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Are You in An Abusive Relationship?
Emotional abuse can be subtle. You don’t notice it right away unlike physical abuse. Physical abuse on the other hand includes emotional abuse and is sometimes preceded by it.
How do you know if you’re emotionally abused or if you’re the abuser?
The abuser tends to humiliate and threaten the victim. They don’t listen to your opinions and ideas. When you react, they tell you that you’re too weak to handle real talk. They can’t appreciate your accomplishments and put you down whenever you tell them about your plans. The abuser can either be the man or the woman in a relationship. There are studies that show that gender doesn’t matter although in cases of physical and sexual abuse, most of the offenders are men.
Abusers like control and are jealous. Whenever you have an argument, past mistakes are brought up to remind you of your shortcomings even if they are not related to the subject matter. It’s as if by making accusations, the other person can prove that you’re on the wrong.
Abusers also tend to wallow in self-pity after a fight. They feel sorry for the victim but they also make up excuses for their behavior as if you’re the cause of their unhappiness. They often resort to withdrawal to get your attention. They want to be comforted and sought after like victims as if you’re the one who has done something wrong.
What do you do if you’re the abuser and what if you’re the victim?
Learned behavior can’t be changed, but you can practice by controlling your anger. When you become angry, that’s when the abuse starts to spiral out of control. Don’t make up excuses like reminding your partner of your abusive past. Just because you have been traumatized perhaps as a kid doesn’t mean you should take it out on other people. You are repeating the cycle of violence by copying your abuser. It was your choice to be abusive. If you feel like you need professional help, don’t be afraid to seek help from specialists.
If you think you’re a victim, try talking to your partner about it when he or she’s in a good mood. Convince him or her to attend counseling with you.
Don’t tolerate physical and sexual abuse. Any kind of abuse can be psychologically and emotionally damaging in the long run, even life-threatening. If talking does not work, there is no reason for you to stay in an abusive relationship. Don’t stay for love because love should not be abusive. Even if there is no physical abuse but you still feel threatened, it is still abuse. Don’t let pressure from family, peers and the society pressure you into staying in such a relationship. Call for help and talk to trusted people.
10 Video Games Based on History
Age of Empires
Age of Empires Series is a real-time strategy game based on various human civilizations that have developed since the Stone Age. The player is required to gather and use resources. The civilization chosen by the player comes with its own set of attributes that will have an effect on the development of technology and survival.
Assassin’s Creed
The first game in the series was set in the Crusades. It follows a fictionalized Order of the Assassins inspired by the medieval Nizari Ismailis in a centuries-long conflict with the Templars. Each game includes historical figures from different periods in world history.
Call of Duty 1, 2 and 3
Call of Duty Series is a first-person shooter game. The first up to the third Call of Duty games were loosely based on World War II. Call of Duty 4 and the subsequent releases were set in modern times. The games were told from the perspectives of the American, British and Red Army soldiers.
Civilization
Civilization Series is a turn-based strategy game. The player will have to overcome conditions set in the game and by other players. The goal is to build a civilization that will last through time which begins in 1 A.D. and continues to the present and even beyond. The technology will depend on what’s available and takes into consideration the environmental factors and political climate with neighbors.
Conflict
Conflict Series, which currently has five games in its franchise, is inspired by modern events. It’s a tactical third-person shooter game. The first game was set in the Persian Gulf War. The second game was set Gulf War, while the third in Vietnam War.
Dynasty Warriors
Dynasty Warriors Series or Shin Sangokumusou is probably the most well-known video game adaptation of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It’s a tactical action video game where you can control any one of the numerous warriors.
Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail Series was inspired by the 19th century settling of Willamette Valley in Oregon. The player will guide his companions on the journey. These party members could die from various causes and the player must also hunt for food supplies to survive.
Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption is a Western open-world action-adventure game set in the 1911 American Frontier. It features the Old West—Western United States and Mexico. The lead character of the game is the outlaw John Marston whose loved ones were taken by the government.
Samurai Warriors
Samurai Warriors Series or Sengoku Musou is based on the Sengoku jidai or Warring States period of Japan. The game mechanics is similar to that of Dynasty Warriors i which you can control any one of the characters available. The battles are loosely based on the real fights in history.
Total War
Total War Series is a strategy game which combines turn-based gameplay when gathering resources and real-time control during battles. The setting for each game varies. The first, Shogun: Total War, was set in Japan’s Sengoku period.
What to Consider When Choosing an Auto Repair Shop
Choosing a car repair shop is a task most of us approach with fear and paranoia. However, it doesn’t always have to be that way. To help you deal with the stress of finding and choosing the best repair shop for you and your car, we’ve listed down some considerations worth looking into before coming up with a decision.
1. Reputation
In choosing an auto repair shop, reputation is one of the first things you should consider. The thing is, unless you have an idea as to what you should really look for in a repair shop, it may take you some time to realize that you need to change technicians in a hurry. Fortunately, it’s now easier to look for a reputable shop by asking around or browsing the web. The Internet allows you to connect with more people than before, so you don’t need to limit your recommendations to your relatives and friends.
A good way of checking you prospective shop’s reputation is by contacting the Consumers Association of Singapore to check if your prospective car repair shop has an unusually large number of unresolved complaints. You surely wouldn’t want to find out that you’ve been ripped off after you’ve paid for all the necessary services.
2. Credentials
Quality workmanship is another important thing to consider when choosing a car repair shop. Are the mechanics working on your car well-trained and qualified, or did they perform their first oil change just this morning? Most car manufacturers in Singapore sponsor ongoing in-house training programs for their dealership technicians. These technicians are required to pass all the demanding hands-on and written tests.
Other than that, certain organizations also certify mechanics through a series of general written tests. Technicians are also required to have a two-year hands-on work experience before working on certain auto repair shops. Although certifications play an important role in choosing an auto repair shop, it’s still doesn’t guarantee a person’s honesty or competence at work. But it’s still better than nothing.
3. Service Charge
Obviously, price will always play a part in determining your regular car service centre in Singapore where you will have your auto repair done – but don’t let it cloud your judgment. If one shop is charging S$10 for an oil change service, and the one down the street is charging S$30, what’s the difference? Does the shop that charges cheaper use low-grade oil to do the work? Are their mechanics less trained? These are some of the things you should consider looking into before automatically deciding to go with the cheaper price.
4. Guarantee
Apart from the warranty, another thing to consider is whether or not their work is guaranteed. A common practise among reputable car repair shops is to guarantee their work for 90 days. However, avoid getting a ‘property line guarantee’ from your repair shop. This guarantees after the repairs are done, you get to the end of their property line, and they guarantee that they never want to see you again. An authentic guarantee, on other hand, promises that if the job isn’t done right the first time, they will do their best to correct it as soon as you bring your car to their place.
5. Warranty
If you have an auto repair covered by a warranty, then you should take it straight to the dealership. If you’re going to have non-warranty car maintenance and work elsewhere, however, then you need to be careful about keeping your records. A warranty is often dependent on meeting certain requirements. If you don’t change your car’s oil for two years – or has no record of doing so – you may be surprise when your engine breaks down, and your warranty won’t cover it. So ensure that the repair shop you’ll choose provides you with detailed maintenance and repair records.
6. Cleanliness of the Place
Is the car servicing shop reasonably clean and organized? Or does it look like it was stirred up using a large spoon? Does the shop use computerized diagnostic tools, or is the mechanic equipped with a rusty screwdriver and a large wrench?
Although a shop doesn’t have to look like hangar out of Star Wars, it should still have a modern engine analysing equipment and an up-to-date manual necessary to work on your computerized car. A good repair shop is more than willing to discuss the equipment it uses, as well as show how the equipment works.
7. Usage of Technical Service Bulletins
An auto repair shop that’s worth its salt should be able to access Technical Service Bulletin, more commonly known as TSB. About 6,000 of these latest fixes for difficult to diagnose problems are issues by the car manufacturers each year.
Without gaining access to these insider remedies, mechanics might be forced to ‘throw parts’ into your car. Not knowing what the real problem of your car is, they might keep replacing certain parts until they finally (or possibly) get the correct one.
8. Rapport on Repairs
Equipment is not the most important consideration in choosing a car servicing shop. It’s the attitude of the mechanics who will be working on your car. Your visit to your prospective repair shop should leave you feeling listened to, understood, and comfortable with the way you were treated. If you and your mechanic cannot establish a good rapport on repairs, chances are your relationship with their shop won’t last long.
Looking for a reputable auto repair shop isn’t really that difficult. By keeping these considerations into mind, you’ll surely be able to find a car repair shop that can provide both your and your car’s needs.
Experiencing Authentic Singaporean Cuisine
Are you craving for Singaporean food? Or perhaps you’re interested in trying out Singaporean cuisine for the first time. If you’re in London, there are plenty of options for a Singaporean restaurant such as the Nox – Dine In The Dark Restaurant. You can drop by to experience yourself what it’s like to live the relaxed lifestyle in Singapore, all while savouring in the goodness of the intense flavours authentic Singaporean cuisine is known for.
You might want to know how the dishes are being prepared and pay attention to those restaurants preparing dishes using traditional methods. This could be the closest thing to an Singaporean home cooked meal that you could indulge yourself in while you’re in Nox. You can also go a bit experimental and try out fusion entries in the restaurant’s menu.
Reasons to Try Singaporean Food
Singaporean cuisine relies heavily on the use of herbs, sauces and seafoods. Here are a few more reasons why you should consider giving Singaporean food a try.
- It’s generally budget-friendly. You don’t have to spend a fortune just to try it. Don’t be intimidated by the first-class dining experience Nox – Dine In The Dark Restaurant aspires to provide customers like you. They may look expensive, but they are actually very affordable. After all, the decor and ambience also take part in creating an authentic Singaporean dining experience.
- It tastes great. It might take you some time to get yourself used to the rich flavours. But note that Singaporean restaurants also strive to use only the finest ingredients for the food they serve. This includes fresh vegetables and tender meat, which would be hard not to love.
- It offers healthy choices. Singaporean food provides a healthy alternative to fast food meals. Singaporean cuisine puts emphasis on plant-based ingredients, which the vegetarian in you would appreciate for sure. If you want to skip meat, you’d still have several choices in the menu.
How To Choose a Singaporean Restaurant?
Singaporean restaurants want their customers to experience the taste of the real Singapore. You will then find restaurants carefully designed with classic lines, traditional embellishments, and patterns you would find in Singapore. On the other hand, if you are enjoying your order from home, you can as well use online reviews as reference. Ask your friends about any Singaporean restaurants they’ve already tried and loved, and start from there. Go ask about their favourite Singaporean dishes. You don’t have to wait until you travel to Singapore to taste exquisite Singaporean cuisine as there are restaurants such as Nox – Dine In The Dark Restaurant.
Pianos for Sale: Guide to Buying the Best Piano for You
Learning how to play an instrument is a great deal for some people, especially if that instrument is a piano. There are many advantages associated with playing the piano. It is not only entertaining and fun to do so, it is also said to be a good exercise for the brain. It’s no wonder more and more people want to study how to play it. But of course, if you want to learn how to play it, you must have a piano at home. If you don’t, however, there are a lot of pianos for sale available in the market.
Just like when buying other things, buying a piano needs careful thinking. In this article, you will find out some tips on how to look for and purchase the best piano for you.
- What kind of piano do you need? There are different kinds of pianos for sale out there in the market. For example, there is the grand piano, upright piano, and the electric piano. In order to determine what kind suits you best, it’s important to know your skill level before buying one—whether you’re a newbie or a professional one.
If you are a professional piano player looking to purchase a new or a replacement piano, the grand pianos are for you. The grand pianos are the big ones, usually seen in hotel lobbies and restaurants. The upright pianos, on the other hand, are more compact and is usually seen in houses and schools. If you’re just starting out, this would be the perfect one for you.
It is also called vertical pianos since the frames and strings are place vertically. Lastly, the electric pianos. These pianos don’t have any strings unlike the first two. It can also be easily carried anywhere which makes it perfect for travelling musicians. Remember, though, that you can’t just buy one because it looks good or because that’s what you want. Assess your skill level first before you buy one.
- How much are you willing to spend? Some pianos can get expensive. It’s important that you set your spending budget beforehand. There are shops that offer affordable pianos that are for sale. Of course, make sure to check the quality and condition of the piano. If you have some cash to spare, you may also want to buy some accessories like the piano stool.
- Where are you buying it from? Always make sure that the shop you’re buying the piano from is a reliable and credible one. There are many shops that don’t stay true to their claims. Some may claim they give high quality ones at affordable rates but actually offers poorly made pianos. To see whether the piano shop is really reliable, do your research well and try to read the customers’ reviews.
Choosing the best pianos for sale for you really needs to be dealt with great caution and consideration. Always keep those tips in mind when buying a piano—whether it’s the first time or not. By doing so, you’re ensuring yourself that what you’ll be buying is really suited for your needs and preference.
