As Seemeth Me Good

Felicity Marie Munzer

2008-12-16T18:42:00.003Z

Felicity's First Nap
Originally uploaded by Munzerr

Just yesterday my sister Helen gave birth to her second child, Felicity. She is my ninth niece (no nephews yet!).

Felicity already has a big sister, Cara, who will be two next month and lots of cousins who are all looking forward to meet her. I plan to be popping by York between Christmas and the New Year to meet the latest addition in my extended family.

"Wake up number 9, your time starts now" [more photos]

The Energy Drink Epidemic

2008-12-05T16:52:00.006Z

The December 2008 issues of the Ensign and the New Era, both include articles about the dangers and risks that come from energy drinks.

In his article "The Energy Drink Epidemic", Dr. Thomas J. Boud, MD writes

In recent years there has been an explosion of energy drinks with high levels of caffeine—a drug with greater risks than many realize.

In addition to the risks, he does explain that

from a medical point of view there are certain appropriate uses for caffeine. For example, doctors will sometimes prescribe caffeine for use in neonatal care. In addition, used in moderation, caffeine may not pose significant health risks.

What surprised me was the reported levels of caffeine in some of these drinks.

Not all caffeinated drinks are created equal; the quantity of caffeine varies greatly from product to product. To put this into perspective, consider that most cola soft drinks have from 22 to 55 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, compared to a common cup of tea that varies from 26 to 47 mg. Coffee may have from 57 mg for a cup of instant to 180 mg for a cup of brewed. By comparison, energy drinks may have from 80 to 500 mg of caffeine in one can.

In the second article "Energy Drinks: The Lift That Lets You Down" published in the New Era, a magazine aimed at a youth audience, Russell Wilcox writes:

Energy drinks are powerful, easily available, and well marketed. Companies boast record sales that increase dramatically every year. There is no doubt the drinks pack a punch, but is it a punch that picks you up or knocks you down? In the long run, the drinks can have a negative effect both physically and spiritually.

I'm glad that I've never been attracted to these types of drinks. I know friends who turn to them to get them through a long night finishing a project or to help keep them awake on the drive home. For me the risks outweigh any perceived benefits, real or not. In short "energy drinks" aren't for me.

CIPFA Exams Results: June 2008

2008-07-25T11:09:00.006Z

It's that time again - my results for the CIPFA exams I took in June were published today.

Subject	Marks	Results
Accounting for Decision Making (ADM)	42	Fail
Financial & Performance Reporting (FPR)	45	Fail

The pass mark is 50 and so I have come up short again - very very very frustrating.

These exams were both resits of ones I took in December when my marks at that time were 47 and 49 respectively. So looking at just the marks I seem to have slipped back, but I felt confident after taking them, I felt that I had performed better at the June sitting than in December!

Once CIPFA publish the examiners' report and model answer for the papers, I will be going through them and evaluating my answers. Another help will be reviewing the marking sheets, which I have requested, so that I can specifically see which parts of each question I scored/dropped marks on. I will probably also make a request for "script feedback" on both papers. CIPFA will then provide my with a report for each of my exam scripts outlining my strengths and weaknesses. The report will also make suggestions for improving future performance. Hopefully from all these sources I will gain an insight into how I can make the extra improvement needed to pass.

Later today I will be meeting with my managers to talk what help they can provide etc. what I will do next with regards my studies. It may be that we look into arranging some one-on-one tuition. Somebody else has suggested that I go on the course for an exam I will take in the future, but that I can't take until I pass these, so at least I will feel like I'm making progress. Another thing I will need to consider is how did sitting both exams on the same day contribute to my results? This will be the same arrangement in December - both on Tuesday 2nd, so I need to think if it will be better to focus on taking and passing one exam before resitting the other.

The EoM gets a wiki makeover

2008-07-13T20:33:00.006Z

The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, first published in 1992, was made available on-line last year, in the form of searchable PDF files. Now it has now be published using MediaWiki the software developed by the makers of Wikipedia. Unlike most wikis, the content is not editable, but it is now fully word searchable, meaning phase II of the project announced in the Church News has been completed.

If asked, my family will tell you that I loved reading dictionaries and encyclopedias in my youth. I still do know - I don't think many days pass without me checking something on Wikipedia (despite it's flaws). I ordered a copy of the encyclopedia when it was first published and eagerly read it from cover to cover. Now I intend to use the new site to rediscover the well written articles anew. I am also interested in seeing the outcome of phase III, when the articles and references will be updated and supplied with links to on-line resources .

Matt & Hannah: Married

2008-06-15T14:41:00.003Z

Last week on Saturday June 7, my youngest brother Matthew was married to his sweetheart Hannah. It was a wonderful occasion, the weather was really nice and everyone who came seemed to enjoy themselves. As Hannah has only recently joined the Church they will need to wait a year before going to the Temple to be sealed together forever.

In addition to the wedding it was also good for another reason, as my sisters who live away from Bournemouth came, with their families, and stayed for almost a week. It was nice to be with them, spend time with them and catch up on what is happening with them and their children, who are all growing up so quickly.

What Easter Means to Me - The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ

2008-03-22T19:51:00.003Z

Spring is here, nature is busting into life. The days are getting longer and there is a feeling of hope for the future in everybody. Spring is the season of Easter.

To me Easter is a time to celebrate the life we see all around us by remembering one Man's death - the culmination of His Life's Mission - an atoning sacrifice that conquered death for us all. That Man was no less than the Son of God, The Lord Jesus Christ and it is through His Atonement that He made it possible for us all to Live again (and that is only half the story). He also invites us to Come Unto Him and be made clean so that we can become like Him and dwell with Our Heavenly Father.

A new web site has been produced that helps us learn about His Life and Teachings - JesusChrist.lds.org.

"The site features articles, video clips, artwork, an interactive music page and other sections all focused on the life and ministry of Christ."

I think it has been put together in a such a way that is both respectful to the subject matter and appealing to those seeking the truth, who feel comfortable with new media.

The video embedded below features Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talking about this new resource JesusChrist.lds.org.

My Exam Results - December 2007

2008-01-25T17:08:00.000Z

My results for the CIPFA exams I took in December were published today.

Subject Marks Result
Accounting for Decision Making (ADM) 47 Fail
Finance & Performance Reporting (FPR) 49 Fail

The pass mark is 50, so to have come so close to passing both is very very frustrating!

I have requested a copy of the exam marking sheets for the two exams and depending on what they show, I will consider requesting an Administrative Check, which may result in the mark being amended. Whatever the outcome I'm not giving up. I will resit both exams in June if needed.

I have now sat the FPR exam four times! My marks have been 33, 45, 28 and now 49 - I can't believe that I've just missed the pass mark.

In the ADM examiner's report he comes right out and says that collectively it was the worst ever performance with only 48% passing and the average mark dropping below 50 for the first time. This he says is in complete contrast to the previous sitting in June when 73% of candidates passed. It's of little comfort to know that most people who took the exam also failed.

Roll on June.

30 years ago

2008-01-07T00:12:00.000Z

Saturday January 7th, 1978 - It has now been 30 years since I was baptised and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A lot of things have happened since then but my reasons for joining the church remain the same - to follow the example of my Saviour and obey His commandments.

Each week (with the exceptions of illness and various conferences) I have been able to renew my commitment to Him by partaking of the Sacrament.

I can not imagine my life without the Gospel. It gives me real peace and stability. I am truly grateful to my parents and many other teachers who have helped me learn and grow in the knowledge of the Great Plan of Happiness.

My 8 Nieces

2007-08-04T00:17:00.001Z

Cousins on the Couch
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Last weekend was a family occasion. It was Jenna's blessing and all my eight nieces were together for the first time. Aren't they all just lovely.

My Exam Results - June 2007

2007-07-27T07:14:00.000Z

My results for the CIPFA exams I took in June were published today.

Subject Marks Result
Finance & Performance Reporting (FPR) 28 Fail
Taxation (TAX) 52 Pass
Public Finance (PF) 55 Pass

I am disappointed that I still haven't passed FPR! Even more disappointing is that my score has dropped significantly when compared to December. Back then I was only a little short of the pass mark. Where did I go wrong? OK I felt under time pressure again. I know that given more time I would have answered the questions better, but time pressures are all part of the exam. I still need work in my exam technique for this paper. I need be more ruthless when allocating my time to questions, so that I do not get bogged down in one and not leave enough time for the others. I will be sitting down with some of my fellow students, who have passed this module, so that they can help me see where I am going wrong. On reflection, was sitting 3 subjects in June pushing it too much.

On the positive side I have passed two more modules. So I'm continuing to progress. Back in June when I left the exam hall I was unsure that I had done enough to pass TAX, so that result is the one I'm most pleased about. During the last month I really thought I had done enough to pass FPR and my fears were that I had failed TAX.

I'm a little (tiny little) disappointed that my result in PF wasn't higher. I was confident about that paper and thought my result would be into the 60's. But hey, a pass is a pass.

What next? Well I plan to resit FPR (again) and also take the final module to complete the Diploma stage, Accounting for Decision Making (ADM). I will also arrange to sit a mock exam for FPR (which I did not do last term). This will help in my preparation for the exams in December. My next course in London starts on August 8.

Evolution of the Portal

2007-06-08T13:17:00.000Z

Issac Asimov said

"The only constant is change."

This truism is so relevant to how we use the Internet.

My first interactions with the net was via my first ISP, CompuServe (CIS). They had a closed network of forums covering all manner of subjects. It was like a well resourced, user friendly bulletin board.

Then Netscape came along with their browser for the newest part of the net, the World Wide Web. Being limited to a small subset of the internet from CIS, regardless of the quality, then seemed to be very restrictive. I wanted to find out what individuals were doing with/on the net, not just a corporate view from my ISP. CIS was soon left behind.

With the rapid growth of the WWW, finding what you wanted now required a search engine or a well constructed web directory. Yahoo! became my index of choice. I remember the thrill of getting my site listed on Yahoo!. To me their site became the benchmark of how an internet "portal" should look and feel. When it came to finding things not in Yahoo!'s index I used AltaVista as my main search engine.

My next switch in habits, in how I interacted with the net, came along in the shape of Google with a powerful algorithm which measured the links between pages to gauge the relevancy of any particular website. I quickly dropped AltaVista as my go-to site. Google gradually built upon their dominance in search. I now use their free services for desktop search, email, mailing lists, calendaring, maps, note taking, bookmarks, on-line documents, keeping upto date with feeds and this blog.

Now there is talk of a new shift in the evolution.

This recent article The New Portals: It’s the Bread, Not the Peanut Butter talks about how the new Facebook platform is going to use the leverage of the social network to serve information to users that are relevant based not on a search term, but on the people you are friends with. This change is at a very early stage, but I feel this will be a powerful shift in the way I will interact with the net.

Question: What will be the next phase?

Jenna Louise Cottrell

2007-05-21T22:48:00.001Z

Jenna Louise
Originally uploaded by adcottrellski.

Niece number eight, born today to my sister-in-law Katie and my brother Alan. Sister to Amber and Leah. [more photos]

I've already been over to see them. The girls are so excited to have a baby sister as it means Amber will eventually have her own room and Leah is now a big sister herself.

True Blue Bournemouth

2007-05-04T21:06:00.000Z

Yesterday was local election day in many parts of the country. In Bournemouth the whole council was up for election. 54 councillors, 3 in each of the 19 wards. The result was a "True Blue" swing of massive proportions!

Many at work had the feeling that the Tories would be back in charge. For that to happen only 9 seats were need to change hands from the LibDems, but with a loss of 23, it meant that only 5 of the sitting LibDem councillors were returned, along with 2 new councillors. Hopefully the new administration will not get to bullish about their majority and not do anything too hasty. We will wait and see.

Full Results - Ward by Ward

Martha Heidi Cook

2007-04-23T22:26:00.001Z

Martha Heidi
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Niece number seven, born today to my sister Linda and her husband Richard Cook. Sister to Emily, Naomi and Liesl.

Not sure when I'll get to see them. They moved to Grimsby in January so it will need some planning to get there, but get there I will.

Perpetual Education Fund

2007-04-04T12:11:00.000Z

I am just amazed with the simple idea behind the Perpetual Education Fund. Lend a student money to pay for his education. Once they graduate they repay the loan over the next five to ten years. The money can then be recycled and loaned again to another student. The fund was started in 2001 and in the past 6 years has helped 27,000 individuals in 39 different countries. Here in the UK the government runs a state system of student loans administered by the Student Loan Company. I think the only reason why many students in the UK complain about this system is that until 1998 all state education was free up to and including university courses. I wish more could see how blessed they are.

Simple, but not simpler

2007-03-17T09:39:00.000Z

Came across this post Simple, but not simpler which starts off with this alleged quote from Albert Einstein "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler". Which turns out wasn't the words he actually used. Apparently that is a paraphrase of the full quote "The supreme goal of all theory is to make the irreducible basic elements as simple and as few as possible without having to surrender the adequate representation of a single datum of experience" see Occam's Razor. Seems the world started out by simplifying his quote.

New FamilySearch Beta

2007-02-28T22:45:00.000Z

My parents both currently spend a majority of their time during the week volunteering for the Church as Family History Support missionaries.
One of the main areas of development in the Family History programs of the Church is New FamilySearch. It is currently in a second phase of beta testing. Dad emailed me details about how to apply to get involved in the beta testing. I've now been accepted and have had my first experience with the system. There are still things to iron out, but it does look very promising.

Council announces low tax rise

2007-02-23T14:05:00.000Z

OK it's done. Bournemouth Council met last night and agreed the council tax increase for 2007/8. My role has been a supporting one. I've didn't have to make any decisions about what services are cut or where extra money will be spent in the coming year, but a lot of my time (increasingly more and more, as we approached this week) over the last 6 months has been all towards supporting the decision makers in their duty to do so.

A Reservoir of Living Water

2007-02-17T09:50:00.000Z

I just love to listen to Elder David A. Bednar. So I had been looking forward to hearing him speak at the CES Fireside last week since we got the list of speakers late last year. He introduced his talk by talking about how water is the most valuable of all resources and then linked that to the Saviour's teaching about how He and the gospel were Living Water. For us the scriptures are a reservoir of this vitally important resource. Like our bodies which lose water each day during normal activity, we must drink of the living water regularly and not endure periods of dehydration.

It was another wonderful talk and one in which he gave us an insight into the process he personally uses whilst searching the scriptures. He spoke of identify and making copies of all the scriptures which included a word in all it's forms (his example was gather). Next he prayerfully reads each and looks for connections, patterns and themes using coloured pencils to mark those with similarities. Then he cuts up the verses and collects them in piles according to his markings. It's something I would like to try and is made easier by having searchable scriptures on-line.

Earlier Elder Bednar had talked about the different methods obtaining living water from the scriptures and liken them to the different groups in Lehi's Vision of the Tree of Life.

Reading the scriptures from beginning to end. This "initiates the flow of living water into our lives by introducing us to important stories, gospel doctrines, and timeless principles" which also "enables us to learn about major characters in the scriptures and the sequence, timing, and context of events and teachings. ... This is the first and most fundamental way of obtaining living water."
Studying the scriptures by topic. This method "typically follows, grows out of, and builds upon our reading of the scriptures from beginning to end. For example, as we read the Book of Mormon we may identify and seek to find answers to important doctrinal and practical questions," Elder Bednar observed. "Focusing upon such questions and studying by topic ... allows us to dig into and explore the depth of the scriptures and obtain a much richer spiritual knowledge. This approach increases the rate at which living water flows into our lives."
Searching the scriptures for connections, patterns, and themes. Searching the revelations "builds upon and adds to our spiritual knowledge; ... it broadens our perspective and understanding of the plan of salvation," Elder Bednar said. "In my judgment, diligently searching to discover connections, patterns, and themes is in part what it means to 'feast' upon the words of Christ. This approach can open the floodgates of the spiritual reservoir."

The Good Samaritan: Forgotten Symbols

2007-02-08T21:46:00.000Z

I really enjoyed John Welch's article in the February Ensign The Good Samaritan: Forgotten Symbols. I have read other items of his in the past, which have come to my attention via FARMS.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most well known of the Saviour's teachings and yet reading his article I see how much more there is to it. It is quite breath taking, how much can be taught in 13 verses, using just over 300 words. It's very POWERFUL!

Niece number Six

2007-01-28T22:11:00.001Z

Mother and Baby Girl
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Happy News - Today Cara Louise Munzer was born. Daughter of my sister Helen and her husband Andy. She already has her own blog.

The Munzer Family.

My Exam Results - December 2006

2007-01-26T08:17:00.000Z

My results for the CIPFA exams I took in December were published today.

Subject Marks Result
Finance & Performance Reporting (FPR) 45 Fail
Governance & Public Policy (GPP) 57 Pass

I am very happy that I passed GPP. It is a more discursive subject and my weakness in the past has been to wander off-topic, covering valid points but not what the question asked for. In June I achieved 39% so I am more than happy with 57.

I would have loved to have passed FPR, but I have found that the biggest challenge for me in this subject is the time constraints. When I first took the exam in June I spent too long on the first two questions meaning that I ran out of time on the remaining three. All 5 questions are worth 20 marks each, this I feel is the main reason I only got 33% last time. In December I was very strict on myself. I allocated each question the same amount of time and then forced myself to move on when that had expired. I still ran out of time, but at least I had given each question a good go.

What next? Well I plan to resit FPR and also take one new course. As I have two more to do from the Diploma level I will leave the more technical paper 'Accounting for Decision Making' (ADM) for later and take the two half papers 'Public Finance & Taxation' (PF&T) in June. Courses for these will start in February.

Improving Gospel Teaching

2007-01-23T21:43:00.000Z

I've really been enjoying a series of posts over at Millennial Star about Improving Gospel Teaching. Today the post (Part 5) was about "How to Be Great". In addition to being really inspiring and giving me lots to think about, I also felt impressed to add a comment giving the quote from Elder Bednar's talk last year to CES Educators, that I remembered was available on-line in the teacher's section of LDSCES.org

I'm looking forward to the World-wide Leadership Training Broadcast next month which is going to be focused on the subject of Gospel Teaching and Learning. Maybe it's just me, but this is a subject that I have found keeps raising its head recently.

The Church's Technology Website

2007-01-19T07:19:00.000Z

I was interested to hear about the LDSTech Web Site (currently in beta) which was announced at the first LDS Tech Talk, very interested.

Two Conference Issues

2007-01-16T22:44:00.000Z

I wonder how long before this subscription plan is made available over here in the UK? I'm sure there are many families who would willingly pay the extra to get an additional copy of the conference edition.

Scripture Power

2007-01-14T20:35:00.000Z

I had a speaking assignment today. This time it came from the stake presidency, to speak in Weymouth Branch on the topic of "Increasing our faith in the Lord through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures".

I started out be relating an experience from the early life of Spencer W. Kimball. Explaining how this account had inspired me to read all the scriptures from cover to cover. I also quoted from a couple of Children's Songs.

"Search, Ponder, and Pray", Children’s Songbook, 109
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.

and

"Scripture Power", Friend, Oct. 1987, 10–11
Because I want to be like the Savior, and I can,
I’m reading His instructions, I’m following His plan.
Because I want the power His word will give to me,
I’m changing how I live, I’m changing what I’ll be.

I’ll find the sword of truth in each scripture that I learn.
I’ll take the shield of faith from these pages that I turn.
I’ll wear each vital part of the armor of the Lord,
And fight my daily battles, and win a great reward.

[Chorus]
Scripture power keeps me safe from sin.
Scripture power is the power to win.
Scripture power! Ev’ryday I need
The power that I get each time I read.

I concluded by presenting the five basic principles that Elder Bednar has suggested would help us to make our personal scripture study become more edifying and effective.

Pray for understanding, and invite the help of the Holy Ghost
Work
Be consistent
Ponder
Write down impressions, thoughts, and feelings

Nan & Grampi's Diamond Wedding

2007-01-10T20:24:00.001Z

Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Last week on January 4th, my grandparents marked their 60th Wedding Anniversary. On Saturday (6th) most of their family (children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren), plus a few friends got together in Bournemouth to celebrate this event.

Kylie Showgirl Homecoming

2007-01-10T01:44:00.001Z

P1030368
Originally uploaded by ~.Rick.~.

Last night I went to Wembley Arena to enjoy Kylie Minogue at her last night in London on her current tour. Wikipedians have written an article including the set list.

Kylie included songs from all phases of her career, from "I Should Be So Lucky" and a reworked "Locomotion" to her latest hits like "Red Blooded Woman" and "Chocolate".

She also threw in a brief cover of "Vogue" and went all "Dr. Who" when the dancers came in dressed as Cybermen for the first encore.

Mo'jive Christmas Freestyle

2006-12-23T10:11:00.001Z

Mo'jive Christmas Freestyle 2006
Originally uploaded by Steve.

Thursday this week, I along with Selima Cooper, Louise Kenchington, Laurie Miller and my brother Matt attended the Mo'jive Christmas Freestyle at the Pavilion Ballroom.

We all had a great evening and danced our feet into submission!

Baby Names

2006-12-20T14:10:00.000Z

My sister Helen is visiting town with her hubby Andy. They are expecting their first child next month. With that in mind I was interested to read today the babies' names chart for 2006 published today by the ONS.

Peter Ivor Cooper

2006-12-18T23:38:00.000Z

Today I attended the funeral services for Peter Cooper, family friend, member of the Bournemouth Ward and my driving instructor. My Dad was asked by Peter's family to speak during the services. He did a good job mixing in some reflections on Peter's life with gospel doctrine on death and the resurrection.

The Prophesies of the Birth of Christ

2006-12-18T08:08:00.000Z

This post links to my script and notes for a talk I gave in Bournemouth Ward yesterday. I was given 10 minutes but as I got nervous and talked fast, probably took less time. I believe it was well received.

The other speakers on the programme were Laurie Miller and Mike Winkworth.

Intro

2006-12-17T15:39:00.000Z

I've been aware of blogs for some time now and today I thought it was about time that I started my own. So what are my reasons and hopes for posting on-line? To help me sort out my own thoughts and perhaps write some interesting items for my family and friends to read about. Who knows, in years to come my children and grandchildren may find what I post here insightful, if not useful, then at least for them to gain a little understanding about me.

Subject	Marks	Result
Accounting for Decision Making (ADM)	47	Fail
Finance & Performance Reporting (FPR)	49	Fail