Saturday, August 26, 2006

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Can't Stress How Stressed We All Are?

"Stress" is such an easy word to articulate these days. It seems to roll out of our mouths ever so often, that sometimes I wonder if the word is a mark of verbal fashion and not a genuine revelation of our condition. What do we mean when we say we are stressed? Is being stressed really all that bad?
Quoting http://www.stress.org,
"As Hans Selye (who coined the term as it is currently used) noted, 'Without stress, there would be no life'. However, just as distress can cause disease, it seems plausible that there are good stresses that promote wellness. Stress is not always necessarily harmful. Winning a race or election can be just stressful as losing, or more so, but may trigger very different biological responses. Increased stress results in increased productivity -- up to a point. However, this level differs for each of us. It's very much like the stress on a violin string. Not enough produces a dull, raspy sound. Too much tension makes a shrill, annoying noise or snaps the string. However, just the right degree can create a magnificent tone. Similarly, we all need to find the proper level of stress that allows us to perform optimally and make melodious music as we go through life."
So, how do we find that "proper level of stress"? Is it that easy or even possible? To me, it is important for us to be able to manage the stress we face daily. There are many things beyond our control. We all have to work (or for you, study), take examinations and face life's setbacks from time to time. What is within our control, however, is our perception of the situation and from there, our management of the situation we are in.
Having heard many of you mentioning how stressed you are, I thought perhaps it is a good time for us to come up with our own "Top-Five List Of Stress Management".
Here's mine:
1) Re-look the situation. Is it really as what I perceive it to be? What could be other perspectives of it that I might not have considered.
2) Breathe! I realize that being anxious about every situation will not make the situation any better. Take a deep breath, calm down and prepare to deal with the situation without being too emotional about it.3) Forge good friendships and relationships. Having people I can trust around me certainly helps. Upon listening to me, they may offer advice and alternative perspectives that I can work with. There are times when all I need is a listening ear. Talking about the situation makes me think through it again. It may not be as bad as I initially perceived.4) Make time. Making time to do the activities I enjoy reminds me that there is much more to life. These activities can be anything that helps boost my energy level at that point of time. I would read, spend time with my family and friends, do some community work, or even some cleaning!5) Laugh. See the lighter side of the situation. I even have a theme song that plays in my head! It boosts my energy level to face the situation.
Each one of us should have our very own way of managing stress. Such lists are of course by no means strict rules. We use them in appropriate contexts. For one, I will take offence if you laugh when being questioned about your incomplete work!
I had fun creating mine. Hope you would enjoy yourselves when you create your lists! We might be able to get some tips from one another. :)

posted by CH GEPers 2006 @ 9:19 AM

I too have a list to relieve stress.
Here is my list.
1) Think of happy things

2) Do your hobby

3) Look at the scenery

4) Confide to your friends

5) Get a cold drink

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Technology! It's So Much A Part Of Us

Technology! It's So Much A Part Of Us
Having gotten a webcam recently, I am thrilled to be able to communicate “face-to-face” with my local and overseas friends and relatives. I am experiencing how technology-enabled videoconferences have taken the idea of “face-to-face conversations” to a whole new level where distance is no longer a hindrance.
Information Technology (IT) has indeed opened up a whole realm of possibilities for us to explore. Within that, many of us have grown to be so dependent on IT that we cannot imagine life without it.
In your blog entry, do share with your friends how IT is a part of your life. Give specific examples of how you use IT. Also, think about how you might react should IT be suddenly cut off from you.
posted by CH GEPers 2006 @ 6:46 AM

IT is a part of my life. In fact it is an important part of my life. Why? There are many reasons for that. Some of the important reasons are firstly, I communiate using the internet. Also, the computer technology give me entertainment when I am bored. Most importantly, it gives me the data that I want!

blogging

Here is an interesting post that I want to share with everyone.
http://ch-gepers-06.blogspot.com/2006/08/world-wide-classroom.html

Monday, August 07, 2006

Singaporeans: Who Are We?

As we celebrate our nation's birthday, perhaps we should pause and ponder about our national identity. Given that we are a multiracial and multilingual society, one might wonder what the Singaporean identity truly is.Share your thoughts about the qualities you think define you as a Singaporean. You might want to ask yourself the following questions:
- What characteristics do I possess that define me as a Singaporean?
- Are they all 'good' or 'bad' or perhaps just 'unique'?
- Are there characteristics that you are embarrassed about and wished could change? Why?

I know how to speak Singapore Colloquial English (SCE). That is one of the characteristics of a Singaporean.

This characteristic is unique. It is because this is a language and we mixed different dialects and languages and make it one language.

There are many characteristics that I am embarrassed about and wished could change. I want to change because it is embarrassing and people would laugh at you.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

National Day


National Day is coming. National day is the day when Singapore became independent and it is the day that all Singaporeans celebrate. This year, it is Singapore’s forty-first birthday. Singapore is an island and it is a city state. In the past, the Japanese invaded Singapore. The British, who were unprepared and defeated, surrendered on 15 February 1942. They named Singapore as Syonanto, which means “Light of The South”. Now, Singapore is an independent country.