Dangers of Fireworks

Alright, saw a kid died on the news today due to fireworks.



THIS POST CONTAINS AN IMAGE OF AN ACTUAL FIRECRACKER INJURY.

If you feel it's uncomfortable or disgusting, disable the images or don't read this.




You may have known, firework accidents occur very more often in children under the age of 16. Today, I saw something on the newspaper about a 6 year old kid died as he got blasted 15 metres high (that's like about 4-5 storeys) and got entangled onto a tree. It seems that the fireworks stored in a building for the upcoming Hari Raya Puasa celebration went off in a big bang.










Dangers
1. Static Electricity
This exists in almost everywhere and they CAN ignite fireworks. The static electricity in synthetic clothing (yes, your clothes) can create a spark which is capable of detonating fireworks.

An actual firecracker injury.

2. Damages the Ozone
Greenhouse gases released during fireworks combustion are harmful to the environment, contributes to global warming.


3. Discomfort to People with Asthma
They also release certain toxic dusts and metal residue that can travel in the air. People who have asthma are sensitive to these and will cause discomfort or even asthma attacks.


4. Noise
Fireworks make very loud noises, which can reach up to 140 decibels. Noise at 85 decibels can already damage hearing. Fireworks can also make people deaf.


5. Seizures
People with epilepsy can experience seizures due to this!


6. Water Pollution
When fireworks explode, the debris can fall into nearby rivers or water source. When aquatic lifeforms such as fishes ingest the debris (which is toxic), they'll die.


7. Cruelty to Animals
Most animals experience intense fear and stress until they would do extreme acts which can hurt themselves. There was a case where a bull was so scared that it tried to escape from its pen. It ended up dead being impaled by the fence.

Sparkler. Three of these can produce heat equivalent from a blowtorch.

Fireworks are beautiful, but leave it to the professionals for any fireworks display you want to do. Besides, fireworks are actually very harmful to the environment and brings too much negative effects. Why not find another alternative for it?




Love,
Nicholas.

How to Lose Weight for Dogs?

There are quite a number of dogs which are actually fat and overweight.



Just like humans, obesity can link to heart diseases and diabetes. For dog owners who just want to know effective ways to help dogs to start losing weight, this is how.

twolfe2's Beagle.

Things You Can Do
1. Buy Premium Dog Food Brands
Most cheaper brands of dog food contain many unnecessary calories that are just put into them as fillers. Try brands like Eukanuba as they even have food specially for weight loss. You can also consult a veterinarian for which type of brand to get.








2. Frequent Walks
You can walk your dog for 10 minutes a day. 3 days a week is good enough. It helps you lose weight too... :D


3. Fetch!
If you're lazy to do walks, you can play a game of fetch instead with your dog in a park or at home. Just be sure that your dog knows how to come back and give it back to you.


4. Feeding Times
When feeding, try giving 3-4 smaller meals instead of 1-2 big ones (most owners do that 'cuz its like lunch and dinner). This will actually help in your dog's metabolic rate.


5. Dog Treats
Certain dog treats and... human treats (some owners give bread, meat and the sort) may contain high amounts of calories. For better treats, you can try using carrots instead. Carrots are very healthy for dogs. Of course, you don't chuck the whole thing into its mouth...just give a small piece.


6. Wet Food
Just like when your dog has stomach problems, you can pour some warm water and let the dog food absorb them to become soft and bigger. This allows you to feed less, as it is actually more fulfilling and the dog will get full quickly.

Fail.

That's about it! Make sure you let your dog exercise. 10 minutes walk a day for 3 days isn't that bad, and it will help a lot!




Love,
Nicholas.

Assumptions to Delusions

Today, we will talk about the human nature of making assumptions, jumping to conclusions and ignorance due to personal experience-based opinion.



Many of you might not have realized, but in truth, ALL of us have made countless assumptions. The sad thing about is, we do not realize that we are just making assumptions and therefore neglected the POSSIBILITY of it being true or false.

Assumption = Hypothesis = Idea Based on Observation

The Human Nature of Assumptions
Let's say you had an experience in a very tough and stressful situation that you made it and managed well after like say...a month. Another friend comes to tell you later on about the same situation for only a week and they're suffering like it's hell and wanted to suicide.

By nature, you would assume that your friend is exaggerating, making excuses or just feeble-minded. This is because you've gone through the same thing and feel that it isn't as bad as it is.

After this assumption, you would say your friend is a wuss because he couldn't manage it on his own but you could. At this point, your assumption has become a delusion. You think you are already right and neglected all other possible factors.

An assumption or a guess is NOT a fact!

The Negligence of Factors
If you were not taught how to do a certain task, you cannot perform the task. At least not correctly. So why do we assume that simple tasks are common sense and can be done perfectly by everybody, whereas if someone was not taught or shown the way to do it, they will screw up?

After experience or influence, we always think that if we can do it, why can't others do the same? Here are the factors we should consider before saying that. Why are these factors? Because they cannot be controlled by the human mind.


1. Environment
Every situation has a different environment. We also grow up in different environments. In different environments we learn different things and act differently. Heck, we do everything differently in different environments.

2. Capability of Absorbing Knowledge
Everyone can be as smart as us. But not everyone receives the same amount of input or knowledge over time. Slow learners may need to work harder or dig deeper and require more time to be as smart as we could. Lazy people just need the right attitude and take initiative.

3. People
There are people everywhere. Different people tell different things and bring us into different situations. Your wife is not your friend's wife, and your mother is not your friend's mother. Situations regarding people are almost cannot be compared to personal experience.

4. Amount of Love
You can ditch your friends, your work, your lover or go against anything because it does not benefit you or it is insane/irrational to do something. However, another person might have love and passion for certain things. Logic cannot override love. It is the same as how the mind can be controlled, but the heart could not. Therefore, the heart is always true. Love is always true, no right or wrong, no logic.

5. Pain & Accidents
You can just trip, fall and twist your ankle at any moment. You can just have a gastric for eating the food you're not used to it. Some people require weeks to recover and some require days. Some don't even experience this problem. It's easy for you to go through situations without any sort of injury or sickness. What if you just spend your daily life with 2 weeks of a very annoying and painful gastric that wouldn't go away? It's hard to even move around.




There might be more factors when you come to think of it, but these are the few. Anger, in my opinion is controllable as it is manageable through your mindset. If you choose to be happy, you will be happy. Anger depends on how you approach things and how much you mind about it.

They're uncontrollable factors man. Think, think.

Consideration
How often do we consider these 5 factors on behalf of others? Due to personal experience, we had always assume we've been through the hardest and others could do the same.

"Been there, done that."

So what? It does not prove that we are in the best position to brag or make things sound easy. We could only give our humble advice and opinion, hoping to help others who will go through the tough challenges.


Also, when your friend looks for you to tell you their problems and stories, just listen. You do not really need to give your opinion at all unless they ask for it. You'd be surprised how many people would actually just want you to listen and do not need your input! That's the main reason for the word, "TELL" anyway...not "DISCUSS".






We all made many of these mistakes every single day and we don't even realize it. So please realize it now, and try to reduce. I am also working on it. :(




Love,
Nicholas.

How To Build Confidence?

Ways to build confidence and self-esteem to maximize your performance in anything.

I would like to apologize for the late update. Normally I would always post some new stuff up here about every 2-3 days. I have fell ill and it's terrible! But here's some tip for those who lack the confidence and guts to do certain things.

"LoLZomG I Willz Do Mai Best!"

Building Confidence
1. Saying you WILL do it.
Have you watched those, anime or movie where this hero will come out and say something, and all his friends trusted him that he would do it? Well, you could take this as an example. Whenever the other person can do it, you could also do it. Just say that you can, and you'll work your way out. Don't just say without doing anything. Look at how artists portray the determination in the heroes' eyes when they say they can.


2. Tell your friends about your success.
If you succeed doing something because you took the courage out of yourself to do it, you can brag about it to your friends. If your friends support you, you'll get the confidence. If they don't and say that it's just a petty thing, then you get strength to do something bigger.


3. Nike: Just Do It.
A Nike fan? Well you might as well apply the motto it has. Whenever you want to do something but you don't dare, or having no confidence. Just do it. Fail or not is another question.


4. Overcome your fear.
If your fear makes you lose confidence, then overcome that fear. Normally if you face something that you're afraid of, you will hold back. But if you can overcome that fear once, it means that fear is gone forever.




Conclusion
Losing confidence will eventually lead us to failure. If we know we can do it, we'll give our 100% and attain success. By having the confidence, we will work hard and achieve it. Even if we fail, we knew we already done our best, and we could accept it because we had the confidence and had put in everything we've got.



Love,
Nicholas.

How To Gain Weight?

Too skinny? Underweight?


Maybe some of you feel too light and not strong enough due to your body weight. Gaining weight does not only mean gaining fats, but gain some muscles. Muscles make up most of the body weight anyway. Gaining too much fat just to be heavier/stronger isn't too good either. A little fat will do.






Gaining Weight
1. Eating Healthily
It's important to know that you must eat healthy as well. Eating more is good, but be sure to take in lots of protein and carbohydrates. Basically what we'll do is to increase your calory intake, by taking in protein and carbohydrates instead of unhealthy fatty foods. Eat more fish, tuna, chicken, vegetables and so on.


2. Exercise!
Since running and other aerobic exercise are more suitable to lose weight (burning calories and fats), it would be much better if you exercise by lifting weights and walking instead.


3. Dietary Supplements
You can take Multivitamins and other supplements if you're not getting enough nutrition your body needs. A healthy and balanced diet is crucial for a healthy body. A healthy body will not be too underweight.




Guidelines
1. Body Mass Index
Mass (kg) / (Height (m) x Height (m))
Calculate your BMI by dividing your mass with the square of your height.

Underweight = Less than 18.4
Normal = 18.5 to 24.9
Above Average = 25.0 to 29.9
Obese = 30.0 to 39.9
Very Obese = Greater than 40.0

If your BMI is Normal, then you're already alright! No need to gain or lose weight.



2. Calorie Calculator
This page provides a nutrition guide and a calorie counter so that you could calculate how much calorie you need to take to gain the weight you need.

http://nutrition.about.com/od/changeyourdiet/a/calguide.htm




If you're not overweight or underweight, there's no need to gain or lose weight. Don't overdo it!




Love,
Nicholas.

How To Reduce Pimples

Wash, wash, wash! It ain't going away!

Some of us, including myself are having a hard time trying to reduce our pimples on our faces to look good and confident! So here are a few little tips you can take. Take note that some of the tips here may not work for certain individuals, so try and see what's best for you.


Cleansers

These are the good stuff that cleanses your skin to reduce blemishes and stuff. Mainly, cleansers come together as toners and moisturizers as well. The most effective medication against pimples are benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. You do not have to wash your face with cleansers for 5 times a day. Once or twice a day would suffice. Keep in mind that the oil on your face (sebum) is the cause of the pore blockage, but it also plays an important role in protecting your skin. The more you get rid of it, the more sebum is produced, not good.

Here is a little example of a product from The Body Shop which is nice.

Tea Tree Foaming Cleanser

A decent product which does the job for you. Just squirt out some foam and apply it onto your face. Contains salicylic acid and tea tree oil. You can probably buy it in Malaysia for around RM40.

Acne Balm / Cream
A very well known product for pimples is Oxy and it is widely used because of its strength. I must advice that Oxy is very strong and not everyone could be used to its product. It's main ingredient is benzoyl peroxide and aids pretty well with clearing up your pimples. I recommend Oxy 5 Regular Strength, but use according to your own tolerance. Do not try to apply to much of this as it will really make your skin dry out and sometimes sore.

Oxy 5 Regular Strength

Besides that, you can also try Hazeline Snow, which is a moisturizing cream. It is used more for dry skin and can be used on acne scars. It makes a nice skin care product too. And yes, it is old school, but it's good.

Hazeline Snow Moisturizing Cream

Knowing Food Intolerance / Healthy Lifestyle
Certain people have a kind of food intolerance that causes acne breakout. If you know that certain food causes increased acne breakouts, then try not to consume it too much. Lastly, live a healthy lifestyle by taking your vegetables, exercise and get enough sleep to be able to fight those bacteria badguys!

Go for Skin Care Treatment
Going to these places lets you know the type of your skin and the best ways to overcome your acne problems quickly. It might be costly, but this seems to be one of the quickest and more effective ways of treating acne. They have all the equipment and the right skin care products that work really well. They will teach you how to take good care of your skin.

Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles

A game of Jigsaw Puzzle - one of our common hobbies.

Nico and I used to play lots of jigsaw puzzles together through the Internet. Even now, we still have this common favourite of doing jigsaw puzzles together.

Solving puzzles of each other could be much of an amusement for us.

Benefits

1. Encourages socializing, co-operation and teamwork.

Doing puzzles together are a good way of communicating with each other on ways solely to solve the puzzle. Eventually you will talk to one another about the puzzle, and the strategy to completing it. Teamwork applies as each of you will do the puzzle separately and join it all together in the end to be quicker.

2. Encourages concentration and patience.

Solving jigsaw puzzles that are really challenging especially when all the colours seem alike would be extremely difficult and frustrating for the impatient. These tough puzzles encourage you to look precisely at the pattern and texture of each jigsaw piece to match with another.

3. Source of entertainment and quality time.

The interest in games such as jigsaw puzzles which are suitable for all ages make a very appropriate activity for the family as well as anyone. Spending quality time with family and friends will enlighten anyone and create a blissful mindset among themselves.

Somehow, Nico always solves puzzles quicker than me.

Overview
The qualities that puzzles can inculcate in you gives you a rough guide on how to handle your challenges and mindset in your life. It shows us how to gather our concentration and focus in viewing a certain challenge, spotting and putting the pieces together through meticulous observation in our life. Our mind is like a puzzle, and we need to put the pieces together in the right place, to face the right thing and not ranting over useless matters where you think you could not overcome. Our life is like a series of games and puzzles. Solve. Overcome. Get over it. Enjoy.

Patience makes everything clearer for anyone. Those who do not practice patience are fools.





Love,
Nicholas.

How to Overcome Sadness?

Overcome your sadness with simple steps.

A year back, Nico and I had always been arguing and we hurt each other a lot. We were always sad and it's so hard for us to go on our relationship until we had several break-ups. Although all that conflict with each other, we're still together here as one loving couple and we don't argue as much anymore!


Now let's see how to overcome sadness and get over it quickly so we can be more productive instead of lying down, suffering from a failure or something for weeks.

Sadness. I actually had to photoshop this myself.

Ways to Overcome Sadness
1. Get a hobby and do something you like.
One thing you can do is to watch your favourite TV shows, play some games, read books or do any of your hobbies. Hobbies are things which you like to do, and everyone has something they REALLY like to do, and will most probably not bother about something else. Just like how a kid ignores you while they're playing video games. It makes you happy and you'll be optimistic.

2. Manage your mindset.
Do not try to forget things that happened. You just need to realise how pointless it is and how many people you'll hurt by being sad, then get over it. Let sad events come and go in your mind, and continue your life. If you want to cry, cry it out. Accept facts, do not deny and stop blaming yourself. Never try to struggle and forget something as quick as possible. Be productive and approach things differently.

3. Listen or play some music.
Music calms the mind. If you listen to sad music, you will eventually pay more attention to the lyrics and try to compare them with your life. Stop comparing and start listening to soothing music. If you're a musician, you could try playing songs that you like. Sometimes playing sad songs can be a way of expressing your feelings which will overcome your sadness, like how I did.

4. Eat chocolates!
Chocolates contain serotonin, a kind of neurotransmitter that stimulates happiness. Chocolates are so yummy...

5. Socialize with friends and family.
Most people express themselves by telling their friends or family members. You could try giving them a hug too.

6. Stay healthy.
Get enough sleep and eat right as well as drinking enough water. It's frustrating to be sick or in a mess while you're sad. Do some exercise or meditate and relax.

Nobody is perfect.
You're not perfect and you're not nobody. It's natural to be sad, and you can't overcome it as quick as you might have thought of, but you can reduce the period and you'll be more productive. Set goals and achieve them.

Love,
Nicholas.