Childbirth - Emergency Delivery

First Aid:
1.Try to stay calm and reassure the mother.
2.Wash your hands well with soap and water. Wear sterile rubber gloves, if possible.
3.Select a large, flat surface, such as a bed or table, as a birthing area. Provide good lighting and keep the area warm. Cover the area with a clean sheet or towels.
4.Have the mother remove any uncomfortable clothing. Support the mother's head and back with pillows, and have the mother lie on her side. At the time of delivery, she should lie on her back with her knees bent and spread apart. If possible, place a folded towel or blanket under the mother's right hip to keep her from lying flat on her back.
5.Have the mother take deep, slow breaths, particularly during contractions.
6.When the baby's head shows during each contraction, tell the mother to push. Have her take a deep breath, hold it, and push for a count of 10. Then she should exhale and repeat this breathing for the duration of each contraction. The mother should NOT push between contractions.
7.Place your hand against the area below the vaginal opening and apply gentle pressure during each contraction. This pressure will prevent the baby from coming too fast. Your other hand, placed gently against the vaginal opening over the baby's head, will help control how quickly the baby's head comes out of the vaginal opening.
8.As the baby's head is delivered, support it with your hands. The baby will naturally turn to one side. As soon as the head is out, have the mother stop pushing so that the baby's mouth and nose can be cleaned.
9.Clean the baby's mouth and nose, preferrably with a suction bulb. Use a clean towel if no suction bulb is available.
10.If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the infant's neck during delivery, work your forefinger between the cord and the baby's neck. Gently but quickly slip the cord over the baby's head. DO NOT CUT THE CORD! If it will not slip easily over the baby's head, don't worry about it. Instead, continue with the delivery.
11.Once the head is delivered, the rest of the baby's body generally comes out quickly. With your hands on either side of the baby's head, gently guide it downwards while the mother pushes (the top shoulder should emerge). Guide the baby upwards and support its head and shoulders as the rest of the baby emerges. Newborns are slippery, so hold the baby with a towel.
12.If the baby's shoulder seems stuck, tell the mother to push hard. DO NOT PULL ON THE BABY. Press down on the mother's abdomen in the area just above the mother's pubic hair. You can also try lifting the mother's legs back toward her chest, keeping her knees bent and apart.
13.Once delivered, the baby should be held with its head down, feet higher than the head, so that fluids can drain. Hold the baby at about the same height as the vaginal opening. After the baby starts to cry, suction or wipe the baby's nose and mouth again with a clean cloth. The baby may be blue, but will turn pink within minutes, if breathing well.
14.If the baby is not breathing or crying, place the baby's head lower than the feet and slap the soles of the feet. Quickly stimulate the baby by rubbing its back. If the baby does not start breathing immediately, give two quick gentle puffs of air into the infant's nose and mouth. Continue to stimulate the baby and dry off the skin to prevent cooling. Suction the baby's nose and mouth again to clear secretions, blood, and mucus.
15.If the baby is breathing or crying, dry the baby off. Wrap the baby in dry towels, covering the head, not the face. Keep the baby warm. Do not wash the baby. Place the baby on the mother's abdomen or chest, but be sure not to pull on the umbilical cord.
16.Encourage nursing. This will stimulate the mother to have the uterine contractions she needs to expel the placenta.
17.Tie a clean shoelace, narrow strip of cloth, or thick string firmly around the umbilical cord, no closer than 4 inches from the baby's navel. Do not use thread -- it will cut through the cord. DO NOT CUT THE CORD OR PULL ON IT. Tying off the cord is necessary to prevent continued circulation of the baby's blood to the placenta.
18.The mother will continue to have contractions until the placenta is expelled. Massaging the mother's abdomen will help the uterus contract and expel the placenta. Wrap the placenta in a plastic bag and be sure it goes to the hospital with the mother and baby.
19.If the mother is bleeding outside the vagina from a skin tear, apply direct pressure with a sterile gauze dressing, washcloth, or fresh sanitary napkin until bleeding stops.
20.Once the placenta has been expelled, massage the mother's abdomen to stimulate uterine contractions. This will help control uterine bleeding. Continue to firmly knead the abdomen at frequent intervals for the first 2 hours after birth. Sometimes the uterus relaxes so completely that all contractions stop -- massage can help restore the contractions.
21.Clean the mother with soap and water. Keep both mother and baby warm. Hypothermia can occur rapidly in newborns. The mother may be more comfortable reclining while she nurses the baby. It is important that both be taken to a hospital as soon as possible for examination.
22.Under normal circumstances, there is no rush to cut the umbilical cord. Placing one tie around it and leaving it alone is better than cutting it with unclean instruments. The infant will not be harmed if the placenta remains attached, as long as both mother and baby receive prompt medical help.
23.If you cannot get medical help, you will have to tie and cut the cord after the baby has been delivered. The following steps are recommended:
•If you have tied the first knot around the cord no closer than 4 inches from the baby's navel, tie another firm knot about 8 inches from the navel.
•If you have NOT tied a first knot, tie a firm knot with a clean shoelace, narrow strip of cloth, or thick string around the cord no closer than 4 inches from the baby's navel. Then tie a second firm knot around the cord about 8 inches from the baby's navel.
•Cut the cord between the knots with sterile scissors, a heated knife, or a fresh razor blade. The cord should bleed only briefly after being cut.
•Cover the cut ends of the cord with a clean cloth or sterile dressing.

Source: http://adam.about.com

Hopenhagen

Sign the climate change and becomea citizen at Hopenhagen.org.

http://www.hopenhagen.org

We can do our part to save the earth. Make it more eco-friendly. Reduce pollution. Reduce carbon.

Stay tune at news for the climate meet at Copenhangen tomorrow.

Give the earth hope.



My Predictions:

It won't become like 2012.

It will move more slowly, but smoothly.

With the global government's salvations, it will prolong, but not change what will eventually happened.

It will happened in a couple of centuries.

The land will become smaller. Eventually the whole earth will be covered in water.

There will be no room for people to stay on the land.

People will start to fight among themselves and the fittest will survive on the limited land.

Until it happens, the last land to be covered by the earth's water will end in around 10 more centuries, which is still very far from now.

What difference do u want in life?

1) Love the things you do.

2) Make money from the things you love doing, and make more money!

3) Be happy in whatever you do.

4) Make some good friends, or better!

5) Meet positive and well learnt people.

6) Be optimistic and happy.

7) Be humble, hold your pride, absorb what you deemed right, and of course, filter whatever you deemed not right!

8) Enjoy your hobbies during free time!

Yesterday - World Kindness Day.

Can we make it happen?

In 1997, seven countries, including Singapore, came together to sign a declaration for the world Kindness Movement. Its mission is to inspire individuals towards greater kindness.

A year later, on 13 November, World Kindess Day was established.

As human beings, we have to look beyond the boundaries of race, gender or creed.

We can live together in peace if we focus on what we have in common - Kindness.

The singapore Kindness Movement aims to inspire spontaneous acts of kindness, be it big or small to make life more pleasant for all.

Considering what our Prime Minister and Patron of the Singapore Kindness Movement, Lee Hsien Loong said, "Becoming a vibrant global city isn't enough; we need to build a Singapore with heart."

We hope to transform our nation to be more generous with our time and compliments. One that is willing to lend a helping hand and always be gracious to everyone around us, regardless of race, creed or status.

We can start today with a simple appreciative gesture of giving a daisy to those who have performed acts of kindness around us.

We can make World Kindness Day a meaningful day for all.

Together, we can make it happen.


by Koh Poh tiong
Chairman.

As I read the above article from 'Today' paper, my work bag has already, a Daisy flower protruding out. People were glancing at it. However, i could not be bothered with their glances, and brought it home - For my mother.

During work, bunches of Daisies were displayed at Olio cafe, outside APMI's lobby.

Was surprised at first, but was eventually delighted to be able to pick up a few of the Daisies -free, and passed some of them to my colleagues; those that i thought had shown me kindness in some ways.

Nevertheless, this kindness day fell on Friday, the 13, and indeed, it was a totally unique day in my life, much more unique than usual, but less unique than the word 'unique'.

Lee Kuan Yew sees 3.0pc growth for Singapore in 2010.

Singapore's economy is set to grow by around three percent in 2010 after suffering its worst ever recession this year, former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew said in remarks published Monday.

Lee, 86, now an adviser to the cabinet of his son Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, cautioned Singaporeans against expecting a return to high growth rates soon because of the island's heavy dependence on exports to rich markets.

"We will not resume high growth for several years until the major economies in the world have recovered," Lee, who holds the title minister mentor, was quoted by local media as saying on Sunday.

It was the first time a government official has publicly put a number to 2010 growth, and it appears more conservative than some private economists' forecasts for next year's recovery, the Straits Times newspaper said.

The government currently predicts a gross domestic product contraction of 2.0-2.5 percent this year, less severe than the previous forecast of 4.0-6.0 percent shrinkage in 2009.

The economy grew by an estimated 0.8 percent in the three months to September from a year ago, the economy's first year-on-year expansion in five quarters, according to the ministry of trade and industry. But key industrial output during September fell 7.7 percent year on year as declines were posted across every sector.

The figure snapped two straight months of expansion and was worse than analysts' expectations.

The central bank said last week that Singapore will increasingly look to its services sector rather than industry as the main engine of growth in order to soften the impact of any future global economic crises.


Extracted from
http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/091109/1/4rweh.html

Multiple Source of Income VS Multiple Flows of Income.

The differences between the Multiple source of income and multiple flows of income are:

Multiple source = Many sources of networks, jobs at hand, which one needs to juggle. For eg, freelance personnel who has many sidelines, part time jobs at hand, at the same time which can or does not need to occur together at the same time, but can juggle around, and overlapping one another at times.

Multiple source of income is good for surviving hard times, or when one has some hard time finding a full time stable job. However, although one have a stable job, i would advise them to at least have another passive source of income or sideline, to enhance their income, or to act to sustain themselves, should adversity arise.

Multiple flows = Many passive incomes that keep on generating, without the need to keep working too hard on it. For eg, playing shares, trading, forex, MLM, or any overriding commissions from your downline or subordinates, even rental of houses, rooms and more than 1 source of money rolling in on-goingly, is the multiple flows of income.

Usually, multiple source of income may or may not earn great, but sure to survive oneself. Whereas multiple flows is meant to be a bigger scaled amount in combine by common sense, as u can see the multiple flowings of income.

Intercept Close Protection Services

Earlier this month, we were hired on a freelance contract through a forum for close protection service to the daughter of rich Jarkarta businessman,Tuan Asman.

The mission was to protect and escort the daughter and her best friend around Batam safely, for a night.

We were hired for 6.7 million rupiah each, for a team of 4, which includes our accomodations and transports.

Her daughter was a bubbly, yet sometimes haughty. However, she is a fine young thing overall. Her best friend was active but fun loving.

We escorted them around the places to ensure their safety, and make sure they do not go overboard on anything, or go disturb others, or get disturbed.

Through our trip at the sea before reaching the island, we were excited, but couldn't be bothered if it is really worth the while, but went for it anyway, since we were the gung-ho type of people.

Afterall, we were all experienced in the Security industry, and 2 out of the 4 of us are well trained in martial arts.

Our TL was Mr D, who led us through the whole trip.

Indeed, the whole trip was fun and successful. Followed them to where they wanted, on their expenses, able to share our views and ideas on where to go, had seafood dinner, brought them to shops and club as requested, and in the end, off to the night.

The contract ended the next day 12pm, where we made contact with Tuan Asman's personal bodyguard, for vehicle extraction for her daughter and her friend, around 3km away from the hotel. Then we retired back to our hotel and had our last R & R before we left Batam and back to our country.

What is love?

What is love? It is one of the most difficult questions for the mankind. Centuries have passed by, relationships have bloomed and so has love. But no one can give the proper definition of love. To some Love is friendship set on fire for others Maybe love is like luck. You have to go all the way to find it. No matter how you define it or feel it, love is the eternal truth in the history of mankind.

Love is patient, love is kind. It has no envy, nor it boasts itself and it is never proud. It rejoices over the evil and is the truth seeker. Love protects; preserves and hopes for the positive aspect of life. Always stand steadfast in love, not fall into it. It is like the dream of your matter of affection coming true. Love can occur between two or more individuals. It bonds them and connects them in a unified link of trust, intimacy and interdependence. It enhances the relationship and comforts the soul. Love should be experienced and not just felt. The depth of love can not be measured. Look at the relationship between a mother and a child. The mother loves the child unconditionally and it can not be measured at all. A different dimension can be attained between any relationships with the magic of love. Love can be created. You just need to focus on the goodness of the other person. If this can be done easily, then you can also love easily. And remember we all have some positive aspect in us, no matter how bad our deeds maybe. And as God said �Love all�

Depending on context, love can be of different varieties. Romantic love is a deep, intense and unending. It shared on a very intimate and interpersonal and sexual relationship. The term Platonic love, familial love and religious love are also matter of great affection. It is more of desire, preference and feelings. The meaning of love will change with each different relationship and depends more on its concept of depth, versatility, and complexity. But at times the very existence of love is questioned. Some say it is false and meaningless. It says that it never exist, because there has been many instances of hatred and brutality in relationships. The history of our world has witnessed many such events. There has been hatred between brothers, parents and children, sibling rivalry and spouses have failed each other. Friends have betrayed each other; the son has killed his parents for the throne, the count is endless. Even the modern generation is also facing with such dilemmas everyday. But �love� is not responsible for that. It is us, the people, who have forgotten the meaning of love and have undertaken such gruesome apathy.

In the past the study of philosophy and religion has done many speculations on the phenomenon of love. But love has always ruled, in music, poetry, paintings, sculptor and literature. Psychology has also done lot of dissection to the essence of love, just like what biology, anthropology and neuroscience has also done to it.

Psychology portrays love as a cognitive phenomenon with a social cause. It is said to have three components in the book of psychology: Intimacy, Commitment, and Passion. Also, in an ancient proverb love is defined as a high form of tolerance. And this view has been accepted and advocated by both philosophers and scholars. Love also includes compatibility. But it is more of journey to the unknown when the concept of compatibility comes into picture. Maybe the person whom we see in front of us, may be least compatible than the person who is miles away. We might talk to each other and portray that we love each other, but practically we do not end up into any relationship. Also in compatibility, the key is to think about the long term successful relationship, not a short journey. We need to understand each other and must always remember that no body is perfect.

Be together, share your joy and sorrow, understand each other, provide space to each other, but always be there for each others need. And surely love will blossom to strengthen your relationship with your matter of affection.

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. William Shakespeare.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

RISE EARLY

That precious few minutes of snoozing does you more harm than good. Instead of rushing out every day, try waking up 15 minutes earlier than before. Do some stretching exercises, sit down for a cup of coffee and read a newspaper, or simply take your time to psych up for the day ahead.

EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE

Stop camping in front of the TV or Computer. Get outdoors to appreciate nature, engage in a fun sport, ask someone out for a coffee, or travel to exotic regions for a refreshing experienc.

START WITH A SMILE

Smile even if you've no reason to, because it will actually make you feel better. Research shows that smiling relieves stress and can increase the efficiency of your immune system. It also helps to lower blood pressure and release feel good chemicals called endorphines into your blood stream to life your mood.


CYCLE YOUR WAY TO FITNESS

Riding a bicycle helps to improve your mascular strength and blood circulation. Cover 30km per week and it reduces the risk of coronary heart diseases by half. Plus, it's a good way to relieve stress.

DEAL WITH DETRACTIORS

Ignore negative people who make you feel unworthy, even if it's well-intentioned. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who share your vision and dreams.

BUILD AN EMERGENCY FUND

It's never too early to be prepared for life's uncertainties, given the rough economic climate. Be realistic, start small and find a savings plan that fits your lifestyle so you have the confidence to see it through.

BOOST YOUR BRAIN POWER

Mind-enriching and challenging games like Sudoku and crossword puzzles are great for a good mental workout. Brain games can increase mental abilities such as processing speed and reaction time.

LOSE AN ARGUMENT

Winning doesn't always bring joy. Instead of fighting to be right all the time, seek to understand from a different perspective. You'll be much happier.

FIND TIME TO MEDITATE

Quiet time alone does wonders to relax, bring calm and restore your frazzled nerves to sanity. Or play some soft music to sooth your senses. Do this twice weekly for half and hour each time.

RETIRE EARLY

That sounds like a far-fetched dream for most people but it's definitely achievable if you have a sound investment portfolio and a well-thought out plan. So, start thinking.




Extracted from the Ask OCBC newsletter.

Life's meaning?

Can't really know what's up. The period of time where i was tiptop positive, smiling and having this positive vibrant feeling instilled with the slogan of "Life is good", seemed to fade like an ink on the paper.

The years was so long back, a decade, if i'm not far wrong. Reminiscing how the time of "me" had become the "now of me".

Am i really emotionally weak? Or am i just sensitive? Or am i having hypertension and/or chemical imbalanced? C'mon, i am a guy,man. I am a man. Not an "ah boy".

I came to a conclusion that being tired does cause higher sensitivity in one's emotion which can also lead to depression, if one do not know how to fight back emotionally.

Well, heard of "very tired but cannot sleep" Symptom? It hits me, but it doesn't sound right anyway. That's that link to cognitive dissonance? I wouldn't think so.

I had to rely on "Melatonin" pills many time to be able to sleep at night. Comparing "Melatonin" to "Dormicum", "Dormicum" is a sleeping pill only prescribe by doctors, while "Melatonin" is a cheaper natural body insulin pills found at pharmacies for sleep inducing.

And where's is my Commando Spirit? I cannot feel it now, despite being "Once a Commando, and always a Commando" quote.

So where's my Karate Spirit? I too cannot feel it now. The feeling had vanished long time back.

Does it mean i have to wear an SAF smart 4 uniform with my Red Beret to feel "Fierce" or wear my Karate gi and black belt to really feel it? I don't deny some do gain the spirit only when they wear their uniforms. So does that somehow ring a bell of the thought of "Superman"?

Haiz, Integrated Marketing Communications main assignment. Social Cause? Perhaps i'm not kind enough. No social cause or concern close to heart yet. But since im in the Security Protection industry, my social cause or concern will be Security Awareness. At first it was about "Stopping Aid", but as mentioned by the lecturer, it has been beaten to death worldwide, and talking about "Healthy living", it is too broad to narrow or draw the line down. So, i had a headached on that module. At times i don't deny the lecturer's mouth does spit a psychic knife into my heart. But the damage wasn't too great for me to recoup each time.

It is seemingly true that a student's motivation and liking for a module does link to who the Lecturer is. If a lecturer is good, the students will like the module. But if the lecturer is fucked up, it does affect the students' morale somehow or in someway.

I'm a degree undergraduate now. I should feel like one, but right now, i don't feel it. Why?
However, my Feng Shui Confucius had blessed and looked after me through my Advanced Diploma in Mass Communications and Business Management. I am grateful for that.

I felt empty. Nothing can make me high easily. I do need something to make me feel high, or gives me high morale. Pls help.

Recently, i became one of the Pilots(Tactical drivers) for my Protection services side. On one part, i am glad that through this manual driving, i regained back my manual driving skills in just 1 full day. Now i can drive as fast i can handle, and believe my driving skills have improved like rocket. Just have to wait for defensive driving course.

This redemption of confident driving also changes my thought of getting a manual car in future, than a lazy auto. Manual car does stimulate your brain all round and make you think faster than prolong driving of auto, i would say.


At time i don't understand why my brain seems to degenerate when on the ground, meeting outside people. The degeneration cause the slow process of the memory at times and decelerate the output of the brain. This must be fear. Stupid, fear, pls go to hell! Confident, pls come to me. Come to me, my little "Confident".

However it is time i should become a good crown and keep practice juggling my work and study well. Of course energy and time plays a part. Inspiration and motivation need to come in too. They are an integral part in contributing to the overall success.

Wish me luck. God bless me.

Good day.

Security and Counter-Terrorism: Self-Protection for ladies.

A very good article forward to me via email. Extracted for all ladies down here. May save ur life or ur love one's life.

Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do
in an emergency situation....

This is for you, and for you to share with your wife,
your children, everyone you know.
After reading these 9 crucial tips , copy and
forward them to someone you care about.
It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1 . Tip from the Art of Tae Kwon Do :
The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do it! .

2.If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse,
DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM ..
Toss it away from you....
chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse.
RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy.
The driver won ' t see you, but everybody else will.
This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit(doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.)
DON' T DO THIS!
The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in
on the passenger side, put a gun to your head,
and tell you where to go.

SO AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR,
LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car
with a gun to your head
DO NOT DRIVE OFF,
repeat:
DO NOT DRIVE OFF!
Instead start the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car.
Your Air Bag will save you. Your Seat belt will too.
If the person is in the back seat, they will get the worst of it.
As soon as the car crashes, get out and run.
It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5 A few notes about getting
into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A.) Be aware:
look around you,
look into your car,
at the passenger side floor,and in the back seat
B.) If you are parked next to a big van,
enter your car from the passenger door .
Some serial killers attack their victims
by pulling them into their vans while the women
are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the cars parked on the driver ' s side of your vehicle,
and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone
in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back
and get someone -
guard/policeman to walk you back out..
IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator
instead of the stairs.
(Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot.
This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control,
ALWAYS RUN!
The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then,
it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic:
STOP
It may get you raped, or killed.
Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking,
well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathy of unsuspecting women.
He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked ' for help ' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point:
Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last,
and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her
'Whatever you do, DO NOT
open the door. '
The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over.
The policeman said, ' We already have a unit on the way,
whatever you do, DO NOT open the door. '
He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby ' s cry recorded and uses it to coax
women out of their homes thinking that someone
dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby 's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----
The Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America ' s Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.

I 'd like you to forward this to all the women you know.
It may save a life.. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle.

These tips are intended for ladies. But if any of you thought it is useful, do copy and send it around.

Send this to any woman you know that may need it.

BCOE5 0916A Communications Management 1

M2 THEORIES of COMM

We might say that communication consists of transmitting information from one person to another. In fact, many scholars of communication take this as a working definition, and use Lasswell's maxim, "who says what to whom in what channel with what effect," as a means of circumscribing the field of communication theory.

Communication Theory Framework
It is helpful to examine communication and communication theory through one of the following viewpoints:
Mechanistic: This view considers communication to be a perfect transaction of a message from the sender to the receiver. (as seen in the diagram above)
Psychological: This view considers communication as the act of sending a message to a receiver, and the feelings and thoughts of the receiver upon interpreting the message.Social Constructionist (Symbolic Interactionist): This view considers communication to be the product of the interactants sharing and creating meaning.
Systemic: This view considers communication to be the new messages created via “through-put”, or what happens as the message is being interpreted and re-interpreted as it travels through people.
Critical: This view considers communication as a source of power and oppression of individuals and social groups.Inspection of a particular theory on this level will provide a framework on the nature of communication as seen within the confines of that theory.Theories can also be studied and organized according to the ontological, epistemological, and axiological framework imposed by the theorist.
Ontology essentially poses the question of what, exactly, it is the theorist is examining. One must consider the very nature of reality. The answer usually falls in one of three realms depending on whether the theorist sees the phenomena through the lens of a realist, nominalist, or social constructionist. Realist perspective views the world objectively, believing that there is a world outside of our own experience and cognitions. Nominalists see the world subjectively, claiming that everything outside of one’s cognitions is simply names and labels. Social constructionists straddle the fence between objective and subjective reality, claiming that reality is what we create together.
Epistemology is an examination of how the theorist studies the chosen phenomena. In studying epistemology, objective knowledge is said to be the result of a systematic look at the causal relationships of phenomena. This knowledge is usually attained through use of the scientific method. Scholars often think that empirical evidence collected in an objective manner is most likely to reflect truth in the findings. Theories of this ilk are usually created to predict a phenomenon. Subjective theory holds that understanding is based on situated knowledge, typically found using interpretative methodology such as ethnography and interviews. Subjective theories are typically developed to explain or understand phenomena in the social world.
Axiology is concerned with what values drive a theorist to develop a theory. Theorists must be mindful of potential biases so that they will not influence or skew their findings (Miller, 21-23).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------COMPREHENDING CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Every country or region within a country has a unique common heritage, joint experience, and shared learning that produces its culture.This background gives its members a complex system of cultural values, traits, morals, and customs.It teaches them how to behave, it conditions their reactions.

Individualism
Americans believe in individualism, an attitude of independence and freedom from control. They think that initiative and self-assertion result in personal achievement. They believe in individual action and personal responsibility and they desire a large degree of freedom in their personal lives.
Other cultures emphasize belonging to organizations, groups, and teams; they encourage acceptance of group values, duties, and decisions. They typically resist independence because it fosters competition and confrontation instead of consensus. In group-oriented cultures like that of Japan, for example, self assertion and individual decisions are discouraged. “The nail that sticks up gets pounded down” is a common Japanese saying. Business decisions are often made by all who have competence in the matter under discussion. In China managers also focus on the group rather than on the individual, preferring a “consultative’ management style over an autocratic style.

Formality
Americans place less emphasis on tradition, ceremony, and social rules than do people in some other cultures. They dress casually and are soon on a first-name basis with others. Their lack of formality is often characterized by directness. In business dealings Americans come to the point immediately; indirectness, they feel, wastes time, a valuable commodity.
This informality and directness may be confusing abroad. in Mexico, for example, a typical business meeting begins with handshakes, coffee, and an expansive conversation about the weather, sports, and other light topics. An invitation to “get down to business’ might offend a Mexican executive. In Japan signing documents and exchanging business cards are important rituals. In Europe first names are never used without invitation. In Arab, South American, and Asian cultures, a feeling of friendship and kinship must be established before business can be transacted.

Communication Style
Americans value straightforwardness, are suspicious of evasiveness and distrust people who might have a “hidden agenda” or who “play their cards too close to the chest.” Americans also tend to be uncomfortable with silence and impatient delays. Some Asian businesspeople have learned that the longer they delay negotiations, the more concessions impatient Americans are likely to make.
Americans also tend to use and understand words literally. Latins, on the other hand, enjoy plays on words; Arabs and South Americans sometimes speak with extravagant or poetic figures of speech that may be misinterpreted if taken literally; Nigerians prefer a quiet, clear form of expression; Germans tend to be direct but understated

Change
In cultures shaped by Western religious values, change is a phenomenon that can be influenced and even controlled. Change is accepted and planned for.In other cultures change is perceived as inevitable, the natural evolution of devout Moslems, for example, planning for the future is sacrilegious because such plans might circumvent the will of Allah.

Time Orientation
Americans consider time a precious commodity to be conserved. They correlate time with productivity, efficiency, and money. Keeping people waiting for business appointments wastes time and is also rude.
In other cultures time may be perceived as an unlimited and never-ending resource to be enjoyed. An American businessperson, for example, was kept waiting two hours past a scheduled appointment time in Latin America. She wasn’t offended, though, because she was familiar with Hispanics’ more relaxed concept of time.
Although Asians are punctual, their need for deliberation and contemplation sometimes clashes with our desire for speedy decisions. They do not like to be rushed. A Japanese businessperson considering the purchase of American appliances, for example, asked for 5 minutes to consider the salesperson’s proposal. The potential buyer crossed his arms, sat back, and closed his eyes in concentration. A scant 18 seconds later, the American launched into sales pitch to the obvious bewilderment of the Japanese.

Cultivating the Right Attitude

Being aware of your own culture and how it contrasts with others is an important first step in preventing intercultural misunderstanding. Avoiding ethnocentrism and stereotyping while developing tolerance further helps business communicators overcome cultural barriers

Avoiding ethnocentrism. The belief in the superiority of one’s own race is known as ethnocentrism, a natural attitude inherent to all cultures. If you were raised in America, the values described previously probably seem “right” to you, and you may wonder why the rest of the world doesn’t function under the same sensible rules. An American businessperson in an Arab or Asian country might feel irritated at time spent over coffee or other social rituals before any “real’ business is transacted. In these cultures, however, personal relationships must be established and nurtured before credible negotiations may proceed.

Ethnocentrism causes us to judge others by own values. We expect others to react as we would, and they expect us to behave as they would. Misunderstandings naturally result. An American who wants to set a deadline for completion of a negotiation is considered pushy by an Arab. That same Arab, who prefers a handshake to a written contract, is seen as naïve and possibly untrustworthy by the American. These ethnocentric reactions can be reduced through knowledge of other cultures and development of flexible, tolerant attitudes.

Developing tolerance. Working among people from different cultures demands tolerance and acceptance of diversity. People with closed views cannot look beyond their own ethnocentrism. But as global markets expand and as our own society becomes increasingly multiethnic tolerance becomes especially significant. Some job descriptions now include statements such as “ Must be able to interact with ethnically diverse personnel.”

To improve tolerance, practice empathy. This means trying to see the world through another’s eyes. It means being nonjudgmental, recognizing things as they are rather than as they “should be.” It includes the ability to accept others’ contributions in solving problems in a culturally appropriate manner. When Kal Kan Foods began courting the pets of Japan, for example, an Asian advisor suggested that the meat chunks in its Pedigree dog food be cut into perfect little squares. Why? Japanese pet owners feed their dogs piece by piece with chopsticks. Instead of insisting on what “should be” (feeding dogs chunky meat morsels), Kal Kan solved the problem by looking at it from another cultural point of view (providing neat small squares).

In business transactions Americans usually assume that economic factors are the primary motivators of people. It’s wise to remember, though, that strong cultural influences are also at work. Saving face, for example, is important in many parts of the world. Because Americans value honesty and directness, they come right to the point and “tell it like it is .” Mexicans and Asians, on the other hand, are more concerned with preserving social harmony and saving face. They are indirect and go to great lengths to avoid the offense of saying no. The Japanese, in fact, have 16 different ways to avoid an outright no. The empathic listener recognizes the language of refusal and pushes no further.

Being tolerant also involves patience. If a foreigner is struggling to express and idea in English, avoid the temptation to finish the sentence and provide the word that you presume is wanted. When we put words in their mouths, our foreign friends often smile and agree out of politeness, but our words may in fact not express their thoughts. Thus, our impatience may prevent us from learning the communicator’s true thoughts. Remaining silent is another means of exhibiting tolerance. Instead of filling every lapse in conversation. Americans should recognize that in Asian cultures people deliberately use periods of silence for reflection and contemplation.

Moving beyond stereotypes. Our perception of other cultures sometimes cause us to form stereotypes about groups of people. A stereotype is an oversimplified pattern applied uncritically. For example, the Swiss are hard-working, efficient and neat; Germans are formal, reserved, and blunt; Americans are loud, but may accurately describe cultural norms, but when applied to individual business communicators, such stereotypes create misconceptions and cause misunderstandings. When you meet and work with people from other cultures, remember that they, too resent being stereotyped. Look beneath surface stereotypes and labels to discover individual personal qualities.Key in XENOPHOBIA for related notes on ethnocentrism

END

BCOE5 0916A Communications Management 1

M1 COMMUNICATION MODELS

How does communication take place?The process of communication begins when the SENDER (person who wants to send an idea) encodes the idea in a message.
The medium over which the message is physically transmitted is the channel.Message can be delivered by speech, writing, gestures (body-language) or even pictures.
The individual for whom the message is intended is the receiver.
Translating the message from its symbol form into meaning involves decoding.Feedback helps the sender know that the message was received and understood.Figure 1Sender has ideaSender encodes idea in messageMessage travels over channelReceiver decodes messageFeedback from receiver

7.2 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

1. The communication process is successful only when the receiver understands the message as intended by the sender.
2. Most message that we send reach their destination but many are only partially understood.3. These barriers happen at any stage in the process of communication.

Misunderstanding of communications can be due to the following.
1. By passingBy passing happens when people miss each other with their meanings (meanings are not similar).
2. Frame of ReferenceEverything you see and feel in the world is translated through your individual frame of reference. This frame is formed by a combination of your experiences, education, culture, expectations, attitudes etc.
3. Lack of language skillEach individual needs an adequate vocabulary, a command of basic punctuation and grammar, and skills in written and oral expression.
4. Lack of listening skillsInattention to oral messages often prevents us from hearing the clearly.
5. Emotional InterferenceShaping an intelligent message is difficult when you are feeling joy, fear, sadness, hostility or some other strong emotion.
6. Physical DistractionsNoisy surroundings, a poor telephone connection, poor printing and typographical errors can cause barriers to communications.

Communication Models***Click for hyperlinks

Contents
The Advantages of Models
Limitations of ModelsClassical Communication Models
Aristotle’s definition of rhetoric
Aristotle’s model of proof
Bitzer’s Rhetorical SituationEarly Linear Models
The Shannon-Weaver Mathematical Model, 1949
Berlo’s S-M-C-R, 1960
Schramm’s Interactive Model, 1954
Non-linear ModelsDance’s Helical Spiral, 1967
Westley and MacLean’s Conceptual Model, 1957
Becker’s Mosaic Model, 1968
Multidimensional ModelsRuesch and Bateson, Functional Model, 1951
Barnlund’s Transactional Model, 1970
Suggestions for Communication ModelsSystemic Model of Communication, 1972
Brown’s Holographic Model, 1987
A Fractal Model
Suggested Readings

NB
Also read up on Cicero,Sophists and ancient Greek orators

END

The Night Reigns.

This is 1 of the good quotes from my sales tips books:

"If you do not swallow your pride and you try to tough it out in an area where you lack the skill, knowledge or experience, you will exponentially increase the likelihood of failing."-Dave Lorenzo.

Yes, try to tough it out on somewhere or something you don't know, likely you will fail. So, swallow your pride and ask, or clarify. At least you be a fool for a minute, than to be one, forever.


The daze of my recent 1st ICT was practically over. Seriously slacking. But one good thing is, it gave me some valuable new networks, and also allowed me to regurgitate memories of the time i went into outfield, how we, the Commandos were inserted into deployment sites etc. The EU (Electronic Unit) that i was sent to play, had reinforced my understanding of the mission. This also reinforces our combat readiness. Initially the first 2 days i was indifferent with the EU, mind kind of sleepy then. Eventually, i got hold of the concept and it was over. Good god.

After the ICT period was over, I joined a friend for his education event talk conducted by him and his uncle, to gain some exposure. Good, there is no such things as memory lost, but informations overload, his uncle said. But then i came up with my own theory that there is another thing such as temporary memory halt, or memory freeze. This probably was due to the the lack of sleep, or/and/plus the fear of unfamiliarity of surrounding, and the uneasiness of unknown people around you, causing you a temporary inferiority complex, a nervous breakdown and memory halt. However, this will need to be overcome through self accustomisation.

Learning psychology is a skill. Well, if i have the time and extra money, i'll probably go for a Certificate or Diploma in Psychology counselling, as it is an interesting subject.

As an impatient and getting things to be done promptly with, person, waiting for my Degree's Letter of Acceptance took about 2 full months to arrive. I was exempted one module from the Bachelor of Communications(Com Mgt). And i am quite contented with it, though i was hoping for 2, which makes up a nice figure 10. Whatever it is, i'm gonna focus them well and strike them hard again.

The next thing is that i hope my income will keep flowing, despite all the sidelines, freelance and part time jobs i undertake staggeredly. Indeed, in the time of recession, finding an ideal full time job is hard. But what's most important for the time being is to suck thumb and expect a low pay, a pay as low as we can really bear to be with, however with a benchmark, and then work and gain our experiences up in the field of our jobs. Once we become experience in the field, we will become a valuable asset to our next better company. That is my theology. Nevertheless, i'll keep trying, unless i see my sideline organization succeed so well that it exceed my expectations, else I will probably still need look for a full time job.

Shalom~

Comment on how to improve Direct Marketing Campaign.

Mail to Mr. Right:

There's a simple but very clear distinction between junk mail and direct mail.
- target the people that who signed up would be a good place to start
- if it is a list ,1st job is to make a call to make a researcher see whether it is the right person that you have been looking for; even if you are using the old list, it is still worth for a telephone call to check for your customer’s information if it is up to date !


Boost Your Letter:

Once you've found out whom to send your letter to, your next step is to make sure that your letter works to its maximum effect. Write it as a one-on-one dialogue. Beware of using industry lingo that your prospect may not understand. Keep your paragraphs short and sweet ;No more than seven lines. Break up your letter into clearly defined subheads. And keep it to two pages in length.


Make All Your Copy Benefit-Oriented:

List the benefits so they are easy to understand. And remember that a benefit is a lot different than a feature. Features do not have the clout that benefits do.


Make an Impact:

Your mail piece must stick out from all the rest. Try to catch their attention, peak their curiosity, and urge them to open the packet, the better.
For example, can include Post-it notes or candy (but never candy that could melt!). Make it even more appealing by relating the offer or offer message.
Whatever you insert, make the message clear, make it novel, make it fun, make it useful, and make it one that leaves a warm fuzzy feeling ;not confetti. All that does is leave a mess!


Till then!

Review: Old Town Cafe

The Old Town Cafe is situated at Jurong Point's new extension, just before the NTUC Fair Price Xtra. Initially, my friend and I was just wanting to have a cup of Old Town White coffee, and probably, a Kaya toast, at there. Little did i know that it offers much more than that. It serves from Noodles to all kinds of buns, breads and toasts, similar to Hong Kong Cafe, for those who enjoy it. However i did not really take a good look at the menu, as i was not intending for a full meal. The menu style looks similar to Hong Kong Cafe,and the way of ordering is also similar(by stating onto the menu's quatity).

What impressed me was the simple kaya toast(The standard kaya with butter). It's simply delicious. And then a cup of Old town white ice coffee was good too. I had 2 pieces of the simple toast while my friend had 1 piece,and a bottle of mineral water. However there is a GST charge. Eventually,i paid for the bill of $8.00 for me and my friend. Not too bad,i thought.

Recommended: 4/5.

Review: Movie Paul Blart Mall Cop.

Movie: Paul Blart, Mall Cop is a hilarious movie featuring Paul Blart(Kelvin James), who somehow had low blood sugar. He is an overweight single dad living with her daughter and mother, and had not manage to pass out from the Police Academy, since his low blood sugar affected his performance. He becomes a Security officer in a Los Angeles Mall who's serious at his work while the rest of his colleagues lazed around. He falls in love with a push cart lady named Amy.

A new security officer who looks indifferent, partner Paul Blart at the mall duty. One night, he reveals his true identity as the Gang Leader and took over the mall with the gang of his thugs,while Blart was busy playing at the Arcade, discreetly. When he realised that the Mall was taken over by the gang of terrorists, he made his way to escape out of the Mall. But realising that the lady(Amy) he admires, may still be inside and could be held as one of the hostages, he decided to toughen up, and take matter into his own hand, while police officers are on the standby. Series of funny actions and events continue as he took down the terrorists one by one on his own.

Catch this movie, if you are in for a light hearted good laugh!


My Rating : 4/5 Stars.

The University of Life(Personal).

Here's in March,a Friday 13th, consecutively from last month February, also a Friday 13th. The next one this year will be on November. Nevertheless, it does not have a great impact on my life. It can be a negative day for many. But to some, it is the opposite. Yes, it does made a good day for some. We do not know why. However, we heard it, and at some Friday 13th, i felt it too. You got to feel it for yourself to make the judgement.

Also this month, there are many March babies that i saw and came across; my classmates, grandmother, uncle and of course, myself. I would said that alot of changes begins usually around March,but let's not elaborate further. Anyway, im officially graduating from my Adv Diploma on April Fool. The next round will be the degree. The challenge has not yet end, but i love the fight, the achievements. Only thing is that in finance wise, i got to seek a way. In love, im still in a kindergarten level.

In fact, i've come a long way, so long that it seems like i've wasted many years of youth, just to keep pursuing to achieve a degree status, and remained poor at mid 20s. But you can't said that i'm fully poor, and without doing anything. In fact, i had worked for a year. I've earned approximately 2.3k per month in my 1st year, and personally owns a car for a short period of 1 year before i decided to throw everything away, to trade off for a good study investment.

I too,have a business. But without some luck, it could not achieve my desire result. In fact,im looking at all viable ways to make money that can attain both job and self-satisfactions. In fact, im even aiming higher, one last paper to achieve is to get a Master degree. PHD? Not unless i got a 'Permanent Head Damage'.haha. But to get a Master degree, it will have to proportion with the timeline to my career, my financial ability, and the journey to seeking a love of my life first.

And what is not possible? As long as it proportion with the timeline, everything is possible. But to attain everything in a less than expected timeline, or even accelerate faster, one will have to do a trade off. There is no everything together. If there is, then we are really brilliant,energetic, full of luck and positive energy, and perhaps, in the channel of God's blessings.

The curiosity, eagerness to learn, the dare to risk attitude and the need for cognition allows me to see through many things in life which one may not have seen or encounter yet. But of course, there are also many avenues or areas of life which i've missed out. There goes the same for all the people in this world.

Well, in our family linkage, everyone in our Y generation is strongly encourage to attain at least a degree. Therefore this plays a part as a sort of competition and as an added motivation for us to achieve.

Many years back, my uncle once said that "Nowadays, a degree is just like a kindergarten cert", albeit this may sound exaggerating and amusing, we did not rule out that a "Degree" nowadays is the "Basic" or "minimum", at least for many of us. In fact, almost a decade back, people will said that a Diploma is the "minimum". Of course, me and my sister are independent enough to set a target to achieve this without much problem. And it is our own hope and pride to achieve this, without the need for our parents or uncles or aunties or grandmother to said that to us.

In fact, when young, i regretted not doing well in my express Os. So bad that it could not beat most. The rest of the years i choose to erase them from my memory. However, when i attained a private Diploma, i was really joyful for the attainment.

Right now, i'm almost done with my 2 Adv Diplomas, one in Business Management, last module for Financial Management, and the Oral presentation for Mass Communications. Proportioned with the timeline for both, I chose to cross train and armed myself with this 2 Adv Diplomas because i love to learn, and i know that it could stretch my sight further than anyone could. In fact, like myself, my younger sis also has 2 Diplomas, one in Hairstyling, and one in Business Management. And she's doing Degree in Marketing,that's faster than myself, given my choice to balance and proportioned the timeline to doing 2 advance Diplomas.

But true to the fact, i realised that there are too many people studying Business and Marketing related. Too saturated, i would say. It'll make a great competition, although luck and interview performance also plays a part, in seeking entry level jobs. However base on personal experience, although some jobs do not emphasize seeking entry level or require experiences, but added advantage will be given to those who have relevant experience. So where do we gain the relevant experience if employers do not gives us this chance? There are some companies that play smart and consider this factors. And with that, they set a solutions on a win-win situation, hire all entry level personnel(usually sales related), but with lower basic pay,indeed, then plus commissions. However, once you acquire this relevant experiences or skills, you will be valuable to your next better company, and then they will re-hire other new entry level personnel again.

For me, i choose to study Communications related, as it will be in demand for the field of Media and Communications related in the near future. If the industry does not favour entry level personnel, then months of internship will be imperative.

Good day~!

Management Development Institute of Singapore(MDIS).

Here's Some of the degree courses in MDIS i've endorsed:

Bachelor of Communications(Communication Management):



Bachelor of Science(Hon) in Marketing:



Bachelor of Science(Hon) in Business and Marketing:



Bachelor of Arts(with liberal studies in Mass Communications):



You can click on any banners and search for the courses you want, no need to be the specific banners of your course choices.

Dear Forex Traders

I have to let u all try this. Perhaps many of u Forex traders have already done this, and i'm sure you all are pretty rich by now! For those Forex traders who haven't come across this Forex Robot call the "FAP Turbo", i urged u all to spend some times to take a look,and see for urself if it is worth ur investments. Perhaps, life will never be the same again, for u current investors!

Here's below two banners for u all to link through, and a sample of account for u all to see. Enjoy!

The power of dreams.

Dreams; they can highlight our wishes and our fears, help to expose problems which we cannot consciously face,foretell our coming triumphs or disasters. In the bible, they said "Young men see visions,while old men dream". So it seems like most of us are old men at heart. lol.

So, what are dreams? Through the past centuries, dreams were defined as "states of consciousness occurring during sleep".

I had a vivid dream like never before yesterday. It somehow took place in a realm of fantasy. Somehow the idea of "Around the world in 80 days" took place. The characters are actually, myself, my sister, my mother,and a couple of children and a dog. We took a specially created giant box, probably 100 times more gigantic than the giant basket shown below, which works similar to a hot hair balloon. And there we went, floating metres on top of the highest building(which is not significantly high in the fantasy setting),and flying around, with my heart fearing the flight stability. I was the only one holding on, pulling down and up the bar rod to generate the pumping of the hydraulic, in order to maintain the flight. I was somehow the flight controller, the flight captain.

Finally,we landed, and we explored around with the dog clinging and scratching onto a side metal of the seemingly bumper car ground. And then my mother went over to a counter, after an attendant asking her to take some packets of special "Nescafe" in the usual red cover transparent containers that we see,and there she took a few packets. We made our way around the play land...and then with this dreams goes on, it suddenly transcended me to another place where i was at a "Dojo"(Martial arts training hall), supposedly wanting to meet the Dojo Sensei(teacher), who wasn't around,but his students were present. From that point, i guess i woked up....

Having pleasant dreams can make your day and mood feels more pleasant, but having a bad dream can irks you, or dreams of violence such as murder or murder involving your family or anyone you know, gives u a kind of momentary phobia for the day. However dreams are interpretive through the uses of Dreams dictionary.

If you have a Dream dictionary at home, and you can remember your dream(s), be it vivid or vague, you'll be surprise to discover in the Dream dictionary the associated meaning of the objects,animals or human in your dreams that are linked. For examples, if u dream of a "Dog", and it is a happy dog, the dream dictionary may tell you that it signifies "Happy time and pleasure with friends". And then when you have children or family together in the dream, you check for "Children", it will tell u it signifies happiness in business interest or domestical affair. And then you check for "Family", it tells you it means general upswing in all your interest. This associated meaning are interpreted as positive and happy,probably related to your personal or business interest.

The other times, i checked the Dream dictionary for a couple of animals in my dreams,and found out that the different animals somehow appear with associated meaning, through the interpretation of the dream dictionary. It is a negative interpretation though.

In general, I see this association of interpretations of dreams from the Dream dictionary not mere coincident,but a miracle.

Almost a decade back, i had this problem of playing this VCD. At that time, i was finding ways to play it, as it seems there is a function or code to set, before i could watch this VCD. I almost gave up, until i had this dream. I dreamt of using my that own particular VCD player, looked for the "PBC" mode and set it. When i woke up, i and went over to the player, and indeed, i saw the "PBC" mode and set it. Eventually my VCD works. Sometimes dreams are so intrigue...

Somehow they said, dreams are the opposite of reality. That would be good, when one had a nightmare or negative dreams, then this theory will be of good adoption for them.

Perhaps,everyone dream for a reason. But whatever the dream is, let's not be affected by it in our daily lives.

What will you defend?

Friday 13 Feb, a day some people will deem it a good day, a day some, will say is a bad day.

Sat 14 Feb, Valentine's day for couples all over the world to express or re-express their loves for their next halves.

Sunday 15 Feb, a Total Defence day of the nation. It is hard to come by with the consecutive run of the 3 days that are being placed in line together.

"What will you defend?", a tagline marked for this year's total defence. Total defence, with five aspects namely, social, psychological, economic, civil and military. This is the 25th years of the Total defence day.

Our Organisation had organised our first Ladies self defense at CSC Tessensohn,a 3 hours basic workshop for the ladies. The theme planned by myself was the "Valentine's morning self-defense". However,forgotten about 15 Feb, i could have made it more relevant; To set it on Sunday, a Self defense for ladies, to play part of the Total defence.

So what will you defend? As a patriot, and once a Commando, and in the Auxiliary Police Force, the first common thing that comes to my brain was, to defend the country? To defence our nation's security? Well, however there are many immediate avenue of vulnerability in our lives that we need to tap on, to strike a balance, than to just keep ourselves focus on defending one point, and forgot about our back, or anywhere where there may be a loophole for a kill that we forget to cover ourselves from. So I will defend 2 points, which is myself pychologically, and my family. If u were to be able to defend yourself psychologically, u will have no problem in defending ur family, or the nation. I'll let u play with the logics.

In the investments for the military defense, a long term defence planning and capability build up become clear when one considers that the combat capabilities deployed for various missions took years of steady investments to raise, train and sustain. The theme " We dare" is the slogan for our SAF Commando Special Operations Force(SOF), one of the Commandos Formation's Elite Unit, with a Special breed of men, a cut above the rest".

A case where the SOF stormed Singapore Airlines flight SQ 117 at Changi Airport on 26 March 1991 and saved 123 crews and passengers. Four Pakistani Hijackers had demanded for the release of their compatriots from jail, and if demands were not met, 1 hostage will be killed every 10 minutes. They gave the authorities a short 5 minutes to decide what to do. With that,the authorities need less than that timing. With 3 minutes into the countdown, the SOF settled the issue. The zealous SOF Commandos stormed the Airbus and withine 30 seconds, shot dead all four Pakistani hijackers. Perhaps the Pakistani Hijackers had undermined Singapore's Counter-terrorism preparations, and thus was ownself outwitted. At that time, the Police STARs were heard to be there as well, to standby and lent their secondary support.

The operation codenamed Thunderbolt, marked the 1st time the SAF resolved a hijacking with deadly force.

Total defence is of paramount important. Looking at the crisis in the recent years,such as SARs. A combine effort of pulling together as a nation psychologically, working to keep the economy running and living together as a cohesive, gracious and compassionate society helped the nation combat and overcome the challenges of the situation.

The civil defense is also task to do front line rescue missions on any situation that may arise, such as fire break out, building collapse, where search and rescue teams are highly ultilised. The SAF has also sent their Construction Engineering Team(CET) of soldiers to Afganistan to help facilitate in supervising the constructions of schools and the medical team to assist in the Medical Care centre in Afganistan. The Police are important in upholding law and security, and response to immediate crime situations of the society. The Prison, a place of rehabilation, trains and equip inmates with relevant skills and study, added good point for them to have a new lease of life when release.

Every objectives of the forces are good and contributes to the good will of our Singaporeans.

I'm neverthelss proud of our Singapore's government's planning and objectives, and hope that in times to pass, we come together and overcome this period of recession.

Singapore has tapped it's reserves, have you even create yours?

Singapore has unveiled a massive S$20.5 billion plan in its 2009 Budget to help Singaporeans keep jobs and viable companies stay afloat. Thinking of that, i was lucky not to tap on my personal reserve during this time of recession.

And for the first time, the government will be dipping into its reserves to draw S$4.9 billion to fund two temporary and extraordinary measures. They are the Jobs Credit and a Special Risk—Sharing Initiative.

The government will help employers with their wage bills by giving a 12 per cent cash grant on the first S$2,500 earned by each employee on the CPF payroll.

The scheme, called Jobs Credit, is for a year and will be paid out very quarter, starting from March.

This will be equivalent to a nine percentage point cut to the Central Provident Fund (CPF).

So retrenchment will be made the last resort.

But will this fully work? Perhaps not. Because with 12 per cent cash grant, if the company has come to the depth of non-profiteering, they would still rather retrench,shut down, or vice versa, to save on 100%.

However, this scheme does help to a certain point, in retaining manpower through paying less CPF to the government, and this will mean paying overall lesser salaries to employees. This nevertheless does help to cut cost. Depending on the ratio of the company's strength to their earning, this can be of a great help, or little help, or of no help at all.

One thing i'm not sure about, are all MNC/SME companies in Singapore included? I mean companies such as US Merril Lynch, RHB, or any other overseas investments banks located in Singapore, are they inclusive?

Profiteering companies in Singapore also shared the same priviledges, of getting the job credit scheme. Although this may sounds abit annoying, it is cited by one official that it has to help everyone in times of need, to share and balance the society with unbianess towards all companies in Singapore. And if a Profiteering company, though does not need help, the job credit scheme is to help to maintain the company's strength, to prevent any future adverse effect of the company's decision to retrench one or few of it's staffs.

Base on all these, let's hope the economy will recover in times to come.

Learning point from to government is, even for individual like us, we need to have a 'personal reserve fund' for ourselves, an untapped fund place in the bank for us to use, only for "Rainy" seasons. The best thing is not to tap on the reserve fund,and let it grow as long as possible. Should we need, we will only tap a very small portion of it once awhile, and make sure we place an input now and then back into our reserve fund to let it grow, perhaps, to even see a 'surplus' of our every intended amount saved.

Right now, I'll have to take my leave. Take care!

Let this nation not be other people's nation.

The job market in Singapore is always competitive. Eg, 1 vacancy can be applied by almost up to 30 people. So what is the chances of getting an ideal job in Singapore? Unless u lower ur expectation, have a friend who can recommend u a job,and also doesn't mind a job which most people won't do. Well, u got the job! Luck and opportunity is also important, in fact. Despite having a technical recession, i haven't got the real pinch of it. Reasons: I'm still taking my studies.

Now one way is, lower the expectation(in pay wise), treat the job that you got,as a stepping stones, take it easy and then find a better one,when opportunity strikes. I see that our nation is saturated with more and more foreigners. Everywhere you walk, on the road...and in the Mrt, u will see people from our forefather's country. Let's hope that our nation won't become our next forefather's country. If not, more and more capable Singaporeans will migrate to other country,and leave Singapore to become an un-original singapore.

It is quite true that for Companies, they are likely happier to engage a foreign worker than a local one,because foreign workers are able to receive a lower pay,as compared to our local worker. This cut cost for a company. Company will always have their own best interest at heart.

Yes,certain jobs like retail, or lower end job, with now more and more Singaporeans are higher educated, and expect more money(literacy rate in Singapore is 95.7%), these type of full time retail or retail F & B type of job are better for foreign workers. If a local were to take up these jobs, the jobs are likely temporary or part time to them. And for higher end job, yes, foreign expats(talents) are needed, but not so much of them. In fact, base on empirical study, not all foreign talents are really who they are. They may not be better than a local graduate staff in Singapore. But because of their status, they have to be appointed somewhat high. But when economic is bad, they will be the 1st one to go,given a less than 24 hours notice.

Likewise, come to think of it, if a foreign talents can come to Singapore and work for our economy, capable singaporeans,if deemed not as capable as the foreign talents, can also try go over to other country and become their foreign talents.

These, I catergorise into 2 types:

1, We work in other higher end country as a lower ended pay, just like those foreign staffs who can works in our companies, offices with lower pay,of course.(Not those front line staffs like retail or F & B).

2, If we are good enough, we work in other lower end country as a foreign expat(talent), just like those foreigners or caucasions that work in our country.

I heard some people from our forefather's country(china) claimed that they do not really want to work in Singapore, but use it as a stepping stone,to move to overseas to work instead. So why did our government still treat them so well, by bonding them free scholarship to study in NTU/NUS,and secure their jobs for 3 years, where Singaporeans have to hunt for jobs in this competitive market themselves?

Are we really a 1st class citizen? Maybe not so....

However, in job wise,there are always certain jobs which can earn high pay,and with good,if not, neutral prospect. Not all fields have equal opportunity.
For eg, if u become a lecturer, your pay can go as high as 10k or even more, but after 2 decades, ur appointment is still a lecturer. Though it is stagnant,but base on the pay,it can last u long enough, you won't really mind staying as a lecturer, do you?
Compare to a blue uniformed officer, if you were to draw 2k plus per month, likely in 10 years time, u can draw up to 4kplus or 5k,or perhaps,much higher,depending on ur rank and promotion,which is always there,and deemed as a good prospect.
So which is better?

Ultimately, live ur passion. So not every field are equal. If u compare the above two, 2nd one; with pay always rise(more than 5k,but less than 10k),and rank promotions, the pay still cannot beat the 1st one; with less promotions and appointments, but the pay is high(lecturer).


Good day,and Happy Chinese New Year~!