knoppix is a cd-bootable linux OS that doesn’t need to be installed on your hard drives. the good thing about this OS is, it’s open-source, meaning you don’t have to pay or buy one. just download an image file then burn it on a cd, and voila! you already have an instant bootable linux OS.

it also comes with several desktop applications like open-office, media player, browsers and even games. it can easily detect commonly-used hardware devices.

we’ve maximized the use of knoppix some time ago when our desktop’s hard-drive started malfunctioning, and without a working hard-drive, we still can use our desktop pc for emails and browsing, word processing and printing. even my son and eldest daughter were having fun with its games.

Who hasn’t cringed while listening to a mother yell at her child in a fastfood lane? Worse yet, who hasn’t been that parent, trying to discipline a misbehaving child when everybody around her is all ears – and all too eager to pass judgment?Children will disobey. Be disrespectful. Whine. Hit. Lie. And not always in the privacy of their own home.

Disciplining your child in public presents challenges. Who wants anyone-from a Mcdonald’s order counter to the crowd at the supermarket-to think that her child is bratty, undisciplined or downright unreasonable? Parents do not want to be embarrassed and at the same time, they don’t want to embarrass thier child in front of others they don’t know.

Here are some situations that can cause a major uproar and pose unique challenges:

1. It’s your child’s 6th birthday. As your mother-in-law expectantly watches your child opening the gift she gave, he ungratefully tosses aside the shirt with his favorite cartoon character on it saying that he doesn’t like it anymore. Then your child asks what else is there that he can like? Your mother-in-law looks shocked and crestfallen.
2. You’re at the mall with your 4-year-old daughter. She begs you to go visit the toys department. You talk to her that you are not going to buy a toy but will just take a look around. She agrees. Then she sees a new and expensive electronic toy with her favorite tv character. She then insists that you get it for her. When you say no, she cries loudly and yells her heart out.
3. You take your kindergartner to a birthday party and he begins to boss the other kids around like he is the one celebrating the party.
4. Your 5-year-old wants to go to a fastfood restaurant for lunch. You say no. In front of the supermarket checkout counter where you are lined up, she screams and hits you.
5. You take your child to the park to play. She can’t wait for the other children to get on the slide so she can have her turn. She tries to push them so she can go to the front of the line.
6. You are at a relative’s house for dinner. Your child tries to roam around the house while opening cabinets and doors.
7. You are in the church. Your 5-year-old child is walking around while singing.

All these and more are experiences we may have experienced or witnessed. Its gut-wrenching. Its embarrassing. Its humiliating even. How to handle such situations with “poise” and minimized embarrassment means being prepared to do what is best for you (and your sanity) and for your child. Giving lectures during these situations is useless because chances are, your child won’t hear you anyway. Removing your child from the situation-even if she’s kicking and screaming-is a first good step.

One of the keys to living well is to know yourself. Sure, sometimes, some people may think they know you better than you know yourself. But in reality, no one can claim to know yourself better than you, unless of course, some problems occur that will prevent you from doing so.My family, we live a very simple life. We find joy in going to nature walks. We find joy in just being together. We go to church regularly and pray for people who need prayers. The children enjoy simple and home-cooked food. We have our needs (yes, don’t we all) and we work hard to be able to have provisions for these needs. Some of the “words to live by” that I like to ponder are the following:

* Be creative in order to make your life exciting. Excitement doesn’t have to come with money involved.
* Live simply so that you will know the difference between needs and wants. These are completely different things.
* Do what needs to be done and not waste time. Time is precious and should not be wasted.
* Work hard and do not rely on others to do things for you.
* Celebrate successes.
* Failures are considered lessons learned.
* Be thoughtful and never forget to say “i love you” to the people that matter most to you.
* Every action, even if it is a decision you have to make for yourself, has an effect or two with the others around you.
* Yes, prayers definitely will help a person through tough times but for me, God helps those who help themselves. A consultation with God regarding decisions that have to be made is good thinking.

I am not asking those who will be able to read this post to agree with me on all points I have laid down (there are still reflections that I have probably forgotten about). Bear with me, this is me.

WORK SIMPLIFICATION is the conscious seeking of the simplest, easiest and/or quickest method of doing work.

TO SIMPLIFY TASKS:

1. analyze the task to eliminate unnecessary steps and movements

2. dovetail or multitask some steps to spare time and effort

3. arrange tools, materials and equipments within easy reach

4. use correct posture

5. use proper tools, materials and equipments

Note: Not because we can simplify work means we can be sloppy, careless and mediocre. This is not the idea behind the theory.