Hi to everyone who supported this blog for so long. Sorry for the non-existent updates as the person who started this blog (that's me, Pu Niao!) is all grown up and is contemplating on whether to carry on with this blog topic or not. However, as much as it pains me to let this blog go, I have finally made a decision not to give it up nor delete this blog at all. So, there will be new postings starting from next year (in 2009). Which month? I won't say, but do bookmark or favorite this blog's URL and check back regularly too.
Meanwhile, for the rest of you faithful readers, I do have one request. When this blog makes a revival, I would definitely need a new blog layout and would like my readers help. Keep a lookout for any blog layouts that feels young, energetic and give off a teenager vibe so that this blog can come back with a big bang like never before.
So, if you find such wonderful blog layouts, do leave the URL of the layout site in the comments box, just right after this post. All suggestions would definitely be taken into consideration. So, what are you all waiting for?
Why is is that some people seem to eat a lot and yet remain "stick-like"? Instead of lamenting about "life isn't fair" or starting on a crash diet, read on about how you can keep fit too!
The most effective way of losing excess weight is to increase metabolism through exercise and planned diets. Metabolism is your body's rate of burning calories for energy in order to carry out functions like digestion and brain activity. An exercise program is very important to losing weight. The body is forced to burn its excess fat storage for energy if you burn more calories than you take in.
Don't skip breakfast
By eating breakfast in the morning, it kick-starts your metaolism. If you wait until mid-morning or afternoon to eat, your metabolism will run slower. So cultivate a habit of eating breakfast. If you have to rush in the morning, bring a packet of cereal with you to school or office. Concentration will be higher when you eat breakfast. Mind and body function much better when they receive a steady source of energy.
Eat frequent small meals
Eat smaller meals at regular intervals instead of having one or two big meal a day. Have 4 to 6 small meals throughout the day, 2 to 3 hours apart. Ideal nutritious snacks include fruits, whole grain breads, sandwiches or sliced carrots and veggies with low fat dressing.
Don't starve yourself
Starving yourself when trying to lose weight will slow down your metabolism. Avoid 5 to 6 hour gaps between meals without eating. The common mistake is to skip meals and eat too little during the day. This makes you vulnerable to eating junk food and all the wrong food later in the day. When dinnertime arrives, slight hunger turns to ravenous hunger which leads to bingeing. It is more difficult to burn off calories at night because we tend to be less active. Thus, in the end, you gain more weight and your metabolism is slowed down.
Fact: Diets that are TOO low in calories actually lower your metabolism, as your brain is tricked into thinking that your body is in starvation mode, thus retaining some of the calories.
Eat high energy food
Include more high energy food such as whole grain beans, vegetables and fruits in your meals to increase your energy level or metabolism.
Fact: Snacks are unhealthy, have little or no nutrition value, and gives you added calories. So cut down on snacking. Eat nutritious food instead.
Walk away the calories
Walking is a good way to increase your metabolism. Inorporate a walking routine at least three to four times a week for 30 minutes each. Use the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible. Take your dog on a daily walk. Do more activities around the house to burn energy.
Strength Training
Incorporating strength training into your routine will allow you to maintain lean muscle mass while losing fat. As your overall muscle mass is increased, your body will burn more calories. Doing "dumb-bell" lifting for at least twice a week will help you stay fit.
Vary your exercises
Your body gets efficient at doing the same exercises day after day, so it makes you burn fewer calories. So consider walking, swimming, aerobic dancing and stationary bike riding. Swimming is an excellent way to stay in shape and burn lots of calories.
Fact: Swimming and stationary bikes are great for people who suffer from chronic back or joint pain because these activities exert the least amount of pressure on the back and joints.
Labels: crash diet, exercising, high energy food, how to increase metabolism, increase metabolism, keeping fit, planned diets, strength training
Issues For Girls N Boys quiz is available now. Go on to this URL http://www.memegen.net/view/show/9335 and take the quiz.
Topic of the quiz is: Are You A Slacker?
How much of a slacker are you? Take this quiz and find out!
Labels: Are You A Slacker, Are You A Slacker quiz, how much of a slacker are you, Issues for Girls N Boys quiz
Happy New Year! Remember the brouhaha a year ago? It seems like such a short while ago. But time marches on and the sooner we accept that once it is lost it cannot be recaptured, the better we will be able to face the importance of making every moment count. This article focuses on the new school year. Important issues will be discussed under headings. Display this article prominently and refer to it often so you will be better able to cope with the demands of the year 2008.
The demands of school
The new directive from all relevant curriculum body lays out a plan where the stress is on applying knowledge, coming up with creative solutions and developing and using critical thinking skills. This will make learning more challenging and interesting.As teachers and parents alike, most will definitely applaud this development in education! However, I have to admit that many students will be overwhelmed by the new challenges they face. Some may be tempted to give up. Don't! It may appear daunting at first, but once you get into the right groove, you will be fascinated and keen to learn.
Learning how to learn
Perhaps, more important than the actual process of learning facts and figures is learning how to learn. Once we have mastered how to learn, then what we learn is easier to handle.
1. Learning should begin at the very beginning of the school year
Experienced teachers will tell you that learning should begin at the very beginning of each school year. Waiting just before a test or exam to study will not do. But learning does not mean learning by heart because memorizing chunks of information is useless if you are unable to relate to a question asked or apply it to a given situation. You must understand what is being taught. If you don't, immediately approach the teacher, your tuitor or someone you know, who understands the topic(s), and subject(s).
2. Use study cards for information gathering & quick revision
One of the most effective ways to learn is identifying important points on each topic and putting them on a ruled card. These cards are available in a variety of colours at most stationary stores. Get one colour for each subject and from the beginning of the year, condense information on these cards for easy revision. Highlighters may be used to highlight important words/phrases/headings.
3. Project Work
Project work will feature more as the years go by. Make sure each member of the group is committed to his/her part of the work. You may have to motivate the lazy, disinterested group member(s). One way to ensure that everyone pulls his/her weight is to list the work done by each member as part of the project presentation. This will highlight who is not doing his/her fair share of the work. It is then the teacher's duty to deal with the non-active group member(s).
4. Tuition
You should tell the tutor what you find difficult to understand. Ask your tutor for additional information. Seek your tutors advice on the type of questions you are good at answering because the questions you answer in an exam will determine the marks you get. Knowing your strengths is vital. The task of a tutor is to teach you, not throw piles of assessment exercises at you. A tutor should go through all your written work and make sure you understand anything you got wrong. If an assessment exercise is given to you and you make a mistake, ask the tutor to teach you the correct way of tackling the work so you won't make a mistake in future. Your tutor should ensure yo understand the week's work taught in the classroom.
5. Strategies for learning
» Use your text-book
Your text-book is your basic guide. Seek additional information from the library and use the Internet as you can boost your grades.
» Note-taking is vital in secondary (junior and senior) school and beyond
Develop the habit of jotting down notes when a lesson is in progree or when you are watching a documentary so you can gather useful information.
» Create files on topics of current interest
These could be used again and again. This is an excellent way to improve your grades. Divide topics among friends so each specializes in some topics yet gains loads of material by sharing information. Your general knowledge will also improve.
Group work
Group work is helpful as it makes studying less monotonous, especially for those who can't handle it alone. If you can, then nothing is as gainful as self-study. Group work helps during the preparatory stages; information-gathering, dicussions, division of work, pair-work for testing formulas and facts. Discussions should be part of group work. If no consensus is reached, don't waste time arguing. Seek the help of a teacher.
6. Goal setting
Setting major goals for yourself at the beginning of the year is very important so you see the big picture. Then you set shorter-term goals for each term and even goals for each week. By breaking up the learning load you have much less to do at each session and won't become overwhelmed as the exam(s) approach. Set realistic goals. One of the problems people face is setting goals they can't achieve, then they get discouraged, become frustrated, stressed and give up. Don't let this happen to you. You must have the strenth to stick with the programme. Back-sliding is human. Forgive yourself if this happens but be firm with yourself at the same time. Don't give up the moment you back-slide. Be determined to progress and make up for lost time. Your motto: Get back on track ASAP.
7. Dealing with stress
Stress is very real and I would be the first to admit that life is getting more stressful because we are being consrantly boombarded with information, options and demands. Stress rears its ugly head when we can't cope and, in most cases, we can't cope because we don't have a plan. This is why this article appears just before the beginning of the year. It seeks to help you form a workable plan, draw up realistic goals and balance your life such that you will not find yourself wanting to tear your hair out. If stress is health-related, then you have to see a doctor before it destroys you.
8. Co-Curricular Activity (CCA)
Students know how important CCA is. Choose something you like and are good at. Selecting something your best friend is in may not be the best decision. Remember you will make new friends amongst those who share your interests.
9. Quiet time
Spending time by yourself is very important. You need time to read, something people don't do enough these days. It is a great stress reliever. Have a hobby if it makes you relax and gives you a sense of well-being.
10. Time with the family
Time with the family, be it a meal, an outing or conversation is not to be overlooked. Your family is a part of you: never forget this.
11. Friends & BG relationships
Often, there is a tendency to let friends and/or BG relationships take over one's life. Teens get so involved that they let everything else suffer. Chatting on the phone, time spent in the chatroom and hanging out should be restricted and monitored. Heavy BG relationships could end up adversely affecting your future. Trod with caution. The holidays are the right time to have a good time. Be sensible during the school term. Control the number of hours devoted to these activities.
12. Courses
There are several courses available that offers teenagers opportunities to discover new ways of learning & gathering information. These course include mind-mapping, brain gym and other methods that stimulate the brain and faciliate learning.
13. You & your health
No matter what anyone tells you, remember your health is important. If you are to function well in school. Poor health causes you to lose concentration, feel depressed and it interferes with your general well-being. Being overweight is one culprit that often makes students lethargic and sluggish. Watch what you eat, get sufficient sleep and exercise. Drink plenty of water. The trick is to drink a little often. Don't gulp water, sip it. Carry water wherever you go.
14. Do a good deed
Make a point of doing at least one good deed in the year 2008. Help raise money for those less fortunate than yourself. If we can be unselfish when we are young, we will grow up to be caring, concerned citizens. This should be one of the aims of every school child. It's never too early to learn this valuable lesson.
15. Your self-image
How do you view yourself can affect how you live your life. Don't be unrealistic about your weight, your complexion, your popularity. It is a mistake to starve yourself just to be skinny. When you are studying you need to keep your strength up, so eating well-balanced meals are important. Cut down on fast foods. Besides pilling on the calories, they are often the reason why students have bad skin. All that saturated fat is the enemy of your body and cimplexion. Fruits and servings of vegetables are a must if you want to maintain a healthy body. Another area that makes many students fail to perform in school is their fear that noody likes them. This causes hurt and unhappiness. My suggestion is, join a club or society that interests you so you will meet people who share your interests. This is a great basis for forming lasting friendships.
It is also important to learn to like and accept yourself. Each of us is an individual. Each of us is special in our own way. Trying to be a poor imitation of someone else doesn't work and will only bring frustration and unhappiness. Developin your personality is far more important than your looks. A happy, witty, fun-loving, kind and caring person cannot help but attract others to him/her. BUT be careful people can spot a fraud easily. They will know if you are pretending. Happiness is infectious and people will be drawn to you. Unhappiness will keep people away from you. Decide that you will be positive in the year 2008.. This will empower you to succeed. I wish you all success. Go for it.
A final thought
I leave you with this thought - you could have a face-lift, tummy tuck and liposuction to regain your looks but time, once squandered, cannot ever be recaptured! Countless adults say "What if I had not squandered my youth and studied harder... looked after my health etter... appreciated my family more... waited to find that special someone instead of rushing into a disastrous relationship...? The response is - TOO LATE! What you decide to do now will determine your future. I urge you to make the right choices now. Good luck and good health!
Labels: benefits of tuition, brand new year, demands of school, facing 2008, leanring how to learn, project work, strategies for learning, year 2008
Don't wreck your dream date with careless words and deeds. Get this guide to what he or she wants, and it'll be a "no-sweat" date for you
I'm sorry, but I need to wash my hair..." "Sorry, I'm going to the zoo with my brother..." Enough of lame excuses! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that the hottie you want to date already has squeaky clean hair. And since when was there a younger brother? But after many tries, you get a "yes". And there's no way you are going to spoil it by saying or doing something stupid.
The Guys' Guide To What She Wants
Contrary to popular belief, girls aren't necessarily attracted to macho guys rippling with muscles and those who act cooler than they really are. Girls would rather accept a gentlemanly guy over all the Stallone wannabes anytime. And the moment you see a girl all dressed up for the date, tell her she looks nice. She had probably spent an hour in front of her cupboard choosing her outfit, plus another hour doing her nails and hair. But don't overdo the flattery, or it'll seem fake. If she's carrying something other than her handbag, offer to help her with the load. And when you approach a door, remember your manners and hold it open for her. In the past, the only guys who could get away with not opening doors for their dates were cavemen (because they didn't have doors). When crossing the road, stand on the side that faces the oncoming traffic. It adds a sense of security for her, knowing that it will not be her who'd get flattened like a pancake in the event of any accident.
When out in town, keep your eyes from straying. Don't stare at other girls, even if it is just the Pussycat Dolls on a poster. Your date might get jealous easily. Always give her your fullest attention by talking and listening to her attentively. This will also pay off when you need to get her a gift. Notice what she looks at when out shopping and ask her why she likes it. If she is drooling over a blue Swatch watch, it might be because of the color, not the brand. But if what catches her eye is a Rolex watch dripping with diamonds, think of ways to end the date quickly! No matter how tempted you are to check for incoming SMS, turn your handphone off. You wouldn't want it to ring just when things are heating up. When the bill comes, assume that you are paying for the meal, unless she offers to go dutch. And at the end of the evening, thank her for a wonderful time. Yes, I am serious about this. Manners hold an important place among adolescents, even in this day and age.
The Gals' Guide To What He Wants
Ok. So we've covered the guys. But what do the guys expect of the girl? Many gals harbour unworkable notions of what's attractive to guys, so it's high time we set the record straight.If you think that acting bored and nonchalant is THE way to "hook" a guy, forget it. The number one thing you shouldn't do is to act like you're not interested in him. If you show absolutely no enthusiasm during the date, he is likely to conclude that his time would be better spent watching his pet goldfish snore. So, show some appreciation for your date's efforts to please you. Even if you don't like the chocolates he gave you (you just started your diet!), thank him for the gift. You never know how much thought went into the present. And it helps to settle the poor guy's jittery nerves as well, knowing that you like the present.
When he asks you where you would like to go for dinner, be frank and decisive. "Up to you, darling" and "Anything is fine" aren't names of restaurants, as far as anybody knows. At the end of the meal, offer to pay for your share, unless you know for sure that your date is related to the King (or Queen) of England. Although most guys would graciously pay for their date's meal, don't assume that they are in the best of financial conditions. And if you are feeling generous, you could give him a treat instead. In times of trouble, be an angel and comfort him. A simple "Are you all right?" is very effective, if you don't know what else to say. Offer him your shoulder to cry on, if you can (Hey, guys have a soft side too). It'll be one of the sweetest thiings you can do for a guy.
On special occasions or birthdays, remember to get him a gift. Opt for something practical please, and not some white elephant. The gift should match his character. Is he sporty or is he a technical geek? You won't want to give a sports fanatic a romance novel. You could make his present by hand (sure to melt his heart). Still, the most important thing is to be sincere about it. Now, for the most mind-boggling part of the date. WHAT TO WEAR??!! Though slimpy black tops are alluring, your date may not be the only one appreciating your choice of clothes (watch out for perverts!). And you could also be sending out th wrong signals to your date; he may not think of you as the self-respecting, decent girl that you truly are. The foolproof fashion get-up? Clothes that you are comfortable om, that are not torn or stained, and that do not make you look like his older sister either.
Finally, be yourself. Your date didn't ask you out because you are the coolest girl on the face of this planet. He asked you out because you are you!
Labels: be yourself, dating tips, dream date, guide to dating, perfect date
Times are bad, and we know your budget is tight. Yet your new classmates are acting as frigid as a bunch of Eskimos. The antidote? A class camp organized on the cheap to do wonders for bonding.
At this time of the year, you're probably stuck with a whole bunch of unfamiliar faces. Worse luck; you're going to be with them for a whole year. So rather than sit around and moan and groan, take action! There's nothing like a class camp to forge die-hard friendships and camaraderie. In case there are some classmates who shudder at the thought of sleeping away from home, let them know that: (a) Camps don't necessarily equate to venturing into the wilderness and getting eaten up by some ferocious beast. (b) Neither does it mean getting your blood sucked dry by evil mosquitoes.
The Basics
Unless you're loaded with money, hold the camp in school. Chalets and beach resorts tend to be a tad too expensive. Having it in school also takes a whole load off your parents' minds (at least they know where you are). For more savings, keep the camp duration short. An overnight stay is ideal. Get an adult to supervise your camp too. However, screen your candidates carefully: your favourite teacher or a parent volunteer who's bursting with ideas ir ok. A mini-Hitler who barks and insists on lights out before 9 p.m. is not.
The Main Event
The bottomline is to be creative! Almost all the camps we went to had something to do with singing "I Believe I Can Fly" at 1 a.m. in the morning. While singing makes the atmosphere nice and cosy, you don't want a choir camp taking shape! So do something different for the highlight of the camp. Here are some ideas that won't make anybody cringe and bury their heads in the sand:
1. Watch a midnight movie
How often do you get to troop down to a cineplex in the middle of the night with 40 others?
Tip: Avoid being too rowdy or saying things like "Hey! Stare at me for what?". You don't want your overnight camp to turn into overnight detention at the police station.
2. Make your own home videos
Borrow a video camera and film the whole camp. including candid shots. Then watch it at the end of the camp. We assure you loads of laughter. Warning: People look 30% fatter on television, so advise all to dress "slim".
Tip: Bringing the video camera into the toilet is unethical and strictly prohibited. Besides, you might accidentally drop it into the toilet bowl... yeew!!
3. Test one another's guts
Walk around the school at night in pairs and check out the dark and deserted corners. If you're part of the camp committee, you may want to place some hidden 'ghosts' in different parts of the school to up the "scare" factor.
Tip: Ketchup or dressing up is fine, but don't be too convincing or go overboard. Peeing in the pants or fainting from shock is an embarrassing act for most (especially the guys).
4. Do the boogie-woogie
Revitalise your lethargic classmates with an all-night dance fest of para-para, line-dancing and hip-hop. (Trust me; people are capable of doing it all the way to 4 a.m. It's been proven.) Or make your adult camp supervisor feel useful: ask him or her to teach you ballroom dancing.
Tip: Play "Energizer" ads for inspiration when they show signs of slowing down. Never say die!
5. Have a marathon chit-chat session
Did we hear cheering from the girls> Talking helps in the bonding. But what to talk about? Anything, from your likes, dislikes to "truth or dare" topics like the most attractive senior in the school.
Tips: Guys, this is not the time to practise your listening skills. Do participate actively and contribute to the chat.
Meals To Munch On
Ahh... for some, this is the most important part. If you are fortunate enough to have a barbeque pit on school grounds, do the grilled standards and toast marshmallows over the fire for dessert. Or borrow equipment from the Home Econs/Cookery kitchen and cook up a storm. You can save money by getting everyone to bring along their own cutlery too, and Captain Planet would be so proud of you. However, if you have had traumatic experience with food preparation, leave the cooking to the professionals. Order pizza, sushi or hit the hawker centres. It'll be safer for everyone.
Games To Play
Ice-breakers are necessary before the actual camp commences. Nobody knows why, but have you ever heard of a camp without "Whacko"? Exactly! Neither have I. So roll up some newspapers and start whacking! After the warm-up, move on to Energisers. These are games to get everyone moving and get their adrenaline rushing. They are NOT batteries. An example of an Energizer is an urban hike. For those who are clueless, an urban hike is an excursion, in which the point is to embarrass oneself. You may want to split up into groups of 10. Participants have to report to 'stations' manned by the camp committee along the route. At each station, the I/C (person-in-charge) will issue you a potentially embarrassing challenge, such as asking passers-by to give you a kiss. So you'd better pray that the I/Cs are merciful souls.
But my all-time favourite is the Water Bomb game. It's so simple that no explanation is required. No rules are needed either. Just aim and throw. But here's a point to take note of: try not to waste too much water. Let's hope that all go well and you all get to bond together. It doesn't matter if you guys are stuck together with super glue. Because that's the whole point of having a camp!
Labels: boogie-woogie, camaraderie, camp home videos, cheap class camp, courage testing, die-hard friendships, economical camp, marathon chit-chat session, midnight movie, organising camp, ultimate class camp
Overdid the holiday snacking and feeling all guilty about it? Time to eat right and feel great!
Twas the season to be jolly and indulge. Now's the time to combat the after-effects - with a New Year resolutions' list of foods to work onto your munch palate.
Resolution 1: Juicy, Fruity Treats
Formerly known as the forbidden fruit, the red apple is a prime source of Vitamin A (Adam and Eve would have approved). Together with yellow-orangey fruits like papayas and apricots, apples are full of anti-oxidants to keep your eyes bright and healthy. Which makes it all the better for you to flutter those eyelashes at your crush. On the other hand, citrus types like oranges and lemons are bursting with Vitamin C. That's the vitamin you need to stave off a nasty cold and show off a fabulous gummy smile. Fruits aid digestion and help protect against stomach ulcers and intestinal cancers. They also keep your mouth fresh after a meal. Munching on raw fruits is best, so keep fruits displayed prominently in the house (on a fruit basket or glass bowl, not in some dark corner of the fridge). And for variety's sake, add slices of cut fruit to your favourite ice-cream. You can also blend frozen bananas into your smoothie for a yummy treat.
What if you don't feel like working your teeth on that Royal Gala apple or Valencia orange? Juice it! No one said you have to take it fresh all the time. Regular intake of orange juice can boost good cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. And when laziness strikes, or if your favourite fruit is not in season, reach for a helping of canned or dried fruits.
Resolution 2: Lean, Green Fighting Machines
Leafy greens are fantastic for blocking cancer-causing carcinogens in grilled meats, and also for squelching tumours. That's because they contain lots of beta-carotene, which is an anti-oxidant shielding healthy cells from genetic damage. Even non-leafy types like broccoli, carrots and tomatoes ar powerful cancer fighters. Vegetables, like fruits, are good sources of fibre. No one is saying you have to turn into a herbivore, but look for ways to sneak it into your diet. Such as ordering a salad or coleslaw to accompany your burger and fries. Or having some veggie soup to go with your fried dishes at the food court.
Resolution 3: Charging Up On Calcium
This is a compulsory mineral if you don't want your bones to break like egg shells. Classic sources of calcium are milk and its products (cheese, yoghurt). But what if you belong to the lactose-intolerant clan like me? Short of relying on a supplement, I get my daily dose by sneaking in soy milk, green leafy vegetables and sardines. But watch your sodium intake. Excessive sodium in the body takes calcium away when it gets eliminated from the body as urine. So go easy on the potato chips.
Resolution 4: Aim For Aqua
It's hydrate or nothing. Water regulates body temperature and promotes cell renewal and organ function. But how much to imbibe? Experts recommend 8 to 10 glasses a day; too much will leave your tummy sloshing, while too little may lead to constipation, cracked lips and that shrivelled look. Sneak in your daily quota by carrying bottled water with you, and taking sips throughout the day. If you don't like the flat taste, pop lemon slices into the water jug. That way you get to drink H2O ala restaurant style while hydrating your body.
Resolution 5: Go Green
Green tea has anti-oxidants that protect against cell damage. Drinking green tea frequently also boosts benefits such as lowered cholesterol and protection against certain cancers (skin, throat, colon). It even reduces tooth decay with its anti-bacterial properties! So the next time you are at a cafe, opt for green tea instead of your usual latte.
Resolution 6: Protein
Bad hair days and chipped nails happen. But EVERY day? Looks like you could be lacking protein, which is crucial for good-looking hair and strong nails. What to load up on - milk, tofu and lean meats.
Resolution 7: Feel Bran New
Oatmeal porridge is not just for Goldilocks and the bears. Here are more reasons to eat your Wheat-bix: upping your fibre intake with oatmeal and whole-wheat products may help you fight off certain stomach cancers, not to mention assist in fast and problem-free waste-elimination. But before you thumb your nose at that humble bowl of oatmeal, try these ways to jazz it up. Sprinkle brown sugar, dried fruits and nuts or drizzle pure honey over it. You can also cook it with skimmed milk instead of water.
Labels: aqua, bran, calcium, H2O, health eats, healthy eating, indulge, jolly, juicy fruity treats, lean green, protein, resolution