Psychometric Tests

In preparation for applying for jobs I got a book out of the library on psychometric tests - describing the purpose and style of the different types of test used by employers when they recruit staff.

In general I would say that I am not a 'visual person'. Whilst I may notice the animals and plants around me more than most people I am generally quite unaware of my surroundings. I can rarely remember the type of cars my family own, let alone their license plate numbers. I never know what eye colour people have (though I do try to look people in the eye when I talk to them) etc.

Of the type of questions that come up in IQ type tests the ones I struggle with the most are usually visual. This is an example from my book. Please can somebody help me understand how to do these...

Neither Ian (a visual person) nor Mum (very good at puzzles in general) can do it either. I've put the answer in a comment to this blog and would greatly appreciate it if someone could explain how to get it. Thank you!

A new blog

I have started a new blog, the reasons for which will become apparent when you have read the first entry:

http://hje-at-home.blogspot.com/

Pensthorpe Gardens

I often use google image search to get ideas for gardens. My favourite gardens that I've visited are at Pensthorpe (http://www.pensthorpe.com/) in Norfolk. I was originally attracted to Pensthorpe due to its water gardens and associated wildlife, but the flower borders left a much more lasting impression.

My absolute favourite is their millenium garden, designed by Piet Oudolf (www.oudolf.com). Paths wind through enormous borders featuring colourful perennials and grasses. Careful planting has resulted in a most spectacular display from early summer right through the winter. Some of my favourite pictures are below, but see gap photos for more details.

In late autumn and winter the grasses and seedheads dominate the gardens.

Kinkajou

I'm not generally keen on the phase lots of celebrities are going through at the moment - having odd pets, particularly small yappy dogs. I do, however, adore this little honey bear featured on the BBC today...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7544862.stm

Book blog

Having been inspired by my father I've started a new blog about books

http://frog-books.blogspot.com/

Both Ian and I will be contributing, but I can't say with what frequency. I feel very inspired to read at the moment, Ian having put up lots of shelving in the lounge. For the first time in a very long time the majority of my books are on a shelf. This has made me realise how many of them I haven't yet read and others that I want to reread. I suspect many will have to wait til winter though as it seems such a shame to stay indoors when the weather is good and the garden needs so much attention.

ga or wa?

Could someone who actually studied grammar at school (or anywhere else) please explain to me the difference between the topic and the subject of a sentence. I'm asking because my Japanese grammar book assumes that I know and I don't and I'm therefore unsure of when to use some particles...

'When the topic of the sentence is different to the grammatical subject, the grammatical subject is followed by ga (the topic is followed by wa)'

I have an example:

I don't understand English: Eigo ga wakaranai desu (literally, English ga don't understand)

I don't eat Japanese food: Nihonshoku wa tabenai desu (literally, Japanese food wa don't eat)

I'm sure I should be able to figure this out, but I can't seem to. Help please!

If you're feeling lonely...

There's an article on the BBC website today about talking to strangers - whether or not people consider it polite, are willing to strike up a conversation and if the weather is the best subject to start on.

Often I read the comments section at the bottom of BBC articles. I really liked this one...

'The other day someone gave me a helium balloon shaped like a panda, and I had to take it across London. If you want people to talk to you, take a panda! I simply couldn't believe how many people (guys, girls, groups, couples, individuals, young, old) stopped to talk to me, to ask the panda's name, to ask if he was dangerous, what he ate... In a city where usually no one speaks to anyone, an anthropomorphic balloon is an instant bond with - apparently - everyone!'

So now you know what to do if you're bored and have no one to talk to!