Ideas for Speaking

How to make good arguments at school (and everywhere else)

https://theconversation.com/how-to-make-good-arguments-at-school-and-everywhere-else-121305

Going Green - The Challenges

 Story ideas: 

Lighting a man doused in fuel but was not engulfed in fire because diesel fuel cannot catch fire with a naked flame but its vapor is highly flammable. 

The mercenary (No Remorse, Tom Clancy) was able to escape when he donned the NBC suit of a dead Russian soldier.  

My Musings about retirement

Source
The sinking feeling would begin as early as after breakfast on Sunday — dreading the school week to come.

Then Monday would hit and it'd be the low point of my week. Each day got better than the previous one until I hit Friday. It was all great from there. Until Sunday at about 9 am again.

Now, Monday is my favorite day of the week. It marks the start of five days of peace and quiet. The supermarket is less busy, the restaurants are less busy, everything is less busy — because people are at work. It's quiet, and I like it.

I expected things would calm down several notches when I retired, but I now seem to have more to do than before.

The difference is that I went from doing things I needed to do, though, to doing things I WANT to do. This makes all the difference in the world.

Still, I am overwhelmed. 

I assumed that retirement would give me more time with family, but I didn't know how meaningful and far-reaching this time would be. 

Examples: 

• My wife and I can take walks a day. It gives us lots of time to connect and talk. Great for our relationship.
• I have been able to see my parents more since retirement 
• I was able to attend funerals, and even be at the hospital right before my loved ones pass. Having a job would not afford me the time (or at least as much time) for either of these.
• In addition to helping connect with family, being retired has allowed me to connect with friends.

Learning 

• I'm reading more than ever. The library and I are on a first-name basis. I'm there several times a week. I'm reading on personal growth, fitness, blogging, and a whole host of non-fiction topics. I also have time to read fiction and am catching up on John Grisham's stuff, as well as a Batman graphic novel here and there.
• I'm learning from YouTube. You can find videos on how to do anything these days. Now that I have time, I'm learning how to cook (especially grill), how to do simple repairs around the house (I'm not "handy" yet, but I'm getting there), how to travel hack (still a neophyte but learning), and on and on.
• I'm consuming podcasts. As I train for Pikes Peak, I'm walking a lot. Some of that is alone, and when I walk alone I listen to podcasts. I'm learning about a whole host of topics, plus getting lots of input on financial issues that keep me sharp. I really look forward to this time each day.

Dealing with stress: 

Once I retire, I believe the stress would literally melt away. It was that tangible. I was destressing after more than 30 years years of constant pressure.

It may take several months to go completely away. I would start sleeping better. My head would be tight all the time. Life would be more relaxing overall.

CPF Retirement account
I found out that the amount set aside in the Retirement Account can be halved if I pledge my HDB flat. So if if the full retirement sum is 181K, then I can pledge my flat and the amount is halved to 90.5K but my payout at age 65 will be on the 90.5K sum and not 181K.

My Spiritual Reflections

Acts 10

Cornelieus is seen as the first Gentile to be incorporated into the new Christian faith.  Just like what happened to the Jews who converted on the Day of Pentecost, Cornelieus and his household had the Holy Spirit descend upon them. They were then duly baptissed. 

I need to see that just like the Jews who accompanued Peter that God can do incredible and wonderful things to make himself and his will known to me. I need to stand in awe of God, our Father for such opportunities to witness the turning of hearts and situations. Even more so when the circumstances make it impossible but only for our Father to bring about a miracle that is beyond human desccription. 

God shows love for all people. He does not playfavourites. His love and Jesus'  friendship extends to all. 

1 John 4:7-10 speaks about reciprocal love. Love needs to be fostered in the community. Without love in their relationships, people will neer know God.

The ascension of Jesus into heaven (13 May)
Jesus ascends into heaven with the disciples looking on. Jesus had just told them to be his witnesses...to the ends of the earth.
Angels described as two men dressed in white garments stood beside them to tell them that Jesus...will return in the same way as they have seen him going into heaven.

With Jesus in heaven, he has given us the Holy Spirit. With Him, we will have the grace to be humble, gentle and patient with one another. We are to spread the Gospel and communicate God's love and mercy and contributing to the building up of the Church.

Interesting phrases

1. A shrill scream rents the air.
2. A face swam into view.
3. bulging veins at his temple.
4. eyes widening in awe.
5. he has come round.
6. tear-streaked face lined with worry and concern.
7. croaked feebly in a daze.
8. eyes brimming with tears.
9. sweat ran in rivulets
10. gaped in horror
11. gasped in horror as fear snaked down my spine.

2018 - My Musings

5 May - It is about time that legislation has been passed to allow the relevant authorities to prosecute those who ride their e-scooters recklessly to the endangerment of pedestrians.

It is regrettable that it took the loss of lives and limbs to be brought to the attention of the parliament and the public before dialogue and legislation could be enacted.

I hope to see PMD users being more aware of their roles in keeping both the roads and walkways of Singapore safe.

Another reason not to go to buffets: 

“I never eat a buffet,” Marler said. “I’ll order off the menu.”

Buffets have a heightened risk of exposure to the lines of people who might touch or sneeze on food, contaminating the dish for anyone else. Then, there is the temperature issue, as dishes are better able to host bacteria when kept at room temperature. 

Avoid Soft-serve ice cream

Cleanliness of ice and ice cream machines can cause huge problems when workers aren’t following safety guidelines. There’s a grossness factor of finding mold in soft-serve ice cream machines – but there are also real risks.

“There have been a number of cases linked to listeria, where listeria will get into the inner workings of these ice cream machines and kill people,” Marler said.

While Everyone Is Distracted By Social Media, Successful People Double Down On An Underrated Skill

The cheapest areas to live in Singapore