Oh Totally Coffee

Well, actually i am not a coffee lover. Personally, I only take some coffee occasionally when i really need an energy boost. I am writing this because one of my best friends is totally into coffee drinking, and I just sort of check out some facts of coffee and write here, so it's not wrong to say this passage is dedicated to that person. 

For that person, if you are reading this, HAHAHA!!!

Never mind, we skipped that part first. I believe as a student studying for SPM or higher level exams will surely have some experience like this: Exam is near and i need to study late, oh my gosh I am so sleepy, so I take a cup of coffee; or Today's the big day and i really need to focus! But i felt a bit tired so i take a cup of coffee to wake my brain up. Sounds familiar? 

Well, if that situation seems to occur more for you, then I can safely assume you are a frequent drinker. We have heard from many people that coffee brings what benefit or what bad effects, but I think we should use some times to judge which option is the best. So, here we are, let's start on some facts.

For pros, the long terms effects are:

1, Prevents cancer as coffee is a good source of antioxidant

2, Prevents Parkinson disease and Alzheimer's disease 

3, Prevents liver cirrhosis

4, Reduces the risk of getting diabetics

Short terms effect (and the one reason student really think of when they drink coffee =P)

1, Temporary mental boost

For cons, long terms effects are:

1, Have higher chance to get osteoporosis

2, Have higher chance to get heart diseases 

3, Dependency on caffeine

Short terms effect: 

1: Alter the normal cycle of life ( time to sleep, eat, etc)

There's one thing need mentioning though. Of all the long terms effect stated there, the fastest to happen(depend on condition) is the dependency on caffeine. You won't get to reduce Alzheimer's diseases faster than you get addicted to caffeine. Luckily, caffeine is graded as a drug which is easier to recover from. It means if you do it take it too often, it won't have any effects. The problem of addiction usually has three main sources:

1, Love the taste of coffee, normally drink just for the taste

2, Take coffee whenever you think you need energy

3, develop a cycle where: drink coffee to stay up late at some time, life cycle gets affected, drink more when you feel tired at other time(actually is due to the first staying up)

If you find yourself one of these three, then you are quite vulnerable to coffee addiction, or to use more specific terms, caffeine dependency. The side effects includes having the need to take coffee at frequent intervals to avoid  dizziness, headache and tiredness that appear without obvious reason. When you are in such condition, then it is a warning to you that you better start controlling your coffee intake.

There are some recommended steps:

1, Find some healthy activities and force yourself to do it to distract your mind from caffeine craving

2, Find some other healthy drinks to replace coffee, like soy milk drink, and tell yourself you don't need coffee with the presence of your new favorite drink!

3, Get used to not consuming caffeine by consuming decaffeinated coffee instead.

Good luck and hope you all can enjoy coffee as its friend and avoid the bad effects. =)

 

Still Littering In Our Supposed "Modern" Country

Littering.

I can safely assume that many people in this country grow up seeing a lot of littering done around them. Sometimes one can see rubbish get thrown out of private cars or public buses, from the top floor of a flat, from their house area over the fence....well, quite some varieties there. In fact, some people see so much littering done that they start to develop some thoughts like: "Well, if everyone's throwing rubbish that way then I can do that also isn't it?" or "It I do not litter, others still do, so what difference there will be? We may as well choose the easier way!"

If one were to ask people who litter why do they litter, I guess they can give you a hundred excuses, and some extremely funny ones you will get too, like this two: "The rubbish bin is no where to be seen.(Just a few feet from him, actually)" and "I am just following the public preference, aren't I?"

Even funnier, most people seemed to think that if a town is dirty and "rubbish-visible" at most places, the town council is mainly to be blamed. It's quite amusing that many people seemed to think that the main responsibility for city hygiene lies on town council and they should remove the rubbish in the town no matter how they achieve it, like sending more workers to sweep the rubbish or putting more rubbish bin or having more rubbish truck running around town collecting rubbish...well, nothing to do with themselves.

I supposed our town councils do have space for improvement, but i do not think they are the main cause in this problem. The real solution that will solve this problem is to educate our citizens not to throw rubbish anywhere at their leisure. It is clear that we have to admit sadly that our citizens may live in a city, but many of them have the awareness of environment hygiene as much as a three years old. Young and old people alike, are used to throwing rubbish at the moment they want as it is easier.

Although our schools have been telling students not to litter, our education seemed to fail as it's common knowledge that our education system mainly focuses on theory rather than practical even in moral education. In fact, I believe everyone who ever went to school recently will know students merely pose and take photographs for the moral projects, to give "proof" that they are involved in all sorts of "morally correct" activities which their teachers accept without question.

To achieve a modern mind on this particular among the citizens, drastic moves have to be taken by the government to regulate their actions and plant the seed of the modern thinking in their minds. These steps need to focus on "Punishment and Award" as well as "Direct Involvement". By punishing citizens who litter does not mean simply setting the law, but forming a special group in the police that makes sure that people who litters are actually caught and punished. Of course, this will work better if the lawbreakers were to sweep the city and help clear away rubbish they are so adapt at "producing". Rewarding groups or individuals who volunteers to keep the city clean will also encourage such activities. The cleanest village can also be rewarded to show the government's appreciation for their effort. The planting of the seed of modern thinking involves the direct interaction of officers in charge with locals and group cleaning activities with them(they are required to participate).

If our city is kept clean and tidy, our nation's image will be held higher as a really modern country in both technology and citizens' minds. Those who usually litters may also have a bit more hygiene conscious after seeing how nice it is to have a clean city.

But of course, it's up to the politicians to be aware of what they should do isn't it? I do not think anyone here could have overlook this problem, or maybe they are busying retorting critics at each other? Well, if the people were to stand up and speak, I fear another problem will arise, similar to an incident not long ago.... Shh... I am not supposed to say this.

Well, let's just pray that the problem of littering gets overcame soon.

Should I use the "supposed" way?

I had heard from one of my colleagues some tips to handle particularly ego boss or older relatives. He told me that the best way to achieve good relationship and make them like you is to nod and approve whenever they lecture or tell you which way is the best way. Of course, he added, if he or she teach you the wrong way or give you pointless advice (it's up to you to tell whether it is pointless or not), you are quite free to follow the right way (the right way according to you, if you are sure) when that particular person is not poking his nose around. Most funnily is the example he told me: "If your boss tell you that the letter 'B' is read as 'A', just read as 'A' in front of him and resume reading 'B' behind his back."

Well, after several months' working in a secondhand car shop, i perfectly understand the effectiveness of the way he taught me. In fact, it is so effective that the results i get after trying it out is almost shocking. Through my observations, i realized that this type of people normally enjoys having a certain degree of domination over other people, and the people they have the best chance and excuse to dominate is their junior or their employees. They are mostly confident about their own plans and strategies, that they do not allow other people to contradict them, whether they are correct or wrong. They also tend to blame something on others so that they appear to be not responsible for something wrong.

 Although we can assume this type of people will have a lower chance of succeeding in their career and become the leader, some did succeed. Some of them are humble and clever. By learning fast and working hard, they may rise to the top without trouble. The problem is, once they think their position is high enough already or they are the "pros" then this type of personality will, most unfortunately, appear and cause the "lower rank people" around him to suffer.

Well, the trick to handle them is to let them win. How? Whenever you are accused, always say sorry and oh-i-will-never-do-that-again type of things. Then, rush off to solve(or make it look like) the problem and report to him afterwards. Of course if it is actually not your fault at all after u solve or fail to solve that problem, give him hints in your report(verbally or on paper) that it is actually not your fault. Mostly, this type of people will keep quiet and won't mention that problem anymore(although they also will not take back their word that's it's your fault, mostly anyway) but will find a way to "pay back" your good deed of of rushing to solve problem without thinking of defending yourself first and of course, keeping their face on their face. So, you are more likely to be promoted and have a "immunity card "even if you do make some mistakes.

Handy isn't it?  So this should be the "supposed" way when it comes to tackle such type of people. Of course if he or she is just some people who are not superior than you you can just simply ignore and keep your distance, no need to bother standing them as you do for your boss or seniors.

A relative( let's call him Mr C) of mine is exactly of the type above. The problem is, he is also quite close to me, in fact, more than just a relative to me. Sadly, when he try to teach me or rather, "control" me for my own good, he always put me in misery. I know he is right in many things, but when he is wrong sometimes he just couldn't listen to sense. In other words, he can't accept that he is wrong in any way.

But should i use the "supposed" way when dealing with him? I know that it will make him happy and perhaps like me more, but I am sad to see him cheating himself whenever he do something wrong. I hope I can discuss with him about what's wrong and what's right in a harmony atmosphere rather than breaking into a shouting match every time we tried to discuss. I do not wish to treat him like some type of task that i handle mechanically, just to obtain his preference and treats. I hate just simply nodding when he lecture me with pointless advice and ignoring it just the same. It makes me feel so far away from him, even further than shouting at each other, because at least we are telling each other the thing we have in our minds.....

Maybe i should just use the supposed way to simplify matters: to improve our relationship as there won't be any quarreling after using it. But if I were to use that particular way, won't our relationship become more distant even though we don't quarrel? He will only get to see the faked ME I act in front of him, telling him nothing of my opinions, my thoughts, my dreams......

Should i use the supposed way or shouldn't I?

走进社会

一年前，我只是个求学的学生，一个父母的孩子，一个妹妹的哥哥。生活费是父母供应，生活最重要只是把学业搞好，以申请到好的大学，为前途铺好一条康庄大道。当时，学生们脑中，眼中和口中，都把成绩好，课外活动好的同学当成“最成功的”，要不就是最有“潜能”的。大家一般也把课外活动中的良好表现，当成是生活中很可能在申请工作或工作上发挥正面效应的“才能”。

但一年后的我，在一间小小的二手车店打了两个月工后，却觉得：不然。

走到外面，发现有好多好多东西，学校都没教你，甚至课外活动也学不到。也许你会认为，生活只要跟着条规去走，就不会有什么问题，就像玩游戏要遵守游戏规则一样。但是，问题是大多数规则是没有写出来的。

学生的头脑中都是那么想：努力读好书，考取好成绩，找到好工作，得到高新水。要不然就是赚取很多钱后去环游世界。生活就是那么简单，是吗？

这里送大家一些话:

1，成绩固然能够帮助我们得到好的工作，但是成功的人，绝对不是靠成绩那么简单。

2，无论你是正派还是邪派，要往上爬的时候都要时时注意别人是否会因为自己要爬上去而一脚踩在你的头上。辛辛苦苦爬了那么久，一个不小心给人害得摔了下去你就得从头爬过。

3，无论你本事多高，你最多能做到的就是爬到事业的顶端。但是真正的考验是你是否能保持你的成就？这要比爬到顶端难很多，因为爬到更高，想打倒你的人更多。

4，很多不起眼的机会，却是别人成功的途径。很多人抢着要的东西，却不一定是最好的。

5，社会是不分年长年幼的，一踏进社会就不要指望别人“放水”，反而要全力以赴，才会有立足之处。

6，自己要照顾好自己，靠别人迟早会出现问题。

7，人家说很多话，最好过滤过才采用。

8，祸从口出。

9，倒下是没关系的，关键是你是否能爬起来。

10，不能飞，就做最好的步行者。

11，不要得罪一无所有的人，就是因为他们一无所有才会跟你拼命。

12，利益冲突，朋友变敌人。让朋友欠你太多，朋友没得做。利益合作，敌人变朋友。

13，有时输在表面的才是真正的赢家。

14，输给老板不是输。赢了老板不是赢。让老板满意：双赢。

最重要的是，踏入社会时眼睛注意看，耳朵注意听。多学习，少炫耀。该说时说，该静时静。

那么，相信在你踏入社会时，会走得较顺利和自在。=）

我和死神擦肩而过

今天中午一点我一如往常地通知老板（我正在工作）一声：“我去吃午餐啦！”然后就带着愉快的心情，骑上店里的老电单车，准备出发到我最爱去的经济饭店去。我好不容易才等到这时刻，终于可以好好地“镇压”我肚子里正闹得翻天覆地的“革命”，骑在电单车上的我心中痛快无比。

这段路在我工作的两个月里，至少走了一百遍了，无论是回家还是吃午餐我都必经此路。就算是蒙上眼睛也知道怎样走。那时天气多云，不会太热，更使我钟爱着一刻。对我来说，知道美好的午餐就快要到来时虽然还没真的吃到嘴，但是那感觉是多么幸福！不知不觉已经快到目的地了，只要前面来个U转，莫约一百米就到啦！

在这时候，在我前面是一辆蓝色国产车“普丹英雄”。这是一条直路，我骑电单车跟在后头，离那车大概有两米。我们都以三十公里时速前进。就在那时，它在没给任何讯号的情况下，竟然突然左转进旁边的一条路！十五年的骑脚车经验给的直觉反应在身，我急踩油门。但两米的距离，终究是太短了。眼看电单车要撞上车子的时候，我脑海中出现了两种影像：一是我向左边翻覆倒地，二是从电单车上飞起，飞过那车子再摔在马路上！在这两样事情都还未发生的时候，我的右脚自动飞起，一蹬其车身，同时把电单车头转左，右手增油以避免翻覆，向路旁左侧的空地幸运逃出！

在我正在喘气当中，看见刚才那辆车的车主，回头望一望后竟然加大油门逃走了！一位刚好在附近的老伯见到了立刻上前来问我是否有事，还说怕我有事要为我出头。说了几句“没事没事！”后，我心有遗惊地继续我的路程。心在胸膛里跳得就快要破胸而出，身上全是冷汗。
吃午餐之前打个电话给一位之前失接他电话的朋友，嘴里废话说个不停，只盼能让我暂时忘却刚才的事件。今天的午餐就像是在咬橡皮似的，只得将就吞下肚子去……

事后心情恢复平静时冷静地想一想，真的很感谢老阿伯时后立即关心，但也很痛恨那位鲁莽的司机不顾他人死活。在路上人们常常会为了他人的错误而面对生命的威胁，但也只有时时提醒自己：在马路上要安全无事，不但要遵守交通规则，还要记得随时准备避开因他人的错而对你造成的生命威胁！

透明化-团体进步之道

一个人要进步，需要努力，智慧和规划。一个团体却需要更多。为什么？因为团体包括了员工之间的沟通，合作。越是大的团体，沟通上会更有挑战性。而且，团体大了需要更有效的分配，同时要确保所有部门不会出现问题，或能迅速解决问题。

一个公司，在管理和行政上都必须透明化。透明化是指将公司重要的事项管理还有所采取的行动毫无隐瞒地告知公司员工和社会。当然，有些事情是应该只在高阶层的管理层里讨论，就好比公司在生意上的策略。大体上，透明化能有效又快速地找到问题所在，同时让错误的出现率降低。打个比方：钱财分配上出现不合理之处，就会立刻被发现。不单是被影响的部门会投诉，别的部门也不会或不敢因为对自己有好处而将事实隐瞒，因为不说每个人都知道。管理层也不会因为麻烦而忽略这问题，因为别人会指指点点。问题很快被发现，又毫无隐瞒，问题就很快被解决。

我们不难发现，一个团体里，问题的出现通常是在能力问题或责任和态度问题。怎么说？当工作分配得不好，可能因为是分配者在分配工作上经验不住，分配错误；或是为了私事或个人利益故意作出不当编排。透明化就是在这其中能一石二鸟的方法。如果是能力问题，别人知晓后可以指出问题所在和提出意见，协助当事者发现和解决问题。而对于为了个人利益的家伙，他更是不敢随便乱来，因为大家都会知道自己在做什么。这就是为什么公司上司一般会要求个个部门定时呈报开销，行动及管理细节给公司管理层知道。管理层同时也将如何分配公司资源和管理方针公布给员工，让员工更了解公司的进展方向。

最让我感到奇怪的是，私人界里人人都会的东西，在一些公众事项竟然不去实行。政府一年总共收多少税？从各种行业中获得多少盈利，而这些钱如何用在人民身上？在各项事务中开销多少？我想，大多数人民都一无所知。时常听到的只是：某某工程开销多少多少，但从不给仔细的报告。有时被漏出来时，才叫人大跌眼镜。就像面子书旅游部网页，竟然告诉大家需要花那么大一笔钱，但是网页怎样呢？并不是做得一鸣惊人嘛。新闻爆出来后，大家才发现了政府部门里竟然没有人知道用面子书设立商业广告页是可以免费的，也难怪引起网民在网上热烈抨击。但欣慰的是，问题总算被发现，而被发现就会有被解决的机会。最让人担心的是：又有多少事是不为人知的呢？

世界各个先进国本身和私人界表现良好的公司都提供了我们最好的实例：一个团体要进步，小至学校学生学会，大至国家执政政府，透明化是必通之道！只有让事务的进行透明化，才会让舞弊的存在无所遁形。