Learning about self-improvement from dog psychology

I came across this wonderful conversation between Cesar Millan and Eckhart Tolle.

Eckhart Tolle was interviewing Cesar Millan about dog psychology and behaviour and commented that Cesar’s approach and philosophy towards dogs are quite applicable to humans.

Cesar Millan said that the sequence of his interaction with dogs starts with gaining trust, followed by respect, then loyalty and lastly, love or showing affection.

The ultimate goal is love. Yet, the first thing to work on is trust and respect which can sometimes seems unloving.

I find that with human interactions, it is often easier to do things to please people instead of gaining trust and respect. Of course sometimes these would overlap but there are times when it is important to point out the unpleasant in order to prevent a disaster or failure.

Here is the interview:

Poster for Chinese Theatre Festival

A good poster is everything to the marketing and promotion of an event.

I like this poster for the Chinese Theatre Festival (华文小剧场节).

It is whimsical and possesses an air of fantasy to it. Look closer and one realizes that the image is composed of elements from all 4 shows staged for the Festival. They are:

1. 《唱•戏》 Tell tales Sing songs
2. 《快乐王子》 The Happy Prince
3. 《一眼思泪》 Am I Crying
4. 《阿Q后传》 The story after Ah Q

Synopsis available at http://www.practice.org.sg/ctfticketed

Benjamin Zander

I first heard and saw Benjamin Zander when I was working at the National Library, Singapore.

He was a very entertaining and inspiring speaker and presenter. His uniqueness lies in his ability to use classical music to explain leadership principles.

I came across this 20-minute presentation he gave at TED2008. Enjoy!

I need some vitamins for memory

Have you ever left your keys hanging at your mailbox?

Bryan said, “Amazing how people forget to even REMOVE their keys from the mailbox.”

He wasn’t referring to me but I had left my keys after getting the mail and forgot all about them. Boy, do I need vitamins for memory.

I was browsing some photos on flickr when I chanced upon this photo and it brought back to mind this embarrassing incident that happened to me several years ago.

I was coming back from work and it was almost always my responsibility to get the mail from the mailbox. Perhaps my hands were full or I was really preoccupied. I didn’t even realized that I have left my keys hanging from the mailbox door when I promptly walked off with the mail.

I had no problem getting into the house because the front door was open. My mum had came home just slightly before me and hadn’t locked the door. Without needing to use my keys, I still didn’t notice them missing.

It wasn’t until several hours later that there was a soft knock at the door. A shy Indian gentleman was at the door holding my keys. He said he noticed it hanging from my mailbox and thought it better to bring it up for me in case it was taken by dishonest people.

I was so embarrassed.

When my siblings came to know about it, they shook their heads so hard and gave me such an earful. Well, they have every right to do so because their personal safety and belongings in the house were put at risk because of my absent-mindedness. They determined that I need some memory vitamins, something to give the brain a boost.

I agree! Any good suggestions?

How To Change A Tire?

Do you know how to change a tire?

The discussion over the radiowaves this morning was about driving training and testing in Singapore. Apparently, the parking segment of the practical driving test is going to be modified. The guiding posts are going to be removed altogether. This means that candidates must be able to park into their designated lot without the visual aids.

Most callers to the programme responded that this is a good move. There are no poles in actual car parks. How are candidates who were taught to use the poles as a guide during practice rounds and tests going to manage in a real carpark? A few of my friends who had received their driving licences do not want to drive because they KNOW they will not be able to park the car? I wonder how they passed?

The general consensus was that driving practice and test should mirror real-life situations. At this point, one of the DJs muses why “How to change a tire” isn’t in the curriculum. The other DJ commented that it should be quite simple. Just jack up the car, unscrew the nuts and remove the tire.

Sounds quite right to me.

The response from listeners to this piece of information was swift. WRONG!!!

So what’s the right way?

This video shows how a lady changed a tire.

Want a more detailed, text-based instructions with photos? Here’s how a Singaporean lady changed a tyre.

The only thing the sporty lady didn’t mention is putting the hazard lights on and placing the triangle a safe distance behind the car. I think it is important, if you are doing this on an open road or even expressway, to signal to other drivers that there is someone standing, squatting or sitting next to the car. In case they come too close and run you over.

After all that has been said, I would probably have called the Automobile Association of Singapore’s 24-hour Roadside Assistance Services. It is free for AA members and include the following services:

1. Vehicle jumpstart/ restart
2. Flat tyre change (replace with your spare tyre)
3. Battery replacement*
4. Petrol top-up*
5. Towing

So now I know how to change a tire or at least who to call if I need a tire changed.

小学三年级

我经常和朋友说我的中文写作能力只有小学三年级的程度。意思浅浅。华文不好。

四月间为了访问武汉大学图书馆，花了近一个月的时间把几十张英文的幻灯片翻成华文。差点要了我的命。一个老友有一天不经意的说我写的中文字还是那么丑。我觉得还不错，经他一说，不禁有点泄气。

写是不行了。不过读，说和听还可以吧。

前天晚上还念了几首唐诗给姐姐听呢。还记得那是中学一年级的时候学的。当时不懂老师的心意还以为在刁难我们。 现在为了还能背几首唐诗而沾沾自喜。虽然受的是英文教育，现在工作也以英文为主，但还是比较喜欢读中文报，比较喜欢听华语歌。

毕竟是华人吧。 毕竟是母语吧。