My world

School Break

2012-03-30T11:01:00.003-07:00

It is Easter - at last the Easter holidays, we're over half way through the school year, but I have no time to kick back and relax, because there is plenty of work to be done. I must confess I am happy for the break, and to see the wonderful sun shining down on my face, even if it is for a short time.

Next term I am striving to create the right environment, by getting organised, devising and planning a routine so that my study timetable will be effective. I have been given a few tips on things to do to make this possible and I intend to implement such so that It can be beneficial to me. A quick look at the list should help you also if you are like me and need some structure to your study life.

Seek out a quiet place

Keeping all my work in one place

Make sure I have a time piece at hand to monitor my time. recognizing that every hour

counts

Choosing an area to study where there is not much distraction. This is critical if you are easily

distracted as I am.

Study when its quiet. No music, no TV, No headphones, no nothing.

Please find below two useful links to assist you in studying.

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

http://www.studygs.net/

Happy Easter!

Children Live What They Learn

2012-02-15T01:21:00.003-08:00

Children learn what they live; children live what they learn, do you remember that song, as I contemplate on the moral decadence of the society we live in. It just reminded me of that song,and makes me wonder if this true. Many parents have done their best in instilling values to their children, however children have choices and whether we like it or not they are going to exercise these choices.

"Vice has no friend…" So here we are again, that old familiar place… today we talk about alcohol abuse, tomorrow we will talk about marijuana and so on and so forth. Who has the answer to all these social ills? Note the headline…Alcohol abuse…costs Britain £22 billion a year.

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/890344-david-cameron-alcohol-abuse-is-the-scandal-of-our-society

How impressive are the youth who use no form of drugs.

If parents want the youth to be able to exercise self control, to avoid the use of these dangerous substances, to be such a one that they can be proud of, then train them, and their tomorrow will take care of itself.

I remember at primary school the first day of school was the day when we all had new shirts, new jumpers and every time I find that at the end of the first day of school someone manages to steal my jumper. I always wondered if they lived with parents and if they notice that their children turn up with things that do not belong to them.

No good seed sown will bring forth bitter fruit. As we sow, so shall we reap? Perhaps we should have some morality classes and some self control classes and some classes of virtue. Children live what they learn. Perhaps the curriculum could teach us how to embrace well and shun evil, how to identify the true from the false and the ills of using dangerous substances

My solution to this drinking problem is to slap a big fine on them; that should sober them up. A fine for the ambulance bill and the cleaning bill for the mess they create on the streets. And then make it compulsory that they receive help for their drinking problem.

Time - Gain that is lost

2012-02-13T17:48:00.003-08:00

We do not own time; however every moment we are under obligation to improve it. The worth of time is a wonder.

It is beyond comprehension; as well as computation. And unless we utilize every minute of it we will be without explanation.

Every moment is precious not only to be regarded but guarded. Life it is so short; live it well, do regard it, and not discard it.

You have no time to waste; no time to devote to selfishness.

It was given for preparation; given for contemplation; not given that we may indulge self-interest.

That we have scarcely began to live before we die.

It is not only an enigma; but also not a lie.

Any man who appreciates time will do well. He has placed himself in a positive place for success.
Surely he will gain a reward without distress.

Do not ignore time, neither squander time; for time that is squandered cannot be gathered up or recovered.

Which one of us can call back time when it has been lost?

Then why not utilize each minute considering the cost.

Using the time to speak words of comfort words of courage and a word of advice;

We only pass this way but once! So we have to be precise.

Life is too serious to fritter it away; too valuable to waste.

So live it carefully,live it prayerfully, not in haste.

We are given no approval for idleness; but whatsoever our hands find to do we should do it with all our might.

Right improvements of our time, will enable joy, happiness and prosperity. But idleness will only bring sadness.

Time! Where did you go? Frittered away at the noon of day.

Ah! time, lost in useless talk, sleepless nights and unprofitable pastimes vanished! never to be remembered.

So let me count my days! That I may live my life. And find the good, the promises, the treasures and the love life has to offer.

Expressions

2012-02-13T16:53:00.003-08:00

Communication is one of the most essential ingredients in any relationship. So what is it? It is the ability to exchange ideas and or information by talk, gestures, or writing. It is an active ingredient found in any meaningful relationship.

We need to be mindful of a number of things that are vital to sustaining relationship. Some of these are controlling our use of angry or unkind words, and ensuring our words are words of healing. Or the control of our use of words of endearment that others may perceive as offensive.

Listening forms an integral part as this also is another form of communication. As we do this we do so with our heart, listening with understanding to the one who is speaking. Expressing our feelings and allowing ourselves to exercise compassion for each other. We all have different communication styles however this should not be seen as a negative thing as we become more mature we grow and develop our communication skills.

The use of endearments has become an offence to some folks as the headline reveal that drivers could face the sack if they call their female passenger babes. They were also reminded not to be over -friendly with female passenger or they could face the sack. The use of this endearment has become a way of speech with many and so hearing that the use of endearment could result in the loss of your job reflects the importance of effective communication.http://www.metro.co.uk/news/888933-brighton-bus-drivers-banned-from-calling-female-passengers-babe

Many reported that using endearment like babes was just their way of referring to someone whose names they have forgotten. As the debate goes on it will be noted that we have to respect each other and if one do not like strangers or their work colleague using this endearment when referring to them then so be it.

Let us develop the attitude of learning the art of remembering names so that we will not opt to using these terms of endearment instead of names; as many remarks that it can indeed make them feel uncomfortable.

Let us be reminded that communication is not only about words spoken but about our expressions when we speak, our facial expression and our body language is important as this also reflect our thoughts and attitude. When we speak let us be mindful of our tone of voice as this often is responsible for our effectiveness when we communicate. We are reminded that two thirds of the intent of our message is communicated non- verbally.

As we converse with each other let us seek to develop a good relationship. Let us be mindful that we are different. Consequently endeavour to do our best to respect others as this will lend itself to a good relationship. “Walk Good” which is to say “goodbye.”

School's Out - Hey, Wise Up

2012-02-08T04:37:00.004-08:00

As I sat here thinking that there is so much school work to get done it just bothers me where as young people energy is found to be bothered with sex and contraceptive.

I certainly do not think that this is the time when as young people we ought to be so engrossed with sex and contraceptive. I have never met a teen who have not regretted getting involved so soon.

One of the things I think that contributes to young people having sex is the lack of attention and affection at home. I believe that if parents spend more quality time with their children when they are young and formed that necessary bond with them, it becomes easier when they become teenagers to communicate with them.

Peer Pressure

We live in an age when promiscuity seems to be the “in thing” and many young people although not involved in these activities pretend they are, just to be a part of the “in crowd”. There are many contributing factor that leads the young people down this slippery slope and if we think putting a band aid on it by dishing out contraceptive pills is going to help solve this problem then I must say whoever suggest this is dafter than I thought.

Which raises a moral issue; one would ask the question is it right to give someone’s child the choice of contraception without the knowledge of the parent? At what point should the lines be drawn? As I read this story I am just amaze that these things are tolerated by adults and at the same time, many think that as youth we are careless and frivolous, but sometimes when I examine the behaviour of some of our adults it makes me wonder. Note this article http://www.metro.co.uk/news/889631-schoolgirls-given-contraceptive-implants-without-parents-knowledge.

The problem of teenage sex is not a local one but one that seems to haunt every society. http://tfcus.homestead.com/Anna_Wiersema.pdf this article was written by a teenager.

I sometimes wish that someone would listen to us rather than think they can solve this problem with a band aid.

Sexual Promiscuity in Adolescents

“Statistics: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 36.9 percent of 14-year-olds have had sex - more than one out of three. Among 12th graders, 66.4 percent have had sex." See article. .http://www.aspeneducation.com/factsheetpromiscuity.html

The facts are there, yet they are being ignored when will someone wake up and realize it is not contraceptive that is needed it is abstention! Self Control! and perhaps some help from the media in the glamorization of sex.

School Runz

2012-02-01T10:03:00.001-08:00

We did the cinnamon challenge today and I hated it! It was very hard to swallow and it tasted foul. For the benefit of those who do not know a cinnamon challenge is basically you taking a teaspoon of cinnamon, and attempting to swallow it. What does it do? It dries out the saliva in your mouth so you are unable to swallow. It is like eating sand. An awful feeling do not try it ! I guarantee you will not like it.

Today was one of my favourite day, I must enter it in my journal. I had fun winning all those challenges that was set before me, especially my game of table tennis. I like winning it gives me a wonderfully warm feeling and it remind me life is like that, you can be a winner if you only concentrate on the task at hand and give it your best shot, after you have done your very best, then the only thing left is to enjoy the thrill of victory.

I am certainly looking forward to our new project we are making a website using Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 sounds fantastic to me. I love these projects, they are life skills that will come in handy in the future. I think all schools should really pay special attention to these various skills; this will not only prove a blessing to us but also an asset, as this will in the long term provide employment for us if that is what we choose to do.

Expressions

2012-01-31T06:25:00.001-08:00

Many reported that using endearment like babes was just their way of referring to someone whose names they have forgotten. As the debate goes on it will be noted that we have to respect each other and if one does not like strangers or their work colleague using this endearment when referring to them then so be it.

Parenting - Only One

2012-01-25T16:47:00.000-08:00

I think the vast majority of single parent should be well pleased to watch their children come to the age of maturity and become successful after all it could not have been an easy task raising children on your own.

One would have thought with the increase in knowledge as to the difficulty and social issues connected to raising a family on your own; along with the technology available showing the adverse effect on everyone involve, we would see less single parenting, more responsible parenting from both parents however this is not the case. A look at the BBC Report reminds us that “Britons are increasingly likely to live in single-parent families, stay at home for longer, marry later and struggle to afford a house, official figures show.” As a matter of fact we are reminded by the national statistics that children in the UK are 3 times more likely to live in one parent household. " http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6542031.stm.

As a result of this situation we find that more children will live in poverty, “The number of children living in relative poverty with housing costs taken into account was 3.6m.” these are some of the statistics we find, a very dismal future. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6497981.stm.

This problem of single parenting is not an isolated problem that only affect the UK but a worldwide one. http://www.pobronson.com/factbook/pages/43.html#1089.

As much as we are told that children living with both parents tend to do better, and enjoy a better standard of living, we have to understand that not all who are single parent chose that path. However many continue to choose this path irrespective of the problem it brings; to go the way of single parenting can be a very hard road to travel.

It would be a wonderful thing to see more effort from the government to hold these absentee parents responsible in helping the other partner take care of these beautiful children so that they do not have to suffer physically as well as financially.http://www.census.gov/prod/3/97pubs/cb-9701.pdf.

Glimpses - Social Patterns

2012-01-25T06:01:00.000-08:00

Over the years we have seen the exodus of people from one town to another, from one city to another city as parental choice over the education of their children becomes priority. Many parents reckon that the schools located in the cities give their children the edge necessary to get ahead in life and so the catchment areas of successful primary and secondary schools becomes the desirable area as parents endeavour to secure places for their children.

Housing accommodation therefore becomes a problem. Here we see comparative reports of the Brighton areas and its effect on individual lives.

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/downloads/bhcc/housing/2011_LHA_Rates_Report_(Dec).pdf.hove.gov.uk/downloads/bhcc/housing/2011_LHA_Rates_Report_(Dec).pdf.

I suppose it is a natural occurrence that everywhere in the world we will experience this exodus from place to place as everyone wants the best for their children however one wonders why the poor at all times find themselves in an unwelcome position. As life expectancy varies considerably from one part of town to another, we see the level of homeless on the increase as the cost of housing becomes unaffordable. http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c306.

As a result of these conditions we will find that examinations results will be significantly lower than the national average, higher rate of crime will be seen and more individuals will find it difficult to eat a balanced meal which will inevitably lead to obesity, which will no doubt affect the health service.

In my humble opinion I would like to see more schools being built outside the city, as this will limit more people having to give up their homes to move to the city. Also provision should be made for more adequate housing and factories whereby young people who choose to do vocational skills will have the chance to do so.

Monday Blues

2012-01-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

I hate Mondays, it is the beginning of another week, another week when I have to take to books, another week to pack away my fun games and pick up my books once again. As examination lurks around the corner, another day of preparation is in order.

I strongly believe that it would be more beneficial if we were given the opportunity to take our examinations in at least three parts rather than having to do them all in the given year. I suppose those who decided that was the best thing for us ought to know, however I just think that more could be done concerning this.

I love school,however I think there are so much more that could be done for us in school. None should leave school without a life skill; We should all be able to leave school not only with the academics to carrying on to university, but with skills that can help us if necessary to earn while we are at university.

Too often certain skills are looked upon as inferior to other jobs, however the business people in our society seem to do very well, more often than not they never seem to be out of a job, while often the case is graduates looking for jobs and not able to find any as a result unable to work because they have no skill beside being a university graduate.

INSIGHT

2012-01-19T17:20:00.000-08:00

It was cold, dark, wet and miserable, as I wondered and dragged my feet, heading home with a sadness in my heart. Today was not my day, I should have taken in my assignment and I completely forgot about it. I guess I always knew it but I tried to hide the fact that unless I concentrate more and put more quality time in my school work I am never gonna be successful in life.

I am very talented however I do need to pay special attention to my school work. I do find it very easy to understand most things and I must confess the subjects most people find difficult seem to come naturally to me. I suppose I need to be more serious with my work, as mother always say," all play and no work make Jack a dull boy." I will endeavor to do better as it will only work for my good.

I like mathematics and my dream is to become a Banker, but unless I show a lot more enthusiasm I will only become a bum. Speaking of which, it is so sad to see so many homeless folks, sleeping out in the cold and no one to provide shelter for them. I am now thinking of ways I can bring about a change, whereby it would be a crime for anyone to be found sleeping on the streets.

Why do we pass by and allow individuals to remain in this position, when most of us if we care enough for others can effect changes, change that would see the end of anyone sleeping on the streets. I do not know how I will do it, but that does not mean I am going to stop trying, I am going to throw out a suggestion to you all, come along with me as we think of ways in which to make a change.

My world

2011-12-01T13:02:00.001-08:00

la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la lla la la la la la la la la la.................

She sang as she watched the sun sank in the night sky. It was the best of times, it was the worse of time. Soon she will have to go home and she was not looking forward to it. You see her mother had died and she blamed herself for the death of her mother.

Mother had been warned by the doctors that if she continued having children it would take a toll on her health, but knowing mother and her love for children she ignored the doctors order. After the sixth child was born mothers health took a turn for the worse.

Along Came John

Who was he? he was my uncle, mothers brother. "Reckon I will have to take care of them he stated." I heard him grudgingly saying to his friend on the phone. "didn't take the doctors advice now I am stuck with half a dozen kids to care for." "Why not give them up for adoption?" his friend remarked. "No! no! couldn't do that, my sister made me promise to take care of them." suddenly the glass fell to the floor and he turned around and saw me, realizing I had heard every word he said he started sweating, as he hesitantly walked towards me smiling assuredly, reminding me he is here to stay he will never leave us.

Love A Tender plant

As the years past home became the center of the purest and most elevated affection. Harmony and peace soon found its residence there. My uncle was firm but we knew he loved us. He spoke words of kindness and approval which warmed our hearts and brighten our day. He made it known that our happiness meant much to him. We saw it, we knew it and we loved him for taking care of us.

Fond Memories

Many years have passed and my uncle have longed gone. However we still think of him, and remember the fun times we had growing up and the wonderful care and love which he showered on us. May his soul rest in peace.

Families are wonderful, it is a good thing when families can be there for each other. sometimes I think what would my life be without my dear uncle? I am truly happy he came into our lives.