Thursday 26 December 2013

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES



                                               

Now, is the time we love to re-call
With a sentimental draw
Thoughts so tender, kind
In steps through childhood doors

To glimpse with sweetest wonder
The joy, to reminisce
On all that's sweet and good
Of childlike innocence

To remember fragrance, laughter
Such tender happy times
The love of family, friends
And surprises made to find

Christmas customs all our own
In the walk down memory lane
And there we thank our Lord for Christmas
In praise for all He gave

More than a child born in the hay,
Jesus, my Lord, on that first Christmas day.
More than the son of a carpenter man;
You carried the weight of the world in Your hand.
For You are the Hope of my soul,
All that I see, and all that I know.
In You, there is peace in my life,
For one day You came, as angel's proclaimed,
The Light of the world for us all!

Monday 16 December 2013

IMPORTANCE WHY YOU SHOULD DRINK COFFEE EVERY DAY





There really can’t be any adult in this great big world that has never tried coffee. It’s consumed everywhere, and judging by the amount of Starbucks locations in the United States alone, (in 2012, there were 10,924!) we love our caffeine.

And that’s fine. In fact, there are many advantages to being one of the 54 percent of Americans over 18 who drink coffee everyday. Coffee can be pretty amazing for your brain, your skin and your body. Read on to discover 11 reasons you should wake up and smell the coffee…

Americans get more antioxidants from coffee than anything else.
According to a study done in 2005, “nothing else comes close” to providing as many antioxidants as coffee. While fruits and vegetables also have tons of antioxidants, the human body seems to absorb the most from coffee.

Just smelling coffee could make you less stressed.

Researchers at the Seoul National University examined the brains of rats who were stressed with sleep deprivation and discovered that those who were exposed to coffee aromas experienced changes in brain proteins tied to that stress. Note, this aroma study doesn’t relate to stress by itself, only to the stress felt as a result of sleep deprivation. Now, we’re not entirely sure if this means you should keep a bag of roasted coffee beans on your nightstand every night, but feel free to try!

Coffee could lessen the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Science Daily reported in 2012 that drinking coffee may help people with Parkinson’s disease control their movement. Ronald Postuma, MD, the study author, said, “Studies have shown that people who use caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, but this is one of the first studies in humans to show that caffeine can help with movement symptoms for people who already have the disease.”

Coffee is great for your liver (especially if you drink alcohol).

A study published in 2006 that included 125,000 people over 22 years showed that those who drink at least one cup of coffee a day were 20 percent less to develop liver cirrhosis — an autoimmune disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption that could lead to liver failure and cancer. Arthur L Klatsky, the lead author of the study, told The Guardian, “Consuming coffee seems to have some protective benefits against alcoholic cirrhosis, and the more coffee a person consumes the less risk they seem to have of being hospitalised or dying of alcoholic cirrhosis.”
Studies have also shown that coffee can help prevent people from developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). An international team of researchers led by Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School revealed that drinking four or more cups of coffee or tea a day may be beneficial in preventing the progression of NAFLD.

Coffee can make you feel happier.

A study done by the National Institute of Health found that those who drink four or more cups of coffee were about 10 percent less likely to be depressed than those who had never touched the java. And apparently it’s not because of the “caffeine high” — Coke can also give you a caffeine high, but it’s linked to depression. Study author, Honglei Chen, MD, PhD, told Prevention.com that the proposed reason coffee makes you feel good is because of those trusty antioxidants.
Coffee consumption has been linked to lower levels of suicide.
A study done by the Harvard School of Public Health determined that drinking between two and four cups of coffee can reduce the risk of suicide in men and women by about 50 percent. The proposed reason is because coffee acts as a mild antidepressant by aiding in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.

Coffee could reduce your chances of getting skin cancer (if you’re a woman).

Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School followed 112,897 men and women over a 20-year period and, apparently, women who drink three or more cups of coffee a day are much less likely to develop skin cancer than those who don’t.

Coffee can make you a better athlete.

The New York Times reports, “Scientists and many athletes have known for years, of course, that a cup of coffee before a workout jolts athletic performance, especially in endurance sports like distance running and cycling.” Caffeine increases the number of fatty acids in the bloodstream, which allows athletes’ muscles to absorb and burn those fats for fuel, therefore saving the body’s small reserves of carbohydrates for later on in the exercise.

Coffee could reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Coffee also lowers risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to a study from The American Chemical Society. The study’s researchers found that people who drink four or more cups of coffee a day reduce their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50 percent. Subsequently, with every additional cup, the risk gets lowered by 7 percent.

Drinking coffee could help keep your brain healthier for longer.

Researchers from the University of South Florida and the University of Miami found that people older than 65 who had higher blood levels of caffeine developed Alzheimer’s disease two to four years later than others with lower caffeine. Dr. Chuanhai Cao, a neuroscientist at the USF, and co-author of the study, said, “We are not saying that moderate coffee consumption will completely protect people from Alzheimer’s disease. However, we firmly believe that moderate coffee consumption can appreciably reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s or delay its onset.”

Coffee may make you more intelligent.


You usually drink coffee when you are sleep-deprived, right? Well, that much-needed jolt not only keeps you awake, it makes you sharper. CNN reports that coffee allows your brain to work in a much more efficient and smarter way. TIME reporter, Michael Lemonick, says, “When you’re sleep-deprived and you take caffeine, pretty much anything you measure will improve: reaction time, vigilance, attention, logical reasoning — most of the complex functions you associate with intelligence.”
Moral of the story? COFFEE IS THE BEST THING EVER. KEEP DRINKING IT

Monday 2 December 2013

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD START EATING CUCUMBER



Cucumbers are number four most cultivated vegetable in the world and known to be one of the best foods for your overall health, often referred to as a super food. 
Pick a handful of firm, dark green cucumbers and drop them into your shopping cart. Congratulations! You have just bought yourself stuff full of good health.

Rehydrates body
If you are too busy to drink enough water, eat the cool cucumber, which is 90 per cent water. It will cheerfully compensate your water loss.

Fights heat inside and out
Eating cucumber will get your body relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin and you will get relief from sunburn.

Eliminates toxins
All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your body. With regular eating, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.

Replenishes daily vitamins
Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. Vitamins A, B and C, which boost your immune system, also keep you radiant and give you energy. Make it more powerful by juicing cucumber with spinach and carrot. Don’t forget to leave the skin on because it contains a good amount of vitamin C, which is about 12 per cent of the daily recommended allowance.

Supplies skin friendly minerals
Cucumber is high in potassium, magnesium and silicon. That is why spas abound cucumber based treatments.

Aids digestion and weight loss
Due to its high water and low calorie content, cucumber is an ideal source for people who are looking for weight loss. Use cucumbers in your soups and salads. If it is not your favourite snack, you can eat crunchy cucumber sticks with creamy low fat yogurt dip. Chewing cucumber gives your jaws a good workout and the fibre in it is great for digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as an aid for chronic constipation.

Revives the eyes
Placing a chilled slice of cucumber over puffy eyes is a clichéd beauty visual, but it really can help reduce under-eye bags and puffiness due to its anti inflammatory properties.




Monday 25 November 2013

MEN WARNED NOT TO SHARE WIFE’S BREAST WHILE BREAST FEEDING



MEN have been advised to keep away from their wives’ breasts while they are breast feeding their children to avoid inflicting wounds on the breasts and exposing the children to infection.
Professor Angela Oyo Ita, the Cross River State Commissioner for Health who gave the advice while flagging- off the 2013 Breast Feeding Week at Akpabuyo local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, stated that men sharing their wives’ breasts while they are breast feeding could inflict wound on the breasts and if the woman is HIV positive, the child could be exposed to the infection.
Professor Oyo Ita who was represented by the Director Nutrition of the Ministry of Health, Mrs Regina Adie  called on the women to practice exclusive breast feeding because it has been proven that beast milk contains 80% water and 20% minerals that are essential for the child’s growth.“The World  Health Organisation,  the United Nation  International   Children Educational Fund, and other renown world agencies have carried out studies and it has proven that breast milk is the best in keeping the child healthy, strong and happy”.
She said myths that a child that is exclusively fed on breast milk for six months  would at some point die out of thirst is not true because beast milk contains enough water to keep the child happy and satisfied. “Some time  ago, we came here and had a meeting with the men and called on them  to support their wives to carry out exclusive breast feeding for their children and the men said no because the children would die from the thirst for water, but that is not true”.
The Health Commissioner said the theme for this year’s breast feeding week. ‘Breast Feeding, Close to Mother”, was apt because the relationship between the mother and the child becomes stronger when the mother breast feeds the baby exclusively for six months.
“If you look at the face of your baby during breast feeding, you would see joy and satisfaction on the face and that brings the child closer to the mother”.
Mrs Rosemary Effiong, the Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area said breast feeding keeps children strong and free of health challenges and “We in Akpabuyo do not want to have children who would put unnecessary pressure on our health facilities, so let every mother listen and obey the instruction  of the focal person on breast feeding”.
Mrs Effiong who was represented by the Secretary of Council, Mr Edem Okon said the council would continue to offer the needed support to mothers through financial empowerment to enable them feed well to breast feed their children.

Monday 18 November 2013

10 (AMAZING) HEALTH BENEFITS OF SEX



Most of you’d agree that sex is a wonderful stress buster and can free you from the shackles of a busy life! While having sex regularly increases your immunity, it also acts as a great form of exercise. But did you know that an active sex life is also the key to staying young and living longer? These and more are some of the most amazing health benefits of sex. Read on if you care to know more about them.
Sex helps you sleep better:
Having sex before hitting the sack is the best way to ensure a good night’s sleep. This is because the exhaustion following intercourse is a natural reaction of the body which helps in inducing sleep. So after a hectic day at work, indulge in sweat-inducing sex to get some restful slumber. 
 
Sex burns calories:
Sex is a great form of exercise and helps burn those stubborn calories. Studies suggest that making love on a regular basis is as good as pumping some iron in the gym. Also, sexual intercourse involves muscular movement of the thighs, legs, arms, shoulders and lower abdomen which equals a total body workout.

Sex reduces pain:
Having sex like a pro has some added health benefits! According to studies, vaginal stimulation may lead to increased pain tolerance which in turn has the power to ease out pain during periods, arthritis and migraine. Talk about sex being a pleasurable experience.
 
Sex may increase fertility:
All those of you who are planning to become mommies anytime soon, here’s some good news! According to this report, better sex leads to better chances of conception (Yay). The best way to achieve this is by not treating it like a chore; instead better the quality of sex to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Sex helps fight disease:
A good session of sex helps in combating a lot of diseases in both men and women. You will be surprised to know that making love reduces the risk of cancer, heart diseases and even common cold according to this report! Didn’t we say sex is genuinely good for you? 
 
Sex keeps you young:
There’s no doubt that an active sex life makes couples live a happy and longer life. Research suggests that sexual intercourse allows the release of endorphins and boosts the skin’s production of vitamin D, which in turn makes one look and feel young. Cool, isn’t it?

Sex improves immunity:
Studies have revealed that regular sex leads to higher chances of increased immunity in men and women. So if you are having sex regularly, then you should know that it increases the level of immune-boosting antibody called immunoglobulin A, which helps you fight common illnesses.

Sex helps fight stress
: Come on…let’s face it! After a hard day’s work, all you need is some TLC and some mind-blowing sex to fight the stress. The act of lovemaking which involves proper foreplay and orgasm also relaxes your body and mind at the end of the day.

Sex improves bladder control:
It may sound weird, but sex can minimise incontinence, a common problem faced by women all over the world. Health experts suggest doing Kegels even during intercourse by gently flexing and tightening your pelvic floor muscles in the same way you would to stop the flow of urine, can improve bladder control.

Sex promotes overall well-being:
If you are comfortably happy, then be assured that nothing else can challenge your health! And sex has the capacity to promote the overall well-being of a couple. A steamy session powered by sex can easily perk up your mood and keep you in a happy zone.

Monday 11 November 2013

SURE SIGNS SHE WILL CHEAT ON YOU



Men want to know if there’s any way to tell if the woman they are dating or married to will cheat on them at a future date and one day break their heart.

Women who are highly susceptible to infidelity tend to fall into one or more of the 16 categories below:

Categories of Women Most Likely To Cheat

Women who have lots of close male friends - Close friendships with members of the opposite séx are a common starting point for many affairs. The closer the woman is to her platonic male friend, the more likely it is that he will eventually end up becoming her lover – unless he’s gay.

Women who have an excessive need for attention - a woman who requires constant attention may cheat on her mate if she feels she isn’t getting enough attention from him. She will be easy prey for any man who showers with her the attention she feels she deserves.

 Women who are materialistic - a materialistic woman is likely to have an affair with a wealthy man because of the material things he can provide. She can easily be seduced with gifts of money, jewelry, designer clothes, lavish vacations, and other expensive things.

Women who are easily bored - a woman who is easily bored may cheat on her mate just to add some excitement to her life, or alleviate her boredom.

Women whose husbands or boyfriends have cheated on them – Some women who have been victims of infidelity may indulge in retaliatory cheating or revenge affairs. If you cheated on her, she may try to even the score by cheating on you.

Women whose girlfriends are cheating on their mates - never underestimate the power of peer pressure. Adults are susceptible to peer pressure, too. If her girlfriends or close female acquaintances are cheating on their mates, it’s just a matter of time before she be cheating too.

Women who thrive on being the center of attention - a woman who insists on being the center of attention at all times, the man who fawns over her and makes her feel like she’s #1 in his life is likely to score big.
Women who are alcoholics or drug addicts – a woman who is a substance abuser is much more likely to end up cheating on her mate. Women who overindulges in alcohol are susceptible to infidelity because their inhibitions will be lowered and their judgment impaired. Female drug addict may sell their bodies for drugs. Either type of woman is likely to cheat without realizing what she’s doing.

Women who are considered “party girls” - if she’s the type of woman who runs with a fast crowd, or routinely parties or hangs out until the wee hours of the night, her lifestyle makes her vulnerable to having an affair.

Women who are addicted to séx - Yes, women can be séx addicts, too. In the past these women were referred to as nymphomaniacs. This is a medical condition that requires medical help.

Women with a séx drive greater than that of their partner - a woman whose séx drive greatly exceeds the séx drive of her husband or boyfriend, or whose spouse or significant other is lacking in bedroom skills, is much more likely to cheat on her mate. If she wants to have séx all the time, she’ll find someone to fill in when her husband or boyfriend isn’t there.

Women who are séxually experienced - a woman who has had an extremely active séx life, or who has had numerous séx partners before settling down, will find very difficult to stay faithful to just .one man.

Women who cheated on their mates in the past without getting caught - a woman who has cheated before and got away with it will have no qualms about cheating on her mate again, or cheating on the new man in her life. After all, she’s already proven to herself that she can escape detection, and will be confident that she can pull it off again without getting caught.

Women who are thrill seekers or risk takers - this type of woman will cheat just for the thrill of it, or for the excitement of doing something forbidden. She views infidelity as other people would view a high-risk sport.

Women who have big egos - if a woman is extremely égotistic, any man who feeds her ego can easily get her into bed.

Women who suffer from low self esteem - a woman who has low-self esteem is easy prey for a man who flatters her, builds her up, makes her feel good about herself, and boosts her self esteem.
The more of the above categories your wife or girlfriend fits into, the more likely it is that she will cheat on you.

Friday 8 November 2013

5 WAYS TO TURN A WOMAN ON WITHOUT PHYSICAL CONTACT



No, this isn’t about where to kiss her, and different ways to touch her body. We are talking about achieving this without ever laying a finger on her. Non physical attributes play a big role in generating attraction with a woman, and here are 5 that can truly have an impact.

1. Intelligence
For a lot of women, a smart man is a sexy man. Knowledge is power, and it can definitely intrigue a woman. Having the ability to carry on an intelligent conversation can have a very positive effect on a woman.


2. Being Considerate
When you do something considerate, it can make a woman feel special. And that can sometimes materialize into a greater attraction. Being mindful of her feelings and doing small gestures to show her you’re thinking about her can easily win you some points. You’re pouring into her emotionally and that makes her much more receptive to you.


3. Ambition
A man with no aspirations and no drive can be a huge turn off for a woman. Having passion and a purpose can really do it for her. It gives off the energy of a man who is about handling his business, and a woman loves to see that.


4. Assertiveness
Most women (if not all) are not turned on by a man they view as too soft and passive. Knowing how to be assertive and putting your foot down at the right time (in the right way) can cause that woman to melt right before your eyes. That doesn’t mean go out and behave like an a-hole, or treat her like she is beneath you. It just means stand strong, handle your business, and demand respect. If she can’t respect you, then she won’t have a desire for you.


5.Appearance
Even though men tend to be more superficial than women, don’t be fooled. She is paying attention, and she too wants something nice to look at. It doesn’t mean you need to have expensive clothes or flashy jewelry. Simply learning how to present yourself as well put together can do wonders. Know how to rock a suit, and that casual outfit. Don’t forget a nice pair of shoes. A lot of women are looking at your shoes whether you realize it or not.

Monday 4 November 2013

RESUME WRITING GUIDE

Writing a resume can intimidate anyone. How should I start? What should I write? What points should I include? What format should I use? These are just a few of the questions that can bother anyone. But if you keep a few things in mind, you’ll see that it’s not really that daunting a task.
Employers receive hundreds of resumes, so the main thing to keep in mind is to try and make your resume stand out and grab the employer’s attention at first glance. To be able to do this, it should be visually pleasing as well as well written. There are no set rules to writing a good resume, nor are two resumes ever alike. They cannot be, because each resume is structured around a particular job. The only thing all resumes should be is that they should all be as effective as possible, because remember – a resume is supposed to be a selling tool. The more effectively it is written the better your chances of being selected. For a resume to be really effective, tailor it around the particular job that you are applying for, and address the employer’s requirements. So the more you know about the job and the employer, the better you can tailor your resume for that position.
A good resume should include all of the following:
  • Heading - includes your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address.
  • Objective - tells the employer the sort of work you’re hoping to do. The rest should be structured around this objective.
  • Education - tells employers what you’ve learned.
  • Experience – this should be built around the employer’s requirements.
  • Skills and accomplishments – this includes special skills and accomplishments like fluency in a foreign language, proficiency in specific computer programs, leadership experience, a listing of honors and awards, activities that relate to the job, etc.
The contents given above should be written clearly keeping the following points in mind:
  • Keep it free of grammatical and spelling errors.
  • Use bullets and short sentences.
  • Use action words to make the resume stand out.
  • Highlight your strengths, especially those that the employer is looking for
  • Be positive and leave off negative and irrelevant information.
  • Be professional in tone, otherwise you won’t be taken seriously.
There are two basic types of resumes – chronological and functional.
The chronological format highlights your job titles, places of employment, and dates of tenure by presenting them as headings under which your achievements are listed. This format is used when you are staying in the same field, your work history shows growth, your current position is one you are proud of, and there are no gaps in your work history.
The functional format presents your experience under skill headings, so you can list your accomplishments by impact rather than by chronology. In this format, your work history is listed very concisely in a section separate from your achievements. This format is used when you change careers, you need to emphasize skills or experiences, your most recent position is not impressive, or your job titles don't accurately reflect the level of responsibility you had.
Sometimes the two formats are combined to give what is called a ‘combination’ format.
Which format to use depends on your particular situation. To get a better idea of what good and effective resumes should look like, please refer to the Sample Resumes
Important: Never send out your resume without a cover letter.
 

Sunday 27 October 2013

Implications for educational planning and policy - Concluded


This historical analysis of educational policy formulation in Nigeria has a lot of implications for both educational planning and policy. Most of the colonial educational policies had the shortcoming of not taking into account our local peculiarities and not involving Nigerians in their formulation. It is also essential to integrate all the good parts of earlier education policies, whether colonial or post-colonial, into any proposed education policy.
The participatory model of planning education and formulating educational policies is the most appropriate for a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria. Nigeria has about three hundred and fifty four ethnic nationalities. Each of these groups strive to get the best and a fair share of the available educational services (Fabunmi, 2003). In order to minimize conflict and protest, it is good for both educational planners and policy makers to involve adequate representatives of the society, particularly stakeholders in education, in educational planning and policy formulation.

Sunday 20 October 2013

The education laws of 1999-2004 - Part 8




(a) The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Promulgation) Decree of 1999, chapter 11, Section 18 re-states the objectives of education in Nigeria as contained in the 1979 constitution of Nigeria and the third edition of the National Policy on Education (FRG, 1998) which states the following as the objectives of Nigerian education: the inculcation of national consciousness and unity;
(b) The inculcation of the right type of values and attitudes for the survival of the individual and the Nigerian society;
(c) The training of the mind in the understanding of the world around; and
(d) The acquisition of appropriate skills and the development of mental, physical and social abilities and competencies as equipment for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of his society.

Sunday 13 October 2013

The Education Edicts of 1983-1999 - Part 8




Consequent upon the return of military administration in 1983, several decrees were
 by the Federal Military Government to guide and regulate the conduct of education. Such include, Decree No. 16 of 1985, which was promulgated on National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institution’s Decree No. 20 of 1986 which changed the school calendar from January to December to October to September, Decree No. 26 of 1988, which proscribed and prohibited the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for participating in trade union activities and Decree No. 36 of 1990, which revoked the proscription of ASUU, and many other decrees.

Sunday 6 October 2013

The Education Laws of the School Republic (1979-1983) - Part 7



The first era of military rule (1966-1979) in Nigeria was followed by the second republic, which had a presidential system of government. The 1979 constitution was the legal basis of education in the period. The objectives of education as provided in chapter II,
Section 18, Sub-Sections 1-3 of the 1979 constitution are:
(i) The government policy shall be directed towards ensuring equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.
(ii) The government shall promote science and technology,
(iii) The government shall strive as and when practicable, provide
(a) Free, compulsory and universal primary education
(b) Free secondary education, and
(c) Free adult literacy programme
The 1979 constitution put education in the concurrent legislative list. This implies that responsibilities and authority in the provision of education ought to be shared among the three tiers of government, that is, federal, state and local governments. Chapter 11 of the constitution gave the federal government more powers than the states in the areas of post primary, professional, technological and university education under its control. The states had total control of primary; post primary, technical, technological, university and other forms of education within their territories. In states like Ogun and Bendel, the organization and administration of primary education were transferred to their respective Local Government Councils.

Sunday 29 September 2013

The Education Edicts of 1966-1979 - Part 6




The Federal Military Government of Nigeria enacted Decree No. 14 of 1967, with which it created twelve states out of the existing four regions (West, Mid-West, North and East). Lagos remained the federal capital. The number of the legislatures increased to thirteen, twelve state and one federal legislatures. In 1976, the states were increased to nineteen, thus making the legislative bodies to be twenty. Each state promulgated an edict for the regulation of education, and its provision and management. Examples include East
Central States Public Education Edict No. 5 of 1970, Lagos State’s Education Law
(Amendment) Edict/No. 11 of 1970, South Eastern State’s Education (School’s Board) Edict/No. 20 of 1971 and Mid-Western State’s Education Edict, No. 5 of 1973. Each state amended its education law when necessary. All the edicts had common features, such as state take-over of schools from individuals and voluntary agencies, establishment of school management boards and a unified teaching service.

Sunday 22 September 2013

TIPS ON MAKING PRESENTATIONS



As part of an extended interview/selection centre you may be asked to give a short presentation. Usually you choose the topic from a list which may include your hobbies, a recent holiday, a current affairs topic or one of your achievements, or sometimes you may be asked to make a presentation on a case study you have previously done as part of the extended interview. The purpose is not to test your subject knowledge, but to see how well you can speak in public. Typically you will be asked to talk for five minutes, and will be given 20 or 30 minutes beforehand to prepare.

BASIC TIPS

  • Dress smartly: don't let your appearance distract from what you are saying.
  • Smile. Don't hunch up and shuffle your feet. Have an upright posture. Try to appear confident and enthusiastic.
  • Say hello and smile when you greet the audience: your audience will probably look at you and smile back: an instinctive reaction.
  • Speak clearly, firmly and confidently as this makes you sound in control. Don't speak too quickly: you are likely to speed up and raise the pitch of your voice when nervous. Give the audience time to absorb each point. Don't talk in a monotone the whole time. Lift your head up and address your words to someone near the back of audience. If you think people at the back can't hear, ask them.
  • Use silence to emphasise points. Before you make a key point pause: this tells the audience that something important is coming. It's also the hallmark of a confident speaker as only these are happy with silences. Nervous speakers tend to gabble on trying to fill every little gap.
  • Keep within the allotted time for your talk.
  • Eye contact is crucial to holding the attention of your audience. Look at everyone in the audience from time to time, not just at your notes or at the PowerPoint slides. Try to involve everyone, not just those directly in front of you.
  • You could try to involve your audience by asking them a question.
  • Don't read out your talk, as this sounds boring and stilted, but refer to brief notes jotted down on small (postcard sized) pieces of card. Don't look at your notes too much as this suggests insecurity and will prevent you making eye contact with the audience.
  • It’s OK to use humour, in moderation, but better to use anecdotes than to rattle off a string of jokes.
  • Take along a wristwatch to help you keep track of time – the assessor may cut you off as soon as you have used the time allocated, whether or not you have finished.
  • It can be very helpful to practise at home in front of a mirror. You can also record your presentation and play it back to yourself: don't judge yourself harshly when you replay this - we always notice our bad points and not the good when hearing or seeing a recording or ourselves! Time how long your talk takes. Run through the talk a few times with a friend.
  • It's normal to be a little nervous. This is a good thing as it will make you more energised. Many people have a fear of speaking in public. Practising will make sure that you are not too anxious. In your mind, visualise yourself giving a confident successful performance. Take a few deep slow breaths before your talk starts and make a conscious effort to speak slowly and clearly. Research by T Gilovich (Cornell University) found that people who feel embarrassed are convinced their mistakes are much more noticeable than they really are: we focus on our own behaviour more than other people do and so overestimate it's impact. This is called the spotlight effect. If you make a mistake, don't apologise too much, just briefly acknowledge the mistake and continue on. 
  • Build variety into the talk and break it up into sections: apparently, the average person has a three minute attention span!

Sunday 15 September 2013

TOP 18 ESSENTIALS AND BENEFITS OF WEIGHT TRAINING



1. Weight training tones your muscles which looks great and raises your basal metabolism... which causes you to burn more calories 24 hours-a-day. You'll even burn more calories while you're sleeping.

2. Weight training can *reverse* the natural decline in your metabolism which begins around age 30.

3. Weight training energizes you.

4. Weight training has a positive effect on almost all of your 650+ muscles.

5. Weight training strengthens your bones reducing your risk of developing osteoporosis.

6. Weight training improves your muscular endurance.

7. Weight training will NOT develop big muscles on women....just toned muscles!

8. Weight training makes you strong. Strength gives you confidence and makes daily activities easier.

9. Weight training makes you less prone to low-back injuries.

10. Weight training decreases your resting blood pressure.

11. Weight training decreases your risk of developing adult onset diabetes.

12. Weight training decreases your gastrointestinal transit time, reducing your risk for developing colon cancer.

13. Weight training increases your blood level of HDL cholesterol (the good type).

14. Weight training improves your posture.

15. Weight training improves the functioning of your immune system.

16. Weight training lowers your resting heart rate, a sign of a more efficient heart.

17. Weight training improves your balance and coordination.
 

18. Weight training elevates your mood.

Wednesday 4 September 2013

THE ROMANTIC IDEAS PART 5



IDEA # 81
Research your partner's favorite hobby and identify a gift that is really useful
for her. The more specialized the gift the more impact it will have. Talk to her
friends and family and use the Net to find the information you need.
IDEA # 82
Go to a masquerade ball. Send an invitation to your partner telling her to
meet you at a specific spot at the stroke of eight.
Wear a mask and when you meet her, don't say a word. Just take her hand
and lead her on to the dance floor.
IDEA # 83
On Thursday, ask your partner to pack a bag for the weekend. Tell her she'll
need casual clothes and walking shoes but don't tell her what you have got
planned.
Pick her up after work on Friday and drive to a romantic bed and breakfast for
a romantic weekend of relaxation.
IDEA # 84
When you are relaxing at home one night, take two large sheets of paper and
some pencils or crayons. On each piece of paper, draw the outline of a large
crystal ball sitting on a stand.
Tell your partner to look into her crystal ball and draw what she sees five
years in the future. Do the same thing yourself and then come together to
share and discuss your drawings.
IDEA # 85
Create a loving nickname for your partner. This could be the name she was
called by her family when she was a little girl or something that is special just
for the two of you.

IDEA # 86
If you are musically inclined, write a love song for your partner. Call it
something like "Natasha's Song".
Produce a professional looking manuscript, print it out and get it framed.
Record your song onto CD and take a photo of your partner and get a print
shop to create a CD cover if you can’t create one on your computer.
Place the framed manuscript and the CD in a box and give it to your partner
as a special gift.
IDEA # 87
Pick your partner up for a date and blindfold her before driving to a special
destination.
Try to make the destination something really unexpected like a table set up at
the top of a cliff or a dinner on a boat or old-fashioned ship. It needs to be
something that will have an impact when she removes the blindfold.
IDEA # 88
Have a really big pillow fight. Set up for it by buying two pillows that are filled
with feathers. Put holes in the pillows so the feathers will start to fly and then
attack your partner when you feel the time is right.
IDEA # 89
Get out into the great outdoors. After a day of hiking, build an open fire. Sit
by the fire with your partner, toast marshmallows and watch as the embers of
the fire climb into the night sky.
TheRomantic.com 101 Romantic Ideas
IDEA # 90
If your partner uses a computer, take a photo of the two of you and get it
scanned at a print shop (or scan it at home) and store it on disk as a .bmp file.
Transfer the file onto your partner's computer and set the image as the
computer's wallpaper.
To do this on a Windows machine, select Start / Settings / Control Panel /
Display. Choose the Background tab and click the Browse button to find your
.bmp file.
IDEA # 91
If you are artistically inclined, do a life drawing course, practice until you are
confident and then ask your partner to pose for you.
IDEA # 92
Take your partner to a carnival or festival. Try the following:
(1) Food festival
(2) Jazz festival
(3) Wine festival
(4) Music festival
IDEA # 93
Develop a video time capsule. Start with the two of you sitting together on a
couch introducing the video. Say something like, "It is currently July 14th
2002. We have decided to make this video so that we can watch it together
on our 25th wedding anniversary."
Then have a section where you talk to the camera by yourself, telling the
camera how you feel about your partner and why you love her. Get her to do
the same thing. When you are done, place the video in a bank vault and on
your 25th wedding anniversary you will be able to look back in time and
reminisce about everything that you have shared.
IDEA # 94
If you are in a secluded spot near a beach or lake and the weather is warm,
go for an impromptu skinny dip with your partner.
IDEA # 95
This one is great for long distance relationships. It takes a bit of organization
but if you can pull it off, it is sure to be a surprise that your partner will never
forget. Organize to catch up with her regularly over the internet using either a
chat room or an Instant Messenger program. Then arrange a secret trip to
meet her without telling her that you’re coming.
When it comes time for your usual chat over the Net, arrange for a close
friend back home to log on using your nickname while you position yourself
outside her door. Phone your friend on your mobile and be speaking to him in
real time. Tell him to type in the following sentence, “I really miss you honey, I
wish I could be there and just reach out and knock on your door.” As soon as
he has sent the message, knock on the door!
TheRomantic.com 101 Romantic Ideas
IDEA # 96
Buy your partner a gold fish in a bowl and give it to her with a card saying,
“Of all the fish in the sea,
you're the fish for me!”
IDEA # 97
Go for a drive either early in the morning or at dusk. Get a CD/tape that
contains sounds of nature such as Sounds Of the Rainforest and play it as
you hold your partner's hand and drive.
IDEA # 98
The day before your partner's birthday buy some helium balloons, streamers
and flowers and hide them in a closet.
When your partner has fallen asleep, string the streamers around the room
and bring out the balloons and flowers. Place them around the bed so that
your partner wakes up to a real birthday surprise.
IDEA # 99
Spend a leisurely afternoon with your partner in a large book shop such as
Borders where you can browse the shelves, share a coffee and sit down to
peruse your purchases.
IDEA # 100
If you can afford it, hire a sports car for a weekend. Pick up your partner and
give her a long white cashmere scarf to wear with her sunglasses. Go for a
drive along the coast with the top down.

IDEA # 101
Serve your partner breakfast in bed. Try the following:
(1) A poached egg in the shape of a heart - you can pick up a heart shaped
poacher at most shops that sell kitchen wares.
(2) French toast with cinnamon and maple syrup.
(3) Cereal.
(4) Fruit juice.
(5) A fresh flower.