Five Technology Trends to Look Out For in 2018

We keep hearing that technology is the future, but I disagree. If that is the case, the future is here already. With so much fascinating and innovative tech all around us, it is hard to keep up with everything going on. I have always been fascinated by science and technology. As a child, I actually dreamt of becoming an astronaut and exploring space. Even though I'm not an astronaut today, I still enjoy keeping up with new scientific and technological advances. I was recently watching the launch of Elon Musk's Space X and it blew me away by how majestic the earth looked while the Tesla car with a dummy driver was cruising in space.

Here are what I believe are technology trends we should keep an eye out for. 

1) Artificial Intelligence(AI)
Machines demonstrating intelligence. In some ways, people already actively use artificial intelligence. How many of you have used Amazon's Echo or Google Home? Even the iPhone X's facial recognition feature has to do with Artificial Intelligence. For instance, for Amazon Echo's Alexa to respond back to your question, it has to interact with a communication cloud which ends up increasing the response time.

In order to keep up with rivals Google and Apple(who have already produced their own AI hardware and AI chips), Amazon is trying to design its own custom artificial intelligence chips. The new Amazon Echo is touted to be even faster.

Samsung also announced that it plans to add AI to all of its devices and appliances by 2020. It plans to get rid of its "Smart Home", "Smart View" and combine it all into one "Smart Things" App which will be connected to all your Samsung Devices. The tech company also plans simplify all of its products using a single-cloud approach which will include connectivity, cloud, and intelligence.

2) Augmented Reality (AR)
According to Google, "hundreds of millions" of Android phones will be capable of AR(Augmented Reality) over the next few years. Google is betting on the fact that as AR becomes more common and even a "daily habit" for some, monetization opportunities will arise. Not only has Google released the ARCore developer's Kit, but Apple has as well, by releasing the ARKit. This encourages app develops to build Augmented Reality apps, which in turn will be used when Android and iPhones are capable of AR.

Even Microsoft joins in by building its HoloLens. It is a headset that allows users to interact with digital images which will "overlay" on the real world. Microsoft is calling this "mixed reality".  For now, Microsoft is working on building a specific AI chip for the HoloLens(2nd Generation).

3) Revolutionary Vehicles 
Companies such as Tesla, Volkswagon, Nissan , BMW and others have all come up with electric vehicles. Most of the companies uses lithium-ion batteries instead of oil. This will help to reduce the usage of fossil fuels, though the cars are quite pricey for now. However, since countries like China are pushing for more cars to run on alternative fuel, this will lead to more companies building different electric or hybrid vehicles and the price will eventually go down sooner or later.

Gogoro Smartscooter electric vehicle, which has been tagged by Forbes as 'The Tesla of Scooters', is a popular vehicle working to replace polluting scooters across Asia. Gogoro has installed battery swapping stations all around cities in Asia, starting from Taipei. You put old battery in and a new one pops out for you, freeing you from having to recharge anything yourself.

4) Healthcare Tech 
There are a number of digital health technology in the market such as fitness trackers, mobile health apps etc. One reason healthcare technology is growing exponentially is because people nowadays tend to be more concerned about their health and want to be better informed about it.

Most of you have heard of FitBit, but have you heard of the Internet of medical things(IoMT) ? It is basically an infrastructure of medical devices and software applications which are connected to healthcare IT systems. For instance, you go for a walk and your FitBit calculates the amount of steps you walked, that data is then shared with a doctor and feedback is sent to your phone.

One of the leaders of healthcare tech is Noteworth. Noteworth is a health platform which allows health organizations to prescribe virtual care to their patients(also known as telehealth/telecare). It also works to help doctors collect and access the patient's health data. This platform also works to improve the care the patient receives. It also strives to cut costs and better engage their patients. There is also a visualized patient-generated health data in continuous Noteworth Reports which can be monitored at anytime.

5) Wearable Technology
Wearable tech such as smartwatches, activity trackers, fitness trackers etc are already widely available in the market. However, most of the current technology available is only to wear on your wrist(Fitbit, Apple Watch etc) or on your eyes (Google Glass, Virtual Reality headset etc). In the future, much of the technology will be integrated in our clothes, body, even running shoes.

Companies such as Samsung, Qualcomm, and E Ink are working to create smart patches which will work to be a health gadget which will be able to monitor your body and notify you if it sees any warning signs. It may also be able to directly deliver medication to patients while reminding patients when is the next time they have to take the next dosage and change their Smart Patch.

Under Armour has built a new shoe technology it refers to as HOVR. It is supposed to be a smart running shoe which comes with in-built sensors to track your distance, pace, stride, and steps. The sensors are Bluetooth powered and are located in the thickest part of the mid-sole. To access the data stored by the smart running shoes, you have to download Under Armour's Map My Run app. The shoe will be able to store your data and you will be able to sync it when you have Wi-Fi connection.

Sony is also working to create a device known as 'Xperia Ear Open.' It allows you to listen to music while being aware of your surroundings at the same time. This device is made in a way so that you will be able to tune in and tune out simultaneously.  For instance, you can listen to music on this device will having a conversation with someone. The music will work like background music in a way. However, this means that you will still be able to hear people having conversations around you, because the device is designed in such a way that it is 'open'.

7 Tips to learn a foreign language

Have you always wanted to learn a new language but just never managed to pick it up? Some of us take language classes, but just end up forgetting half of what we learned in the first place. Unfortunately, language classes tend to focus on grammar and vocabulary rather than the practical use of a language. No worries, there are still plenty of ways you can teach yourself to speak a language and the key is : practice, practice, practice...and keeping yourself motivated to do so.

1) Give yourself a reason to study the language
You may be interested in visiting the country where the language is spoken, or using the language as a skill in the future, for your career. Whatever the reason may be, this will keep you motivated to learn the language. If you are learning without giving yourself an incentive to do so, chances are you won't take it seriously. Therefore, you might not end up learning the language as well as you could have.

2) Learning can be fun
You don't have to learn just through memorization and reading textbooks. You can also learn through entertainment. Why don't you read a book in Spanish?Or watch a French film? It will help to learn to listen and read things that a native speaker of the language would. This way learning won't seem boring and just something you have to force yourself to do. I would suggest watching with English subtitles first and try to write down any word you don't understand. You can also re-watch films several times in order for your listening ability to improve. As for reading in another language, you can look up words you don't understand and write it down. This will help to improve your vocabulary of the new language.

3) Learn with other people
Learning with people is always more fun than learning alone. Find a friend who is also interested in learning the new language, and spend time trying to pick up the language together. If you or your friend don't understand a new concept, you can help each other out by trying to explain it to one another. You friend might be better at pronunciation than you, while you may be better at grammar. The both of you can help each other out, while at the same time work towards improving your language skills.


4) Talk to yourself
If you do not have anyone to learn with, it's okay. You can spend time talking with yourself in the new language. It might be strange at first, however, try not to be so self-conscious. You can practice different words and phrases by repeating them to yourself again and again. Your mind tends to remember things better this way and you will be able to recall the vocabulary faster when you need to use it.

5) Learn online
Thanks to the development of technology, there are a ton of ways to learn online. You can download various apps, join language groups online, or try to find a native speaker of the language online  and practice conversing with him or her. You can also listen to podcasts or read e-books in order to learn a language online.

6) Get ready to leave your comfort zone
When you learn a new language, you have to challenge yourself. You will make mistakes and that is okay. The important thing is that you are willing to put yourself out there and learn from your mistakes. Try speaking to strangers in the language.You can start from the basics, such as ordering food, asking how much it cost, or asking for directions. Don't be embarrassed if a native speaker corrects your pronunciation or the grammar, instead think of it as a learning opportunity. The next time you use the phrase, you won't make the same mistake again.

7) Travel....if possible
When you travel to the country where the language you want to learn is spoken, you are putting yourself in an environment full of endless possibilities. You should utilize this opportunity to speak to as many locals in the new language as possible. This is a great chance to use what you have learned and to learn much more.

Living a Stress-free Life(Or at least trying to)

     There is always a ton of pressure put on us at any given time. When we are in school, we are expected to excel in our academic life, extracurricular life etc. After graduating, we expect to find the "dream job", which let's be honest is extremely difficult in today's world. When we are in the workforce, we are always expected to go above and beyond in our job. It can really be taxing, mentally and physically, trying to plan for the future or just trying to live our day-to-day life without going broke (or crazy, whichever comes first).

     I personally have a bad habit of giving myself too much stress. I stress out about the future, my life etc. In order to calm myself down and distract myself from all my problems, I have had to come up with some ways to live a relatively stress-free life.

Practice yoga.

Not only has yoga improved my posture, it really has taught me to relax and be more calm. Give yourself an hour every morning before going to work to practice some yoga. A lot of times, in life we cannot control what circumstances we will go through. Instead stressing about what might happen, or what has happened in the past, it is important to look forward and stop stressing out. What is meant to happened, will happen.

Be positive.

Being positive really works wonders. No one likes being around negative people who complain about everything, but never really does anything to change their current circumstances. Complaining never solves anything. Stop complaining and take action about the situation.

Remind yourself that things will change eventually.

Nothing is permanent in this world except change. If you are going through a bad phase in your life, of course you will be worried. That is normal. However, it is also important to remember that things will take a turn for the better, eventually. This does not mean, you can just expect everything to be handed to you. You still need to work hard and put effort in improving your situation.

Read more.

Not only will it distract you, you might end up learning something new which might be beneficial to you in the future. When you read, it helps you to escape the worries and stresses of your everyday life. You end up completely engrossed in the world that the author of the book has created. Reading also instantly helps to reduce your heart rate and ease tension in the muscles.

Give yourself a day off.

It is important to have some "me time" once in a while. You can treat yourself to a nice meal, go shopping, get your hair done etc. Anything that helps you to wind down and chill out.  Not only will it refresh you, it will also give you a boost. The next day, you will be ready to face any problem you have head on.

Enjoy Nature.

It is calming to go for nature walks or hikes. I like spending time in nature. It feels rejuvenating for the mind and body. Breathing the fresh air and spending time in the sun also helps you to feel better. Did you know going out in nature also helps to lower stress hormone levels?

Write. 

Sometimes it is cathartic just to write down what you are feeling. This way, you do not feel like you are just keeping all of your emotions bottled up inside you. You acknowledge your different feelings and emotions by writing them down which helps to give you a sense of relief.

12 Tips to Live a More Eco-Friendly Life

We all know that Earth is the our home we should cherish it. As climate change is impacting our world faster than ever(check out my blog post Thoughts on Climate Change for more information), it is crucial that we do our part to conserve our planet and reduce our carbon footprint on Earth.

"But I'm just one person, what difference will it make?"  I hear you say. Well, imagine if millions of people worked together to be more eco-friendly, won't it make a difference then?  It actually isn't as difficult as it sounds.

Here are twelve simple tips for you to move towards living a more eco-friendly life.


1) Save Water
Water is one of the most precious resource on earth. We need fresh water to survive, because there is not an abundance of it.  You can work to save water by turning off the tap while your brush. Time yourself when you are taking a shower. Five to fifteen minutes is more than enough time to shower. Do not waste water by taking long showers. Do the laundry only when you know you have a full load of clothes. Some countries are already taking action to preserve water as there is an ongoing drought in their country. We should do our part for planet earth by trying to conserve as much water as we can. Oh and by the way, did I mention that your water bill will be reduced in the process?

2) Turn off the lights
Whenever you leave a room, make it a habit to turn off all the lights in the room. It helps to save money and energy. Turning off lights in the room will also help to keep the room cooler as light bulbs tend to radiate heat. You can also look to purchase energy-efficient household appliances.

3) Use LED light bulbs
I would suggest using LED light bulbs instead of regular incandescent lights. Incandescent lights tend to be the least expensive types of lights to purchase however, they also are expensive to use. I would suggest investing in LED lights instead. LED lights convert 95% of energy into light while only 5% of energy is otherwise wasted as heat. In comparison, incandescent lights only convert 5-10% of energy into light while the rest is wasted as heat. It also has a better quality of light distribution and a longer lifespan compared to other lights. LED lights are more expensive at first,  however it will pay off in the long run by reducing your electricity bill.

4) Bring your own Utensils
Try to use your own utensils instead of taking the disposable plastic utensils whenever you order food outside. Some restaurants will just put in the disposable utensils in the bag. You can always tell them in advance that you do not need them as you have your own utensils. I developed this habit in college as I had to eat out often, but  did not want to keep throwing out plastic spoons, forks etc unnecessarily. I decided to go out and buy a set of utensils. After using them, I would just wash them at the sink and voilà, it was good to go.

5) Bring your own Bag
Instead of getting a new plastic bag every time you shop and contributing to the ever-increasing number of plastic waste in the world, why not use a tote bag which you can reuse again and again every time you shop? It helps to cut down on plastic pollution and besides it is really convenient. You can just fold it up and use it anytime you want.

6) Turn off your Electronic Devices 
This is something that needs to be practiced more often. When you are done using your laptop, turn it off! Especially at night before you go to bed. As long as long as your device is still turned on it is consuming electricity.

7) Use Public Transportation
Instead of driving the car or riding a scooter to work everyday, why not try to take the public bus or the metro to work? As a large number of people are travelling together, it helps to cut down on the number of carbon emissions released into the air and therefore resulting in improved air quality in the long run. If you don't like using public transportation, you can always choose to carpool to work or anywhere in general.

8) Stop shopping compulsively
When you shop compulsively, you usually end up with a lot of stuff you don't end up using. Try to make a list of things you actually need and only shop for them. Remember, your goal is to try to reduce the amount of waste you create!

9) Recycle and Reuse
When you recycle and reuse products, it helps to reduce energy use which would otherwise be used to manufacture new products. Other than that, it also helps to reduce waste in the world. For instance, you can reuse plastic bags instead of just tossing them away. Instead of just throwing out your old pair of denims, why not recycle it instead? There are a ton of creative ideas online on how your can reuse your old clothing and upgrade it to something new and different.

10) Donate items you no longer need
Instead of tossing away a product you no longer need, why not give it to someone in need? You can choose to donate to shelters, to the salvation army, to a children's hospital near you etc. 

11) Decrease your consumption of meat
Do you know how much water is used in order to produce one kilogram of meat? Not only that, did you know that the meat industry produces more climate gasses than the transport industry? It is appalling what goes around in the meat industry, therefore you can do your part by decreasing your meat intake. Instead of eating meat four times a week, try to eat meat only once a week. You can instead shift to a plant-based diet. Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. There are a ton of healthy and delicious recipes online. If you are really committed, you can even consider going vegan or becoming a vegetarian.

12) Purchase locally grown products
This way you can support your local farms, instead of purchasing products that are shipped from far away and contributes to carbon emission from shipping. I try to visit the local farmers' market every weekend in order to purchase fruits and vegetables in bulk. It is convenient and also helps you to save some money at the same time.

10 Ways You Can Become a Regular Reader today

Are you one of those people who love to read but just is so busy with life that you do not have to time to read? Raise your hand if that is the story of your life. It is so easy to fall into a regular routine and not have time to read. With our hectic lives, it is easy to "forget" to read or to look for excuses as to why you do not have time to read.

However, there is hope for us! It is not actually that difficult to add reading into your regular routine as we tend to have time to spare during the day. It is how we choose to use that time which is important. Reading helps us to gain knowledge and is known to help with mental stimulation.

Here are ten ways you can work on becoming a voracious reader today!

1) Make a list of books you are interested in reading
This will motivate you to look for the books you want to read and then actually read it in your free time. You can look online for book lists for inspiration on books you are interested in.

2) Join a local library
Libraries tend to have a ton of books and you can just borrow it for free. Libraries also have a wide range of books so while browsing through the books, you never know what you might find. Try to challenge yourself and pick books from various genres. You can pick multiple books at once and return them once you are done. If none of the books grab your attention, you can always go back and choose other books.

3) Set aside time to read daily
You have to set aside time to read daily whether you want to or not. Try to set aside 15-30 minutes daily just to sit down with your book and read. You can easily get this time by cutting down on mindless surfing online(Read: Facebook, Twitter , Instagram etc) and instead giving this time to focus on reading.

4) Learn various reading techniques
The more you read the more you will start to pick up reading techniques such as skimming and speed reading. You can skim in the beginning of the book to see if you are really interested or not interested enough to commit to reading the book. This way, you will be reading more books as you will be able to get through a book faster.

5) Join a book club
Why not join a book club in your area? You will be more motivated to read this way. You will be able to meet with different members of the book club to discuss the characters and the plot of the book  which will keep you engaged with the story.

6) E-Books
If you are someone who prefers to read on a tablet rather than an actual book, go for it! It is convenient compared to traditional books. There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages of e-books and traditional books( https://chanda-chandasblog.blogspot.tw/2017/12/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-e-books.html) You can check out more information in the link above.

7) Keep a notebook
You can use it to write quotes from the book and follow your progress in the book. You can use it to write summaries, book reviews etc. A notebook can also be used to keep progress of how many books you have read so far. It can also be useful in looking back and seeing what you have actually learned from reading the book.

8) Go to a quiet place to read
Sometimes you really need to go somewhere peaceful and quiet in order to fully concentrate on reading. You can go to a quiet corner in your house and spend time reading there. You can also choose to go to the library if you do not want to be disturbed by others. It helps you to focus on the book and not be distracted by others things.

9) Read at night before going to bed
Sometimes we just want to read in a relaxed manner before dosing off to sleep. Why not turn off your electronic devices earlier and just spend the extra time in bed and read? It is so relaxing to just sit on your bed and read.Remember as kids how our parents' used to read us bedtime stories?  It is because reading before sleeping actually helps to get a great night of sleep. It helps us to relax and de-stress from our day.

10) Turn off your electronic devices
If you are someone who is easily distracted, I would suggest turning off all your electronic devices in order to concentrate on reading. This way, you can focus on reading instead of checking your phone every few minutes. Take a deep breath and only focus on the book as that is the only thing that should be on your mind.

10 Ways to Become a More Responsible Person

The older we get, the more responsibilities we seem to have. We have to handle our lives, our jobs, and our family and somehow manage everything to the best of our ability. It is difficult to be a responsible adult. However, nothing is impossible. Did you know it can actually negatively affect your life if you are not a responsible person?

Today we will discuss ten ways you can become a more responsible person in life.

1) Stop blaming others
It is very easy to point your fingers and blame somebody for the education or the job that you did not get. Admit you actually failed and take the time to think back about the real reason you actually failed. By looking for excuses, and shifting the blame to someone/something else you are actually being irresponsible.

2) Stop being negative
Negative thoughts tend to be overpowering. It makes us think that is impossible to achieve whatever it is that we want to achieve. Actually, it is just tends to be in our head. We can do anything once we put our mind to it. Remember impossible is nothing. Try to keep a positive attitude and with that you will start to have more positive thoughts as well.

3) Do not complain
You fill yourself with negativity if you keep complaining about everything around you. Instead of nagging and complaining about all your problems, think about ways you can solve them. It is time to stop complaining and start taking action.

4) Be on time

"Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable!" - Eric Jerome Dickey

You have to be punctual if you want to be regarded as a responsible adult. When you show up on time to an event or a meeting, you are showing the other person that you take him/her seriously and are not going to waste their time by showing up late.

5) Be organized
Plan your day out. Write down what you need to get done in the day. This will help you be organized and keep you on your toes. You can also use calendar apps and note taking apps for your convenience. By having things written down or on your phone, you can visually track your progress towards your goals and not forget anything.

6) Be consistent
Have a schedule and try to stick to it as much as possible. It helps to be organized as I mentioned above. Routine means order. Having order in your life shows that you are responsible. It shows people that they can depend on you.

7) Be self-disciplined 
"When there is a will, there is a way." -  English Proverb
Now this depends on your willpower. How determined are you to make the change in your life?  You have to push yourself to become a more responsible person. If you are determined, then you can definitely make it happen. Being self-disciplined is a learned trait which will result in you having more control over yourself.

8) Admit your mistakes
Nobody is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes in life. We have to see ourselves and recognize both the good and the bad. Try to improve yourself and make yourself a better person instead of living in denial. Do not blame others for the mistakes in your life. Be accountable for your own actions.

9) Do not procrastinate
Try not to put things off till the last moment. It just will not be your best work. It is better to make a schedule and start working on projects ahead of time. It shows that you are serious about the project you need to get done and are not just interested in getting it done just for the sake of it.

10) Plan ahead 
If you want to go backpacking in Asia, do it! Nothing is stopping you except you. This applies to anything whether it be a promotion in your job or following your dream. Stop looking for excuses and start taking action.

6 Ways to Declutter Your Life for Good

Everyone is so busy in their day-to-day lives that we end up with a ton of things we do not need anymore but have not had the time to actually sort out and get rid of.  

1)  Do not shop impulsively.
The first thing you should do is stop shopping impulsively! Do you really need that new pair of pants? This will help you focus on going shopping only when you need something. Ask yourself, "Do I need these pair of pants? Am I absolutely sure I am going to wear this? Or will it just be sitting in the back of my closet and be forgotten?" This will also help in teaching you self-discipline and it will help you save money in the long-term.


2)  Start decluttering slowly.
It might be overwhelming if you decide to clean out your whole house in a day, so why don't you start slowly? Dedicate 10-20 minutes a day in cleaning out a section of your room. This will help you get into a routine and before you know it, your room will look clean as never before. It will get simpler with time and you will start to get into a habit of regularly decluttering, then you would not need to go on huge decluttering sprees which are time-consuming and tend to be exhausting as well.

3)  Donate/Throw out/Sell old things you do not need anymore.
Look in your closet and separate things that you do not wear anymore, things that do not fit, and things that you genuinely know you will never wear again. There are many people in the world who are actually in need of clothes, why not use this opportunity to donate to a local shelter? If not, you can choose to throw away things you do not need or sell old things if you want to make some extra cash.

4) Get rid of things you 'might use' in the future
As human beings, we tend to hold onto items and encourage ourselves by saying we "might need" it in the future. However that is rarely the case, and we are better off giving things that we do not need right now to those who actually need them. Remember, what is old to us will be new to someone else.

5)  Do not forget about decluttering your digital life
There is so much going on in the online world : our e-mails, social media, blogs, all those apps on our phones, tablets etc. Try to have a routine purge of e-mails that are not important. Delete unnecessary apps that are taking up space on your phone or tablet. Do you really need to have five different social media accounts? Choose 2-3 which matter to you the most and focus on those. One more thing, I would suggest you to turn off notifications from random apps. It just adds to the clutter and is unnecessary.

6)  Freedom!
A less cluttered house will result in a less cluttered brain. Decluttering is helpful in that it will teach you to value that things that you actually decide to keep at the end. It will also help in bringing peace to your life and helping you to learn to live a more fulfilling life without as many material possessions.

10 Ways to Become a More Productive Person

How can you become a more productive person? 

It feels like we are all trying to get so much done while not actually getting that much done at the same time. The to-do list seems as if it is never-ending. We are also constantly adding new things to the list. It feels as if there is just never enough time for us to accomplish everything we absolutely need to get done. Is productivity really about getting the most done in the least amount of time possible?

Today we will talk about ten way you can become a more productive person in life.

1)  Stop adding things to the to-do list 
Take a hard look at that to-do list and ask yourself, "What are the most important tasks I need to carry out on this list?" Cross off things which you do not need.  Remember it is important to take a less is more approach. This will help you to focus on accomplishing the things that really matter.

2)  Multitasking is a no-no
When you try to get everything done at once by multitasking, it is difficult for your brain to concentrate on everything all at once. Our brains are just not wired that way. Studies have shown that our brains are in fact, wired to mono-task. Chances are by multitasking, you would not have done such a great job on all five things you were trying to working on at once. It is better to focus on one thing at once. When you are done with that, move onto the next thing.

3)  Take short breaks
In order to rejuvenate yourself, why don't you incorporate short breaks throughout the day? You can work for an hour and then take a 10-15 minute break. You can do anything during the break. Take a short walk, stretch, go grab a snack, check your phone etc. Basically you can do anything as long as it was not the task you were working on during your work time. When you get back to the task on hand after the break, you will feel fresh and energized which in turn which help boost your productivity.

4)  Stick to a routine
Routines help to create structure in our lives and works to eliminate distraction. If you have a routine, you know exactly what you have to do and how you set out to accomplish the task. Since you already have a routine, all you have to do is work and focus on the task at hand. You won't waste time by thinking and trying to figure out what you have to get done since you have already planned it out in advance.

5)  Get up early
Try using this extra time to meditate, to work out, follow the news, and to have a healthy breakfast. This will help to give you the boost needed to have a productive day. This habit alone will challenge you to put your mind over matter and will help strengthen your willpower to get more done in life. The more time you have available to be productive, the more you will set out to get done.

6)  Are you a morning person or a night person?
Figure out when you actually get tasks done. For some people, they prefer getting things done in the morning, because that's when they have the most energy. While for others, they get their best ideas at night. It is a better idea to schedule your most important tasks to get done during the times you are the most active in your mind.

7)  Set deadlines
Set clear deadlines on the tasks you need to complete. If you do not set deadlines, you will forever be trying to put it off for later. Use it to help you to focus and stay in control of what you need to get done and when.

8)  Reward yourself
After completing your tasks, why don't you give yourself a pat on the back and treat yourself to something nice? This way you will trick yourself into working much faster if you know you will get a reward after finishing the task at hand.

9)  Make use of your spare time
If you think about it, you have a lot of spare time throughout the day to use to gain knowledge. For instance, why not use your commute time to listen to a podcast or read a book? This way, you are learning through the experience of others. By combining what you have learned through podcasts, books and through hands-on experience, it helps you to better you as a person in what you seek to achieve in the future. (Knowledge is important to achieve success. )

10)  Get rid of distractions around you
Distractions are everywhere, in the form of social media, the TV, your phones etc. Try turning off notifications on your phone when you're working so that you can focus on the task at hand. You do not really need to know who just posted on Instagram or Snapchat. You can save it for later, when you actually have time.

It is not easy to be productive, but the results at the end are definitely worth it.

Advantages and Disadvantages of E-books and Traditional books

There are many ways to read a book in today's world. Whether it's through purchasing an e-book online or by buying traditional books at a store, books have come a long way. There are several advantages and disadvantages of both e-books and traditional books.

First, we will discuss the advantages of e-books. 

1) E-books are easily accessible. You can purchase e-books at the tip of your fingers. You can read them on your phone, on your tablet device or any other electronic device anytime you want.

2) In comparison to printed books, e-books are much more environmentally friendly. As e-books are the digital version of a book, it does not need to be printed like traditional books which saves trees. Another reason e-books are environmentally friendly, is that there won't be any pollution associated with shipping as e-books do not need to be shipped to a store near you like printed books.

3) E-books help to preserve books. E-books are ageless.  Unlike traditional books, e-books will not rot and fall apart with time. Your printed books might start to fade with time, and the pages might turn yellow. However with the e-book, as long as there is no problem with your electronic device, your e-book will look the same as when you first bought it.

4) If a catastrophe were to ever occur, you will not end up losing your entire book collection. As long as your electronic device is safe you have nothing to worry about.

However, e-books also have some disadvantages.

1) When you use e-books, you are staring into a screen. In the long-term, it does cause damage to your eyes.

2) E-books are not exactly cheap, sometimes it costs the same, if not more, than the actual printed version of the book. As traditional books have to be printed and shipped, it does not make sense if the electronic version of the book costs the same amount, or even more, than the actual printed version of the book.

3) Did you know that when you purchase an e-book on your electronic device you have not actually bought the e-book? You have just paid money to have the license to read the book. Which means, the license can be revoked anytime the company deems necessary. I would suggest checking the terms of service when you buy an e-book next time.

4) I mean this is obvious but if you want to read e-books, you must have an electronic device. Electronic devices are not cheap. Especially if you are looking to shop for a specific tablet for reading such as a Kindle. You have to first pay to buy the hardware, then pay to purchase the e-books to fill it up.

On the other hand, we also have traditional books.

1) Traditional books are timeless and the feeling of holding an actual book in your hand is like no other.

2) Traditional books are also comparatively better for your eyes than e-books, as it does not put excess pressure on your eyes the way that staring into an electronic device does. Print is better for the eyes than light from electronic devices. Studies have shown that print books help retain memory of what you have read in the long-term.

3) If an e-book and printed books cost the same amount of money, it would be more worth purchasing a traditional book than a printed book. As I mentioned earlier, traditional books have to be printed and shipped, it does not make sense if the electronic version of the book costs the same amount, or even more, than the actual printed version of the book.

 4) You can collect your traditional books in your bookshelf. There is a certain novelty factor in collecting traditional books and filling your shelves with new books you have gotten. People can also get to know you better by seeing the types of books your bookshelves are filled with.

Nonetheless, there also some disadvantages to the traditional way of reading.

1) Print books do take up a lot of space, especially if you have the habit of regularly purchasing them. Your bookshelves might get full then you need to think of new places to keep your books.

2) Print books aren't actually environmentally friendly. First, you need to cut down trees for the paper. Then you need to ship the books to different countries. All of which contribute to pollution associated with shipping.

3) Over time, traditional books tend to disintegrate and fall apart. This can be troublesome if you are someone who enjoys travelling with books or if you plan to pass the book to someone else.

4) Books may make their way to landfills, if someone chooses to throw it away. In order to destroy the book there, it produces twice the climate change emissions than the manufacturing process of the print book itself.

In the end, it all boils down to preference. Some people might prefer the convenience of an e-book, while others may prefer the comfort of a printed book. However if you are someone who prefers traditional books, I would suggest you to check out your local library and borrow books from there in order to be more eco-friendly. 

How to get into the habit of writing?

Hmm, now I'll be honest, this is a tough one. It is not easy to develop a habit. Much less a habit that requires you to be creative.

But here we go, let's give it a try. Now how do you develop a habit of writing consistently? 

Well, first of all, you have this goal : writing consistently.

Second, you have to be determined enough to follow through. Granted, life does tend to get in the way sometimes, but you have to push yourself and be dedicated to keep up writing. It does not necessarily have to be for a public platform. You can write for yourself, on a notebook or a diary. You should write because you enjoy writing, right?

As I mentioned in my earlier blog post (The importance of time management), you should write down your goals and set reminders for yourself to accomplish them.

In my opinion, you don't have to write every single day, but try to write at least three or four times a week. Make yourself a cup of coffee, sit down on your desk and start brainstorming. You can write about anything, actually. Write about what inspires you, or write about anything you have on your mind. Writing is a great way to express your thoughts and ideas.

For instance, if you are thinking about writing a book, or a blog post, why not take the time to write some of the ideas down first, and then continue to expand on it later?

This way writing won't seem to be so overwhelming and exhausting. This is also a good way to stop writer's block. Since you have jotted down some of your ideas beforehand, it will be much more easier to expand on it.

In short, writing consistently is difficult. It takes a lot of dedication to be motivated to continue writing. However, the more you write, the more naturally it will come to you. Soon you will start looking forward to these writing sessions and then there's no looking back:)

The importance of time management in your life

In today's fast-moving world, it is increasingly difficult to manage our time in such a way that we use it to the fullest. Learning to manage time is a process. 

My advice would be to make a list of everything you need to get done.

Make a daily schedule of what you need to do during the day and make it as detailed as possible. Write down specific times, dates, events etc 

Set reminders on your phone, on your laptop or basically any electronic devices you have.

If you prefer writing things down by hand, you can use post-it notes. Another idea is to have calendar notebook and use that to write everything you need to get done. Calendar notebooks are convenient because you can carry it around wherever you 
need to go. 

You can make a simpler schedule at first. Stick to that schedule as religiously as possible. It will be difficult at first, but once it becomes a habit, it will come naturally to you.

You will be surprised to see how much time you have wasted all along. 

Time management will teach you how to make the most of your time and how to be more productive throughout the day.

Remember everyone has 24 hours in a day. The key is how you use the time you have.

How to keep yourself motivated?

     It is not easy to keep yourself motivated especially if you have repeatedly been disappointed or faced failure. It is tough to keep yourself motivated during these trying times because you start having negative thoughts. You start doubting and questioning yourself. 

However, it is important that in difficult times you don't give up hope. Be patient. Everything will come at the right time. 

You might feel sorry for yourself and say 'Why did I fail that job interview? I think I did well'. That is perfectly fine, it's normal. You can introspect and think how you can improve next time. 

Nonetheless, it is important to look ahead and explore other opportunities. Maybe that job wasn't meant for you. There's always something for everyone. 

Some advise to keep yourself motivated is to be surrounded by friends and family. Your loved ones care about you and will always be encouraging.

Be positive! Having a positive mindset works wonders. If you have a negative mindset for instance, 'I think I'm going to fail so I'm not even gonna try this time in order to keep myself from getting disappointed.' You are giving up before you even try. 

Oh and last but not least, why not reward yourself when you complete your goal? This is effective in keeping you motivated because it will help in encouraging you to be  rewarded when you finally achieve your goal. This could be anything from treating yourself to a nice lunch to buying yourself something luxurious.


Remember life only moves forward not backwards.

What is a good friend?

What is a good friend? A good friend is someone who you can depend on, someone whom you can trust, and someone who you can enjoy the same activities with. First of all, a good friend is someone you can completely depend on. You can count on them to be there for you whenever a problem arises. You can depend on them to be there for you whenever you need them. For example, you can expect your good friend to be there for you if your boyfriend or girlfriend suddenly dumps you; or if you failed an assignment. Since a good friend would always be there to support you. Secondly, a good friend is someone you can trust; a person who you can confide in. A trustworthy friend is someone who you do not mind sharing all your deepest darkest secrets with; and can trust to not to tell others about it. For instance, if you tell your good friend about a boy or girl you have a crush on, you can trust them to not tell others about it. Lastly, a good friend is someone you can enjoy the same activities with. This is a friend you would prefer to go out with as you are sure they would be interested in the same activities as you. This is a friend who has the same hobbies and interests as you do. For example, if you enjoy shopping, you can ask your friend to join you, as they would probably be interested. To conclude, a good friend is several things. A good friend is someone whom you can be dependent on, a person who is trustworthy, and someone who you can enjoy the same activities with. 

Growing Problem: Population

Sociologists have recently found out that the population in poorer countries is growing rapidly than the rich nations. In the United States, birth rates are rapidly declining. However, in developing countries, the population is multiplying faster compared to the developed countries. The earth’s population has increased tremendously during the last hundred years due to advances in the medical field and technical field. Cities have grown due to the increase of population. When the human population increases, the amount of land does not increase. Cities are expanding vertically. Also, with the growing population excess pollution can be created as there will be more people creating pollution.

Increase in population also puts pressure on the developing nations as they have to struggle economically. Another major problem is the problem of resources. There are only a limited number of resources on this earth. It is not enough to support the worldwide population. I believe in order to improve life of humans; the government must control the growing population. I think the government should regulate the amount of children a person is allowed to have especially in countries such as India who have a massive population. Otherwise the growth of world population will result in serious problems which will be difficult to handle. In my opinion, we should act soon on this growing population problem. Social agencies should generate awareness of the growing population problem. I believe this world will become a better place if this problem can be solved.

Article here: 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/09/140920-population-11billion-demographics-anthropocene/

Thoughts on Child Labor

It is 2016 and there is still child labor in the world. To be honest, it is very sad. In some countries in Asia, like India and China, it is relatively common to see children on the street helping their parents to sell items or working in people’s house as a servant. I feel very sad whenever I see children on the streets begging or selling things. I believe those kids should be in school, they should be getting an education. They should not be selling items on the streets or in the marketplace. These children are vulnerable. They are regularly exploited by their employees as they are children. They have no choice but to work to earn a living for their family. I believe everyone has a right to an education.

Knowledge is power.Unfortunately, not all kids are as blessed to get an education. Their parents cannot afford to do so. It is a Catch-22 situation. The children work because their parents cannot afford to send them to school. This results in them not getting a formal education which results in them working for a low-pay job even in their adult life which results in those individuals living in poverty for the rest of their life. The cycle of poverty is never-ending.  If I have the chance in the future, I would like to help those kids. Because I, personally, am really fond of children, so I would like to help them or to teach them if possible. I would like to help them get out of the cycle of poverty. I think everyone has a right to an education. People should not turn a blind eye to child labor; it is a very serious issue. We should all work together and put a stop to child labor.

http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_215170/lang--en/index.htm

Japan as a Tourist Destination

     Have you ever been to Japan? I have not, but I would love to! I have heard that Japan has a lot of famous sightseeing places such as the Himeji Castle, Mount Fuji etc. Since I am someone who loves history and culture, Japan would be a great place for me to travel to. Japan is filled with unique Buddhist temples, pagodas which I would love to visit one day. I hope I save enough money so I will be able to travel to there. I also like the fact that Japan tries to preserve its ancient heritage, unlike some countries which do not do such a great job in taking care of their historical structures. I think it is cool that Japan is a mix of old and new. You have the modern Japan, anime, cosplay etc. And on the other hand you have the traditional Japan with its geisha and traditional Buddhist temples. Cities like Tokyo are modern and high tech; you will see modern buildings in them as well as ancient Japanese traditional architecture. I think it is very beautiful that a country can manage to maintain its ancient heritage while also becoming a modern country at the same time. All countries should try to maintain their traditional heritage and modernize at the same time. I see several countries trying to modernize quickly, and in the process they end up destroying many of these ancient heritage sites. I think that is wrong. I understand that many developing countries like China want to modernize rapidly, so they choose to do so. I firmly believe there should be a balance between the old and the new. It is important for countries to modernize but not in the expense of traditional heritage. 

Thoughts on Climate Change

I believe climate change is a very serious issue and if we do not do something about it quickly, there will be dire consequences. We can feel that the temperature is increasing globally, the weather is becoming erratic. There are droughts in places like California. The monsoon has weakened in India by 10% because of El Niño. To be honest, this is bad news. If the monsoon has weakened by 10 % that will definitely affect the agriculture there. Climate change is affecting people’s lives in unimaginable ways. The article also mentioned that 2014, 2015, and 2016 will be some of warmest years ever. This summer, the temperature in New Delhi, India hit 50 degrees Celsius! That has never happened before!I remember being in India during the summer in my childhood and the hottest it would get was around 45                                         degrees Celsius. It proves that the world is really getting warmer;

it is not just a hoax. I think that the governments around the world should have strict regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions. I think the government should regulate how much a person should be allowed to drive a month and encourage people to use public transportation. I also think that the government should place harsh restrictions on factories producing pollution. Every time I pass through factories in Taipei or in other cities in Taiwan , I see carbon dioxide being emitted. Carbon dioxide is being emitted all over the world, especially in countries like China which has a huge population and a growing industry.  All I can think about is the air pollution being created. I believe that climate change is a very serious issue, and if we do not do something about it soon, there will be side effects which we are already beginning to see. 

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/environmental-pollution-caused-factories-31217.html

Thoughts on the Ongoing Refugee Crisis

For months, we have been receiving daily updates on the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe. These refugees have no choice but to move on the safer countries. Their own country is too dangerous; countries like Syria have been torn apart by war and are no longer safe to live in. Most of them are arriving to countries in Europe like Greece and Hungary and ultimately moving forward to countries such as Germany. My heart breaks whenever I read news about these refugees. I feel so sad and angry about what has happened to them. I think the world should have reacted faster when the Syrian Civil War began back in 2011. We would have been able to save more lives and families from this terrible fate. What did they ever do to deserve this? It must be so difficult for families especially, because they are travelling with children. Their future is so uncertain; they do not even know where they will get their next meal from. I think it is great that countries in Europe, such as Germany, are welcoming refugees with open arms. But it will definitely put a strain on these countries economically as the government has to pay for the expenses for the refugees. For example, many European countries are giving shelter to the refugees, paying for their meals etc. etc. It is great that Europe is doing its best to help these refugees; however we should not let them shoulder all the responsibility for the refugees. I think that other countries such as the US, Canada, and other Asian countries can also take more responsibility for these refugees; at least they can provide financial support for the refugees. I believe we should all work together to make this world a better place! For months, we have been receiving daily updates on the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe. These refugees have no choice but to move on the safer countries. Their own country is too dangerous; countries like Syria have been torn apart by war and are no longer safe to live in. Most of them are arriving to countries in Europe like Greece and Hungary and ultimately moving forward to countries such as Germany. 

My heart breaks whenever I read news about these refugees. I feel so sad and angry about what has happened to them. I think the world should have reacted faster when the Syrian Civil War began back in 2011. We would have been able to save more lives and families from this terrible fate. What did they ever do to deserve this? It must be so difficult for families especially, because they are travelling with children. Their future is so uncertain; they do not even know where they will get their next meal from. I think it is great that countries in Europe, such as Germany, are welcoming refugees with open arms. But it will definitely put a strain on these countries economically as the government has to pay for the expenses for the refugees. For example, many European countries are giving shelter to the refugees, paying for their meals etc. etc. It is great that Europe is doing its best to help these refugees; however we should not let them shoulder all the responsibility for the refugees. I think that other countries such as the US, Canada, and other Asian countries can also take more responsibility for these refugees; at least they can provide financial support for the refugees. I believe we should all work together to make this world a better place!