Friday, July 30, 2010

Linking Sentences (without using 'And Then')

Many Singaporeans join their sentences by using these words 'and then' over and over again. I hope this article I found on the internet will help add variety to your conversations.

{~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Linking words
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/student/coursework/writing/linking.html

When writing academic essay you will be expected to present coherent arguments by linking ideas together. You will also be required to point out similarities; highlight differences; justify statements and provide examples and conclusions.

The following words are useful for developing linkage in your writing:

When you want to add to your argument or emphasise a statement
...and, also, as well as, moreover, further, furthermore, in addition, additionally, next, secondly, thirdly.

When you want to make comparisons
...similarly, likewise, in the same way, equally.

When you want to highlight contrast
...although, for all that, however, on the contrary, conversely, otherwise, yet, but, even so, despite.

When you want to show differences or similarities
...yet, even so, despite, notwithstanding.

When providing reasons
...for this reason, to this end, for this purpose, because, since, so that.

When explaining results
...as, as a consequence, as a result, hence, therefore, thus, inevitably, so.

When providing examples
...for example, for instance, in other words, by way of illustration, such as, this demonstrates.

When drawing conclusions
...as has been noted, finally, in brief, in short, to summarise, consequently, therefore, in conclusion, so, in other words, accordingly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}

Control Your Attitude

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“I've learned that… you either control your attitude or it controls you.”
~ Anonymous (Age 47)

I received this quote via email which got me thinking about the definition of attitudes or a list of attitudes. A search on the internet brought me to this link.

{~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/List_twenty_different_attitudes

Question: List twenty different attitudes?

Answer by BJ:

Attitudes are typically related to liking/disliking or with a positive/negative valence. They are more than personality traits, but linguistically used interchangeably if the traits are substantially broad or temperament-like.

Here are some types of attitudes, for starters.

01 ~ confidence (can-do / can't-do)

02 ~ optimism (optimistic or hopeful / pessimistic)

03 ~ interest (apathetic or indifferent / interested)

04 ~ seriousness (playful or humorous / serious)

05 ~ cheerful (cheerful / un-cheerful or dour)

06 ~ grateful (entitled / grateful)

07 ~ superiority (superior, pompous, arrogant or lofty / humble or unpretentious)

08 ~ condescending (condescending / egalitarian)

09 ~ openness (open / closed)

10 ~ authority (authoritative / un-authoritative)

11 ~ sincerity (sincere / insincere)

12 ~ trusting (trusting / cynical)

13 ~ loving (loving / cold)

14 ~ satisfaction (satisfied / dissatisfied)

15 ~ hostility (hostile or vindictive / nurturing)

16 ~ considerate (considerate / inconsiderate)

17 ~ cautious (cautious / reckless)

18 ~ friendly (friendly / unfriendly)

19 ~ conscientiousness (conscientious / un-conscientious)

20 ~ insolent (insolent, impudent or sassy / agreeable)

21 ~ suspicious (suspicious / unsuspicious)

22 ~ tolerant (tolerant or accepting / intolerant or un-accepting)

23 ~ sarcasm (sarcastic / straightforward)

24 ~ helpfulness (helpful or obliging / un-obliging)

25 ~ effort (lazy / diligent)

26 ~ inclusivity (inclusive / exclusive)

27 ~ tenacity (tenacious / un-tenacious)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}

Ok, let’s work on controlling our attitudes.

~~~

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Depth Of Field ~ Camera Tips

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My father tried explaining this to me once. I had problems understanding it then. Nothing much has changed.

But, I do have a slightly better understanding now.

Click on image to enlarge...


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Rubik-Cube (Magic-Cube)

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Working on your Rubik-Cube...


Is frustration setting in?


Have no fear... click here or...
http://enterarena.blogspot.com/2009/01/magic-cube-rubik-cube.html
... to solve it...

~~~

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Amazing Grace ~ A Bass Guitar Solo

by Victor Wooten

Here's Victor Wooten, a Bass Guitarist giving his rendition of Amazing Grace as a Bass Guitar Solo. Beautiful! Enjoy!

~~~
Latest Update 2010Aug25,1905hrs: Found it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA-ZKDOoBnk

~~~
Latest Update 2010Aug25,1830hrs:
This was blocked... sorry!
Try searching YouTube with this words
'Victor Wooten Amazing Grace'.
I will try to find another Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx2vuK5pGTg

~~~

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Happy Birthday

I've learnt that...

Happiness is –
wanting something for so long
and then, finally getting it”.
~ PGA, 2010-Jul-27, 0521hrs

Someone wished me Happy Birthday today. Yes, I’m happy… VERY HAPPY. At this moment, I don’t remember being THIS happy. This must be THE Best Birthday wish in a very long while. I've learnt that... Happiness is - wanting something for so long and finally getting it.

~~~

Monday, July 26, 2010

News ~ Christopher Coke 'Dudus'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Coke

According to news reports, Christopher Coke isn't a saint and has committed many crimes. But he has also done a lot of good for many people, so much so, the people he has helped have a great passion to die for him. Also known as Dudus, he is a modern day Robin Hood. Read his story...

~~~

Art ~ Drawing, Painting & Patterns

by Wendy Ng
http://www.nexusmodernart.com.au/Artist/119/Wendy+Ng.aspx

She paints in the traditional form but takes her ideas further by experimenting with patterns and textures creating a balance between Real-life Art and Abstract Art. You can see she's a real artist when she captures the face which is very difficult. She has distant herself far from the many Artist who does NOT paint real-life and stays on the Abstract, thus it makes one wonder if they're any good as an artist at all. She's good, VERY GOOD!

Go here to see more... or enjoy her piece here below entitled "A Love Unspoken".


~~~
Wendy Ng was born in Hong Kong, Educated in the United States, Belgium and the United Kingdom. Art has always been at the heart of all Wendy’s career decisions.Trained in Art and Design at The Wimbledon School of Art, UK, with a Graphic Design and Illustration background in advertising and publishing.
~~~

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Last Supper

Alive Gallery (Living Art Museum)

I saw this recently on Channel News Asia.
I liked the Last Supper animation.

This is almost as close as we'll ever get
to the Last Supper with Jesus.

For a closer experience, first... become a Catholic,
then go for mass to experience the Holy Eucharist.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Last Supper

Jesus Performing Miracle Not In Bible

Jesus ~ Love Your Enemies

(The Passion Of The Christ)

You have heard it said…
…you shall love your neighbor
And hate your enemy.
But I say to you…
…love your enemies
And pray for those who persecute you…
For if you love only those who love you…
…what reward is there in that?


~ Bible, Matthew 5:43-47, Love Your Enemies
~~~

~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bible, Matthew 5:43-47, New International Version


Love Your Enemies
[43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sirach = Ecclesiasticus

For Catholics, like me, who have had difficulty finding this book in the Bible, Sirach = Ecclesiasticus and vice-versa and it's not found in a Protestant Bible.

Those interested in further reading... here are some links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirach
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Sira

Monday, July 19, 2010

Stay Focused

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Stay focused on your chosen goal in life. A group of zebras grazing may look delicious to a tiger. But the tiger will select just one of them and move in for the kill without distraction for it knows that changing focus in the middle of a sprint will result in failure.

A tiger will select it’s prey and proceed without distraction.
~ PGA, 2005 Oct 25

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Singapore Safety Driving Centre

http://www.ssdcl.com.sg/

They've moved from Ang Mo Kio (or was it known as Yio Chu Kang) but the current website says that the SSDC Ang Mo Kio Branch Office still open for certain operations like 'Enrolement Of Courses' & 'Booking & Cancellation of Lessons'. However, it's better to check at the website if it's still open. Below it the Address & Operational Hours of the their new Office at Woodlands.

~~~
Address and Operational Hours
http://www.ssdcl.com.sg/address.asp

Address:
Singapore Safety Driving Centre
Woodlands Circuit (Main Office)
2, Woodlands Industrial Park E4
Singapore 757387
Tel: 64826060

Counter Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday : 7.45am - 8.25pm
Saturday & Sunday : 8.00am - 3.45pm
Closed on Public Holidays

~~~

Current Internet Browsers 2010

While surfing, I came across this website which says I'm using an out-dated Internet Browser. I'm not one of those who rushes to upgrade coz I believe that "If it ain't broke, it don't need fixing" so I'm considering... I've been considering for some time now... about a year... yup, I'm still considering...

I do love the icons made up of the logos of the brands... the colours and the designs. Just love the artwork that went into creating them.

http://radaris.com/unsupported_browser.php

Poems ~ by Karl & Joanna Fuchs

http://www.poemsource.com/
http://www.poemsource.com/about-us.html
http://www.poemsource.com/birthday-poems.html

All of the poems at this site were written by husband and wife poem writers, Karl and Joanna Fuchs. Joanna, a professional writer, has been writing greeting-card-type poems since she was eight years old. Karl, a mechanical engineer, started out writing love poems for Joanna and branched out from there.

Click here to read Birthday Poems by Joanna Fuchs...
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Is God Answering Your Prayers?

Updated 2010Aug05, 1018hrs

There will be times when you feel that God is NOT answering your prayers and there will be times when you feel that He IS indeed answering your prayers. Going back and forth, you wonder if you'll ever come to a conclusion to whether he's answering or not answering your prayers.

God IS Love... and Love is a relationship of Give and Take.

During those moments that you feel he's answering your prayers --- he's probably letting you know that he exists. During these moments, you 'Take' what Love (God) has to offer.

During those moments that you feel he's NOT answering your prayers --- he may be waiting to see if your human faith is strong enough to trust him & that he knows what's best for you. During these moments, you 'give' whatever love you have to offer. You wait patiently in eagerness for what will unfold next.

But as to whether he's answering or not answering your prayers... I've come to a stage that this is not so important. What's more important is that we acknowledge that we are just God's creation, and that praying to God, going to church & asking favors from him, are just an acknowledgement to God that He is our creator.

Further more, what happens in this life is not as important in what will happen in the next. Our sufferings, trials & tribulations are our crosses, and are probably necessary events to help us get ready for life after death in heaven. These crosses are not necessarily created by God. They may be the 'Propagation Of Sin' by man.

In the end, we will all die to everlasting life... be it heaven or hell. Let's work to everlasting life in heaven.

~~~

Waiting For The Bus At A Taxi-Stand

I received this via email today...

(from the book of "THE COMPLETE LIVE AND LEARN AND PASS IT ON") "I've learned that..ONE SHOULD NOT WAIT FOR THE TRAIN AT THE BUS STOP.." ~ age 48

Well, I've never waited for a train at a bus-stop but I have waited for a bus at a taxi-stand once. They were just next to each other. When the bus came, I flagged it and I saw the bus-driver looking at me but kept on going. I thought he was very rude and I wasn't happy with what he was doing. He stopped so far ahead of me and I was furious until I noticed that I was at the taxi-stand while he stopped at the bus-stop ahead of the taxi-stand. My face from red with anger, remained red with embarrassment as I boarded the bus. I've mellowed over the years and try my best not to get so angry so quickly. It's easier now that I'm older coz when I get angry, there's a slight pain in my chest as a warning.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Adam Lambert & Kris Allen

American Idol 2009

I know this comment is one year to late. I had wanted to write about it but forgot.

Personally, I felt Adam Lambert was a better singer with very good vocal quality. Kris Allen was good too, but I felt that Adam was better. It just goes to show, that you can never guess who the winner would be. In the end, Kris Allen won.

Although I liked Adam Lambert for his vocal technique and quality, his singing after the contest had too much music in it and I could not hear his voice enough which is a shame coz his vocals are so good, he didn't need instrumental backing and could even sing acapella.

Here are Adam Lambert's & Kris Allen's video & audio.

~~~
Adam Lambert's Audition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aH9KV8_xIQ
~~~
Kris Allen's Audition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56kO2wGpqxI
~~~

Friday, July 09, 2010

From Road-Sweeper To Lawyer

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"If you don't study you're going to be a Road-Sweeper."


My parents told me that this was a common phrase during their days growing up, but they didn't use it on me. I don't think the parents of today use this phrase anymore, but if they do... their children will have this story on their side.



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NTUC Learning HUB

http://pme.ntuclearninghub.com/

Labels:
Life Long Learning
Courses

Examples:
Microsoft Certified Systems Admistrator
Computer Certified Courses
CISCO Certified Courses
AUTODESK Certified Courses
ADOBE Certified Courses
Management Courses
Project Management Courses
IT Service Management Courses
Certified Information Security Systems Professional

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Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Expat Radio 963xFM

http://www.xfm963.sg/
Online Radio ~ http://radio.mediacorp.sg/RadioLive/xfm963.aspx
Facebook ~ http://www.facebook.com/ExpatRadio96.3XFM

As of --- Tuesday 2010Jul06 --- 96.3XFM is Singapore's only radio station with an exciting mix of music and news in Japanese, French, German, Hindi & Korean. Get a piece of the world or simply just feel closer to home.

For me, it's a way of listening to voices as musical intruments when I'm not in the mood for following the lyrics because I love the human voice so much.


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Johan Cruyff ~ The Total Footballer

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I'm not that crazy about football but I came across this video which was so interesting, I thought I'd share it before the World Cup 2010 fever is over.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Johan Cruyff ~ The Total Footballer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK8M23dsMKY
Soccer the way it should be played with lots of entertainment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday, July 05, 2010

All Butter Scottish Shortbread BITES

Marks & Spencer
All Butter Scottish Shortbread BITES
200g

One of my favourites.




Training to be Soldier ~ Video & Lyrics

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SAF Road march song...clips extracted from the movie: ARMY DAZE. A Singapore-made 1996 comedy movie about 5 recruits under-going Basic Military Training.
~~~
Video (from YouTube):

~~~
Training to be Soldier (Lyrics)
Note: {Everyone sing this part together}

Training to be soldier
Fight for our land
Once in our lives
2 years of our time
Have you ever wondered?
Why must we serve?
Because we love our land
{Because we love our land
And we want it to be free,
to be free, yeah
.}

Looking all around us
People everywhere
Childen having fun
While we are holding guns
Have you ever wondered?
Why must we serve?
Because we love our land
{Because we love our land
And we want it to be free,
to be free, yeah
.}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sources:
Video ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdky2fOap9k
Lyrics ~ http://sgcafe.com/ns-daze/21672-army-songs.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Prayer For A Family With Problems

A friend composed this prayer for an Anonymous Family who have problems. Well composed, this prayer can be used by anyone who need to pray for any family with problems.

Prayer For A Family With Problems
·Anonymous ~ Dear Lord, Keeper of our Hearts..we pray together with this family..take away their focus of each other's flaws but rather, let Healing, Forgiveness and Openness of the Hearts overrule Irritations and Unsatisfactions from this very moment..for just like in our experiences with You Lord, nothing can hold anger forever... Amen.

Generic Prayer for Problems Within The Family
Dear Lord, Keeper of our Hearts. We pray for those who have problems within their own families. Take away their focus on each other's flaws and let Healing, Forgiveness and Openness of the Hearts overrule the Irritations and Unsatisfactions, for just like in our experiences with You Lord, nothing can hold anger forever... Amen.
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There's A Christmas Carol Of Love (Lyrics)

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I found this song on YouTube where the Bass Singer goes down until his limit. Quite fun to do. Lyrics are below this Video.

I can hardly pick up what the Emcee is saying but it sounds like the Emcee introducing the Bass-Singer as Dr. Cecil Taylor Head of Christian Studies Department.

~~~

~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There's A Christmas Carol Of Love (Lyrics)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4NrhoYeVa8

[Verse Intro]
Every Christmas day, children sing on their way
Christmas Carols (Christmas Carols) of Perfect Love
As They sing Merrily, standing round the Christmas Tree
Christmas Carols (Christmas Carols) of Perfect Love

[Chorus]
There's a Chris... (A Merry Chris...)
...tmas Carol of love (A Merry, Merry Christmas)
Spreading joy (This Christmas Carol)
from heaven above (from heaven above)
Angels sing (Just hear them singing)
Hear the bells ring (They are all ringing)
Christmas Carols (Christmas Carols) of Perfect Love

[Repeat Chorus until the song is to low for choir to sing]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's an update ~ 2010 Jul 06, 2349hrs:
I found out that there's another song with the same tune but has the same format of getting the Bass to go very, very low, it is called 'There's A Rainbow'. At the moment, I don't know which version is the original but the good thing is that, now, we have 2 versions.

Here're some versions of 'There's A Rainbow' on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki2hl4cWvBo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1yinrT0MHY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yA1W5qbnjg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMJt_rUuI1s

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's an Update ~ 2010 Sep 04, 0254hrs:
I found another link that sounds the same as this one. but this one look like they're miming it. But it does make me wonder about the authencity of my original post. Anyway... I do like the version of my first post. Here's the alternative link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETqJwEMJn2U

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's an Update ~ 2010 Sep 04, 0254hrs:
Here's another BLOG about this same topic.
http://www.guitarsolos.com/videos-how-low-can-you-go-%5Bt4NrhoYeVa8%5D.cfm
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Terrence Farrell ~ Malaguena (MalagueƱa)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdKogZMyCMk

I most favourite version of the Malaguena is played by Terrence Farrell. Enjoy!


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Friday, July 02, 2010

Kamus Dictionary (ALL Languages)

http://www.kamus.com/

Malay-English-Malay:
http://www.kamus.com/may-eng/
http://www.kamus.com/eng-may/school

It offers NOT ONLY Malay-English-Malay, but other languages too. At the moment it's in Beta Testing but it works... so far. Below are the languages I've tried.

Portuguese:
http://www.kamus.com/por-eng/
http://www.kamus.com/eng-por/

Latin:
http://www.kamus.com/lat-eng/
http://www.kamus.com/eng-lat/
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Past; Present & Hope for the Future ~ by PGA

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I look to the past to understand the present,
and this gives me hope for the future. ~ PGA

Look to the Past

to understand the Present
for Hope in the Future. ~ PGA

An Explantion:
Try to remember an UN-pleasant episode in the past that was very bad then, but today it's ok. This will help you to understand that what ever is happening now will somehow work out and this will give you hope tha all will be well again in the future.
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Thursday, July 01, 2010

Casa Bon Vento Restaurant

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'Casa Bon Vento' in Portuguese literally means 'House Good Wind' or 'House of Good Wind'... hopefully of the burping kind.

• Casa = House
• Bon = Good
• Vento = Wind

This restaurant serves Singapore Portuguese Eurasian food.

They have...
• Curry Devil,
• Beef Smore,
• Buah Keluak,
• Ox Tail Stew
and many other dishes.

Air-conditioned. Open daily.

Address: 467 Joo Chiat Road.
Tel: 63468433 and 63487786.
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How To Put On A Sarong

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I learnt this from a camp-mate during my Basic Military Training (BMT) at the start of my National Service (NS).


Health ~ Live Health Club


http://www.livehealthclub.com/

I have been receiving a lot of emails inviting me to join this website. Other than it being irritating, it has some good stuff there like heath tips, exercise tips, health calculators, etc...

Just don't join coz it will irritate your friends with spam emails.
.