Copter Game

INERTIA

currently slacking in the comforts of my home... yeah finally have the chance to be at home on a weekday!

i'm trying very hard to get STARTED on my portfolio for submission this saturday but realise my stuff are everywhere. some at home, some in studio and some in my laptop in my room. v disorganised. plus this throbbing headache i have, i really dun want to do my work. =P (lazy)

kinda dawned on me that exams are coming and i m suppose to study! but again, inertia - inertia to just stop in my tracks and rest, slack. hmmm.... gotta find a way to be more motivated.

Would appreciate it if you could shed some light on this horrible topic. Thanks


Compile the knowledge you gain throughout the course with additional materials, including newsworthy items from the popular press. Use these materials to put forward convincing arguments for and/or against the points you are asked to discuss. You are limited to a 2 page (i.e. 2 sides of one page or one side of two pages) answer (single spaced, font size 12). This does not include the cited literature.


(b) From SARS to the bird flu, explain how modern biology helps us to cope with the changing world.


Marking Scheme:
3 marks - relevance of entire essay to question asked
4 marks - originality and resources
3 marks - presentation

Put Down Powder Puff, Grab Weapons of Success
By Dawn Sagario, The Des Moines Register


I've come a long way from the stammering, blushing high school girl who stared at the ground when meeting new people.

But there are still times when that demure, accommodating, girly girl makes her presence known through the nuances of my communication style at work.

Women are taught as children to be sweet and nonaggressive - traits that are reinforced throughout their lifetimes, said Lois P. Frankel, author of "Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers" (Warner Books, 2004).

Women need to be advocates for themselves by playing up their strengths - like being nurturing, accommodating and good listeners - while also adding complementary behaviors, said Frankel, president of Corporate Coaching International in Pasadena, Calif.

"You don't have to be like a guy to get ahead in business, but you do have to be an adult woman," said Frankel, who is an executive coach.

One common mistake Frankel sees women make is couching statements as questions. By doing that, women hand over the power of decision-making to someone else, like the boss.

Instead of using phrases like, "Would it be all right if . . .," she suggests saying, "I just want to let you know ..." or "I've got this great idea that I'd like to move forward with, and I want to give you the heads-up on it."

Women, who tend to react more quickly than men, need to instead take some time to think about how to best handle a situation, said Maureen McCormick, director of the learning and development unit in the human resources department at the University of Iowa.

If a situation upset you, take an hour to evaluate what the best response is to attaining your goal, McCormick said. Maybe wait a day. "If you just react, you may do or say something you regret."

McCormick said women have become increasingly more assertive in the workplace, but are generally still more nonassertive then men.

Frankel's other suggestions for women include:

- Don't explain ad nauseam. Women look for clues like "mmm hmm" and head nods to ensure that the message they're trying to convey is getting through. When women don't get that reinforcement, "We make our point, we make it again, and make it again," she said. "The more words you use, the more you soften a message."

- Don't use minimizing words. If someone compliments you on a job well done, steer clear from saying, "It was nothing," or "I was really lucky." Instead say, "Thank you, I'm proud of what I achieved."

- Do go to meetings. Women often think that poorly run meetings are a waste of time, and that they can skip them in lieu of doing more productive tasks, Frankel said. Instead, meetings should be seen as a place to network and build relationships that can benefit you in the future.

- Don't apologize for other people's mistakes or misdirection. The boss gave you minimal instructions for a project. Once you've completed it, the boss says that it wasn't what he had in mind. Instead of saying, "I'm sorry," and minimizing your position, Frankel suggested, "Well, the instructions weren't clear to me. Tell me how you want it."

- Do get involved in office politics. Replace the word "politics" with "relationships," Frankel said. "That's what politics is - it's about building a relationship before you need it."

Skittish about the schmoozing? Try this: Schedule 10 minutes, every other day, to visit a colleague's office and have a "doorway conversation." Maybe you noticed her son's graduation picture on the desk; you can ask if he went on to college. Make more contacts by joining a professional association and getting on the membership committee. That will give you a chance to meet new members.

McCormick said a big problem for both men and women is being too afraid to put a request out there. Many mistakenly have a predetermined notion that they'll get shot down, before they even try asking.

Find a mentor and model your behavior after people with successful work communication skills, said Wendy Ford, interim director of the career center at the University of Iowa.

Know the possible negative impact of nonverbal communication - crossing your arms, rolling your eyes, putting your hands on your hips or rocking back on your heels, Ford said. Find venues to practice not only your oral and written communication skills, but your body language, too.

Women should also be aware of the level of professionalism their manner of dress projects, Ford said. Think about the level of professionalism associated with a top with a lower neckline versus a button-down blouse with a scarf.

In interviews, wear less jewelry and stick with a skirt that's no higher than just above your knees, she said. "You want to minimize distractions."

And don't forget the value of eye contact, and a good handshake: the two hands should meet solidly at the base of the thumbs. Don't extend just your fingers or cup the other person's hand.

McCormick said managers can be more assertive by giving employees specific feedback on how to improve work behaviors.

For example: Telling a worker, "You're being rude to customers," leaves too much up to interpretation. Try: "You need to look up at customers and say 'Good morning.' "

She said managers are increasingly recognizing the value of integrating traits into their management style typically viewed as feminine: being empathetic and supportive, listening effectively and coaching workers.

McCormick said that's resulted in men and women meeting in the middle: Women are becoming more assertive, while men are trying to be more empathetic.

i want to go vietnam...

...or thailand

...or maldives

...or bali

...or tibet

...or nepal

...or cambodia

...or hongkong

...or taiwan

...or japan (no $)

...or new zealand (no $ too)

oops... i accidentally posted an entry here when it's actually meant for my grp blog. =P

anyway, just rushed a geog report submission today. exhilarating! we were running all over. and we saw gd cooperation amongst grp members, considering how i was formatting, cheryl was typing n guoyi writing. phew... relieved.

spoke to my senior last nite (imagine a meeting in the morning at 3.15am). he was checking with me if i was going to be ok with being the hall float designer. now tt i recall, i realise i have never taken the initiative to say "yes i will take the responsibility". rather, it was him who kept coaxing me n telling me it's ok n possible. gosh...... tt seems to reflect my weakness n utter inability to reject such activities (meaning taxing but fun stuff tt will take away 2months of my life n vitality) even though i know i should really reject it.

I have so many things to do this hols! like...
learn driving! (i should stop using 'i hate ubi area' as an excuse)
travel with friends (hey who wants to go on a trip with me?? =P)
meet up with my dear old friends b4 aki takes away my social life completely!
dance! (yep i'm joining my NY + HCJC dance t'cher's dance troupe. we're having a concert at esplanade next year. finally some real dance in my area - cheena dance)
attachment with AAA (who haven't got back to us. *&!#)
MOVE HOUSE!!! i'm moving!! i wanna decorate my room!
chalet! i wanna book chalet n invite friends!

well i have thousands of things to do n my resolution just had to buckle under some persuasion... sheesh.... how indecisive can i get!