I feel stupid. That's fine. We're not as smart. And we don't need to be.
She got where she was not because she was smart, but because she was motivated. Motivation can get a child farther than a parent's best wishes and most beautiful dreams. The Daughter is no longer at the top of her class anymore, but that is fine because I know she has reached her potential and maybe even a little beyond. The same with Little Boy. I know he can manage 90+ in every subject if he wants to. Even Chinese.
The trick is to make them want to. And the first step is to turn the ownership of the study process over to them... and make them own it. This should be done early enough (I think). I have just sacked Grandma and turned the ownership of Chinese over to Little Boy. He used to roll his eyes when Grandma complained he was slow. Today, in the car, he said "Mom, I have a problem. I am slow in my compo. Others have done 1.5 pages, I've only done 1."
He now owns his problem and I play the familar supportive role "Oh never mind... you keep on reading those books and one day, the grades will come. I promise" and I look at him with a confident smile. This way, he will keep on trying... and he will end up where he ends up in Chinese. And I will still be happy even if it isn't 90+.
Not the Only Approach
I consciously took an approach where I focused first on Foundational Study Skills to the detriment of grades. It worked for me. I am sure there are other parents who focused on both at the same time quite successfully. I am sharing my story because it isn't a usual approach, but it worked for me.
How to teach our child not to make the same mistakes on paper
I have been tutoring my girl who is in primary one and she keeps making the same mistakes over and over again despite lot of practices. I had reminded her before she do the assignment and yet, still the same mistakes on grammar, maths. I know she can do it but she is not careful. Check out some tips to share on how to be prudent on their work. found this online.. check it out
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For Maths, I teach my dd to check backwards after she solves a question. This is a way of checking as well. And in the event she has no time to check her answers, she can be assured of minimal carelessness.For comprehension cloze passage, I ask her to re-read the sentence after she fills in a blank to make sure that the word fits into the sentence. Then after she fills in all the blanks, she has to re-read the whole cloze passage to check for fluency.
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We teach our DD the concept of being able to do it, and do it well. It took a while to set it in motion. One had to be around while our DD was doing the paper, and the other was instilling positive attitudes about taking responsibility, and self-worth. What I did was to tell DD that all the marks are there on the table for her to take. All she needed to do was to take them all. Making careless mistakes is fine, but not checking and wasting the marks is not taking everything that is given to you. I also told her that she has the God given gift to do well, and by doing well, she would be very happy... For herself, and only herself. Then I also told her that her parents and everyone else would be happy not because she did well, but because she is happy. My wife took time to organize exam papers and they went through the papers about 3 papers a day. Once she surpassed 4 papers, I took the kids out for ice-cream and they ordered anything they wanted. I told everyone that the good fortune is due to their big sister making a very good effort... So we all celebrated her achievement.Also, once she completed her papers and other homework, it was real playtime... We did our best NOT to control. we worked on a work hard, play harder concept.Starting from 80, she eventually hit an average of 95, had a positive attitude in doing her papers, wanting to finish her 4-5 papers a day before playing. I am proud to say that there were at least 3 papers that she scored FULL marks and these were celebrated, reinforced that she can do it, as well as "anchored" the feeling of success.while doing all these, we have been patient, encouraging, and free flow of compliments and hugs. What we learnt is that you need to know your child's love language. Once you know it, fill up the love tank... Only then can they function well to learn more.I hope that our recent experience inspires you to also grow with your child as they grow up. All the best to your improvement, as well as your child's improvement.Oh yeah... I already know what to do even before the results comes out.No matter what the results are, I will ask my DD how she feels about the results, if she felt that she deserved it, etc. She will review the process with me. If it was excellent, I will again anchor the feeling during the process and then the results. If it is not ideal, the importance is that she must feel that she did her best... And anchor that. If she feels that she didn't do her best (which at this point is unlikely as I see tremendous effort on her part), I would anchor her feelings of the process, and then review what could be done better next time, and still tell her that we appreciate her hard work... This is to focus on the process, not the results.In any way, she will win this... Only because she allowed herself to.As parents, we have to show them the way... And they WILL learn. Hence, who we really are will produce who they become.
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We live in a "fine" city & I'm a "fine" mother , so I fine DS1 10 cts (10% of his daily allowance)per careless mistake in all his homework & tests when he was in P1 last yr. His highest record was 80cts in a single nite that I had to let him pay by instalments. I was actually v heart-pained 4 him but no choice, had to carry through. Always explain to him that the objective is so that he remembers to check in school, as we r not ard to remind him. So the fines act as reminders, & hopefully, he will form the good habit of checking his work.Things improved alot (no careless mistakes on most months) even tho he is v sotong by nature.However, after the dec hols, he forgotten the pinch & 10cts is longer "painful" enough, as he starts having savings too. Numerous careless mistakes surfaced again within the 1st few weeks! So I increased his fine to $1 per careless mistake. After a few weeks of fines (his record this yr is $4 in a night!), things r ok now. No fine for the past 2 mths.
for me, i will have a nice talk with the childlook, you know the stuff, right ?yes
is it fair that you lose the mark ? no
so it does not reflect your ability, right ? no
it does not so what are you going to do about it ? be more careful
how are you going to be more careful ? check and check and write carefully, transfer the number carefully and check
kids do take pride in their work, so i psycho them lah.
it works for me/my kids
however, in work place,
I fine them $10 for every one data entry mistake
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Think we touched on this topic in another thread. DD too is prone to carelessness. She can throw away 10 pts just because of carelessness. I had to remind her to check the question numbering, if this page ends with question number 5 then the next page should start with question number 6. Had to do that because she missed out a whole page of questions before. This year she has been pretty ok so far.She has a couldn't care less kind of attitude and will say, not that I don't know how to do what, just that I did not read the numbers correctly or copied the words wrongly. And DH had to echo that thought, saying she knows the answer right so it is basically carelessness so ok lah. For me that is a big NOT OK. To lose marks due to carelessness is wasteful. For DD, money does not incentivise nor deter. I tried various methods, and in the end the one that worked was for her to make her do additional work everytime she exceeds a certain number of careless mistakes. But I think the real turnaround was this year when she came home with full marks on one of her tests and she said she checked her work properly and found 2 mistakes which she corrected else it will not be full marks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Maths, I teach my dd to check backwards after she solves a question. This is a way of checking as well. And in the event she has no time to check her answers, she can be assured of minimal carelessness.For comprehension cloze passage, I ask her to re-read the sentence after she fills in a blank to make sure that the word fits into the sentence. Then after she fills in all the blanks, she has to re-read the whole cloze passage to check for fluency.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We teach our DD the concept of being able to do it, and do it well. It took a while to set it in motion. One had to be around while our DD was doing the paper, and the other was instilling positive attitudes about taking responsibility, and self-worth. What I did was to tell DD that all the marks are there on the table for her to take. All she needed to do was to take them all. Making careless mistakes is fine, but not checking and wasting the marks is not taking everything that is given to you. I also told her that she has the God given gift to do well, and by doing well, she would be very happy... For herself, and only herself. Then I also told her that her parents and everyone else would be happy not because she did well, but because she is happy. My wife took time to organize exam papers and they went through the papers about 3 papers a day. Once she surpassed 4 papers, I took the kids out for ice-cream and they ordered anything they wanted. I told everyone that the good fortune is due to their big sister making a very good effort... So we all celebrated her achievement.Also, once she completed her papers and other homework, it was real playtime... We did our best NOT to control. we worked on a work hard, play harder concept.Starting from 80, she eventually hit an average of 95, had a positive attitude in doing her papers, wanting to finish her 4-5 papers a day before playing. I am proud to say that there were at least 3 papers that she scored FULL marks and these were celebrated, reinforced that she can do it, as well as "anchored" the feeling of success.while doing all these, we have been patient, encouraging, and free flow of compliments and hugs. What we learnt is that you need to know your child's love language. Once you know it, fill up the love tank... Only then can they function well to learn more.I hope that our recent experience inspires you to also grow with your child as they grow up. All the best to your improvement, as well as your child's improvement.Oh yeah... I already know what to do even before the results comes out.No matter what the results are, I will ask my DD how she feels about the results, if she felt that she deserved it, etc. She will review the process with me. If it was excellent, I will again anchor the feeling during the process and then the results. If it is not ideal, the importance is that she must feel that she did her best... And anchor that. If she feels that she didn't do her best (which at this point is unlikely as I see tremendous effort on her part), I would anchor her feelings of the process, and then review what could be done better next time, and still tell her that we appreciate her hard work... This is to focus on the process, not the results.In any way, she will win this... Only because she allowed herself to.As parents, we have to show them the way... And they WILL learn. Hence, who we really are will produce who they become.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We live in a "fine" city & I'm a "fine" mother , so I fine DS1 10 cts (10% of his daily allowance)per careless mistake in all his homework & tests when he was in P1 last yr. His highest record was 80cts in a single nite that I had to let him pay by instalments. I was actually v heart-pained 4 him but no choice, had to carry through. Always explain to him that the objective is so that he remembers to check in school, as we r not ard to remind him. So the fines act as reminders, & hopefully, he will form the good habit of checking his work.Things improved alot (no careless mistakes on most months) even tho he is v sotong by nature.However, after the dec hols, he forgotten the pinch & 10cts is longer "painful" enough, as he starts having savings too. Numerous careless mistakes surfaced again within the 1st few weeks! So I increased his fine to $1 per careless mistake. After a few weeks of fines (his record this yr is $4 in a night!), things r ok now. No fine for the past 2 mths.
for me, i will have a nice talk with the childlook, you know the stuff, right ?yes
is it fair that you lose the mark ? no
so it does not reflect your ability, right ? no
it does not so what are you going to do about it ? be more careful
how are you going to be more careful ? check and check and write carefully, transfer the number carefully and check
kids do take pride in their work, so i psycho them lah.
it works for me/my kids
however, in work place,
I fine them $10 for every one data entry mistake
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Think we touched on this topic in another thread. DD too is prone to carelessness. She can throw away 10 pts just because of carelessness. I had to remind her to check the question numbering, if this page ends with question number 5 then the next page should start with question number 6. Had to do that because she missed out a whole page of questions before. This year she has been pretty ok so far.She has a couldn't care less kind of attitude and will say, not that I don't know how to do what, just that I did not read the numbers correctly or copied the words wrongly. And DH had to echo that thought, saying she knows the answer right so it is basically carelessness so ok lah. For me that is a big NOT OK. To lose marks due to carelessness is wasteful. For DD, money does not incentivise nor deter. I tried various methods, and in the end the one that worked was for her to make her do additional work everytime she exceeds a certain number of careless mistakes. But I think the real turnaround was this year when she came home with full marks on one of her tests and she said she checked her work properly and found 2 mistakes which she corrected else it will not be full marks.
Preparing for Primary School in Singapore
My daughter is in Primary one. Only upon after the months in the year then I realise some information will be greatly appreciated if I have it.
Overall I have no comments about the school as it is one of the good ones around my area.
The communication with the teachers are also not as active as the ones in her childcare. I do anticipate and realise that the primary school teacher has too much to focus on.
I do hope the below information will be helpful for your kids for preparing in Primary.
Some information are obtain online , some advice from friends and some from my personal experience.
Do prepare your child early and preprepare them about the excitment of joining a totally new school.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesn't take one long to realize that Primary school education has evolved (and is still continuing to evolve) way beyond what parents were used to during their own days as students going through the Singapore education system.
It has become quite essential that children are properly prepared for Primary school education in the early years before they first enter Primary school. Failure to do so will result in a high level of stress for both parent and child as early as the first few semesters of Primary school life.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) offers a framework for Pre-schools, and even standards for operators to follow.
The framework outlines the objectives of pre-school education for children to:
Know what is right and what is wrong
Be willing to share and take turns with others
Be able to relate to others
Be curious and be able to explore
Be able to listen and speak with understanding
Be comfortable and happy with themselves
Have developed physical co-ordination and healthy habits
Love their family, friends, teachers and school
While kindergartens (catering to 5 and 6 year olds) have to be registered with the MOE, the kindergartens themselves are operated entirely by the private industry and their syllabus and course materials are not regulated by MOE. This flexibility resulted in significant disparity across kindergartens in terms of the level of depth and breadth of coverage of material used for preparing children for Primary One. Not all kindergarten prepare children in the same manner for Primary school. Even within the same chain (eg. PAP's Children Foundation PCF) of kindergartens, the comprehensiveness can be very different depending on the what parents are willing to pay for.
It is therefore important for parents to familarize themselves with the Primary One syllabus in order to know how well the kindergartens are actually preparing their children for formal schooling.
Below are some information that you should prepare yourself and your kids. which are some of the things you can do in preparing your child for Primary school education.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to the new holistic teaching the school are implementing with the kids. There is a section that I think most kids need help on " show and Tell" .. even as adult I dont think I can even flare well in this section without much help and practice. Personally I think it will be tough for those kids who are very timid and quiet but nothing is impossible.. Get them prepare like some fun time. It will expose them up to speak well and better.
Primary schools that do away with exams for P1 students have implemented Show & Tell and Written Expression as formative assessments. Our children can be prepared for both the above activities much easier than we credit them for. Here are a couple of stuff i did with my daughter.
Hope these can be suggestions for your children's future preparation...
Topics for show and tell were given in advance somewhere 3 to 4 weeks prior to the actual session. Parents are encouraged to help prepare their children for it. The children will not be allowed to read from any notes or cue cards that may have been prepared from home. The session has to be done spontaneously... for some time. Kids have to memorise the passage of the show and tell.
It will be better to keep all the vocabulary as simple as possible. Sentence structure should be kept simple and easy for the children to understand.
Some General topics across schools would be :
1. My Family
2. My Favourite Toy
3. My Favourite Food (etc)
My daughter chose "My Favourite Toy "for show and tell. We went through some of her precious toys and I do ask her to make her own selection ... While some parents prepare their children for Show & Tell by writing down their own simple points or the sentences that they have come up with for their children... there are parents like me who like to get the kiddies down to the preparation work.
I do think it is important for the kids to be involved in the process. It's like research work for their own project and it will be easier for them to remember the information.
We start by mind mapping what are the areas she wanted to cover / talk about. Who, what , When she got the gift... why etc we expand and brainstorm on those areas with more details / information.
Your child should wrote their own piece and do also encouraged them to use her own words as much as possible. You should guided them with extra bits here and there for the added punch line. We also added some hand gestures to make it look like story telling / sharing instead of a straight rod speech. We can also prepare some items to make the show and tell more lively. The child will also be more happy and enthusatic to show the friends.
It will be useful to encourage her to practice the show and tell with outsider like uncle and aunties instead of immediate family.
Do be reminded that Eye contact is also important. Memories of passage and points are a must.
Overall I have no comments about the school as it is one of the good ones around my area.
The communication with the teachers are also not as active as the ones in her childcare. I do anticipate and realise that the primary school teacher has too much to focus on.
I do hope the below information will be helpful for your kids for preparing in Primary.
Some information are obtain online , some advice from friends and some from my personal experience.
Do prepare your child early and preprepare them about the excitment of joining a totally new school.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesn't take one long to realize that Primary school education has evolved (and is still continuing to evolve) way beyond what parents were used to during their own days as students going through the Singapore education system.
It has become quite essential that children are properly prepared for Primary school education in the early years before they first enter Primary school. Failure to do so will result in a high level of stress for both parent and child as early as the first few semesters of Primary school life.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) offers a framework for Pre-schools, and even standards for operators to follow.
The framework outlines the objectives of pre-school education for children to:
Know what is right and what is wrong
Be willing to share and take turns with others
Be able to relate to others
Be curious and be able to explore
Be able to listen and speak with understanding
Be comfortable and happy with themselves
Have developed physical co-ordination and healthy habits
Love their family, friends, teachers and school
While kindergartens (catering to 5 and 6 year olds) have to be registered with the MOE, the kindergartens themselves are operated entirely by the private industry and their syllabus and course materials are not regulated by MOE. This flexibility resulted in significant disparity across kindergartens in terms of the level of depth and breadth of coverage of material used for preparing children for Primary One. Not all kindergarten prepare children in the same manner for Primary school. Even within the same chain (eg. PAP's Children Foundation PCF) of kindergartens, the comprehensiveness can be very different depending on the what parents are willing to pay for.
It is therefore important for parents to familarize themselves with the Primary One syllabus in order to know how well the kindergartens are actually preparing their children for formal schooling.
Below are some information that you should prepare yourself and your kids. which are some of the things you can do in preparing your child for Primary school education.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to the new holistic teaching the school are implementing with the kids. There is a section that I think most kids need help on " show and Tell" .. even as adult I dont think I can even flare well in this section without much help and practice. Personally I think it will be tough for those kids who are very timid and quiet but nothing is impossible.. Get them prepare like some fun time. It will expose them up to speak well and better.
Primary schools that do away with exams for P1 students have implemented Show & Tell and Written Expression as formative assessments. Our children can be prepared for both the above activities much easier than we credit them for. Here are a couple of stuff i did with my daughter.
Hope these can be suggestions for your children's future preparation...
Topics for show and tell were given in advance somewhere 3 to 4 weeks prior to the actual session. Parents are encouraged to help prepare their children for it. The children will not be allowed to read from any notes or cue cards that may have been prepared from home. The session has to be done spontaneously... for some time. Kids have to memorise the passage of the show and tell.
It will be better to keep all the vocabulary as simple as possible. Sentence structure should be kept simple and easy for the children to understand.
Some General topics across schools would be :
1. My Family
2. My Favourite Toy
3. My Favourite Food (etc)
My daughter chose "My Favourite Toy "for show and tell. We went through some of her precious toys and I do ask her to make her own selection ... While some parents prepare their children for Show & Tell by writing down their own simple points or the sentences that they have come up with for their children... there are parents like me who like to get the kiddies down to the preparation work.
I do think it is important for the kids to be involved in the process. It's like research work for their own project and it will be easier for them to remember the information.
We start by mind mapping what are the areas she wanted to cover / talk about. Who, what , When she got the gift... why etc we expand and brainstorm on those areas with more details / information.
Your child should wrote their own piece and do also encouraged them to use her own words as much as possible. You should guided them with extra bits here and there for the added punch line. We also added some hand gestures to make it look like story telling / sharing instead of a straight rod speech. We can also prepare some items to make the show and tell more lively. The child will also be more happy and enthusatic to show the friends.
It will be useful to encourage her to practice the show and tell with outsider like uncle and aunties instead of immediate family.
Do be reminded that Eye contact is also important. Memories of passage and points are a must.
11/6/11
Apple iPhone 4S vs. Samsung Galaxy S II vs. HTC Sensation: Smartphone comparison
It may not be the iPhone 5 that everybody expected but Apple does have a new iPhone, the iPhone 4S. Unveiled by new Apple CEO Tim Cook, the iPhone 4S is best described as an evolutionary upgrade over the iPhone 4: it boasts the same design, the same screen and an identical look and feel, but has an upgraded processor, a better camera and a new voice recognition feature called Siri.
Read our detailed iPhone 4S preview and our reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S II and the HTC Sensation.
Techworld Australia: HTC EVO 3D vs. Samsung Galaxy S 2
Though the iPhone 4S is expected to remain one of the most popular smartphones in the world, it has plenty of competition. In Australia, the iPhone 4S will immediately go up against two of the most popular Android smartphones currently on the market when it hits the shelves on 14 October: the Samsung Galaxy S II and the HTC Sensation.
The Samsung and HTC Android phones have similar specifications — the HTC Sensation sports a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 4.3in qHD display, an 8-megapixel camera and wraps it in a unibody aluminium design. The Galaxy S II also has a 4.3in screen and an 8-megapixel camera, but uses Super AMOLED Plus display technology that produces more vibrant colours.
So how does the iPhone 4S stack up against the Samsung Galaxy S II and the HTC Sensation when it comes to specifications?
Apple iPhone 4S vs. Samsung Galaxy S II vs. HTC Sensation: Specifications
Read our detailed iPhone 4S preview and our reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S II and the HTC Sensation.
Techworld Australia: HTC EVO 3D vs. Samsung Galaxy S 2
Though the iPhone 4S is expected to remain one of the most popular smartphones in the world, it has plenty of competition. In Australia, the iPhone 4S will immediately go up against two of the most popular Android smartphones currently on the market when it hits the shelves on 14 October: the Samsung Galaxy S II and the HTC Sensation.
The Samsung and HTC Android phones have similar specifications — the HTC Sensation sports a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 4.3in qHD display, an 8-megapixel camera and wraps it in a unibody aluminium design. The Galaxy S II also has a 4.3in screen and an 8-megapixel camera, but uses Super AMOLED Plus display technology that produces more vibrant colours.
So how does the iPhone 4S stack up against the Samsung Galaxy S II and the HTC Sensation when it comes to specifications?
Apple iPhone 4S vs. Samsung Galaxy S II vs. HTC Sensation: Specifications
| iphone | Samsung | HTC Sensation |
| 1 | 2 | 2 |
11/5/11
My latest purchases or considering purchase
Is This dress nice? 
Sister, this measurement for your reference. Let me know if you want me to get for you.
Love A.
This are one of my latest purchases.. so excited..
so tempted to get 3 dress what do you think about this last dress? should I buy or not ?
Look fanstatic on this model...
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Sister, this measurement for your reference. Let me know if you want me to get for you.
Love A.
This are one of my latest purchases.. so excited..
I love the demin skirt good and comfortable.
I am wearing size 12 - Large size :)
I am wearing size 12 - Large size :)
loose a bit but very comfortable
Just imagine me a Large size lady... i can wear this skirt :) HOHOHO
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My other purchase- a bit pricy but really love their clothing.
My other purchase- a bit pricy but really love their clothing.
Beautiful - Tell me to stop buying ...............................................................
OMG I have spend for another 2 dress.. thinking too happy to get a new job
Haha already spend a bomb on these.
Haha already spend a bomb on these.
there its goes.. hope they look nice on me.
Should I buy this dress below???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Should I buy this dress below???????????????????????????????????????????????????????
so tempted to get 3 dress what do you think about this last dress? should I buy or not ?
Probably by the time, the size ran out :(
Oh the lady is slim so what ever she wear look fantastic but haha me is fat with... ops :)
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