Hello Final Examination !

So final examination is getting nearer. When exams arrived, students become worried and start to plan what and how to study and get good grades. Some students find exams so difficult that the phobia makes them sick as they simply find themselves unable to cope up with the exam fear. These are some ways for you to overcome your exam phobia.

Love your studies

Attitude during exams is very important. You should love your studies as you love doing your favourite things such as reading magazines, playing games, etc. Give it the same attention and passion and always handled it with positive mindset. Always think "Yes, I can do it!"

Playtime 

Continuous studies without any relaxation can make you feel exhausted and easily bored. Thus, don't eliminate your playtime and relaxing activities such as watching movies or shopping from your daily schedule. These activities will give your brain some time to relax and refresh your mind.

Avoid getting stressed 

Stress is very common during exams but its treatment is in your own hands. You should make a timetable before exams. This is one of the best ways to avoid last-minute preparations and getting stressed out. Cramming should always be avoided and understanding and comprehending a topic should be preferred. Revised two hours per day so that you won't feel tension and nervous during exam times.

Studying for exams

Here are some tips that will help you study in a better way for exams:

• Ask a teacher`s advice on how to study for a particular course. 
• Take short breaks while studying. This will release your stress.
• Get enough sleep and have nutritious food.
• Plan your study timings.
• Do exercise or at least walk or play to refresh your body.
• Practice old question papers. This will give you an idea of what pattern has been followed previously by the teachers so that you can follow it to get better prepared.
• If you are studying in the evening, don`t sleep right after you complete you stop studying. First release your stress by walking or listening to music or doing anything that interests you and after that go to sleep.

On the exam day

• Have a healthy breakfast but avoid oily and heavy things.
• Do the final revision of the most important topics after breakfast.
• Get the material organised and recheck your stationery (pen, pencil, compass box, eraser, etc) in your bag.
• Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid getting dehydrated.
• If feeling tensed, practice deep breathing.

After the examination

• Do not get stressed after you are done with your paper. Whatever is done cannot be changed.
• Do not indulge in comparisons with others by asking how they answered the questions. It will only make you feel worry more.

So I would like to wish good luck to all my friends. Together we strive for excellence. (:

Acceptance leads to changes

Accept yourself for who you are

and then change.

When you decide to change your life based on negative thoughts and feelings, you won't get positive outcomes. In basic math, when you multiply a positive to a negative, you will get a negative answer. You get what you give.

Be positive in accepting yourself and start making the right decision for a change.

We cannot change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses. 

- Carl Jung

A good sleep

We often fail to realise how important sleep is to us until we don’t get enough of it. I do agree with this statement. Life is getting hectic and tiring and all I want right now is a good nice sleep. Nowadays, sleeping less seems to be the normal lifestyles. People are sacrificing their sleep just to do more, accomplish more and 'live' more. But unfortunately, lack of sleep has their disadvantages.


Lack of sleep can increased hunger and subsequent weight gain, as well as blood pressure and heart problems. Moreover, it can also decreased our immune function and glucose control which will lead to the development of diabetes.

Sleepy people are also grumpy, irritable and unable to focus properly, which can lead to social problems, or even worse cause work or car accidents.

Therefore, lack of sleep is not good for our physical and emotional. Below are ten tips for good sleep.

Have a good nice sleep ! (:

Resource: http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2011/3/27/health/8282438&sec=health

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is an awesome activity that you can do together with your family and friends. Only for one night and one hour. All countries around the world are supporting it. Even our beloved country Malaysia (:


Why we should support Earth Hour?
Easy. The climate is changing ! The 10 hottest years on record have occurred since 1990. Other than that, one million species worldwide are facing extinction due to climate change. 


Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of these facts. Earth Hour is our opportunity to demonstrate on how a simple change in our way of life could change and help to save our planet. 


So, what can you do ?

• Turn your computer off at the wall when you finish work for the day and turn your monitor off during your breaks. 
• Turn off any unnecessary lighting, especially when you leave a room. 
• Use energy efficient light globes to reduce energy consumption. 
• Create a special occasion and hold an event to socialise and share Earth Hour with each other.  
• Talk to children at your service and ask them for ideas about what they could do to help- make it fun.
• And lastly, spread the word, to anyone that you know.

See people, it is really easy. You can make it happen. Don't forget to support our Earth Hour on  26 March 2011 at 8.30 pm.

Save the Earth

For more information, you can go to www.earthhour.org.

Doodle !

Doodle history began when abstract drawing were used  for communication and keeping records. Cave drawings can be considered as doodle as the drawings were used to tell stories. You could almost say that these drawings were the foundation for all written communication. These drawing usually represent something and simply the emotion or mood. 


A quick glance at a doodle may show scribbles, random lines and shapes with no meaning or significance. However, these drawings have the potential to compete with the best art work if a little love and direction is given. Even the famous art works usually began with a simple line and scribbles.


With the right care and approach, beautiful pictures can be created. Geometric and abstract designs along with wonderfully detailed pictures can grow from one simple, single line. The ideas and creative pathways are endless. Games, activities, even emotional healing can stem from a simple mark.


Take a look at doodle arts that I have found on the net. They are beautiful and yes, artistic (:

For more information and doodle arts that you would like to see, you can click here.

Credits to www.doodle-art-alley and http://richworks.in/2010/04/25-most-creative-examples-of-doodle-art/

Happy Birthday To You !

Birthdays are the best and exciting parts, right? Some people just love birthday celebration. But there are also people who like to keep it low. Do you know that different countries have different ways of celebrating birthdays? Below are descriptions about numerous traditions in celebrating birthdays.

India: On the first birthday of a Hindu child, he or she is tonsured. Removal of the hair symbolizes the renewal of the soul. The birthday boy or the girl usually wears new clothes and seek the blessings of their parents and elders by touching their feet. Many even visit a shrine and offer prayers. At school the birthday child wears a colored dress and passes out chocolates to the entire class. Meal may include spicy curry, chutney and rice pudding as the dessert.

China: When a Chinese girl or boy turns one year old, its a special event. A variety of objects and toys such as dolls, coins, books, etc. are placed on the floor around the child. According to ancient beliefs, the object that the child picks up symbolises his pursuit in his life. In China people believe that tigers protect children. Family members bring newborns special food and present them with gifts of clothing or toys decorated with tigers. Clock as a birthday gift is considered unlucky. Noodles are served for lunch. The birthday child pays respect to his or her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives come over for lunch. 

Korea: In Korea on the 100th day after a child's birth (Paegil), a small feast is held to celebrate the fact that the child has survived the period. The family, relatives and friends celebrate with rice cakes, wine and other delicacies such as red and black bean cakes sweetened with sugar or honey. It is the popular belief that if the rice cakes are shared with 100 people, it will result in the long life of the child. Those receiving rice cakes do not return the empty serving vessels, but with skeins of thread expressing the hope of longevity, and with rice and money symbolizing prosperity. To prevent disaster and to bring the child luck and happiness, red bean cakes are placed at the four compass points within the house. 

Malaysia: The family members and friends gather together to enjoy food during the birthday celebrations. The birthday child is gifted with an "ang-bao" which is a small red packet filled with money. When the teenagers invite their friends to the birthday parties, they may sing together, dance or even play musical instruments.

Egypt: Egyptian birthday parties brim over with song, dance, fun and frolic when a child turns one year old. Flowers and fruit are used to decorate the party as symbols of life and growth.

Germany:  In Germany, a children's birthday celebration is called a Geburtstagsparty. German children are never given any household chores or homework on their birthdays. The house is decorated and a wooden birthday wreath is placed on the dining table. The wreath contains small holes for candles and a holder in the center where the lifecandle is placed. It is a tall and beautifully embellished candle. A member of the family lights the candles at sunrise. The candles are kept burning all day long. The birthdayboy or the girl blows off the candles after dinner that night. The wish of the person comes true if all the candles are blown out at one go.There is however a very curious ritual among the Germans. When men reach the age of 30 and they still don't have a girlfriend that they have to sweep the stairs of the city hall. All there friends will throw rubble on the stairs and when you're finished they'll throw some more rubble there. This way every girl can see that this man reached the age of 30 and still doesn't have a girlfriend.

Canada: Greasing the nose with butter or margarine is a common practice among the Canadians. In Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland) the birthday child is ambushed and their nose is greased for good luck. The idea is that the greased nose makes the child too slippery for bad luck to catch them. This tradition can be traced back to Scottish roots. In Quebec the birthday person receives a punch for each year they are alive and then one extra for good luck.

Brazil: The Brazilian children usually eat fruit and vegetable shaped candies on their birthday. Festive banners and bright colored flowers are used to decorate the house. Brazilians pull on the earlobes of the birthday boy or girl for each year of their birthday. The birthday person also gives the first slice of cake to his/her most special friend or relative, usually mom or dad.

For more information, you can read it here. And lastly, please enjoy this Birthday Song from the Beatles :D

What is your fear?

What is a phobia?

A phobia is something a person fears to the point that they feel they have to change how they behave. One type of phobia, called specific phobia, can involve fear of an object or a situation that poses little or no danger. Phobias can also involve fear of being embarrassed, looked at, or made fun of in social or work situations. These are called social phobias. With both of these phobias, the fear is extreme and hard to control. Without treatment, phobias can last many years and affect a person's career, relationships, and daily life activities. 

It is important to know that when a person has a specific or social phobia, it is not her or his fault. And, it is not something a person can just "snap out of." 

Specific phobias and the symptoms:

When a person has a specific phobia, they have an intense fear of something that poses little or no real danger. Because there is no or little danger, a person's fear is not based on reality (called irrational fear). Some of the more common specific phobias involve fear of closed-in places, heights, elevators, bridges, water, cats, dogs, and injuries involving blood. And, a specific phobia often makes no sense. For example, you are afraid of chicken but you eat Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Most people with these phobias know that they don't make sense. But, facing their fear, or even thinking about it, can bring on a panic attack or severe anxiety.

Social phobias and the symptoms:

Social phobia involves feeling very self-conscious in everyday social situations. It is more than just being shy or nervous, and can cause extreme anxiety. A person can feel afraid and uncomfortable when around other people. It may be hard to be at work or school, when you have to interact with others. While many people with these phobias know that their fear may be extreme, they are unable to control it. They often worry for days or weeks in advance of a situation they are dreading. This illness most often starts in childhood or the teenage years, and may run in families.

Symptoms include:

• Intense fear that you will do or say something and embarrass yourself in front of other people.
• Always being afraid of making a mistake and being watched and judged by other people.
• Avoiding doing things you want to or speaking to people because you fear being embarrassed.
• Worrying for days or weeks before you have to meet new people.
• Blushing, sweating a lot, trembling, nausea, or feeling like you have to throw up before and during an event where you are with new people.
• Staying away from social situations such as school events and making speeches.
• Drinking alcohol to make your fears go away.

What should you do if you have a phobia?

If you think you may have symptoms of a specific or social phobia, a visit to your doctor is the best place to start. Your doctor will perform a careful exam to figure out whether your symptoms are really due to this illness, or if you have another anxiety disorder or problem.

Sometimes a person can feel awkward talking to a health care provider about phobias. They may blame themselves, think their condition is not serious, or feel embarrassed. Keep in mind that this illness can be treated. 

The next step your doctor may suggest is a visit with a mental health professional. This includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors. It is best to look for a professional who has special training in cognitive-behavioral and/or behavioral therapy. Keep in mind that when you start taking medicine, it may not start working right away. You need to give your body a few weeks to get used to the medicine. Then, you and your doctor can decide if it's working.

10 well-known people and their phobias

10. George Washington

Taphephobia (Fear of being buried alive)

9. Woody Allen

Panophobia (Fear of pretty much everything)

8. Richard Nixon

Nosocomephobia (Fear of hospitals)

7.Alfred Hitchcock

Ovophobia (Fear of eggs)

6. Sigmund Freud

Fear of weapons and ferns

5. Oprah Winfrey

Fear of gum chewing

4.Natalie Wood

Hydrophobia (Fear of water)

3.Billy Bob Thornton

Several fears (Bright colours, antique furniture, clowns)

2.Nikola Tesla

Fear of gems and jewelry

1. Napoleon Bonaporte

Ailurophobia (Fear of cats)

Sources: National Institute of Mental Health on http://www.seekwellness.com/conditions/mental/phobia.htm#.

            :http://listverse.com/2010/11/03/10-well-known-people-and-their-phobias/

Pick the right one !

Do you know that sport shoes have different types of them? Honestly, at first, I didn't know about that. I know, I am so ignorant. The day I knew about it was during my first class of squash. The coach didn't allowed me to wear my sport shoes because it will leave marks on the court. I need to buy a new one, a pair of non-marking shoes. 


There are big differences in the way various sport shoes support your shoes. According to Mike O’Neill, from The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, says that serious back, knee and hip pain, Achilles tendinitis, leg pain, traumatised toes and painful blisters are some of the conditions people wearing ill-fitting trainers may face.


Football:
Football can put a lot of stress on the feet, especially when playing on hard surfaces. The boots can also put pressure on your feet, and it is not unusual for a footballer to develop corns, calluses or damaged, thickened and ingrown toenails. A good, well-fitting pair of boots is essential and there should not be any signs of pressure on the foot after a game or training session. 

Dancing:
A dancer’s feet can experience a lot of wear and tear. Common foot problems include metatarsalgia which is a painful condition affecting the metatarsal region of the foot, heel pain, shin splints, etc. Pain at the front of the foot is common because many dance movements involve landing on the front of the foot after a jump, and friction blisters can be caused by ill-fitting shoes.

Racquet sports :
It is essential when playing racquet sports, such as tennis,squash or badminton, to choose shoes specifically designed for the purpose. These sports involve a lot of side-to-side movement and running shoes won’t offer the right stability. Racquet-sport shoes are heavier and stiffer than running shoes, as their toes are built for stop-and-go action. 







Running :
Running shoes are great for running, and only running. They are very flexible, allowing the foot to bend and flex through each step, but they are not suitable for sports such as tennis that involve sideways stepping. It is a good idea to get your running shoes properly fitted to suit your foot type. If they are too small they can cause blisters and black toenails. Therefore it is very important to find the right size.







Walking and hiking :Walking is a great way to start a fitness regime, while the more adventurous will be hiking. It is good for your heart and lungs but is a low-impact activity and so comes with less risk of injury. Below are the best advice on the best footwear for walking and hiking:

• For short walks in urban areas or easy countryside, all you need is a good, comfortable pair of shoes that won’t cause blisters. Use tough shoes that are a good fit, with an arch support, a slightly elevated heel and ‘breathable’ uppers such as leather. Casual shoes or quality trainers with heavy soles will do.
• If you go walking regularly, you could invest in a pair of proper walking shoes or some lightweight walking boots. These will give your feet and ankles proper support and will be waterproof. For highland walks over difficult terrain, good walking boots are essential.

So that is what sport shoes all about. I can conclude that it is very important to find and pick the right shoes and sizes. Then, with the right shoes, you can do whatever sports or activities that you enjoy and at the same having a fit and healthy body. 


References: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/foothealth/Pages/Choosingsportshoes.aspx (Last viewed on 11th Feb 2011)

Dream High

Dreaming is one of the most mysterious and interesting experiences in our life. You can say that dreaming does affect your mood. When you have a good dream, you will feel light and happy through out the day. If you have a bad dream or what we call as nightmare, you will feel a little bit moody, sad, angry, etc. Even sometimes we dream something that make us wonder after that.


So here are some interesting facts about dreams. Check them out (:


1.You forget 90% of your dreams.
Within 5 minutes, half of your dream is forgotten. In 10 minutes, 90%  is gone. We do forget part of our dream and then suddenly remember them all or just part of it.

2. Blind people also dream.

Blind people can dream as well. What they see in their dreams depends on how much they could ever see. If someone has been totally blind since birth, they only have auditory dreams. If they have become blind after their birth, then they will continue to dream about images, shapes and colors before they were blind. And if they are blind at birth, they will dream about the other senses.

3. Animals dream too

Studies show that animals' brains follow the same series of sleeping states as ours do. The animals dreams can be highly complex involving long sequences of replayed waking events. Try watching your pet sleeps sometimes. The paws move like they are running and they make yipping sounds as if they are chasing something in a dream.

4. You cannot be dreaming if you are snoring

Occasional snoring is usually not very serious, but it does prevent dreams. However, the habitual snorer not only disrupts the sleep patterns of those who close to him, he also disturbs his own. Habitual snorers snore whenever they sleep and are often tired after a night of what seems like quality rest.

5. Men and women dream differently

Men and women dream differently, but age, vocation, family structure and other factors seem as important as anatomy in many cases. Men tend to have more men in their dreams and be in conflict or competition with them.  Weapons, tools, cars and roads are common. Women dreams have more people they know in them and more concern with personal appearance. The interactions are more friendly have more references to food and have more female characters in them. Girls are more likely to report longer dreams and recount them with more feeling, using colors to express feelings.

6. Not everyone dreams in colour

12% of sighted people dream exclusively in black and white colour.  The rest of the number dream in full colour. Most dreams are in color, although people may not be aware of it, either because they have difficulty remembering their dreams or because color is such a natural part of visual experience. People who are very aware of color while awake probably notice color more often in their dreams.

7.  We only dream of what we know

Dreams often express our current concerns and preoccupations. If you are nervous about assignments or exams, you may have nervous dreams on the same topic. If you have a crush on somebody, it is likely that you may dream about them. Other than that,  in our dreams we see real faces of real people that we have seen during our life but may not know or remember. We have all seen hundreds of thousands of faces throughout our lives, so we have an endless supply of characters for our brain to utilize during our dreams.

8. Dreams sometimes can be symbolic

That question doesn't have a definitive answer. Some people would say yes, and we'd have no way of proving them right or wrong. Some dreams may well contain "hidden" meanings in the form of metaphors or symbols, but  lot of dreams are just  taken from the events of our lives. If you are having recurring dreams or nightmares, it's best to contact a therapist experienced in this area. Don't go down the mystical route of trying to analyze yourself by means of a book.

9. Body paralysis

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a normal stage of sleep characterized by rapid movements of the eyes. REM sleep in adult humans typically occupies 20-25% of total sleep, about 90-120 minutes of a night’s sleep.

During REM sleep the body is paralyzed by a mechanism in the brain in order to prevent the movements which occur in the dream from causing the physical body to move. However, it is possible for this mechanism to be triggered before, during, or after normal sleep while the brain awakens.

10. Everybody dreams

Everyone dreams. There is no such thing as "I never dream".  They are wrong. They just cannot recall or remember their dreams. Don't worry too much if this is the case. Not remembering dreams doesn't mean you're abnormal or unnatural in any way. While most people do remember their dreams, the memory is fleeting and occurs mainly when the sleeper first awakens.

Reference: Ken Jones, http://www.unlimitedtopten.com/2010/11/top-ten-interesting-facts-about-dreams.html (Last viewed on 4th February 2011)