Today was a day that stretched my mental and intelligence limit. It was a day whereby the creams of the crops come to compete to become the cream of the cream. For those who are successful, they get a huge reward. And that is allowing their school fees to be completely waived for the rest of their secondary and junior college life.

Today was the scholarship test for integrated programme students. It was an experience I felt around 6 years back when I took this test to see if I qualified for a higher form of education (GEP, Gifted Education Programme is what we call in Singapore) and I failed terribly. Now here I am back again taking a similar kind of test hoping for the best so as to save money on school fees. The experience was actually not too bad, just stressful.

The test consisted of 7 sections, each containing around 15 – 25 questions. Areas which are tested are students’ intelligence quota, math and English knowledge. I sucked in English, am careless in math, and average in IQ tests. Time given per section is around 10 mins and if you divide it up you get only around 30 sec per question. I know you are feeling the pressure now. For me, it was like defusing a bomb just that if the bomb blows up, I have to pay for the damages the bomb did and will not die. To make it worst, I felt like peeing throughout the test. Therefore, adding on to the analogy would be that not only did I have to defuse the bomb, I had to cope with the urge to pee. Excitement, anxiety is what I felt throughout the test.

The time given was simply too little. The questions are definitely tough, the time given is extremely little, and for me I had to refrain myself from letting loose of my bladder. Still, I lasted through the 1 hour plus test duration and am a survivor. The test was okay, tough at times and easy at others. But if you asked me how confident I am to become the cream of the cream of the crops, I would say not at all.

I know, when there is a will there is a way. But you just have to accept the fact that, sometimes no matter how much confidence you have, will as much as you may, some things just cannot be done. Not everything is possible, it is a fact.

I learnt a few important lessons from this experience. First is to always good to the toilet before any major events, even if you do not have the urge to, just go and try to release as much as you can. Second, take life easy and do not feel disappointed if what you hope for is not possible to be archive. Lastly, do your best.

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Do you get distracted easily?  Whether you are at work, trying to focus on something at home, or simply driving down the street, distractions can often pose a real problem.  They can inhibit you from getting things done and put a damper on your daily “to do” list.  The following are ten tips that will help you overcome distractions.

• Setting goals.  Do you have goals that you are working towards?  To overcome distractions set daily goals and strive to meet them.  As you complete tasks, check them off your list and move on to the next task.  If you don’t have goals to work towards, you will easily become distracted.  It is important to set realistic goals that you can actually achieve or you will be easily distracted.
• What’s your motivation?  Find motivation for what you are doing.  If it is work that you are being easily distracted from, get motivated by working for something that you really want. If it is a new pair of shoes or a new boat, a little motivation can go along ways.
• Turn off the computer.  The internet is one of the number one distractions for those who work in an office or from home. If you need to get some work done, you may have to disconnect form the internet.  Social media websites can take up a lot of your time and contribute to the distractions.  Plan time for this during the day, but don’t visit the sites ALL day.
• Too much caffeine?   Caffeine can contribute greatly to distractions.  While it can give us the boost of energy that we need, the boost can often times be too much.  Avoid drinking an excessive amount of coffee or coke so that you aren’t jittery or have trouble focusing.
• Eliminate stress.  Stress can also be a culprit for distractions.  If you are stressed out, you may find it difficult to concentrate on anything at all. Try to eliminate some of the stress in your life.
• Mind over matter.  If you are tired of getting distracted, you must make a conscious decision that you will not allow little things to get you off track.  Designate a time for working and free time. Make an effort to get your projects done before you “play.”  You have the ultimate control over your mind.  Make the decision not let the distractions beat you.
• Separate yourself from the noise.  If you don’t subject yourself to the distractions, you can more easily overcome them.  If you are reading, go into a quiet room where there are no kids, television, or other noise producing distractions.  You may also consider blocking out the noise by using headphones.
• Get organized.  Being organized in your workspace can help you get more work done and also help you avoid distractions.  Make sure your desk is neat and clean so that you aren’t distracted by the mess.  You can work better under clean and organized circumstances.
• Take advantage of times when you feel highly motivated.  There are times when we want to work and other when we simply can’t stand it.  If there comes a times when you feel like you are in a working mood, use this time to get plenty of work done.  This way, even if you do get distracted, you will have met goals.
• Have a plan.  If you can’t avoid the distractions in your work place or home office, you may have to revert to plan B.  Have a place that you can go or a time set aside in the evening so that you can get unfinished work done. You may find that you work better at night when everyone else is asleep and there are not distractions.

Distractions can make or break your work ethic.  Take matters into your own hands and be sure that the things that are distracting you are kept under control. Use the tips above to help avoid distractions and the impact they can have your work day.  Get motivated, organized, set goals, and have it in your mind that you WILL overcome the distractions.  Don’t let distraction ruin your productivity.

Alex Higgins work for Self Hypnosis resource website where you can easily access 100’s of articles related to self development.

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From my first time experience at wine tasting I have some good advice. Don’t drink everything you are given. True, the tasting amounts are small, but tasting dozens and dozens of wines can add up. Especially if you are wine tasting for a few hours.

I went to a Fredericksburg wine tasting festival this weekend (10/7/07) and there were 10 or so wineries represented. Each winery had about 10 – 20 wines each so there was a lot to taste. It pays to pace yourself and understand you are going to be sipping a lot of wines and you want to taste from each winery. Here is some good advice, once you find out what you don’t like, as in Chardonnay, then don’t keep tasting it at other booths. After the fourth Chardonnay I realized I don’t like them, no matter what winery is producing them. Luckily it only took 3 tastings to firmly convince myself I don’t like Merlot either. Halfway through I quit tastings red wines altogether. I don’t like them without food and it was giving me a bad impression so that I was afraid I was going to convince myself I don’t like red wine at all.

So I stayed to tasting just the blended wines and the white wines and was very happy with my choices.

Since this was my first time and I know nothing about wines I used it as an experience to discover what I do like. I marked down all the wines that I liked, regardless of price (the average price was about $15 per bottle). At the end of the day I have discovered 4 wines I really liked and about 3 more that could grow on me. I found I don’t like dry wines as much and I really like blended wines, which I wasn’t familiar with before I went.

Wines I bought and the wineries:

• Mandolin – Doukenie Winery
• Lake Side White – Lake Anna Winery
• DeWeese White – Hartwood Winery
• Peach Fuzz – Burnley Vineyard

I also thought it was good that I went to a festival so I could try many winery offerings. There was one winery there that I didn’t like any of the wines from, including their white wines. What a disappointment that would have been to visit that winery and not like anything I tasted. So first a first try at wine tasting a wine festival is a great way to go.

Additionally at a wine tasting festival, you can cover more ground so to speak and tasted more wine in a short amount of time. Walking to the next tent takes one minute, while driving between wineries can talk 30 minutes or more.

I did buy quite a few wines while there, including some red which my wife liked especially. See the picture and let me know if you see any you recognize. This festival was in Fredericksburg, Va and the wines were all Virginia wines.

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From my experience, watching one of your favorite sports teams lose on a consistent and devastating manner can really ruin your week. Of course I realize it is just a game and in the scheme of life, it is relatively inconsequential. But still…it really, really bothers me and if I let it and put me in a horrible mood for longer than it should. Talking about a loss which can bother you until the next game is one thing, but rooting for a team that is truly bad, well that is quite another.

Not to put too fine a point on things, but I’m speaking specifically of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. I just watched them go down for the 5 game in a row this season. They are 0-5 this year and all of the loses have been by 15 points or more. They rank statistically in the bottom for just about every category. They are bad. They are a comedy of errors, missing two extra points and a field goal in one game. The games previous to the Purdue game were like watching a high school team play. Truly, truly disheartening to endure.

Back to my situation. On one hand I no longer feel convicted to watch every game and my weekends have opened up my schedule for which my wife is very happy. But I also now have no college football game to look forward to. So what do I do? I recored the game and watch the beginning, then I start fast forwarding with the 3 and outs, the turnovers, the missed blocks, the bad play and the poor coaching rear the heads. I have turned 3 1/2 hours of football into 40 minutes of condensed football. It has really saved on time and since I don’t have to be at home to watch it live (after all, they are probably going to lose) I can spend the day in the nice Virginia weather.

Read the rest of this entry

From my experience, writing a eulogy can be very difficult. I have had to write two eulogies in the past few years. The first was for my aunt who I thought the world of and loved being around very much. She lost a very long battle with cancer and that was just one of the many reasons I respected her so much. A few weeks ago I wrote my second eulogy and this time it was for my grandmother who was 98 and was in many ways like a second mother to me.

Both times I spent a day thinking about the person and what they meant to me and then the following day I wrote down any thoughts that stayed with me. Well, not thoughts, but memories, quotes, and stolen moments that only I recalled. I believe that is what makes the eulogy personal, your own perspective. Giving the mourners at the funeral your personal view of the the loved one lets them see the deceased in a new light. It gives them your memories and expands on their own when they see similarities in your stories about them.

I also believe you must mention what made them who they were, their strengths, their beliefs, what was important to them. Sharing you own views is important, but connecting the entire group of mourners is also important. When I wrote my grandmother’s eulogy I wanted everyone there to know the incredible person she was. If they had forgotten or maybe didn’t know her very well, I made sure they left knowing this was a lady who truly left the world a better place then when she found it.

While writing both eulogies I realize how hard it is but also it is very cathartic for the writer. I wrote both of them in a day and put it away until the next day and then added more and did some editing. The strange thing is you get lost in the writing and almost forget what you are doing: writing your final goodbye for a loved one.

I wrote the eulogy for my grandmother and didn’t cry once. I thought to myself I am okay with this now. I then asked to read it to my wife to get her opinion. I couldn’t make it to the fourth word before the tears came. I had to stop several more times to compose myself as I read it for the first time. A little shocked at my response, I had to read it again to see if I could make it through. I did a little better and then read it a dozen times after than so I could hopefully do better at the funeral service.

Well, I did do better and only stopped twice when the tears were too much to hold back. But in the midst of the tears there was also laughter and joy for her life and the zest with which she lived it. I’m sure other people will be caught off guard and be asked to speak as I was the first time for my aunt, but I hope these tips will help during such an emotionally difficult time.

Take Time to Remember
Ask yourself some questions if you aren’t sure what memories to share. What is your favorite memory? How did this person change you? How did they make their mark on the world? Usually these have humor and sentiment and you’ll find comfort as well as a “story”. Get the facts about the person, even if you think you know them all. Take the time to ask other people close to the person you are eulogizing. Of course you want to know their age and all the biographical facts you can. It may seem impersonal but you may be surprised at what stories will come from simple questions like, what year was she married.

Come up with a Theme
I realize this may sound like you are writing a paper and may appear cold-hearted, but will help you focus. My aunt was a great cook and I talked about her cornflake potato casserole she always brought to holiday dinners. It was simple and perfect, much like my aunt. I used that to expand on my memories and love for her. The simple ideas are usually the best. My grandmother was a teacher and I used that to show how her love for sharing and teaching all her children enriched so many lives.

Write it Down
No one expects you to have a speech memorized so write down what you want to say. Forget about keeping eye contact and all the things you read about presenting well. You aren’t here to entertain. You are saying goodbye and sharing the life of someone important to you. If you need to read word for word than do so. You will find that your emotions will carry you, rather than hinder you and your words will come from your heart more than from the paper they are written on.

Practice, Practice, Practice
After you have written your draft, practice it to yourself then someone else. Then edit and practice again. I found each time I read it I thought of something else to add or I could go into more detail. Practicing helped me be more comfortable and allowed me to be spontaneous when I remembered something at the last minute.

If you are used to speaking in public this is very helpful. I wrote a post on public speaking that can help, but remember, this is about sharing your memories so that should be first in your mind, not how well your presented.

Laugh and Share the Laughter
Life is made up of many moments and a lot of them are funny, whether intended or not. Be sure to include some of them that you shared with the deceased. Laughter always eases pain and helps us to remember that life goes on. Don’t shy away from it, but embrace the moments that made him or her human. They are usually the best.

It is a Gift
Now I know some people may disagree with me and this is where it becomes very personal for me. But writing the eulogy for my aunt and grandmother was my gift to them and it some ways to those that loved them but even more it was a gift to myself.

It was a gift to my grandmother because I was able to tell her how she had made me the person I was proud to be today. It was a gift to many people there because I was able to share memories and remind them of what a special person they all had been privileged to know. Both of these are important, but really the best gift you can give yourself is the gift of sharing your love for the person you are writing about. During the time you create the words that become stories and the stories that become your gift you will have relived a lifetime with that person. And every time you read it again to yourself you will be able to capture that in a moment and feel the love and joy that person gave you.

So in the end the gift I gave myself is really a gift from my grandmother.

If this iMovie tutorial still doesn’t help, I can recommend ScreenCastsOnline. They have excellent tutorials for all your Mac products: iMovie, iPod, iPhone and so forth.

From my experience posting your iMovie video to YouTube requires the following settings to get the best quality you can. You want to send YouTube the highest quality you can while still staying within their video and audio limitations.

Of course the settings I’m providing can be used with any video editing application, but since iMovie is used by so many novice videographers I felt some specific instructions would be useful. If you aren’t using iMovie 6 for this, be sure that your application can export to a .mp4 with H.264 video. Quicktime Player Pro version can also do this.

Since YouTube upload limitations will scale the video to 320 x 240 pixels there is no point to export it at a larger size. Better to apply higher quality settings to your file size limit, which is 100 megabytes set by Youtube.

I am assuming your video has been edited and is ready for export. Follow these steps to have a video that you can upload with confidence to YouTube.

Choosing the best settings for iMovie when exporting for YouTube:

1. Under the main menu click the Share menu option.
2. Choose the Share option at the bottom of the drop down menu.
3. The next window will allow you select from a popup menu. It is labeled “Compress movie for:”. You will chose Expert Settings. Click the share Share button in the bottom right. (see image #1)
4. The next window will allow you to choose where to save the video and what to name it. At the bottom of the window you will see a popup menu labeled Export. Choose the “Movie to MPEG-4″ option.
5. Click the Options… button to the right to choose specific video and audio settings.
6. In this window choose the following setting under the video choices. (see image #2)
   • Video Format: H.264
   • Data Rate: 2000 kbits/sec
   • Optimized for: Download
   • Image Size: 320 x 240 QVGA
   • Check Preserve aspect ration using: Fit within size
   • Frame Rate: 30
   • Key Frame: Automatic
   • Click the Video Options… button and then select the Main checkbox and the Best Quality radio button. Click OK.
7. Next choose the following Audio Settings:
   • Audio Format AAC-LC
   • Data Rate: 64kbs
   • Channels: Mono
   • Output Sample Rate: Recommended
   • Encoding Quality: Best
8. Click the OK button and in the next window click the Save button and wait for your high quality video to export.

You can see the latest video I have posted using these settings by viewing my family’s Zip Line in Hawaii.

If you need more help and you like the video instruction method. I can safely recommend ScreenCastsOnline.

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From my experience public speaking is one of the most difficult things you can do, much less prepare for. I am the founder and president of a company which requires me to speak to people on a weekly basis. Of course I am usually speaking to a smaller number of people, maybe two to five at a time.

There are rare occasions when I must speak to more and then there is usually a podium, a stage and a presentation involved. I can speak effortlessly and intelligently to two to five people. But when it grows to 20 or more, well then I get nervous. Luckily for me it passes quickly and after five minutes I’m into the flow and all goes well. Still, it helps to do some things ahead of time to make the journey from nervous stutterer to polished speaker. Here are some things I’ve learned that may help you if you are ever called on to speak in front of a group of people.

Make Notes
Everyone losses their train of thought sometimes and making notes can save you from that awkward pause as you stare into the ceiling trying to remember what the heck you were saying. Notes can keep you on task and remind you of important points to make. Don’t read from your note cards, but don’t be afraid to look at them if you need help. And be sure you have practiced with them…many times.

Practice, Practice, Practice
I practice my presentations at least a dozen times. Considering my presentations, with Powerpoint slides, last over an hour that is a lot of my time. But I’m ready and confident when I’m on stage and that makes it worthwhile. Practice with an audience of family or friends if you have to, but be sure you get an honest critique at some point.

Expect The Worst
Most likely things will go smooth, but imagine what might go wrong and be ready when it does. It is entirely wrong to try and avoid thinking about what could go wrong, how else will you prepare for it, if you ignore the possibility. This way, if it happens, you are ready. Finally, if yo think about what could go wrong I think you will see that, in reality, it won’t be the end of the world.

Get Relaxed
Sure, I know what you are thinking. How can I relax, I’ve got to speak in front of X number of people. What I mean is get rid of other sources of stress. Be sure to get plenty of sleep. Have your clothes picked out ahead of time. If traveling, make sure all the arrangements have been made. Do something your enjoy the day or night before, watch a comedy or whatever relaxes you.

Body Language
Nothing says I don’t know what I’m doing than having your head down, shoulders slumped and poor posture. Keep your head up, chin level with the floor and for the love of Pete, SMILE! Read the rest of this entry

From my experience, I can tell you that one of the hardiest plants I have every tried to kill is the Lucky Bamboo plant. I am also happy to say that it has thwarted all my inept attempts to end its life. In other words, this plant want to live. Live, I say! Live!

I’ve killed cacti, bonsai trees and even ferns have withered under my watchful eye. But the lucky bamboo has actually thrived with little more than adding water which I do too infrequently. Yet it continues to grow and sprout new leaves.

Not only has it lived through my neglect it has managed to become of visual interest. The twists and turn of the stalk and the green foliage have caught me attention more than once while sitting in my office.

If your thumb is not green, but black like the death you inflict on your houseplants, then I can tell you from experience to try your luck with a lucky bamboo, you will finally be able to say you have stopped the killing spree!

Seriously, these plants are beautiful and easy to care for. Here are some lucky bamboo care instructions, just in case. I have one at home and one at work. They also make great office gifts that require the smallest of commitments.

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From my experience, it is a good thing to save money and get free food and I just sent away for a coupon from for a free chicken sandwich and a coke from Chick-Fil-A. You can too, just go to this site http://www.freechickenandcoke.com. This offer ends on September 29, 2007 or after 1,000,000 coupons have been distributed, so you better hurry.

Oh, don’t expect to go get it right away. The coupon takes 6 – 8 weeks for delivery, just enough time to build up an appetite.

Obviously, this has expired but you can still find more coupons or at least where to get them at the best coupon websites.

From my experience a Hawaiian vacation is something everyone should do once in their lifetime. I would also suggest you take the cruise around the islands so you can stop on all the islands and not limit yourself to just one. There are so many activities to do you won’t have enough time to do everything you want. Of course you will want to go back as I do.

Some of the things to try are:

• Windsurfing
• Mudbugging (dune buggies in the mud) See Mudbugging in Hawaii picture.
  
• Kaui Zip Line tours (oh yeah, hundreds of feet ABOVE the trees) See my video footage below.
• SNUBA diving (Kinda link Snorkeling and SCUBA mixed)
• Snorkeling
• Biking down a Volcano with the Maui Downhill (my favorite activitiy)

I’ll post a slide show soon to give you a taste, but you should visit at least once in your life, I promise you will not be disappointed. Unless you stay in your room all the time.