GETTING YOUR MENTAL JUICES TO FLOW IN THE MORN: WORK/SCHOOL TIP

HAVE you ever found it hard to start work – or get into your school books – after being in the office or classroom for over an hour already?

This item might help.

I was talking to a visiting cousin brother this afternoon before heading off to start work.

Before tying up my shoe laces, I checked for the guitar – one of two in the house. (The two guitars belong to two of the brothers in the house who are skillful guitarists.)

The visiting cousin seemed a bit surprised that I was checking for the guitar so I told him that usually (when nobody’s around), after getting dressed, I try to strum a bit on the guitar – just to get my “mental juices” flowing before I head off to work.

This habit is quite good.

Experts may have written about it but I have yet to read an article on this.

From experience, I have found playing a musical instrument is good practice to get you to focus even before heading to work (or school).

It takes your sleepiness away and prepares you mentally before starting the day.

If you have a keyboard or guitar, try this and see what difference it would make.

After sipping your cup of tea with biscuits (or whatever you are having for breakfast), just play for 20 minutes or so – then grab your bag/books and head for work/school.

Others find reading a book, a better stimulator to get their minds ready for the day. (Some may want to do Maths work or revise French phrases.)

Those who read their Bibles (every morning) already know how important that is.

If you do read your Bible and have a musical instrument, make time available for each.

They will help you focus.

Some people turn up for school or work and take one hour to adjust. That is one hour wasted.

You are a step ahead if you get your “mental juices” flowing before you get to work.

Over to you.  

2013 IX MINI PACIFIC GAMES TIDBITS

IF you are interested in following bits and pieces of the 2013 Mini Pacific Games to be staged in Wallis and Futuna in September, do check my other blog – 2013 IX MINI PACIFIC GAMES - WALLIS AND FUTUNA.

Photo: Woman paddler Vatalua Kini in action. She is also ready for the WF Mini Games.

The interesting story for today is that a canoe club from a village outside Port Moresby has brought back two gold, two silver and two bronze medals from their first international competition in Cairns.

The seven women on the team are also on Team PNG’s Va’a (Canoeing) team.

Read more ...

WHY LEARN FRENCH

FOR those who are new to PLS, I have been kind-of promoting the French language.

In fact, it is the only foreign language I have learned and am still working on.

(I learned a bit of Japanese in 2010 but then our tutor left after a few weeks and that was the end. We were given a small booklet and I will have to work on from there … when I find the time.)

It is commonly accepted that learning a foreign language opens up the world a bit more for you – kind of adding more windows from your house to look out from to take in the views from outside.

French as well as Spanish are international languages. That means, in most international conferences, speakers can communicate in those languages, as in presenting papers or giving speeches.

A PNG friend (a classmate) who works with an international organization here in Port Moresby says learning French is an advantage when applying for jobs abroad.

Yes, yes, yes, learning the language is quite challenging, in that you will not be able to practise and communicate with someone in the language on a daily basis. (But there are resources that you can make use of.)

I tell my student friends (and those interested) that I listen to French songs, watch French movies and read French texts over the internet to help me get the sounds and learn new words.

Learning the language has helped me appreciate English too. Learning French grammar helps you revisit your basics in English grammar.  

And, I try to teach some of my house people phrases in the language. That has helped too.

If you are in Port Moresby, sign up for courses with Alliance Française.

You can read French texts but it is good to listen to a native of the language pronounce the words for you to get them right.

There are sounds in French that are nonexistent in English. And the vowel combinations in French do not give you the same sounds as the same vowel combinations in English.  

Once you have grasped the basics in a formal French class, you can go on from there – either with a teacher or by yourself.

I am doing Level 4 at the moment. In a few weeks time I shall proceed to Level 5.

I have count it a privilege and a joy to learn French.

C’est super! J’aime le français. (It is super. I love French.)     

Contact the AF director using email address: direction.afpom@gmail.com

The office is at the UPNG Campus - Kuri Dom Building - Room 111.

The telephone number is: 326 7120

BE BOLD: LIFE TIP

TAKE courage and be bold. Do not be afraid to make your world big.

That would also mean not being caught up by petite affairs and quarrel over small things with people who cannot think big.

Being bold can mean we talk less and do more.

Often the fruits of our decisions and actions could be the only things that would convince the others (the majority) that we weren’t bold for naught.

Many of the world’s heroes have done it. Will you?

Be bold, my friends.

Cheers. 

EAST SEPIK ROAD ACCIDENT: LIFE IS FRAGILE

YOU might have read or heard already that at least 11 people were killed in a road accident in East Sepik last Friday.

I am shocked because there were people on that PMV who were either related to me or related to those who were related to me who lost their lives – or are in very critical condition.

There is a young lady I knew as a child. I watched her grow up as a primary school student, high school student and trained as a teacher and was - up until last week - teaching in one of the primary schools in East Sepik.

She was on that PMV travelling to Wewak, the provincial capital. 

Her younger brother, who I knew as a babe, was with her on the PMV when both of them met their fate.

Yes, I am shocked.  

Please take good care of yourself, wherever you are when travelling.

Do not leave your house without uttering a prayer for your safety and those of others who would be travelling with you.

Always put your lives in the hands of Him who knows everything.

Do not forget Him. Do not take things for granted.

Take care.