Expanding horizons

If you are not natural at making conversations, don't fret. Approach each and every interaction with a systematic approach. With consistent practice it will come naturally to you.

I am in Chicago airport today, and it is Easter Sunday. Not a lot of people here. My flight is delayed. Many stores (duty free, gift shops) just has cashiers with less traffic. I was wandering to each store and window shopping. As I was shopping I was making conversations with them. It amazed me to how much many opened up. Talking about cultures and finding commonality between us. I enjoyed the conversation, and got to know a little bit more about somebody.

The best day to visit a big airport is during not so peak times. Folks are available to chat. Ask them how is their day is and know a little about them with each interaction. It is eye-opening and provides a different perspective from a complete stranger.

Hornets Rock

And Chris Paul is amazing.


Hornets tamed the Spurs. (101-82)

Kobe Bryant

Congratulations Kobe!

You finally get the most deserved and long due MVP award.

I wish Kobe and Lakers win the NBA 2008 championship.

How to be an excellent student

The following text was originally written by David Kaufman (Sorry! I don't have his address)

How To Be An Excellent Student (Version 2)
-----------------------------------------

Proper Attitude: Learn the material required by each teacher.
---------------
* Focus wholly and solely on the material to be learned.
* Put in the needed time to do each task well.
* Develop the skills needed to use time efficiently.
* Learn which corners to cut.

Proper Daily Studying Efforts: Be determined to do the best
----------------------------- to be an A student.

1. Before Studying: Make a list of what should be done.
* Do an overview of the assignments. List how many
pages to read, problems to solve, questions to
answer, pages to write, etc.

* Estimate the minimum time needed to do each task.
Also estimate the maximum time expected
to complete each task.

* Establish priorities. State the order of the
assignments and how well they should be learned.
Then set aside the time slots to get the homework
done. Work in 2 to 3 hour stretches of
concentrated effort with 5 or 10 minute breaks
at the end of each hour of work, if needed.

* During the breaks: meditate *, or snack (an
ounce of raisons and an ounce of nuts,
if hungry, should continue to maintain
alertness when one resumes studying) or take a
short walk or exercise.

* Study in 1 to 3 shifts daily of 1 to 3 hour
periods. For example, after school, study
4 to 7 PM, and again 8 to 11 PM. Or perhaps
study 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 11 PM.
Study at least 2 hours daily.

* Through extra study, become an expert in some
field of interest.

2. While Learning: Keep track of the time to do each
task. Learn how to cut corners.

* Try to get more done in less time. Evaluate
the study efforts and results after each task.

* Do an overview of the task. For example,
before reading the assigned pages, look at the
headings, pictures, tables and graphs. Then
read the first sentence of each paragraph.
Consider what should be learned.

* Read the material carefully noting the key
details. Ask question that give meaning to the
material while reading. Reread material that is
not well understood.

* Make brief notes about what is understood and
what is not clearly understood. Note pages that
may need clarification with a brief reason why.

3. After Studying the Material Carefully, spend time on the
following:
* Make sure all the homework is completed on time.

* Summarize what is important. Where helpful, also
make pneumonic words, where each letter represents
a related key idea. For example, to remember the 5
Great Lakes in the USA use the word, “HOMES” where
H = Huron, O = Ontario, M = Michigan, E = Erie and
S = Superior. This is a good way to remember many
related points when writing essays for exams.

* While summarizing, quickly reread the material to
help outline key ideas.

* Ask others for help when needed.

4. To Be An Exceptional Student: Do a useful project related
to course work.
* Teach others what’s essential and required.
* Apply the material learned to a useful or new
situation.
* Read the same material from another author’s view.

5. The day before the exam: review the related chapters,
notes and all the work done and required.
* During the exam: Answer the easiest questions with
the most value first. Then answer the more difficult
questions. Work quickly.
* Review all answers and work. Reread the questions to
make sure the answers given are what is asked for.
* After the exam, learn the material that was not well
understood.

Proper Space: Work in a quiet space at a desk organized for work.
-------------
* Have a computer monitor on the left side of the desk
& a desk lamp on the right side (or vice versa). The
desk should be empty except for a pen, pencil, mouse
and mouse pad to the right side of the desktop (if
right handed), and a keyboard in the center at the
outer edge of the desktop (or if not needed on
the left side in front of the monitor). Have a
comfortable chair (a swivel chair without arms is
effective).

* Have flat surfaces (other desks or tables) to the left
and right of the work area (to form a U shape to work
in) for needed books, papers, folders, a yellow legal
pad 8.5” by 14” (for notes) and a reading stand.
These items should be moved on and off the work desk
as needed.

* Have a file system nearby for folders for storing and
retrieving important papers and projects.

Proper Food: If mentally sluggish or physically sleepy, eat less.
----------- Explore what quality foods will maintain alertness.

* To Improve Concentration, Meditate during study breaks for 5 or
10 minutes by doing as follows:
Get comfortable preferably in a sitting position where one can
remain completely still while meditating. Then (with the eyes
closed and ignored) look with the inner attention from a point
between and behind the eyebrows (called, “the third eye”) into
the middle of the darkness or light that lies in front. Look out
continuously into the middle of whatever is seen with the attention
only without any strain. To stop distracting thoughts, repeat
some inspiring words with the mind only. For example, repeat with
the tongue of thought only, “May peace and joy manifest, May peace
and joy manifest, May peace and joy manifest, ...” Another form of
this meditation is to stop the mental repetition and to listen
continuously to any sounds that may occur at the point of focus
which should remain steadfastly at the third eye.

Giants vs. Patriots

It's Giants versus Patriots in Super Bowl XLII

The Pats had it easy when compared to Giants to reach the superbowl on Feb 3rd. I am eagerly waiting for the super week: Feb 3rd: super bowl, Feb 5th: super tuesday.

Play-list while working out

What song are you listening to while working out at the gym?
The following articles are good reads.
Tunes for every tribe and Time to work out

COSTCO at Coors

COSTCO has opened a new store at Coors Blvd in December 2007.

The recession news does not seem to affect COSTCO.

Bill Richardson quits

Bill Richardson seems to have given up his presidential bid.

The New York Times reports that Bill Richardson is ending his presidential bid. I think he did a good job of bringing New Mexico to the forefront in all the debates. People now know him and he was a charmer who always made audience laugh in the debates.

More Interesting Links

Lighter Side of Bill Richardson