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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Providing for children is a major household expense, according to a study by Macquarie University. It costs about $A214,700 to raise a child, regardless of gender, from birth to their 18th birthday. Expenses include child care in the early years, accommodation, transport, clothing and food. Melbourne was more expensive than Sydney by some $A20,000, reflecting its more extreme climate, clothing and accommodation expenses.
A survey of Victorian Year 12 students reveals binge drinking at parties is a major problem. One in five females admit to downing more than nine drinks regularly, and one third of males aged 14 to 19 will consume between 11 and 30 drinks at a party.
The fear of failure can sabotage a person’s chances of final academic success, says researcher Suzanne Warner, which is why kids will stay out late or get drunk the night before a major exam or assignment was due. Her study of 300 Melbourne Year 12 students found that three-quarters consistently procrastinated and 80 per cent were constantly distracted while studying. “These students often feel the weight of high expectations coming from their parents and teachers, so they set themselves low expectations to cushion themselves against failure.” Teachers and parents need to learn to praise hard work rather than results, she says.
Aerobic exercise will improve your memory. A three-day-per-week, 16-week exercise program revealed a statistically significant improvement in the memory and organising skills of participants. One cause is an improved flow of oxygen-rich blood to specific areas of the brain.
Davie County, in North Carolina, has a reputation for unfriendliness. And with street names likes “Staya Way,” “Getta Way,” “Keepa Way” and “Outatha Way,” one shouldn’t be surprised.—www.anova.com
A young man once asked God how long a million years was to Him.
God replied, “A million years to me is just like a second of your time.”
“Then what about a million dollars?” asked the young man.
God replied, “A million dollars to me is just like a single cent to you.”
Then getting up his courage the young man asked:
“God, could I have one of your cents?”
God smiled as He reached into His pocket and replied,
“Sure, just a second.”—Bits & Pieces
A Dutch TV program called “The Abbey” will bring together 12 people from different religions to live together in an old abbey for 13 weeks. Its intention is to highlight a lack of dialogue between the different religions. It hopes to encourage people “to be more spiritual and seek a deeper meaning to their lives.” Participants will have to perform such tasks as a ritual killing of a goat and a week-long fast.—www.anova.com
The most aggravating thing about the younger generation is that I no longer belong to it.—Albert Einstein
I know the power of stillness in a chaotic world. - —actor Sammuel L Jackson
Extract from Signs of the Times, January / February 2003.
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