Business Times - 10 Dec 2009
Hedging against possible inflation
THE tug of war between those who believe that higher inflation is a sure thing in the near-to-medium term and those who insist that it isn't gets fiercer with time. On the one hand, it would seem to be a given that low interest rates and massive government stimulus packages are inflationary. Yet, as a Morgan Stanley report recently pointed out, deleveraging is 'wildly deflationary'. The painful process of weaning governments and households in developed markets off debt has barely begun. In the US, total debt - including government and consumer debt - stands at a staggering 350 per cent of GDP. In Japan, the proportion is 340 per cent. The expectation that at some point in the future, the stimulus will have to be withdrawn and debt whittled down points to the prospect of more muted growth for economies and for asset markets. For now, the US market appears to be pricing in inflation of a relatively muted 1.3 per cent based on 10-year Treasury Inflation Protected Securities.
Still, concern over inflation and the debasement of the US dollar has bid up prices of assets seen as hedges, such as gold and commodities. Gold, in particular, touched a high of US$1,226 an ounce last week, and prominent goldbugs are holding out for it to hit US$2,000. That is despite the fact that as an inflation hedge, it has a mixed record at best. Even real estate is stirring in some parts of the world. To be sure, near-zero interest rates and abundant liquidity have spurred renewed risk taking. But the lessons of the recently averted financial crisis should not be so quickly forgotten.
Those who are mulling an entry into gold or other real assets such as real estate would do best to evaluate their options from a portfolio point of view. Gold, for one, does not pay any income, and risks long, fallow periods where it simply goes nowhere. Real estate typically requires leverage, a double-edged sword. If the backdrop turns out to be inflationary, and even modestly so, taking on leverage could be very rewarding. But in an opposite scenario, as the events of 2008 clearly demonstrate, leverage is potentially debilitating.
That there is little consensus on inflation should not detract from the need for some inflation hedges for portfolios, particularly for the retail investor who needs to save for retirement and does not want to take undue risk. Arguably, a benchmark of inflation plus should be the starting point, with the goal of matching that against one's future income needs. The rub is the dearth of relatively safe inflation indexed instruments. Even insurance with its high penetration rate among Singaporeans does not have its benefits and payouts linked to inflation. Assets that could serve as hedges such as real estate and collectibles are relatively inaccessible for those with modest savings.
What Singaporeans need is inflation indexed bonds, whose issuance the government should seriously consider. Such issuance will surely find a ready market among those seeking a stable asset with real income and those with long term future liabilities, whether institutions or individuals.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Austrian Theory
Back to Austrian Theory, most of the jobs 'created' are govt jobs. Govt jobs do NOT create economic goods and services. It only serves to take away potential employment from beneficial private sectors and keep the wage rate at a fake high. Some may argue that the jobs created may be long term jobs and in previously private sector / similar to private sector jobs and that the agency is behaving like a private firm. It could be but we must understand a manager installed by a bureaucracy can never be the same as an entrepreneur who puts forth his money and time to invest. In this sense any jobs in this govt private firm only will steer people away from producing true goods that are demanded by the market. This kind of mal-investment will increasingly require support from govt and become a weight to the administration. And when the govt decides to stop supporting, those ppl in these jobs are already trained and have to be trained in other jobs again, thus creating structurally unemployment.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
There was once a small little lake, hidden deep within the mountains. There was no fishes, no plants within the small little lake, for he was just too small.
But everyday, he would smile when the mountain winds blew across his surface. And he would beam, when the day was fine and the sun to shine brightly. He would frown when gales got too fierce, and when the cloud hid the sun. But the small little lake was not sad, for he knows the gales will be gentle once again, for he knows the sun would come out yet again.
Every night, he would look at the moon and asked, "Oh beautiful moon, beautiful moon. Why do you look different every time I see you?"
And the moon would answer, "Do I?" And she would try to peer at herself ever so slightly. But of course, the moon can never see herself, for she was far too round.
But then, the moon would then always notice her reflection on the small little lake. "Indeed. I do look a trifle different from yesterday. But I don't feel any different."
The small little lake would then ask again, "Are you lonely?"
"Why would I be? I have the stars crowding all about me..." But the moon was lying, the stars were all so far, so far away. They just seemed so near. The moon was lying, for compared to the stars, she was just a tiny piece of rock.
She was sad. "Sorry small little lake, the stars are calling me. I got to leave."
But the small little lake pressed on, "Please don't go. I'm so lonely here. The mountains are always sleeping. The winds are so flighty. And the sun are just so warm but blind."
So like a kindly mother, the moon stayed and comforted the lonely small little lake," Don't worry, small little lake. Some day you will find some little girl who will swim in you, who play happily with you. Her laughters will make the sun shine brighter, the winds to play a beautiful melody and the mountains to repeat her joys."
But she forgot to tell the small little lake that the some day, the girl will grow up and maybe never to return again.
And so everyday the small little lake waited. But no one comes.
The small little lake asked the wind, "Oh mister wind, mister wind! Why did not one come and play with me?"
The wind was confused, he couldn't imagine why would the small little lake wanted someone to come and play with him. Couldn't he just blow and chase away the clouds? It was such fun playing with the clouds.
"Oh mister wind, mister wind. You have traveled far and wide. Can you tell me?"
Seeing that the small little lake was so sad, he hurriedly replied, "Maybe you are not pretty enough? I once saw another lake with a waterfall. She was so filled with people, people from all over the world."
"Oh thank you, mister wind." The small little lake was sad. He was not pretty.
For days and nights, the small little lake begged, pleaded with the mountains. "Oh please mister mountain, can you just move a little and let a stream to come to me? I really wished to have a waterfall."
For months and years, finally, the mountain woke up. The small little lake was so happy. He had a small little waterfall now.
"Look look, I've a waterfall!", the small little lake would exclaim to the moon.
Seeing that the small little lake so joyous, the moon was happy. She was not so lonely anymore. "I'm sure some little girl would discover you soon. And you will be a very special place for that little girl."
And indeed, several months later, a bubbly girl chanced into the small little lake. She was not as little as the small little lake had imagined, but still, he was overjoyed.
The not so little girl with her cute little ponytail screeched with surprise and joy when she saw the small little waterfall. "So pretty, pretty." She would exclaim before splashing into the small little lake.
Every morning the not so little girl with her short stubby ponytail would come and play with the small little lake. Some times, she would bring her brushes and sat beside the small little lake, painting.
The small little lake was very happy. He was contented to that the not so little girl had so much fun. He had become a special place for her.
The small little lake was shy. He dared not talk to the girl, until one day, the not so little girl sigh. "Oh small little lake, oh small little lake. How I wish you could talk. I think I had fell in love with you."
The normally calm surface of the small little lake rippled ever so slightly. He was confused yet happy. He was afraid yet he yearned to reply.
Finally, the small little lake replied, "I love you too."
The not so little girl hopped in surprise and joy, "You speak! Oh small little lake, I love you so much. I love your waterfall, you gentle ripples when I play in you. You are a very special lake."
Smiling happily, the small little lake too said, "I love you, not so little girl. I love your care free manner. I love your laughters. I love your painting. I love you."
And so the not so little girl visited the small little lake everyday, sharing gifts and stories. They were so happy then. The small little lake was soon filled with colorful fish, graceful water plants, that not so little girl had bought.
Everything seemed so beautiful, for even the mountains are filled with flowers planted by the not so little girl.
But after several years, maybe the small little lake had changed, or maybe the not so little girl had grown up, the not so little girl came to see the small little lake for the last time.
"I'm sorry small little lake. I thought I had loved you, but you are so different now. You have colorful fishes, graceful plants and pretty flower about you. And you have your little waterfall."
The small little lake was confused. Stunned into silence, the small little lake could not say a single word.
"Oh, small little lake, I truly sorry. But I thought I can be contented with a small little lake, but you are just too far away. So far up in the mountains. I'm tired, tired of coming up here. You always say the same things."
The small little lake sobbed.
"I very sorry. I was happy with you once, but I realized that I doesn't really like the way your waterfall gush about. I doesn't really like your water. It is too cold, too still."
The small little lake made no reply.
"It is not that i do not like you. But it is so tiring to come everyday."
If small little lakes have hearts, small little lake's broke into a million pieces. Fragments so small, that the not so little girl never saw it broke.
Tearful, the small little lake asked, "I can change. Please."
"I'm sorry. But you are just a small little lake. You can never change yourself. In my heart, you will forever be just a small little lake. Go find yourself another little girl.", the not so little girl replied.
"But I truly love you.", the brokenhearted small little lake cried.
"I'm sorry.", the not so little girl left.
And that night, the small little lake cried. The moon was so sad, she was filled with regrets. The winds was sad, he was worried, small little lake no longer smile or frown when he passes. The sun was blind, he never notice that small little lake never beam. The mountain was asleep, he never knew what happened.
The small little lake was sad. But ever so slightly, he smiled for he remembered what the not so little girl had said, "We are still friends, I will come back someday to visit you."
The small little lake waited, and waited. Maybe he was impatient, for he was a young little lake. He pleaded with the winds to bring the not so little girl a message.
Seeing the small little lake so sad, the winds agreed.
The small little lake waited, and waited for the not so little girl's reply. It never came. The small little lake begged the moon to whisper to the not so little girl. The small little lake pleaded to the sleepy mountain to tremble the message to her.
Finally, a reply. "I was busy."
The small little lake was so happy. A reply at last. Carefully, he nurtured the fish, the plants and the flowers, waiting for the day the not so little girl would come and visit him.
He put in a lot of efforts, it was not easy for a small little lake to look after so many things. But he was contented.
But the not so little girl never came.
Small little lake was devastated. Maybe he should had waited. But as rash young lakes were, small little lake threw himself down the mountains and made his way to where the not so little girl had lived.
He wanted to invite the not so little girl to his small little lake. He hoped that the not so little girl could change her mind. He hope that the not so little girl had missed him.
The small little lake had his heart broken yet again. He was angry, angry that the not so little girl was not a bit sad, angry that the not so little girl had not thought of him at all. The not so little thrown him away, just like the many toys she had.
That was the first time, small little lake had knew anger, rage. It was horrible, for lakes were never meant to have waves. The not so little girl was hurt and cursed and sweared at the small little lake.
The small little lake was very sorry. But he was very very hurt. The small little lake left and returned to his mountains, the not so little girl's curses ringing, echoing forever within his fluid body.
The fish died, followed by the plants and finally the flowers too died, for the curses had spread far. The small little lake was very hurt.
The small little lake was so sad, he still loved the not so little girl, regardless of the hurt. Small little lakes were never meant to have waves. But still, small little lake was so very sad.
He pleaded to the mountains to open a hole, so that he can hide himself forever. But the mountains refused. The moon objected. The winds said he will missed the small little lake. And the sun doesn't understand why would the small little lake want to hide from him.
And so the small little lake remained at his mountains, where there is no fish, no plant, no flowers. The small little lake doesn't understand. But still, he remained in the mountains, hoping someday, the not so little girl would return.
But small little lake knew it can never be. He was just a toy. A toy who hoped that the not so little girl can remember him as a toy she had happy times with. And not a toy that had hurt her.
The small little lake only hoped that he was a good toy. For there is nothing more for him, just a lonely dull small little lake in the mountains where no man ever walks.
The small little lake is very sad.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Words.
Even the word "Believe" have a Lie in them,
Even "Friend" have an End,
and even "Lover" contains an Over.
A red day, a crimson sky.
Can we still be together then?
Even "Friend" have an End,
and even "Lover" contains an Over.
A red day, a crimson sky.
Can we still be together then?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Interesting Facts about the human body
It takes your food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.
One human hair can support 3 kg.
The average man's penis is three times the length of his thumb.
Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.
A woman's heart beats faster than a man's.
There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.
Women blink twice as often as men.
The average person's skin weighs twice as much as the brain.
Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.
If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.
Women reading this will have finished by now.
Men are still busy checking their thumbs.
One human hair can support 3 kg.
The average man's penis is three times the length of his thumb.
Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.
A woman's heart beats faster than a man's.
There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.
Women blink twice as often as men.
The average person's skin weighs twice as much as the brain.
Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.
If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.
Women reading this will have finished by now.
Men are still busy checking their thumbs.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Maths and Love
Maths tell us 3 of the saddest love stories:
-tangent lines who had once chance to meet and then parted forever
-parallel lines who were never meant to be together
-asymptotes who can get closer and closer but never get together
-tangent lines who had once chance to meet and then parted forever
-parallel lines who were never meant to be together
-asymptotes who can get closer and closer but never get together
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Invisible Man: Liu Bolin's Camouflage Art
35-year-old Liu Bolin, from Shandong, China, manages to camouflage himself in any surroundings, no matter how difficult they might be.
Liu works on a single photo for up to 10 hours at a time, to make sure he gets it just right, but he achieves the right effect: sometimes passers-by don’t even realize he is there until he moves.
The talented Liu Bolin says his art is a protest against the actions of the Government, who shut down his art studio in 2005 and persecutes artists. It’s about not fitting into modern society. Despite problems with Chinese authorities, Liu’s works are appreciated at an international level.
Check it out at the link below:
http://damncoolpics.blogspot.com/2009/07/invisible-man-liu-bolins-camouflage-art.html
Liu works on a single photo for up to 10 hours at a time, to make sure he gets it just right, but he achieves the right effect: sometimes passers-by don’t even realize he is there until he moves.
The talented Liu Bolin says his art is a protest against the actions of the Government, who shut down his art studio in 2005 and persecutes artists. It’s about not fitting into modern society. Despite problems with Chinese authorities, Liu’s works are appreciated at an international level.
Check it out at the link below:
http://damncoolpics.blogspot.com/2009/07/invisible-man-liu-bolins-camouflage-art.html
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Oxford compiles list of top ten irritating phrases
Heading the list was the expression 'at the end of the day', which was followed in second place by the phrase 'fairly unique'.
The tautological statement "I personally" made third place – an expression that BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphreys has described as "the linguistic equivalent of having chips with rice."
Also making the top 10 is the grammatically incorrect "shouldn't of", instead of "shouldn't have".
The phrases appear in a book called Damp Squid, named after the mistake of confusing a squid with a squib, a type of firework.
The researchers who compiled the list monitor the use of phrases in a database called the Oxford University Corpus, which comprises books, papers, magazines, broadcast, the internet and other sources.
The database alerts them to new words and phrases and can tell them which expressions are disappearing. It also shows how words are being misused.
As well as the above expressions, the book's author Jeremy Butterfield says that many annoyingly over-used expressions actually began as office lingo, such as 24/7 and "synergy".
Other phrases to irritate people are "literally" and "ironically", when they are used out of context.
Mr Butterfield said: "We grow tired of anything that is repeated too often – an anecdote, a joke, a mannerism – and the same seems to happen with some language."
The top ten most irritating phrases:
1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It's a nightmare
8 - Shouldn't of
9 - 24/7
10 - It's not rocket science
Source:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/debates/3394545/Oxford-compiles-list-of-top-ten-irritating-phrases.html
The tautological statement "I personally" made third place – an expression that BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphreys has described as "the linguistic equivalent of having chips with rice."
Also making the top 10 is the grammatically incorrect "shouldn't of", instead of "shouldn't have".
The phrases appear in a book called Damp Squid, named after the mistake of confusing a squid with a squib, a type of firework.
The researchers who compiled the list monitor the use of phrases in a database called the Oxford University Corpus, which comprises books, papers, magazines, broadcast, the internet and other sources.
The database alerts them to new words and phrases and can tell them which expressions are disappearing. It also shows how words are being misused.
As well as the above expressions, the book's author Jeremy Butterfield says that many annoyingly over-used expressions actually began as office lingo, such as 24/7 and "synergy".
Other phrases to irritate people are "literally" and "ironically", when they are used out of context.
Mr Butterfield said: "We grow tired of anything that is repeated too often – an anecdote, a joke, a mannerism – and the same seems to happen with some language."
The top ten most irritating phrases:
1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It's a nightmare
8 - Shouldn't of
9 - 24/7
10 - It's not rocket science
Source:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/debates/3394545/Oxford-compiles-list-of-top-ten-irritating-phrases.html
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Power of Your Actions
The Power of Your Actions
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend the following afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.
My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him, and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye.
I handed him his glasses and said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.
He looked at me and said, "Hey, thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. It turned out he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before coming to this school.
I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Damn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!". He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.
When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class.
I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day arrived - I saw Kyle and he looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him!
Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."
I stared at my friend in disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. We are put together in each other's lives to impact one another in some way.
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend the following afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.
My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him, and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye.
I handed him his glasses and said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.
He looked at me and said, "Hey, thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. It turned out he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before coming to this school.
I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Damn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!". He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.
When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class.
I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day arrived - I saw Kyle and he looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him!
Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."
I stared at my friend in disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. We are put together in each other's lives to impact one another in some way.
Monday, September 14, 2009
what goes around comes around
Once there was a 8 years old little boy by the name of Howard who went door to door to sell things to earn money for his education.
One day when he was walking from door to door, he felt very hungry but only left 10 cents in his pocket. So he decided to ask for free food when he reach the next house.
However, when he reach the next house, he saw that the lady (owner) was a poor person so he dare not ask for food. Instead, he ask for a glass of water. The lady saw that Howard was so hungry, she gave him a huge glass of milk instead.
When Howard finish the milk, he asked the lady how much he owe her. The lady told him that he owe her nothing as the Lord wants his followers to do good deeds and never ask for return. Howard thank the lady and left the lady's house. When Howard left, he felt that the faith in him that he nearly abandon was getting stronger and he thank the Lord.
20 years later, this very same lady contracted a deadly virus and all doctors from that town couldn't save her. She was send to the biggest city in the country to be treat by a top specialist there.
I think you have guessed it. That top specialist IS that very same boy whom the lady gave the milk to, now called Dr Howard.
The lady did not recognise Howard (who has grown up) but Howard recognise the lady immediately. He did not disclose his identity but he vow to try his best to save that lady. In the end, he succeeded and the lady was cured.
After the operation, Howard ask the nurse to bring the lady's bill to his office. He paid for the lady and wrote an invoice to the lady. When the lady received the invoice, she was damn worried that she will have to work the rest of her life to pay the expensive treatment bill. But when she saw the invoice, these words are written on it.
"You have paid the bill in full with a glass of milk."
The lady then realised that Dr Howard IS that little boy she once gave a glass of milk and she thank the Lord for it. She prayed...
"Thank you Lord, for your love have cross the hands and hearts of men."
End of story. Touching isn't it?
One day when he was walking from door to door, he felt very hungry but only left 10 cents in his pocket. So he decided to ask for free food when he reach the next house.
However, when he reach the next house, he saw that the lady (owner) was a poor person so he dare not ask for food. Instead, he ask for a glass of water. The lady saw that Howard was so hungry, she gave him a huge glass of milk instead.
When Howard finish the milk, he asked the lady how much he owe her. The lady told him that he owe her nothing as the Lord wants his followers to do good deeds and never ask for return. Howard thank the lady and left the lady's house. When Howard left, he felt that the faith in him that he nearly abandon was getting stronger and he thank the Lord.
20 years later, this very same lady contracted a deadly virus and all doctors from that town couldn't save her. She was send to the biggest city in the country to be treat by a top specialist there.
I think you have guessed it. That top specialist IS that very same boy whom the lady gave the milk to, now called Dr Howard.
The lady did not recognise Howard (who has grown up) but Howard recognise the lady immediately. He did not disclose his identity but he vow to try his best to save that lady. In the end, he succeeded and the lady was cured.
After the operation, Howard ask the nurse to bring the lady's bill to his office. He paid for the lady and wrote an invoice to the lady. When the lady received the invoice, she was damn worried that she will have to work the rest of her life to pay the expensive treatment bill. But when she saw the invoice, these words are written on it.
"You have paid the bill in full with a glass of milk."
The lady then realised that Dr Howard IS that little boy she once gave a glass of milk and she thank the Lord for it. She prayed...
"Thank you Lord, for your love have cross the hands and hearts of men."
End of story. Touching isn't it?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
now don't blame me if I go gaga over some sweet beautiful thing
Talking to an attractive woman really can make a man lose his mind, according to a new study.
- Pat Hagan
Published: 10:28AM BST 03 Sep 2009
The research shows men who spend even a few minutes in the company of an attractive woman perform less well in tests designed to measure brain function than those who chat to someone they do not find attractive Photo: GETTY
The research shows men who spend even a few minutes in the company of an attractive woman perform less well in tests designed to measure brain function than those who chat to someone they do not find attractive.
Researchers who carried out the study, published in the Journal of Experimental and Social Psychology, think the reason may be that men use up so much of their brain function or 'cognitive resources' trying to impress beautiful women, they have little left for other tasks.
The findings have implications for the performance of men who flirt with women in the workplace, or even exam results in mixed-sex schools.
Women, however, were not affected by chatting to a handsome man. This may be simply because men are programmed by evolution to think more about mating opportunities.
Psychologists at Radboud University in The Netherlands carried out the study after one of them was so struck on impressing an attractive woman he had never met before, that he could not remember his address when she asked him where he lived. Researchers said it was as if he was so keen to make an impression he 'temporarily absorbed most of his cognitive resources.'
To see if other men were affected in the same way, they recruited 40 male heterosexual students. Each one performed a standard memory test where they had to observe a stream of letters and say, as fast as possible, if each one was the same as the one before last. The volunteers then spent seven minutes chatting to male or female members of the research team before repeating the test.
The results showed men were slower and less accurate after trying to impress the women. The more they fancied them, the worse their score.
But when the task was repeated with a group of female volunteers, they did not get the same results. Memory scores stayed the same, whether they had chatted to a man or a woman.
In a report on their findings the researchers said: 'We conclude men's cognitive functioning may temporarily decline after an interaction with an attractive woman.'
Psychologist Dr George Fieldman, a member of the British Psychological Society, said the findings reflect the fact that men are programmed to think about ways to pass on their genes. 'When a man meets a pretty woman, he is what we call 'reproductively focused'.
'But a woman also looks for signs of other attributes, such as wealth, youth and kindness. Just the look of the man would be unlikely to have the same effect.'
- Pat Hagan
Published: 10:28AM BST 03 Sep 2009
The research shows men who spend even a few minutes in the company of an attractive woman perform less well in tests designed to measure brain function than those who chat to someone they do not find attractive Photo: GETTY
The research shows men who spend even a few minutes in the company of an attractive woman perform less well in tests designed to measure brain function than those who chat to someone they do not find attractive.
Researchers who carried out the study, published in the Journal of Experimental and Social Psychology, think the reason may be that men use up so much of their brain function or 'cognitive resources' trying to impress beautiful women, they have little left for other tasks.
The findings have implications for the performance of men who flirt with women in the workplace, or even exam results in mixed-sex schools.
Women, however, were not affected by chatting to a handsome man. This may be simply because men are programmed by evolution to think more about mating opportunities.
Psychologists at Radboud University in The Netherlands carried out the study after one of them was so struck on impressing an attractive woman he had never met before, that he could not remember his address when she asked him where he lived. Researchers said it was as if he was so keen to make an impression he 'temporarily absorbed most of his cognitive resources.'
To see if other men were affected in the same way, they recruited 40 male heterosexual students. Each one performed a standard memory test where they had to observe a stream of letters and say, as fast as possible, if each one was the same as the one before last. The volunteers then spent seven minutes chatting to male or female members of the research team before repeating the test.
The results showed men were slower and less accurate after trying to impress the women. The more they fancied them, the worse their score.
But when the task was repeated with a group of female volunteers, they did not get the same results. Memory scores stayed the same, whether they had chatted to a man or a woman.
In a report on their findings the researchers said: 'We conclude men's cognitive functioning may temporarily decline after an interaction with an attractive woman.'
Psychologist Dr George Fieldman, a member of the British Psychological Society, said the findings reflect the fact that men are programmed to think about ways to pass on their genes. 'When a man meets a pretty woman, he is what we call 'reproductively focused'.
'But a woman also looks for signs of other attributes, such as wealth, youth and kindness. Just the look of the man would be unlikely to have the same effect.'
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
10 Facts about dreams
This afternoon I had a (very rare) nap. During that nap I had a lucid dream (most of which I no longer remember). As I was waking up, I was thinking about my dream and thought that it would be a great idea to write a list about dreams for the site. So, here are the top 10 amazing facts about dreams.
10. Blind People Dream
People who become blind after birth can see images in their dreams. People who are born blind do not see any images, but have dreams equally vivid involving their other senses of sound, smell, touch and emotion. It is hard for a seeing person to imagine, but the body’s need for sleep is so strong that it is able to handle virtually all physical situations to make it happen.
9. You Forget 90% of your Dreams
Within 5 minutes of waking, half of your dream if forgotten. Within 10, 90% is gone. The famous poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, woke one morning having had a fantastic dream (likely opium induced) – he put pen to paper and began to describe his “vision in a dream” in what has become one of English’s most famous poems: Kubla Khan. Part way through (54 lines in fact) he was interrupted by a “Person from Porlock“. Coleridge returned to his poem but could not remember the rest of his dream. The poem was never completed.
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
[...]
Curiously, Robert Louis Stevenson came up with the story of Doctor Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde whilst he was dreaming. Wikipedia has more on that here. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was also the brainchild of a dream.
8. Everybody Dreams
Every human being dreams (except in cases of extreme psychological disorder) but men and women have different dreams and different physical reactions. Men tend to dream more about other men, while women tend to dream equally about men and women. In addition, both men and women experience sexually related physical reactions to their dreams regardless of whether the dream is sexual in nature; males experience erections and females experience increased vaginal blood flow.
7. Dreams Prevent Psychosis
In a recent sleep study, students who were awakened at the beginning of each dream, but still allowed their 8 hours of sleep, all experienced difficulty in concentration, irritability, hallucinations, and signs of psychosis after only 3 days. When finally allowed their REM sleep the student’s brains made up for lost time by greatly increasing the percentage of sleep spent in the REM stage. [Source]
6. We Only Dream of What We Know
Our dreams are frequently full of strangers who play out certain parts – did you know that your mind is not inventing those faces – they are real faces of real people that you have seen during your life but may not know or remember? The evil killer in your latest dream may be the guy who pumped petrol in to your Dad’s car when you were just a little kid. We have all seen hundreds of thousands of faces through our lives, so we have an endless supply of characters for our brain to utilize during our dreams.
5. Not Everyone Dreams in Color
A full 12% of sighted people dream exclusively in black and white. The remaining number dream in full color. People also tend to have common themes in dreams, which are situations relating to school, being chased, running slowly/in place, sexual experiences, falling, arriving too late, a person now alive being dead, teeth falling out, flying, failing an examination, or a car accident. It is unknown whether the impact of a dream relating to violence or death is more emotionally charged for a person who dreams in color than one who dreams in black and white. [Source]
4. Dreams are not about what they are about
If you dream about some particular subject it is not often that the dream is about that. Dreams speak in a deeply symbolic language. The unconscious mind tries to compare your dream to something else, which is similar. Its like writing a poem and saying that a group of ants were like machines that never stop. But you would never compare something to itself, for example: “That beautiful sunset was like a beautiful sunset”. So whatever symbol your dream picks on it is most unlikely to be a symbol for itself.
3. Quitters have more vivid dreams
People who have smoked cigarettes for a long time who stop, have reported much more vivid dreams than they would normally experience. Additionally, according to the Journal of Abnormal Psychology: “Among 293 smokers abstinent for between 1 and 4 weeks, 33% reported having at least 1 dream about smoking. In most dreams, subjects caught themselves smoking and felt strong negative emotions, such as panic and guilt. Dreams about smoking were the result of tobacco withdrawal, as 97% of subjects did not have them while smoking, and their occurrence was significantly related to the duration of abstinence. They were rated as more vivid than the usual dreams and were as common as most major tobacco withdrawal symptoms.” [Source]
2. External Stimuli Invade our Dreams
This is called Dream Incorporation and it is the experience that most of us have had where a sound from reality is heard in our dream and incorporated in some way. A similar (though less external) example would be when you are physically thirsty and your mind incorporates that feeling in to your dream. My own experience of this includes repeatedly drinking a large glass of water in the dream which satisfies me, only to find the thirst returning shortly after – this thirst… drink… thirst… loop often recurs until I wake up and have a real drink. The famous painting above (Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening) by Salvador Dali, depicts this concept.
1. You are paralyzed while you sleep
Believe it or not, your body is virtually paralyzed during your sleep – most likely to prevent your body from acting out aspects of your dreams. According to the Wikipedia article on dreaming, “Glands begin to secrete a hormone that helps induce sleep and neurons send signals to the spinal cord which cause the body to relax and later become essentially paralyzed.”
Bonus: Extra Facts
1. When you are snoring, you are not dreaming.
2. Toddlers do not dream about themselves until around the age of 3. From the same age, children typically have many more nightmares than adults do until age 7 or 8.
3. If you are awakened out of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, you are more likely to remember your dream in a more vivid way than you would if you woke from a full night sleep.
10. Blind People Dream
People who become blind after birth can see images in their dreams. People who are born blind do not see any images, but have dreams equally vivid involving their other senses of sound, smell, touch and emotion. It is hard for a seeing person to imagine, but the body’s need for sleep is so strong that it is able to handle virtually all physical situations to make it happen.
9. You Forget 90% of your Dreams
Within 5 minutes of waking, half of your dream if forgotten. Within 10, 90% is gone. The famous poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, woke one morning having had a fantastic dream (likely opium induced) – he put pen to paper and began to describe his “vision in a dream” in what has become one of English’s most famous poems: Kubla Khan. Part way through (54 lines in fact) he was interrupted by a “Person from Porlock“. Coleridge returned to his poem but could not remember the rest of his dream. The poem was never completed.
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
[...]
Curiously, Robert Louis Stevenson came up with the story of Doctor Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde whilst he was dreaming. Wikipedia has more on that here. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was also the brainchild of a dream.
8. Everybody Dreams
Every human being dreams (except in cases of extreme psychological disorder) but men and women have different dreams and different physical reactions. Men tend to dream more about other men, while women tend to dream equally about men and women. In addition, both men and women experience sexually related physical reactions to their dreams regardless of whether the dream is sexual in nature; males experience erections and females experience increased vaginal blood flow.
7. Dreams Prevent Psychosis
In a recent sleep study, students who were awakened at the beginning of each dream, but still allowed their 8 hours of sleep, all experienced difficulty in concentration, irritability, hallucinations, and signs of psychosis after only 3 days. When finally allowed their REM sleep the student’s brains made up for lost time by greatly increasing the percentage of sleep spent in the REM stage. [Source]
6. We Only Dream of What We Know
Our dreams are frequently full of strangers who play out certain parts – did you know that your mind is not inventing those faces – they are real faces of real people that you have seen during your life but may not know or remember? The evil killer in your latest dream may be the guy who pumped petrol in to your Dad’s car when you were just a little kid. We have all seen hundreds of thousands of faces through our lives, so we have an endless supply of characters for our brain to utilize during our dreams.
5. Not Everyone Dreams in Color
A full 12% of sighted people dream exclusively in black and white. The remaining number dream in full color. People also tend to have common themes in dreams, which are situations relating to school, being chased, running slowly/in place, sexual experiences, falling, arriving too late, a person now alive being dead, teeth falling out, flying, failing an examination, or a car accident. It is unknown whether the impact of a dream relating to violence or death is more emotionally charged for a person who dreams in color than one who dreams in black and white. [Source]
4. Dreams are not about what they are about
If you dream about some particular subject it is not often that the dream is about that. Dreams speak in a deeply symbolic language. The unconscious mind tries to compare your dream to something else, which is similar. Its like writing a poem and saying that a group of ants were like machines that never stop. But you would never compare something to itself, for example: “That beautiful sunset was like a beautiful sunset”. So whatever symbol your dream picks on it is most unlikely to be a symbol for itself.
3. Quitters have more vivid dreams
People who have smoked cigarettes for a long time who stop, have reported much more vivid dreams than they would normally experience. Additionally, according to the Journal of Abnormal Psychology: “Among 293 smokers abstinent for between 1 and 4 weeks, 33% reported having at least 1 dream about smoking. In most dreams, subjects caught themselves smoking and felt strong negative emotions, such as panic and guilt. Dreams about smoking were the result of tobacco withdrawal, as 97% of subjects did not have them while smoking, and their occurrence was significantly related to the duration of abstinence. They were rated as more vivid than the usual dreams and were as common as most major tobacco withdrawal symptoms.” [Source]
2. External Stimuli Invade our Dreams
This is called Dream Incorporation and it is the experience that most of us have had where a sound from reality is heard in our dream and incorporated in some way. A similar (though less external) example would be when you are physically thirsty and your mind incorporates that feeling in to your dream. My own experience of this includes repeatedly drinking a large glass of water in the dream which satisfies me, only to find the thirst returning shortly after – this thirst… drink… thirst… loop often recurs until I wake up and have a real drink. The famous painting above (Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening) by Salvador Dali, depicts this concept.
1. You are paralyzed while you sleep
Believe it or not, your body is virtually paralyzed during your sleep – most likely to prevent your body from acting out aspects of your dreams. According to the Wikipedia article on dreaming, “Glands begin to secrete a hormone that helps induce sleep and neurons send signals to the spinal cord which cause the body to relax and later become essentially paralyzed.”
Bonus: Extra Facts
1. When you are snoring, you are not dreaming.
2. Toddlers do not dream about themselves until around the age of 3. From the same age, children typically have many more nightmares than adults do until age 7 or 8.
3. If you are awakened out of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, you are more likely to remember your dream in a more vivid way than you would if you woke from a full night sleep.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Hospital Window
A great note for all to read, it will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the
window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making
sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his
first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have
compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful
things outside this window
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see
the wall.
She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our
own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is
doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that
money can't buy.
"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the
window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making
sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his
first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have
compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful
things outside this window
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see
the wall.
She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our
own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is
doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that
money can't buy.
"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."
Monday, August 17, 2009
the story about Ugly
Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat.
Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love. The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly.
To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner. His tail has long since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs.
Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one UGLY cat!!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.
Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him terribly I thought.
Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear - Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for.
Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.
Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love. The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly.
To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner. His tail has long since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs.
Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one UGLY cat!!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.
Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him terribly I thought.
Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear - Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for.
Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Why Men Want Sex and Women Want Love
It's been a fucking long time since I last posted something, so here's an article, food for thought! ->
Men are frustrated with women because they never want sex.
Women are frustrated with men because they always want sex.
Women blame men they don't know how to love.
Men blame women that they only talk about love but don't want to make it.
Whether you are a man or a woman, reading this article can change your life - finally, you will be able to get rid of your frustrations about the opposite gender.
The reason humans want sex is due to the hormone testosterone, which is predominantly male hormone. A normal male's body produces 20 times more of this hormone than a female's.
In other words, a male feels the same way after one day without sex as a female after 20 days without sex. A male that has not had sex in 20 days feels the same way as a female after more than a year without sex.
Knowing this simple difference, you can already understand the pain of the opposite gender. It's NOT their fault: they are made this way! It's in our genes! This is the reason why men are men and women are women.
Men and women are DIFFERENT.
Not better or worse, just different.
A man can father a child every time he has sex, and a woman can only mother a child every two years or so. This means, a woman HAS TO be picky about who she allows to have sex with her.
For generations women were paying too high a price for making a wrong choice. Women that have chosen men with bad genes had a weaker offspring and their children struggled to survive. Women that have chosen men with good genes had a stronger offspring and their children survived disproportionally. Those children were carrying their picky mother's genes and this is why those female genes were passed to us.
On the other hand, men never had adverse consequences of making a wrong choice. The more children they produced, the higher was their chance to pass their genes to future generations, as some of them would certainly survive. While men were determined to seek better genes too, they had to grab all chances to procreate coming their way to ensure their genes would be passed forward. The men that ONLY stuck with one woman (even a high quality woman) were losing genetically to the men that used all of their opportunities and had many more children that survived. Those children were carrying their father's promiscuous genes, and this is why those male genes were passed to us.
By Nature men are made to seek as much sex as they can get, so they can spread their seed wider.
By Nature women are made to seek as many admirers as they can get, so they can make a better choice and get the best seed.
Men seek quantity - women seek quality.
This is why men seek sex and women seek love.
Love is the proof that a woman needs to have some assurance that the man will stick around and help her with the upbringing of the offspring. For a woman, sex is the culmination of her emotional commitment to a man.
For a man, sex is a physical act that eases the testosterone pressure he experiences constantly. Only after this tension has gone, can a man feel love towards a woman. This is why it often happens that men disappear after they got what they wanted: it wasn't love; it was the testosterone pressure. Sex for men is the reality check of their passion.
This is why having sex early in the relationship is hazardous for women: the man has not had the time to develop any romantic feelings for her. He needs time to develop those feelings, and the only way to do it is through keeping the sexual tension going for as long as practicable. Sex must be attainable, nearly possible - but not quite. When the sexual tension is at its peak, its release is mind-blowing - and once is never enough, which lays a proper foundation for a future relationship - and love.
Men fall in love through sex; women fall in sex through love.
All of this happens on the unconscious level - we do NOT realize what's going on.
But the reason why you are here today and alive is because each and every of your ancestors, men and women, acted true to their instincts and managed to attract at least one sexual partner and produce an offspring.
So, there is no need to be bitter about men wanting sex and women wanting love. Those two are the necessary pieces of the puzzle called Survival Of The Species.
And you'll be better off understanding what the other gender is going through and giving them exactly what they want: a mind-blowing sex or exhilarating love.
Go get 'em! :-)
Men are frustrated with women because they never want sex.
Women are frustrated with men because they always want sex.
Women blame men they don't know how to love.
Men blame women that they only talk about love but don't want to make it.
Whether you are a man or a woman, reading this article can change your life - finally, you will be able to get rid of your frustrations about the opposite gender.
The reason humans want sex is due to the hormone testosterone, which is predominantly male hormone. A normal male's body produces 20 times more of this hormone than a female's.
In other words, a male feels the same way after one day without sex as a female after 20 days without sex. A male that has not had sex in 20 days feels the same way as a female after more than a year without sex.
Knowing this simple difference, you can already understand the pain of the opposite gender. It's NOT their fault: they are made this way! It's in our genes! This is the reason why men are men and women are women.
Men and women are DIFFERENT.
Not better or worse, just different.
A man can father a child every time he has sex, and a woman can only mother a child every two years or so. This means, a woman HAS TO be picky about who she allows to have sex with her.
For generations women were paying too high a price for making a wrong choice. Women that have chosen men with bad genes had a weaker offspring and their children struggled to survive. Women that have chosen men with good genes had a stronger offspring and their children survived disproportionally. Those children were carrying their picky mother's genes and this is why those female genes were passed to us.
On the other hand, men never had adverse consequences of making a wrong choice. The more children they produced, the higher was their chance to pass their genes to future generations, as some of them would certainly survive. While men were determined to seek better genes too, they had to grab all chances to procreate coming their way to ensure their genes would be passed forward. The men that ONLY stuck with one woman (even a high quality woman) were losing genetically to the men that used all of their opportunities and had many more children that survived. Those children were carrying their father's promiscuous genes, and this is why those male genes were passed to us.
By Nature men are made to seek as much sex as they can get, so they can spread their seed wider.
By Nature women are made to seek as many admirers as they can get, so they can make a better choice and get the best seed.
Men seek quantity - women seek quality.
This is why men seek sex and women seek love.
Love is the proof that a woman needs to have some assurance that the man will stick around and help her with the upbringing of the offspring. For a woman, sex is the culmination of her emotional commitment to a man.
For a man, sex is a physical act that eases the testosterone pressure he experiences constantly. Only after this tension has gone, can a man feel love towards a woman. This is why it often happens that men disappear after they got what they wanted: it wasn't love; it was the testosterone pressure. Sex for men is the reality check of their passion.
This is why having sex early in the relationship is hazardous for women: the man has not had the time to develop any romantic feelings for her. He needs time to develop those feelings, and the only way to do it is through keeping the sexual tension going for as long as practicable. Sex must be attainable, nearly possible - but not quite. When the sexual tension is at its peak, its release is mind-blowing - and once is never enough, which lays a proper foundation for a future relationship - and love.
Men fall in love through sex; women fall in sex through love.
All of this happens on the unconscious level - we do NOT realize what's going on.
But the reason why you are here today and alive is because each and every of your ancestors, men and women, acted true to their instincts and managed to attract at least one sexual partner and produce an offspring.
So, there is no need to be bitter about men wanting sex and women wanting love. Those two are the necessary pieces of the puzzle called Survival Of The Species.
And you'll be better off understanding what the other gender is going through and giving them exactly what they want: a mind-blowing sex or exhilarating love.
Go get 'em! :-)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
But If We Started Dating It Would Ruin Our Friendship Where I Ask You To Do Things And You Do Them
I really like you. I do. You're so nice, and sweet, and you listen to all my problems and respond with the appropriate compliments. But, well, I don't really see a relationship in our future. It would be terrible if we let sex destroy this great friendship we have where I get everything I want and you get nothing you want. Don't you think?
I knew you would understand. You always do.
We're so perfect as friends, you know? I can tell you anything, and you know you can always come to me anytime you need to hear me bitch about work or how ugly I feel. You wouldn't want to ruin a friendship like that just so you could be my boyfriend, and have me look at you with desire and longing in my eyes, if only once—would you? Of course not. Well, if we started dating, it would only complicate this wonderful setup I've got going here.
It's just…you're like my best friend, and I would hate for something you desperately want to change that. I mean, sure, we could go on some dates, maybe mess around a little and finally validate the six years you've spent languishing in this platonic nightmare, but then what? How could we ever go back to the way we were, where I take advantage of your clear attraction to me so I can have someone at my beck and call? That part of our friendship means so much to me.
No. We are just destined to be really, really good friends who only hang out when I don't have a boyfriend, but still need male attention to boost my fragile and all-consuming ego.
Anything can happen once you bring romance in. Think about how awful my last relationship was at the end, remember? The guy I'd call you crying about at 3 a.m. because he wouldn't answer my texts? The guy I met at the birthday party you threw me? I had insanely passionate sex with him for four months and now we don't even talk anymore. God, I would die if something like that happened to us.
Plus, ick, can you even imagine getting naked in front of each other? I've known you so long, you're more like a brother that I've drunkenly made out with twice and never mentioned again. It'd be way too weird. And if we did, then whenever you'd come shopping with me, or go to one of my performances or charity events, or take me for ice cream when I've had a bad day at work, you'd be looking at me like, "I've seen her breasts." God, I can't think of anything more awkward that that.
Oh, before I forget, my mom says hi.
Anyway, you would totally hate me as your girlfriend. I'd be all needy and dramatic and slowly growing to love you. If I was your girlfriend, I would never be able to tell you all about the other asshole guys I date and pretend I don't see how much it crushes you. Let's never lose that. That's what makes us us.
Don't worry. You're so funny and smart and amazing, any girl but me would be lucky to date you. You'll find someone, I know it. And when you do, I'll be right by your side to suddenly become all flirty and affectionate with you in front of her, until she grows jealous and won't believe it when you say we're just friends. But when she dumps you, that's just what we'll be.
Best friends. Friends forever.
from: someone else
I knew you would understand. You always do.
We're so perfect as friends, you know? I can tell you anything, and you know you can always come to me anytime you need to hear me bitch about work or how ugly I feel. You wouldn't want to ruin a friendship like that just so you could be my boyfriend, and have me look at you with desire and longing in my eyes, if only once—would you? Of course not. Well, if we started dating, it would only complicate this wonderful setup I've got going here.
It's just…you're like my best friend, and I would hate for something you desperately want to change that. I mean, sure, we could go on some dates, maybe mess around a little and finally validate the six years you've spent languishing in this platonic nightmare, but then what? How could we ever go back to the way we were, where I take advantage of your clear attraction to me so I can have someone at my beck and call? That part of our friendship means so much to me.
No. We are just destined to be really, really good friends who only hang out when I don't have a boyfriend, but still need male attention to boost my fragile and all-consuming ego.
Anything can happen once you bring romance in. Think about how awful my last relationship was at the end, remember? The guy I'd call you crying about at 3 a.m. because he wouldn't answer my texts? The guy I met at the birthday party you threw me? I had insanely passionate sex with him for four months and now we don't even talk anymore. God, I would die if something like that happened to us.
Plus, ick, can you even imagine getting naked in front of each other? I've known you so long, you're more like a brother that I've drunkenly made out with twice and never mentioned again. It'd be way too weird. And if we did, then whenever you'd come shopping with me, or go to one of my performances or charity events, or take me for ice cream when I've had a bad day at work, you'd be looking at me like, "I've seen her breasts." God, I can't think of anything more awkward that that.
Oh, before I forget, my mom says hi.
Anyway, you would totally hate me as your girlfriend. I'd be all needy and dramatic and slowly growing to love you. If I was your girlfriend, I would never be able to tell you all about the other asshole guys I date and pretend I don't see how much it crushes you. Let's never lose that. That's what makes us us.
Don't worry. You're so funny and smart and amazing, any girl but me would be lucky to date you. You'll find someone, I know it. And when you do, I'll be right by your side to suddenly become all flirty and affectionate with you in front of her, until she grows jealous and won't believe it when you say we're just friends. But when she dumps you, that's just what we'll be.
Best friends. Friends forever.
from: someone else
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
a city made from Origami
A DEDICATED origami artist spent four years creating this beautiful model city from paper — but now plans to BURN it down.
Wataru Ito, 25, started building the 'Castle on the Ocean' when he became bored during his exams.
Using only a knife and glue, the art student built an entire cityscape by cutting and folding hundreds of pages of craft paper.
The central tower is surrounded by a cathedral, school, theme park, factory and airport and comes complete with electrical lights and a moving train.
The finished piece is now being displayed for the first time at an exhibition on the island of Umihotaru, near Tokyo, Japan.
But Wataru, a second year student at Tokyo University of the Arts, says he will set his work on fire when the show is over.
He said: "I am devoted while I am working on my projects but I quickly lose interest when I complete them.
"When the exhibition is over I will burn the castle.
"I thought I could see it rising up from the ashes if I took a video and played it backwards."
http://www.animevice.com/news/welcome-to-the-origami-city/1738/
Wataru Ito, 25, started building the 'Castle on the Ocean' when he became bored during his exams.
Using only a knife and glue, the art student built an entire cityscape by cutting and folding hundreds of pages of craft paper.
The central tower is surrounded by a cathedral, school, theme park, factory and airport and comes complete with electrical lights and a moving train.
The finished piece is now being displayed for the first time at an exhibition on the island of Umihotaru, near Tokyo, Japan.
But Wataru, a second year student at Tokyo University of the Arts, says he will set his work on fire when the show is over.
He said: "I am devoted while I am working on my projects but I quickly lose interest when I complete them.
"When the exhibition is over I will burn the castle.
"I thought I could see it rising up from the ashes if I took a video and played it backwards."
http://www.animevice.com/news/welcome-to-the-origami-city/1738/
Monday, July 6, 2009
As in all group discussions, there would be conflict, which results in clashes of ideas or mindsets. There are a few views that people hold to regarding conflict. Firstly, the traditional view feels that conflict should be avoided. On the other hand, the human relations view of conflict feels that conflict is a natural and unavoidable part of any group. It need not be detrimental to the entire discussion but could also provide a point for the group to progress. Finally, there’s the integrationist view of conflict that states that conflict is necessary for a group to be effective. This does not mean that all conflicts are good, on the contrary there’s functional conflicts (beneficial) and dysfunctional conflict (detrimental). Both types of conflicts are influenced by task conflict (problems adhering to the objectives of work), relationship conflict (problems centering on the people to people level) and process conflict (problems referring to the way a job is done).
The strange thing about communication is the power that a listener wields. To quote from an article: "A song isn't good unless the listener says it is good; audiences determine music's success. However, it is equally true that we aren't serious listeners until we have educated our ears. If we don't critically train our listening tastes, we could be a mindless consumer of whatever the music industry pushes our way with big ad budgets and slick promotions."
In a similar vein, being a good listener actually counts in businesses. Studies show that upto 73% of business leaders rated listening as a "very important" skill. Recent studies also show that listening is among the top five characteristics that an employer expects of the employee. Naturally, listening in the business environment as a misunderstanding could cost millions of dollars and the lost of one's career. The importance of feedback forms and surveys also underlines the relevance of listening; understanding the customers' concerns and solving the problem(i.e. listening to the customer), would make the product better and up the company's status quo.
So, essentially, what makes a good listener? Firstly, establishing eye contact, let the speaker know you are devoting your entire concentration on him. A good listener should not only be alert to a speaker's verbal communication but also their body language. One should also be patient and allow him to finish before voicing one's opinion, that is basic courtesy. Moreover, a good listener is also responsive, questions should be put forward in a gentle manner, other than that, verbal communication(like a simple "yeah" or "hmm") and simple body language(nodding of the head), could also show that you are in fact paying full attention to the speaker. One should also work to provide constructive criticism and view the topic from the speaker's point of view. Above all, one should keep an open mindset and take the other person's views with a pinch of salt.
Remember, being a good listener is a life-skill, one does not live in a world that orbits around you.
The strange thing about communication is the power that a listener wields. To quote from an article: "A song isn't good unless the listener says it is good; audiences determine music's success. However, it is equally true that we aren't serious listeners until we have educated our ears. If we don't critically train our listening tastes, we could be a mindless consumer of whatever the music industry pushes our way with big ad budgets and slick promotions."
In a similar vein, being a good listener actually counts in businesses. Studies show that upto 73% of business leaders rated listening as a "very important" skill. Recent studies also show that listening is among the top five characteristics that an employer expects of the employee. Naturally, listening in the business environment as a misunderstanding could cost millions of dollars and the lost of one's career. The importance of feedback forms and surveys also underlines the relevance of listening; understanding the customers' concerns and solving the problem(i.e. listening to the customer), would make the product better and up the company's status quo.
So, essentially, what makes a good listener? Firstly, establishing eye contact, let the speaker know you are devoting your entire concentration on him. A good listener should not only be alert to a speaker's verbal communication but also their body language. One should also be patient and allow him to finish before voicing one's opinion, that is basic courtesy. Moreover, a good listener is also responsive, questions should be put forward in a gentle manner, other than that, verbal communication(like a simple "yeah" or "hmm") and simple body language(nodding of the head), could also show that you are in fact paying full attention to the speaker. One should also work to provide constructive criticism and view the topic from the speaker's point of view. Above all, one should keep an open mindset and take the other person's views with a pinch of salt.
Remember, being a good listener is a life-skill, one does not live in a world that orbits around you.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Mighty Big Vase!
or the VIVID FESTIVAL in the land Down Under, designer Warren Langley had the installation Vessel of (Horti) Cultural Plenty showcased. Fashioned as this huge pot with plenty of illuminated flowers in it, the installation was smart enough to utilize 84 strand lateral emission fiber optic cables and just three low energy metal halide globes, 450W in total, to create almost 200m of linear light. What was even smarter was the construction of the vessel: vandal resistant materials like galvanized steel & laminated sheet iron and plywood. It must have been a spectacular sight to see.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
10 most expensive cities to live in
The top 10 most expensive cities in the world:-
1. Luanda, Angola
2008 rank: 1
Movie ticket (in US$): 16.85
Quick lunch (in US$): 57.92
Washing machine (in US$): 1090.47
Kilo (2.2 pounds) of rice (in US$): 5.65
Can of soft drink (in US$): 1.30
2. Tokyo, Japan
2008 rank: 13
Movie ticket: 19.16
Quick lunch: 16.48
Washing machine: 886.77
Kilo of rice: 8.45
Can of soft drink: 1.75
3. Nagoya, Japan
2008 rank: 20
Movie ticket: 17.46
Quick lunch: 15.33
Washing machine: 899.97
Kilo of rice: 8.80
Can of soft drink: 1.57
4. Yokohama, Japan
2008 rank: 15
Movie ticket: 18.48
Quick lunch: 17.11
Washing machine: 910.04
Kilo of rice: 6.28
Can of soft drink: 1.18
5. Kobe, Japan
2008 rank: 29
Movie ticket: 16.92
Quick lunch: 14.96
Washing machine: 588.32
Kilo of rice: 7.09
Can of soft drink: 1.38
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
2008 rank: 4
Movie ticket: 13.31
Quick lunch: 28.71
Washing machine: 1053.27
Kilo of rice: 4.24
Can of soft drink: 2.12
7. Oslo, Norway
2008 rank: 2
Movie ticket: 12.84
Quick lunch: 32.65
Washing machine: 808.01
Kilo of rice: 4.40
Can of soft drink: 2.07
8. Geneva, Switzerland
2008 rank: 6
Movie ticket: 14.07
Quick lunch: 27.57
Washing machine: 1213.67
Kilo of rice: 3.48
Can of soft drink: 1.02
9. Zurich, Switzerland
2008 rank: 8
Movie ticket: 14.11
Quick lunch: 21.56
Washing machine: 978.45
Kilo of rice: 2.79
Can of soft drink: 0.99
10. Basel, Switzerland
2008 rank: 9
Movie ticket: 13.73
Quick lunch: 21.15
Washing machine: 744.59
Kilo of rice: 3.01
Can of soft drink: 1.03
I'm just glad that I'm not dishing out 20 dollars for a lunch meal. That said, school food really sucks, now that's my pet peeve!
1. Luanda, Angola
2008 rank: 1
Movie ticket (in US$): 16.85
Quick lunch (in US$): 57.92
Washing machine (in US$): 1090.47
Kilo (2.2 pounds) of rice (in US$): 5.65
Can of soft drink (in US$): 1.30
2. Tokyo, Japan
2008 rank: 13
Movie ticket: 19.16
Quick lunch: 16.48
Washing machine: 886.77
Kilo of rice: 8.45
Can of soft drink: 1.75
3. Nagoya, Japan
2008 rank: 20
Movie ticket: 17.46
Quick lunch: 15.33
Washing machine: 899.97
Kilo of rice: 8.80
Can of soft drink: 1.57
4. Yokohama, Japan
2008 rank: 15
Movie ticket: 18.48
Quick lunch: 17.11
Washing machine: 910.04
Kilo of rice: 6.28
Can of soft drink: 1.18
5. Kobe, Japan
2008 rank: 29
Movie ticket: 16.92
Quick lunch: 14.96
Washing machine: 588.32
Kilo of rice: 7.09
Can of soft drink: 1.38
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
2008 rank: 4
Movie ticket: 13.31
Quick lunch: 28.71
Washing machine: 1053.27
Kilo of rice: 4.24
Can of soft drink: 2.12
7. Oslo, Norway
2008 rank: 2
Movie ticket: 12.84
Quick lunch: 32.65
Washing machine: 808.01
Kilo of rice: 4.40
Can of soft drink: 2.07
8. Geneva, Switzerland
2008 rank: 6
Movie ticket: 14.07
Quick lunch: 27.57
Washing machine: 1213.67
Kilo of rice: 3.48
Can of soft drink: 1.02
9. Zurich, Switzerland
2008 rank: 8
Movie ticket: 14.11
Quick lunch: 21.56
Washing machine: 978.45
Kilo of rice: 2.79
Can of soft drink: 0.99
10. Basel, Switzerland
2008 rank: 9
Movie ticket: 13.73
Quick lunch: 21.15
Washing machine: 744.59
Kilo of rice: 3.01
Can of soft drink: 1.03
I'm just glad that I'm not dishing out 20 dollars for a lunch meal. That said, school food really sucks, now that's my pet peeve!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
German artist creates pictures by folding paper
Simon Schubert's embossed-effect images appear at first glance as though they could have been drawn onto the page.
Each of his works, which have been the subject of major exhibitions, takes a week to complete and they sell for up to £3,800 a time.
Mr Schubert, 33, admits that his early attempts were not always so successful but his persistence with the medium has paid off.
He said: "Most of the people who see the work are surprised that the pictures are created by folding paper, they don't believe it when I tell them.
"Many of them think I've used paint or pencil to create the affect of light and shade. But when they realise the pictures are actually folded they are quite impressed."
He is currently exhibiting at the Kudlek van der Grinten gallery in his native city of Cologne, where he lives with his wife Cosima, 37, and their twin two year old children Lilith and Kilian.
link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/5383024/German-artist-creates-pictures-by-folding-paper.html
Mr Schubert also has a display at Berlin's Upstairs Gallery where one room has been covered in 150 of Mr Schubert's designs - giving the impression the whole room is folded.
He has previously exhibited selected works at the Saatchi Gallery in London, including life-size sculptures of a man and a woman.
German artist Simon Schubert folds pieces of paper into beautiful pictures of, uh, stairwells. Each piece takes about a week's worth of work and can sell for up to $6,000.
"Most of the people who see the work are surprised that the pictures are created by folding paper, they don't believe it when I tell them.
"Many of them think I've used paint or pencil to create the affect of light and shade. But when they realise the pictures are actually folded they are quite impressed."
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sleeplessness among students :D
And so my dear friend JianYang asked me to complete a survey for me. And I did, so check it out, it's rather interesting-
Survey Brief & Questions
Thank you for helping me with this survey. There are four things you have to note before we begin.
• Your Name, Age and Contact details will be required for verification purposes
• Should my school contact you >_> please just claim that I did this interview with you face to face and that I don’t know you personally.
• This survey assumes you are a students :/ if you are going into uni, just pretend you are. And do not forget this if my school calls @_@
• Don’t write rubbish =_=
Hi, I’m a 19 year old student from nyp. I go by the name Lee Xuan Rui and you can contact me at 98295665. Well, I would love to give you more details about myself, but with the proliferation of identity theft, I’m sorry, but there’s some precautions one must take, as I don’t want to find any poseurs posing as me.
1. How many hours on average do you sleep a day?
On average I sleep about 5 to 6 hours a day.
2. Do you think you are receiving adequate sleep? Why?
Most of the time I feel that I’m receiving enough sleep for I have enough energy to last me throughout the entire day without me getting too lethargic. Hell, I can even do my tutorials, that is if I felt like doing it in the first place, and run a marathon and still have enough energy to play the guitar afterwards… Alright, maybe the marathon part was a tad of exaggeration on my part. However, I do have my down and emotional days where everything seems to be shaded in grey and when sharp objects constantly remind me of how much pain/pleasure it can cause if I stab someone/myself with it. Now, some might call that a possible case of depression, but I prefer to call it “the blues”. When “the blues” strike, I feel solemn and morose, nothing seems to interest me, it is also marked by a dramatic lack of energy and spirit the entire day. So, all in all, excluding the fact that I might be a vampire or a nocturnal species of homo sapiens, I can conclude that, yes, I’m receiving adequate sleep. Thanks for asking!
3. Are you aware of what the medically recommended minimum hours of rest per day are?
Oh, you bet, 8 hours a day isn’t it? But, after doing a cost-benefit analysis, I can think of more productive things to do with my time, such as fishing, cooking, hunting, dancing, singing, playing, guitar-ing, mowing, jumping, skipping, hopping, rolling, running, bullshitting, teasing, joking, smoking, love-making, oh and doing facebook quizzes.
4. Are you aware of the mental and physical detriments of insufficient sleep?
Ah yes, I don’t want to bore you with too much details but a general lack of sleep causes problems with one’s motor functions, the control of their limbs, thinking, and of course all these combined with the feeling as if one is living in the insides of a toilet bowl. (Although I do know of some people who behave like that even after having SUFFICIENT sleep)
5. On average, how do you spend the waking hours of your days? (Break it down for me roughly in percentages)
I’m lazy to translate it to percentages, so here goes:
8 Hours in School.
1 Hour in Singapore’s renowned transport systems.
1 Hour enjoy my gourmet meals.
1 Hour to enjoy the toilet facilities that I visit when I’m awake.(bathing, shitting, washing, peeing, jerking off, etc.)
1 Hour playing with my guitar and serenading my friends or neighbors.(They told me I have a good voice, but I think they’re just being nice)
2 Hours I spend roaming the streets, nooks and crannies of Singapore.
2 Hours I spend on my computer surfing, doing work of course!
And the final 2 hours spent doing anything I want to do.
6. What are some of the possible reasons, which may lead you to deliberately neglect sleep?
Barring the fact that I’m on a night time crusade to save Singapore City, there are actually plenty of distractions in my otherwise mundane life. For example, a nice television show, movies, hanging out with my awesome mates, dancing to overly-loud music, jamming with my buddies, chatting and talking about my emotions, indulging in intelligent conversations with anyone that’s free on MSN, going after beautiful ladies, and did I forget to mention?, doing quizzes on facebook, and many many more, so go figure!
7. Do you work part-time? If yes, to what extent do you think that the act of juggling school and work affect the quantity of sleep that you receive?
I’m about to give one of my shortest answer yet- No.
8. How would you rate the importance of the concept of time management?
I would rate it as extremely important. For a moment, imagine a world without watches, a world where we can’t keep track of time. Now, isn’t that a doomsday scenario? Those bloody taxi drivers won’t be able to earn enough because 10 seconds spent idle actually costs us 20cents, but oh no, can’t keep track of time, boohoo, no income. Or I can’t check the time I spent snuggling with a girl at her home and her parents catch me there, woah oh, talk about awkward situations! Finally, isn’t the lack of time management that actually gave Mas Selamat the chance to escape from a toilet? (The guards probably did not realize the really long time he spent in the cubicle, either that or they should probably invest in a clock in that detention area)
9. In your opinion, is there a relationship between how you manage your daily hours and the amount of sleep you get? If no, explain why.
Yes there is.
10. Do you practice good time management in your life?
Oh you bet I do, some people call me the human clock, because I have everything properly fitted into a timetable/schedule. Moreover, I’m so accurate that I always leave school right when the bell rings, now if that isn’t awesome time management I don’t know what is.
11. Do you face any difficulties in falling asleep? If yes, what are the attributive reasons towards your difficulties in falling asleep?
Hardly, but sometimes I fear the boogeyman that’s hiding beneath my bed. Honestly, there is hardly anything that can prevent me from entering the world of the sandman… Offhandedly I can think of, the year 2012 will result in the destruction of the world we know, exams, girlfriends, stress. In other words, the usual mambo jumbo that people give when they can’t fall asleep. I’m not insomniac.
12. Are you aware of any personal bad sleeping habits?
Not really, unless you count reading my notes just for the next day’s exams before sleeping a bad habit?
13. Do you think the Singaporean lifestyle is stressful? Why?
Hardly, because life in general is opening yourself up to this great big ball of shit we call life. And what's the worst thing that can happen? You get bitten in the ass. But let me tell you, my ass looks like hamburger meat, but I can still sit down! I mean, if you look at it this way, how’s life in Iraq like or how about life in North Korea… It’s a question of perspective.
14. Is daily stress a dominant factor contributing to your lack of sleep? If yes, how so?
No, as mentioned, it’s a question of how you view things in life. Just a tip, the best way to relax is a change of work.
15. In your opinion, is 8 hours of rest per day necessary for academic success? Why yes or why not?
Nope. I rather use the extra time to pursue other more interesting and fruitful endeavors. Taking me as an example, I still manage to score a GPA of 3.83 with my 6 hours of sleep which is 2 hours below the status quo. Academic success is when brains meet luck colliding with opportunity and proper preparation.
16. Would you ever consider artificial means (E.g. Spas, Sleeping Pills etc) of alleviating the effects of inadequate sleep? Why?
The only artificial means I will consider is a good cup of coffee. Other than that, I don’t think so. Because to alleviate the effects of inadequate sleep, one just has to simply…sleep. Or maybe take a powernap, or a round of exercise to boost yourself in the morning.
17. What are the external suggestions (Govt. Society. Parents etc) you can propose to increase your personal sleeping hours?
Maybe our most respectable and awesome Government could introduce a sleep easy day once a year. Hey, might as well go into hibernation and sleep for an entire season? Come on, it’s all up to oneself to increase their personal sleeping hours.
18. What are the internal (You as an individual) suggestions you can propose to increase your personal sleeping hours?
Maybe I can introduce a “sleeping quota” a week and I shall try to keep up with the amount of sleep I’ve proposed. Then in order to reward myself, if I reach the quota, I shall spent my extra and restless energy on other activities.
19. What is in your opinion more important, quantity sleep or quality sleep? Would you care to elaborate on your choice of answer?
Definitely quality of sleep, I don’t want to be waking up every few minutes, it would probably foul up my brain’s sleeping cycle and one would still be tired even after “sleeping” for 8 hours in such a fashion.
20. How important is sleep to you?
Sleep is of course important for me as it recharges my body, gives me the energy I need to pursue my goals and work in the day. And there’s this prayer I would like to share with you, it’s about falling asleep.
“Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
When in the morning light I wake,
Teach me the path of love to take.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Guard me Jesus through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep,
thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe till morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep,
May angels watch me through the night,
And keep me in their blessed sight.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep.
Angels watch me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
Guide me safely through the night,
Wake me with the morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Guide me through the starry night,
Wake me when the sun shines bright,
For Jesus' sake. Amen.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Guide us through the starry night,
and wake us with the morning's light.
I ask not for myself alone,
but for thy children--every one.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the lord my soul to take.”
Finally, it gives me the chance to dream. Everyone deserves to dream, to go to a distant and wonderful place, faraway from all the conundrums of life and all the humbugs one meets in the day. So now, tell me, isn’t sleep essential to you too?
Scribble ur answers here and label them 1-20 please <3
Name:
Handphone:
School and Course:
1.
Survey Brief & Questions
Thank you for helping me with this survey. There are four things you have to note before we begin.
• Your Name, Age and Contact details will be required for verification purposes
• Should my school contact you >_> please just claim that I did this interview with you face to face and that I don’t know you personally.
• This survey assumes you are a students :/ if you are going into uni, just pretend you are. And do not forget this if my school calls @_@
• Don’t write rubbish =_=
Hi, I’m a 19 year old student from nyp. I go by the name Lee Xuan Rui and you can contact me at 98295665. Well, I would love to give you more details about myself, but with the proliferation of identity theft, I’m sorry, but there’s some precautions one must take, as I don’t want to find any poseurs posing as me.
1. How many hours on average do you sleep a day?
On average I sleep about 5 to 6 hours a day.
2. Do you think you are receiving adequate sleep? Why?
Most of the time I feel that I’m receiving enough sleep for I have enough energy to last me throughout the entire day without me getting too lethargic. Hell, I can even do my tutorials, that is if I felt like doing it in the first place, and run a marathon and still have enough energy to play the guitar afterwards… Alright, maybe the marathon part was a tad of exaggeration on my part. However, I do have my down and emotional days where everything seems to be shaded in grey and when sharp objects constantly remind me of how much pain/pleasure it can cause if I stab someone/myself with it. Now, some might call that a possible case of depression, but I prefer to call it “the blues”. When “the blues” strike, I feel solemn and morose, nothing seems to interest me, it is also marked by a dramatic lack of energy and spirit the entire day. So, all in all, excluding the fact that I might be a vampire or a nocturnal species of homo sapiens, I can conclude that, yes, I’m receiving adequate sleep. Thanks for asking!
3. Are you aware of what the medically recommended minimum hours of rest per day are?
Oh, you bet, 8 hours a day isn’t it? But, after doing a cost-benefit analysis, I can think of more productive things to do with my time, such as fishing, cooking, hunting, dancing, singing, playing, guitar-ing, mowing, jumping, skipping, hopping, rolling, running, bullshitting, teasing, joking, smoking, love-making, oh and doing facebook quizzes.
4. Are you aware of the mental and physical detriments of insufficient sleep?
Ah yes, I don’t want to bore you with too much details but a general lack of sleep causes problems with one’s motor functions, the control of their limbs, thinking, and of course all these combined with the feeling as if one is living in the insides of a toilet bowl. (Although I do know of some people who behave like that even after having SUFFICIENT sleep)
5. On average, how do you spend the waking hours of your days? (Break it down for me roughly in percentages)
I’m lazy to translate it to percentages, so here goes:
8 Hours in School.
1 Hour in Singapore’s renowned transport systems.
1 Hour enjoy my gourmet meals.
1 Hour to enjoy the toilet facilities that I visit when I’m awake.(bathing, shitting, washing, peeing, jerking off, etc.)
1 Hour playing with my guitar and serenading my friends or neighbors.(They told me I have a good voice, but I think they’re just being nice)
2 Hours I spend roaming the streets, nooks and crannies of Singapore.
2 Hours I spend on my computer surfing, doing work of course!
And the final 2 hours spent doing anything I want to do.
6. What are some of the possible reasons, which may lead you to deliberately neglect sleep?
Barring the fact that I’m on a night time crusade to save Singapore City, there are actually plenty of distractions in my otherwise mundane life. For example, a nice television show, movies, hanging out with my awesome mates, dancing to overly-loud music, jamming with my buddies, chatting and talking about my emotions, indulging in intelligent conversations with anyone that’s free on MSN, going after beautiful ladies, and did I forget to mention?, doing quizzes on facebook, and many many more, so go figure!
7. Do you work part-time? If yes, to what extent do you think that the act of juggling school and work affect the quantity of sleep that you receive?
I’m about to give one of my shortest answer yet- No.
8. How would you rate the importance of the concept of time management?
I would rate it as extremely important. For a moment, imagine a world without watches, a world where we can’t keep track of time. Now, isn’t that a doomsday scenario? Those bloody taxi drivers won’t be able to earn enough because 10 seconds spent idle actually costs us 20cents, but oh no, can’t keep track of time, boohoo, no income. Or I can’t check the time I spent snuggling with a girl at her home and her parents catch me there, woah oh, talk about awkward situations! Finally, isn’t the lack of time management that actually gave Mas Selamat the chance to escape from a toilet? (The guards probably did not realize the really long time he spent in the cubicle, either that or they should probably invest in a clock in that detention area)
9. In your opinion, is there a relationship between how you manage your daily hours and the amount of sleep you get? If no, explain why.
Yes there is.
10. Do you practice good time management in your life?
Oh you bet I do, some people call me the human clock, because I have everything properly fitted into a timetable/schedule. Moreover, I’m so accurate that I always leave school right when the bell rings, now if that isn’t awesome time management I don’t know what is.
11. Do you face any difficulties in falling asleep? If yes, what are the attributive reasons towards your difficulties in falling asleep?
Hardly, but sometimes I fear the boogeyman that’s hiding beneath my bed. Honestly, there is hardly anything that can prevent me from entering the world of the sandman… Offhandedly I can think of, the year 2012 will result in the destruction of the world we know, exams, girlfriends, stress. In other words, the usual mambo jumbo that people give when they can’t fall asleep. I’m not insomniac.
12. Are you aware of any personal bad sleeping habits?
Not really, unless you count reading my notes just for the next day’s exams before sleeping a bad habit?
13. Do you think the Singaporean lifestyle is stressful? Why?
Hardly, because life in general is opening yourself up to this great big ball of shit we call life. And what's the worst thing that can happen? You get bitten in the ass. But let me tell you, my ass looks like hamburger meat, but I can still sit down! I mean, if you look at it this way, how’s life in Iraq like or how about life in North Korea… It’s a question of perspective.
14. Is daily stress a dominant factor contributing to your lack of sleep? If yes, how so?
No, as mentioned, it’s a question of how you view things in life. Just a tip, the best way to relax is a change of work.
15. In your opinion, is 8 hours of rest per day necessary for academic success? Why yes or why not?
Nope. I rather use the extra time to pursue other more interesting and fruitful endeavors. Taking me as an example, I still manage to score a GPA of 3.83 with my 6 hours of sleep which is 2 hours below the status quo. Academic success is when brains meet luck colliding with opportunity and proper preparation.
16. Would you ever consider artificial means (E.g. Spas, Sleeping Pills etc) of alleviating the effects of inadequate sleep? Why?
The only artificial means I will consider is a good cup of coffee. Other than that, I don’t think so. Because to alleviate the effects of inadequate sleep, one just has to simply…sleep. Or maybe take a powernap, or a round of exercise to boost yourself in the morning.
17. What are the external suggestions (Govt. Society. Parents etc) you can propose to increase your personal sleeping hours?
Maybe our most respectable and awesome Government could introduce a sleep easy day once a year. Hey, might as well go into hibernation and sleep for an entire season? Come on, it’s all up to oneself to increase their personal sleeping hours.
18. What are the internal (You as an individual) suggestions you can propose to increase your personal sleeping hours?
Maybe I can introduce a “sleeping quota” a week and I shall try to keep up with the amount of sleep I’ve proposed. Then in order to reward myself, if I reach the quota, I shall spent my extra and restless energy on other activities.
19. What is in your opinion more important, quantity sleep or quality sleep? Would you care to elaborate on your choice of answer?
Definitely quality of sleep, I don’t want to be waking up every few minutes, it would probably foul up my brain’s sleeping cycle and one would still be tired even after “sleeping” for 8 hours in such a fashion.
20. How important is sleep to you?
Sleep is of course important for me as it recharges my body, gives me the energy I need to pursue my goals and work in the day. And there’s this prayer I would like to share with you, it’s about falling asleep.
“Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
When in the morning light I wake,
Teach me the path of love to take.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Guard me Jesus through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep,
thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe till morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep,
May angels watch me through the night,
And keep me in their blessed sight.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep.
Angels watch me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
Guide me safely through the night,
Wake me with the morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Guide me through the starry night,
Wake me when the sun shines bright,
For Jesus' sake. Amen.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Guide us through the starry night,
and wake us with the morning's light.
I ask not for myself alone,
but for thy children--every one.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the lord my soul to take.”
Finally, it gives me the chance to dream. Everyone deserves to dream, to go to a distant and wonderful place, faraway from all the conundrums of life and all the humbugs one meets in the day. So now, tell me, isn’t sleep essential to you too?
Scribble ur answers here and label them 1-20 please <3
Name:
Handphone:
School and Course:
1.
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