Friday, September 19, 2008

FLV Converter

Well, I was wrong to say that the Freez FLV Converter is free. It was free the first time I used it, then when I wanted to use it the second time, it was already asking me to make a purchase...

I searched download.com, and I found, not one, but several "free" converters. Here's one. I see that the user review is OK, so this one must be 'really free'...

To be proven... by time.

Koyote Converter:
http://www.koyotesoft.com/indexEn.html

THE EVENING RUSH HOUR


From TODAY, Voices
Friday September 19, 2008

By Dr James Dobson

It’s interesting that the evening drive time in a big city is called the rush hour – because nothing moves. The real rush hour occurs when people arrive at home.

Early evening is a time when tempers can be short and anything can happen. Parents often arrive home irritable and tired, and children demand immediate attention. Everyone is hungry. The situation is rife with possibilities for conflict. But there are some things you can do to help defuse this rush hour time bomb.

First of all, try to use your commute time to unwind after work. You might also want to telephone your children in the afternoon before you leave work. This can help you get a head start on finding out about any problems that might be brewing at home.

When you get home, spend some time with your children before changing your clothes or starting dinner.

Plan some family activities such as heading outside and taking the dog for a walk. Or make getting dinner ready a family affair. Even young children can wash vegetables and set the table.

Most importantly, turn off the television set during dinner and use that time to catch up on the events of the day. When you use the evening homecoming time as a bridge between work and home, you can help take the rush out of the rush hour at home.

TAKE CARE OF OUR SENIORS


From TODAY, Voices
Thursday September 18, 2008

By Dr James Dobson

Did you hear about the 91-year-old man who went to the doctor because his hip was aching? The doctor examined him and said, “Well, what do you expect? You’re 94!”

The man replied: “Well, how come my other hip doesn’t know that?”

It is possible to grow old without parts of our body – especially our brain – knowing it?

A story in Family Circle magazine stated five ways we can keep our brains healthy while we age and hopefully avoid senility.

The first rule: Use it or lose it. The human brain isn’t like a device you can plug in, leave for a year and come back and find it working just as well. It must have constant input.

Second, we need long-term attention to a balanced diet with ample supplies of all the essential nutrients. Third is exercise. Fourth is regular health care and check-ups. And the fifth way to keep our brains healthy is by having access to a social support system.

Being sick, isolated and alone is a prescription for rapid mental decline. Unfortunately, many older citizens are unable to implement these five suggestions due to various reasons. Some are alone and have no one to talk to. Others lack the resources for good medical care and good nutrition.

This is why the younger generation owe today’s seniors their time and attention. They cared for us when we were frail and helpless. Now it’s our turn to return the favour.

SAFE HARBOUR FOR CHILDREN


From TODAY, Voices
Wednesday September 17, 2008

By Dr James Dobson

Does your home provide an emotional safe harbour for your children? Is it a place where they feel protected and nurtured? The measure of emotional safety at home can have lasting effects on the psychological well-being of your children.

A classic study of child-rearing practices which followed over 1,500 boys from pre-adolescence to adulthood produced three very interesting findings.

First, when love and appreciation are communicated to children, their self-esteem grows. Children constantly need to feel loved.

Perhaps this is unsurprising, but the second finding was that the parents of the children with high self-esteem were not only strict, but consistent in their discipline as well. If children find that rules at home are not being enforced, they often assume that no one cares enough to get involved. Permissiveness leads to insecurity and dependence in children, whereas accountability and responsibility breeds confidence and a high degree of self-respect.

The third ingredient that marked the home of the high self-esteem children was openness. Once the boundaries had been established, there was freedom for individual personalities to grow and develop.

So, a loving home that is emotionally safe, where boundaries are established and individuality is encouraged, permits children to blossom into confident adults.

WHEN SPOUSES COLLIDE…


From TODAY, Voices
Tuesday September 16, 2008

By Dr James Dobson

Most human conflict results from differing assumptions by the two parties. When husbands and wives engage one another in angry combat they often feel hurt, rejected, insulted and assaulted by the other person. But when these battles are analysed objectively, we often see that neither side really meant to wound the other. The pain resulted, not from intentional infliction of emotional harm, but from the natural consequences of differing assumptions.

For example, a man might assumes that Saturday is his day to golf or watch a game on television because he worked his fingers to the bone all week and he deserves a day off – and who could blame him? But his wife might justifiably assume he would take the children off her hands for a few hours because she’d been wiping runny noses and changing diapers all week long. She deserved a break today and she expected him to give it to her – again, a pretty reasonable assumption. It’s when these unique perspectives collide, about 8 am on a Saturday morning, that the sparks fly.

How can we avoid the stresses of differing assumptions at home? Well, by making sure that our partners get no unpleasant surprises. We can cope with anything if we see it coming in time.

Pascal's Prayer

Excerpt taken from Our Daily Bread, August 23, 2008

Passage:
Philippians 4:4-13

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. —1 Corinthians 10:31

:
:
Pascal wrote a remarkable prayer that can help each believer in facing the tasks of life. He prayed:
“Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with Your power; and little things as though they were great, since I do them in Your name.”
:
:

The next time you face a huge task, remember that God is your strength. And when you encounter a seemingly insignificant one, determine to do it with excellence to the glory of God. — Dennis Fisher

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

FLV Converter

I was searching through the world-wide web for a converter, namely .flv, into .wmv format, and 99.99% I found are free trial softwares. Finally, I found one that is free to download, and free to use. I saw the same apps in download.com, but the user comments are all negative.

Anyway, I have already found the said apps, and my going to download.com is only to check on whether somebody has already tried the software. And rightly so. However, despite the negative comments, I proceeded to install the software, so I can either prove the comments right or wrong.

Guess what?

The software worked all fine!

Check it out, in case you need it:
Freez Flv to AVI/MPEG/WMV Converter version 1.5, found in http://www.smallvideosoft.com/.

Download here direct.

Monday, September 15, 2008

CHILDREN ARE EXPENSIVE


From TODAY, Voices
Monday Sep tember 15, 2008

By Dr James Dobson

Considering how expensive and difficult it is to be a good parent, many people wonder these days why anyone would want to even have children. I’m reminded of a woman who boarded a Los Angeles bus a few years ago and sat in the seat behind me. Her hair was a mess and the black circles under her eyes revealed a state of utter exhaustion.

As she stumbled past me with seven rambunctious youngsters, I asked: “Do all those children belong to you? Or is this some kind of picnic?” She looked at me through squinted eyes and said: “They’re all mine and believe me, it’s no picnic.”

The woman is right. Parenthood is an assignment that demands everything we can give it. And to do the job right requires sacrifice and maybe even a few tears. And yet, nothing worth having comes cheap. Speaking as a father, there’s never been a greater moment in my life than when I gazed into the eyes of my newborn daughter and then, five years later, my son.

What could be more exciting than seeing those tiny human beings begin to blossom, grow, learn and love. And what reward can be more meaningful than having my little boy or girl climb onto my lap, hug my neck and whisper “I love you, Daddy”. Yes, children are expensive, but they’re certainly worth what they cost us.

Keep Those Roving Eyes Under Control


From TODAY, Voices
Friday September 12, 2008

By Dr Bill Maier

As hard as it is for most women to understand, men are wired to notice other women even if they think their wife is the prettiest girl in the room.

Some doctors blame a biochemical reaction in the brain. Many men will tell you it’s just a habit.

The reality is men are visual beings and attractive women trigger a powerful emotional response. It is not a sign of emotional or physical unfaithfulness.

But guys, don’t think that lets us off the hook!

You and I still have a responsibility to keep our emotions in check and our roving eyes under control.

Simple glances can easily turn into a habit of staring, and it can also lead to lust.

On our wedding day we made a commitment to only have eyes for one woman, and that’s a promise we should keep.

To Where You Are Song Lyrics

I have been trying to understand what this song is about. Undoubtedly, this is a very nice song, and there is nothing to say against the singer (JG), but the lyrics don't seem to have a complete meaning. What is it about?


To Where You Are

1st Stanza:
Who can say for certain, maybe you’re still here

I feel you all around me, your memories so clear;
Deep in the stillness, I can hear you speak,
You’re still an inspiration, can it be?

Bridge 1:

That you are my forever love,
And you are watching over me from up above.

Chorus 1:
Fly me up to where you are, beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight to see you smile;
If only for a while to know you’re there, a breath away’s not far
To where you are.

2nd Stanza:
Are you gently sleeping here inside my dream,
And isn’t faith believing all power can’t be seen?
As my heart holds you just one beat away,
I cherish all you gave me everyday.

Bridge 2:
Cause you are my forever love,
Watching me from up above;
And I believe that angels breathe,
And that love will live on and never leave.

Chorus 2:
Fly me up to where you are, beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight to see you smile;
If only for a while to know you’re there, a breath away’s not far
To where you are.

Coda:
I know you’re there; a breath away’s not far
To where you are.