Happy New Year Resolution

Hello My Dear Reader,

2007 is saying goodbye. Welcome to 2008. What is your resolution?
Actually I should not ask you first. I should ask myself first. Alright.
To answer the question, ‘what is my resolution?’ I suppose to exam myself what happened with me in 2007.

During 2007,

Health:
I slept less than six hours almost every night. Some nights, I slept less than four hours.
Eat meat (chicken, pork, beef) every meal.
Nevertheless, generally I had good health.

Education:
Most of subjects, I got As but most of my assignments were done during last hours before they were due. I have had a very bad habit, which was postponing my works month to month, week to week, day to day, hour to hour, till the last minutes before the deadline.

Work:
Average, I worked 10 hours per week.

Family:
Our family was doing well. Our third baby, KaiSein was born on December 1st of 2007. Our oldest son, Izana began to go to preschool in the fall semester. Our second baby, Mahla began to speak a few words, such as ‘PaPa, May May, Ko Ko, good book, good girl, apple.

Enjoyment:
Average, I read one and half book per month but many articles.
I wrote more than twenty poems and twenty articles in Arakanese and Burmese. I translated about 80 pages (from English to Arakanese and Burmese).
I created a blog and wrote about thirty articles in English.
The bad thing was I did not have the chance to watch soccer, my favorite sport.
I drank two bottles of alcohol and more than 120 bottles of beer (average one beer per every three days.)

Resolution for 2008

So, what should I do in 2008? I ask myself. At first, I thought I would write a book but I am not sure yet. Sometimes, I was biting off more than I could chew in 2007. Then, I thought to stop drinking the whole year of 2008 but I thought it is not fair.
Finally, I decided to do the following four things in 2008:
No drink in the first four months of 2008 (from January 1st to April 30.)
To eat only vegetables on every Friday.
To try my assignments to be done earlier than the due dates.
To sleep six hours per night.

How about you? What is your New Year resolution?

HAVE A SPECIAL HAPPY NEW YEAR!
LET EVERYTHING YOU WANT BE YOURS!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!


Picture: http://agrowknow.org/Documents/Image/Parker/111923_Happy%20New%20Year.jpg

First Lady of the Year

(Please read this first: Ms. Piggy Bless America!!! Thanks!)

Many people want to stand with powerful groups and majorities but she would like to kindly stand with weak peoples, minorities, children and women. She loves reading and cherishes libraries. She is a mother, the wife of the president of the most powerful country in the world. As far as I notice, she is the only First Lady who is more interested in poor people of African countries, Burma and Afghanistan than any other first lady of the history of the United States.

Laura Welch Bush is the First Lady of the Year!
Love and treasure on reading and libraries

Her prime career is librarian. She earned her M.L.S. (Master’s of Library Science) degree in 1973 and worked in Houston Public Library and Dawson Elementary School library as a librarian.
In July 2002, she started the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.
She has raised more than $ 1 million for Texas libraries through the library programs, such as “Texas Book Fair.” Among people from both political parties, Laura Bush became known as one of the finest First Ladies in Texas history.

When you read the following words she said, you will have no doubt how she loves reading and how she regards on libraries:

“These trips to the library were a defining part of my childhood. Even at three and four years of age, I remember thinking how special the library must be. Here were so many books with people of all ages enjoying them, located in the most important building in our town.”

“Every child in America should have access to a well-stocked school or community library… An investment in libraries is an investment in our children’s future.”

Please visit this links:
http://www.laurabushfoundation.org/
Mrs. Bush's Remarks at the Westbank Community Library's Announcement of the Laura Bush Community Library Westbank Community LibraryAustin, Texas
MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Susan. Thank you so much, Beth. I want to recognize Lieutenant Governor, David Dewhurst. Thank you, Governor, for joining us today. James Bannerot, who is the President of the Westbank Community Library board of trustees; Pat Smith, who is the Executive Director of the Texas Library Association. Pat does a really terrific job. The Texas Library Association is the largest of the state library associations. It's very active. They've always been very supportive of the Texas Book Festival and of every sort of literacy project in our state. And I want to thank you very much for that, Pat.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070814.html

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
The Application and Guidelines for the current fiscal year are now available:
http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/21centuryLibrarian.shtm

Laura Welch Bush shares America's concerns about the education of our children. Through her national initiative called Ready to Read, Ready to Learn, she stresses that America's children can't wait to read. In fact, they should have a book and an adult to read with long before they start school. In her speeches and public appearances, Mrs. Bush expresses what many Americans believe: that every human being should be treated with dignity; and that no child should be left behind in school, or in life.
http://www.georgebushfoundation.org/articles/Laura_Bush


For Democracy, Rights of Human and Women in Afghanistan

In November 2001, Laura Bush became the only First Lady to give the weekly presidential radio broadcast. She spoke out against the oppression of women and children under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

There are more than 453,000 news links will be found about Laura’s activities for human rights, women rights and democracy in Afghanistan. Here are a few links;

In Afghanistan, Laura Bush focuses on roles of women
First Lady arrived in Kabul Wednesday pledging US support to ensure women participate fully in public life.
By Halima Kazem Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – First Lady Laura Bush made a high-profile visit here Wednesday to promote women's education and the freedoms of democracy.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0331/p07s01-wosc.html

Radio Address by Mrs. Bush Crawford, Texas
Good morning. I'm Laura Bush, and I'm delivering this week's radio address to kick off a world-wide effort to focus on the brutality against women and children by the al-Qaida terrorist network and the regime it supports in Afghanistan, the Taliban.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011117.html

First Lady Laura Bush Visits Troops in Afghanistan
The first lady's trip also included a visit at the Kabul University Women’s TeacherTraining Institute and a meeting with Afghan President Karzai.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/mar2005/a033105wm2.html

First Lady Laura Bush's Remarks at the Afghan Children Initiative Benefit Dinner with Khaled Hosseini, Author of The Kite RunnerFirst Lady Laura BushRemarks at the Embassy of AfghanistanWashington, DCMarch 16, 2006
7:05 P.M. EST
Released by the White HouseOffice of the First Lady
MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Ambassador. Thank you for your very, very kind introduction; and thank you for hosting this lovely evening tonight in your beautiful embassy. Mrs. Jawad, thank you very much. And, Tim McBride, thank you both for your enthusiastic work as the co-chairs of Ayenda -- the Afghan Children Initiative. You're doing such important work on behalf of the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council, as well, for the children of Afghanistan. And I want to thank both of you very much. http://usawc.state.gov/usawc/ayenda/releases/68481.htm
Laura Bush lauds progress in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Inspired by Afghan women who have boldly shed their burqas after years of Taliban repression, Laura Bush urged more educational opportunities and greater rights for women Wednesday in this war-wrecked nation.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-03-30-afghan-blast_x.htm


On the Issues of Burma
As I wrote in my introduction, she is only First Lady who more interested in the issues of Burma than any other first ladies. We all knew how she strongly spoke out on the democracy and human rights abuse in Burma in recent events.

There are more than 180,000 news links about the first lady’s activities on the issues of Burma and the followings are some of them:

First Lady Laura Bush is urging Burma's military junta to forge a path to democracy or step aside. VOA's Michael Bowman reports from the White House, where Mrs. Bush spoke out on International Human Rights Day.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-12-10-voa53.cfm
First lady Laura Bush is challenging Myanmar's military government, telling the country's dictators to help the nation move toward democracy or else "get out of the way" while pro-democracy activists put an end to the 19-year military junta. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,300666,00.html
US First Lady Laura Bush has urged UN chief Ban Ki-moon to condemn Burma's crackdown on pro-democracy protestors.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6973521.stm

Laura Bush on Burma: "The World has Been Remarkably Silent" September 27, 2007 12:57 PM
ABC News' Ann Compton Reports: Laura Bush, in the most significant foreign policy issue she has taken up, is way ahead of her husband opposing the repression now spilling into bloodshed in Southeast Asia. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/09/laura-bush-on-b.html
Laura Bush's Burmese Crusade
U.S. First Lady Laura Bush rarely speaks out strongly on foreign affairs. One exception: Burma. She has been a consistent critic of the military junta and a supporter of jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In May, she worked with 16 women Senators to draft and sign a letter to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, calling for the U.N. to pressure the Burmese regime to release Suu Kyi. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1659170,00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics
Laura Bush: Burma has 'days' to act
WASHINGTON — First lady Laura Bush said Tuesday that her husband's administration is prepared to slap additional sanctions on Burma's military government if it does not start moving toward democracy "within the next couple of days.”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-10-09-laura-bush_N.htm
For Burmese people, a friend in high places
Laura Bush has made defending human rights in Burma a personal mission.
Bangkok, Thailand - Nearly two decades of treating Burmese migrants on the Thai border has taught Cynthia Maung, herself a political refugee from military-ruled Burma (Myanmar), to expect the unexpected. Every day brings more migrants to her private clinic – many of whom can't afford treatment.
Laura Bush wants Burma jewel boycott
US First Lady Laura Bush has called for a global boycott of jewels from Burma, urging companies to shun a gem show in Rangoon and consumers around the world to look elsewhere.
She says every Burmese stone bought, cut, polished, and sold sustains an illegitimate, repressive regime.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/17/2093713.htm

Kindnesses in AfricaYou can obviously see here; how she kindly stands with the poor people of Africa when you take a look at the following news links: (Actually there are almost 200,000 news links about first lady’s efforts for the inadequate people of Africa.)
IV/AIDS, Malaria Focus of Laura Bush's Africa Trip
Education and women’s empowerment also on agenda
Washington -- First lady Laura Bush embarks on her third Africa tour June 25, during which she will visit U.S.-funded HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention and treatment projects. She also will highlight education and women’s empowerment during her five-day trip to Senegal, Mozambique, Zambia and Mali.
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=June&x=20070622165008mlenuhret0.4878351
Laura Bush on Africa Trip, AIDS Epidemic
This is a rush transcript from "On the Record ," July 9, 2007. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: But first, first lady Laura Bush. She just got back from an extremely important trip to Africa. The first lady began her five-day trip in Senegal. She then flew about seven hours across the African continent to Mozambique. Then she went on Zambia, and then back again across the African continent to Mali.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288826,00.html
Laura Bush calls attention to AIDS battle in Africa
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Laura Bush, clearly moved by a jubilant song of praise from a roomful of HIV-positive South African mothers, on Tuesday thanked them for "stripping away the stigma" of the disease and helping to prevent more babies in their impoverished township from being born with AIDS.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-07-12-first-lady-africa-aids_x.htm
Mrs. Bush's Remarks in a Compassion in Action Roundtable to Discuss Controlling Malaria in Africa Eisenhower Executive Office BuildingRoom 450
MRS. BUSH: Thank you all, thanks so much. Thank you, Randy. Thank you, Ambassador Tobias. Thank you very much for that very kind introduction and for your words telling us what all of us can do, how we can join together to defeat malaria and other diseases and, at the same time, save lives.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/02/20070215-2.html
Laura Bush Credits Africa's Faith-Driven Programs in AIDS Battle
WASHINGTON – U.S. first lady Laura Bush praised faith-based groups for their contributions in the fight against Africa’s deadliest killers – HIV/AIDS and Malaria – as she wrapped-up her four-nation tour last week.
Mrs. Bush, joined by her daughter Jenna, concluded her Africa tour Friday after visiting countries benefiting from U.S. financial support for HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention and treatment programs. Her weeklong visit included spots in Senegal, Mozambique, Zambia, and Mali.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070702/28269_Laura_Bush_Credits_Africa

We, the minorities and poor people salute you, Laura Bush!
Source: Biography Today, Vol.12, - No.2, April 2003
Photo:
http://www.rochester.edu/in_visible_culture/Issue_6/uddin/laurabush.JPG
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/10/images/20061018-5_p101806sc-0134-1-384h.jpg
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/images/20070612-4_p061207sc-0046-515h.jpg
http://131.84.1.90/images/photos/mar2005/index/Hi-Res/050331-W-00000-001.jpg
http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050712/050712_bushAfrica_hmed_3p.h2.jpg

Another Kind of Clash of Civilization II

(Please read this first: Ms. Piggy Bless America!!! Thanks!)

After you look at the above pictures, do you notice something, which is similar and different between the first five photos and the last one? You may.

The first five pictures are photographs of Arakanese girls and the last one is a poster, which is an advertisement. The difference could be real photos and a poster. The similarity could be – all are girls’ pictures and they all have something on their face, especially on each girl’s cheek. Five beautiful Arakanese girls in the pictures were wearing traditional Thanakha on their faces when they were taken the photos. According to Burmese-English dictionary, the translation of Thanakha is ‘a kind of tree the bark and root of which are used in making a fragrant paste for cosmetic purposes.’ It is a traditional make-up for almost every girl of Arakanese and Burmese but for the last picture, it was just a stamp on that poster.

Let me explain you the background history of this story.

I am a student worker at our college, the College of DuPage. I work under the Student Activities office and my job title is ‘Posting Clerk.’ Main duty of a posting clerk is to deliver or post all posters and banners in classrooms, lounges, walls and notice boards of the main campus of the college, every single week. Before I post the posters and banners, I have to stamp, which express about the ‘Removal Date.’ The removal date is very important in the process of this job. I can remove old posters and replace with new posters when I see the removal date of them. I usually stamp on any place where I can obviously see of the poster or banner.

In October 2006, I have received a poster from the Art Center of our college, which is the last picture of the above. The poster was about a play, ‘The Glory of Living.’ The poster had a face of a beautiful girl as you see in the picture. I choose to stamp on her cheek and it was for two reasons:
The first reason was - no other place to stamp except on her face because the whole poster was black, but only the girl’s face had white color as you are seeing in the picture. Since I needed to obviously see the removal date, I stamped on the white place, which was on the girl’s face.
The second reason was I gave Thanakha on her face. In the picture, she was beautiful, but I felt that she was more beautiful and unique after I stamped. I was very happy. I delivered those posters with enjoyment.

After one week later I posted those posters, our supervisor of Student Activities office got a phone call from the Art Center. The call was about something concerned with that my unique poster. The person who had responsibility for that poster from art center said that the poster became UGLY because of the stamp on the girl’s face of the poster.
Do you see the point, now? In my eyes, she was BEAUTIFUL, ATTRACTIVE and UNIQUE. If I intently looked at her face, even I thought I got the fragrant small of Thanakha. In another person who was from different background and different culture’s eyes, it was ugly.

Who was wrong in this case? Nobody. It was just different feelings, views, opinions and perspectives of the people who came from different backgrounds and cultures.

I think it was great and unique story, not only for me, but also for you, my reader, in this globalization era.

Any way, how about you? You may have a different story and please feel free to share it with us.

Thank you and have a good day!


Note1: This is the view, which I see through the sociological glasses that I got from sociology class.

Note2: Special Thanks to Areegree Daw Kyawt Hla (Australia) for her sending beautiful pictures of Arakan.
This is the URL that you can reach for Arakan views, which is created by Areegree;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blessing_flowers

Untrustworthy Competitors and Endangered Values of Our Human Being

(Please read this first: Ms. Piggy Bless America!!! Thanks!)

There were many leaders who were assassinated in the world history and some of them to whom I know the most are;
Julius Caesar of Rome
Indian National Leader Mahatma Gandhi
Indian Prime Minister Indra Gandhi
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
American President Abraham Lincoln
American President John F. Kennedy
American Civil Right Leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin
Burma’s National Leader General Aung San
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
Pakistani Presidential Candidate Benazir Bhutto (right today – December 27, 2008 Thursday).

The above leaders were killed because of – may be for their beliefs, for their standings, for their power, for their competitions and so on. I have discussed about this in a leadership program. I was one of the participants in College of DuPage’s Honors Program and Student Leadership Retreat 2007, which was held from August 17th to 19th 2007 at Hickory Ridge Marriott Conference Hotel. There were many sections in the program, such as Name Tags, Think About Living Leadership, Fish Philosophy, Leaders as Negotiators, True Colors, Poetry Jam, Leadership Forum and so on. It was fun, great and priceless.

During one of the discussion sections, I have discussed about leaders and assassinations through ideology of the Buddha. My discussion was, ‘leaders have / had enemies. There were many leaders who were assassinated in the world history. In the way of Buddhism, we believe reincarnation and effectiveness of our actions from life to life, whether, which is good or bad. If I am doing good things with good mind and good heart in this life, I deserve the good results during this life or next life or in another life. At the same time, if I am doing bad things in this life, I may get all those bad things back any time of this life or may be in next life. I deserve it. I have to get it back in any circumstance of life. Therefore, sometimes, even though we are doing good things right now, we may be receiving bad things, which we deserve for the tings we did in past lives. That was my point for my a few minutes discussion.

Any way, today, I watch in TV news (ABC and BBC) about assassination of Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister and currently presidential candidate of Pakistan. Then I am thinking about the competitions, dignity, integrity and justice of Human beings. There are many reactions of leaders around the world, such as from the leaders of India, the United States, UN, UK, EU and so on. Main idea of most of them is – this assassination threatens Democracy and Pakistan.

Benazir Bhutto was a Prime Minister of Pakistan for two terms and educated in Oxford and Harvard Universities. She might be a pro-west. In our human beings, we must have the right to be pro or con on someone or something or any system or any idea. In my opinion, these kinds of assassinations not only threaten on democracy and certain country, but also on the values and integrity of our human beings. There are many competitions in our lives of human beings. When we look at the backgrounds of these assassinations, we could probably find that those are the results of competitions or power challenges between Competitors, Countries, Religions, Races and Ethnicities etc. Whatever it is, as we are human beings, we should compete; we should solve our problems by the way of human being.

To win a race, we have to hardly practice, train, try and run as fast as we can. If I can run faster than other runners, I will be the winner. Whoever it is, the fastest runner could be the winner. But when people emphasize, focus and try only to ‘WIN,’ not only practicing for faster running, but some people also practice to thwart or foil to other competitors. Then, the prime value of competition in human being is raped. The winner knows by himself or herself that he or she is not a real winner but a liar or a cheater or a swindler or an untrustworthy winner. I am talking here is not to the direct competitors of those assassinated leaders. I am talking To Whom It May Concern, who might be extremists or who might be enemies of those leaders.

Every human being was born to die. We are just temporarily visiting in this world. The above kinds of tragedies only left the questions for me; such as should we be untrustworthy to win? Should we kill our honest competitors? Then, what does competition mean? What could be the value of that race? What is dignity and integrity of our human being? If it is the way of human being, who or what are we?



Picture:
http://www.harrywalker.com/photos/Bhutto_Benazir.jpg
http://www.visitingdc.com/images/abraham-lincoln-picture.jpg
http://www.bible-history.com/past/images/julius_caesar_statue.jpg

http://www.intervoiceonline.org/assets/2006/12/3/Gandhi_1.jpg

Quotes of the Week: Heart Talks

"Burma is a multi racial country. Several ethnic indigenous groups have lived throughout history in Burma and the Burmans call us ethnic minority groups. We are not minorities, we are the indigenous.”

“We are the indigenous. By addressing the ethnic groups as minorities, they are limiting and restricting our rights. We, the indigenous, must not allow others to label us as minorities.”

“From the SPDC, we are not demanding our rights because we already have them, but we are abused and our rights have been taken away from us. So now we are asking them to give these rights back to us.”

Dr. Sui Khar
Leading member of Chin National Front (CNF) and Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC)


“As you may probably know that Burma is facing not only ideology-crisis but also institutional crisis, what i think and predict is the federal political system can not be installed again in Burma because the federal spirit has been abolished by the Burman ethnicity group and till now most of Burman people do not clearly realize and accept the essence of federal ideology. Another thing, on the other hand, is that history tells us a dead political system cannot be reborn.”

“Moreover, what I want to emphasize here is while the Burman group have no clear vision, we (Arakanese) will need to set up our own vision that our fellow people can follow. I mean our revolution and national political movement should not always rely on the guideline of what Burman people have lobbied. So, to nurture new generations is the first priority of us, focusing on education and knowledge investments.”

Nyi Nyi Htwe
Co-Founder of RaKhaRoMa, the Arakanese Online Journal


Source: Group Emails of ENC and the Arakanese Society

Picture: http://blogs.sun.com/ChinaExperience/resource/evolution.jpg

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


LET THERE BE PEACE AND SUNSHINE TOGETHER WITH YOU!


Picture: http://www.freefoto.com/images/90/03/90_03_36---Christmas-Decorations_web.jpg

Three Notes of Vladimir Putin

When I was young, I often listened to the Moscow Radio, which was launched around 10:00 - 10:30 PM of Burma’s local time, as far as I remember. Almost every day, we read in newspapers and international news journals, at least a piece of news about Soviet Union and its power spreading. At that time, Burma was a socialist country and we have heard that Rangoon Institute Technology (RIT) was established and constructed through the Russian’s aid. (I don’t know exactly how much it was correct or not, since everything about government was / is top secret in Burma.)

During 1991, we all have frequently read the breaking news about instability of the Soviet Union and briefly, President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned, the cold war ended and the superpower union was collapsed in that year. After that, as far as I notice, Russia became a notorious country with its corruption crises, debts, gamblers, drinkers, gangs, prostitutes, etc.

After passing her hard years, Russia occurred as a new Russia under a man’s strong and middle path leadership (I mean neither east nor west, but by the median). I have seen this man’s photo in a news story of Bangkok Post when he was playing Judo with skill and activeness in Japan while he visited there. Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, former high ranking officer of KGB is selected as Person of the Year by Time magazine for 2007, given the title for his "extraordinary feat of leadership in taking a country that was in chaos and bringing it stability.”

I would like to share three things here about Putin. I take all these notes from Time magazine of December 31, 2007 / January 7, 2008.

First Note:

It is interesting that he get a Report Card with grading information, just like a student. Look at his report card as below;

STABILITY (Grade A)
The post-Soviet chaos is a fading memory. Central authority is stronger than it has been in decades.

Security (Grade C)
He’s cracked dawn hard in Chechnya, but other rebellions persist. Crime is a huge problem in the cities.

Democracy (Grade D)
Um, what democracy? Elections are a sham, and the media are muzzled.

Economy (Grade B+)
Rising oil prices have put more rubles in Russian pockets. But inflation is a serious problem.

Foreign Policy (Grade B)
Russia is more forceful globally, but relations with the U.S. are testy.

Second Note:

Dear Leader
A member of the Moscow based V V Fan Club, named for President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. The group, founded by college students, sees him as the ideal man: clean-living, strong, brave.

Third Note:

Four interesting Q&As: from excerpts of Time’s interview with Putin

Q: What role does faith play in your leadership?
A: First and foremost, we should be governed by common sense. But common sense should be based on moral principles first. And it is not possible today to have morality separated from religious values.

Q: You must feel lucky that the price of oil is high.
A: Fools are lucky. We work day and night!

Q: Has your KGB training helped you as President? There’s an old saying “Once a spy, always a spy.”
A: Well, those are lies. Naturally, some of that background can be of help. They taught me to think independently. They taught me to gather objective information, first and foremost. The second thing, from working in intelligence, is learning the skill of working with people. Above all, to respect the people you’re dealing with.

Q: Do you use e-mail? Do you blog?
A: Well, it’s a big shame. I don’t use these technologies. I don’t even use a telephone. My staff do it for me. But they do it wonderfully.



Source:
Time Magazine, December 31, 2007 / January 7, 2008
http://www.wikipedia.org/

Picture: http://images.theglobeandmail.com/archives/RTGAM/images/20070602/wputin01/putin_500big.jpg

Izana sings Arakanese Song: LaKranMri

Another Kind of Clash of Civilization I.

It was in Thailand. I was working in a factory. One day, our manager sent me to a market where was located about three blocks away from our factory, to buy something. He also gave me his motorcycle to ride to the market. At that time, I did not know how to drive a motorbike. When I said that I did not know how to drive a bike, a little boy, who could be around five years old, told with astonishment that ‘You are human. You don’t know how to ride a motorbike?” I felt ashamed a little of it.

The boy was right. He was born in Thailand, one of the richest countries in South East Asia where almost every adult has a motorbike or a car. Since he was born, he sees that every human being is driving a motorbike or a car in daily life. So, he probably interpret in his knowledge through his experience that knowing how to drive bikes and cars is one of the natural skills of human beings. I came from very remote area of Burma, one of the poorest countries in the world where to own a bicycle is a golden dream for most of children.

In our Arakan, many people have never seen a train because we don't have even one inch of railroad track. Every Burmese government through out history just tries to occupy everything, from natural resources to historical heritages of Arakan, but they never think for the benefit of Arakanese and give anything back to the real owners of the land.

I learned how to ride a bicycle when I was a high school student but yet I did not have a bike. I knew how to ride a motorcycle three years later after I got in Thailand.

During the fall semester of 2006, I took sociology class and our class formulated a survey that was conducted at the College of DuPage. According to the survey, eighty-five percent of students use personal vehicle, which means almost every adult has a car in the United States. I began to learn how to drive a car in 2005 in the United States.

In Longman American English dictionary, the definition for the word, ‘car’ is – ‘a vehicle with four wheels and an engine, used by a small number of people for traveling from one place to another.’ However, when the people from poor countries interpret the word, ‘car,’ - it means ‘luxurious’ ‘rich’ ‘high standard’ ‘elite’ and so on, while people from rich countries interpret ‘car’ as a shoe, which is just something useful tool in daily life.

If I came here when I was a high school student before I did not know how to ride a bicycle, I could not imagine that how and what question that a five year old American boy could ask me.


Picture: http://www.bridalwave.tv/flower-expert-red-and-pink-roses.jpg

Four Essentials for Happiness

You may have a thousand different goals over the course of your lifetime, but they all will fall into one of four basic categories. Everything you do is an attempt to enhance the quality of your life in one or more of these areas.
The Key to Happiness
The first category is your desire for happy relationships. You want to love and be loved by others. You want to have a happy, harmonious home life. You want to get along well with the people around you, and you want to earn the respect of the people you respect. Your involvement in social and community affairs results from your desire to have happy interactions with others and to make a contribution to the society you live in.
Enjoy Your Work
The second category is your desire for interesting and challenging work. You want to make a good living, of course, but more than that, you want to really enjoy your occupation or profession. The very best times of your life are when you are completely absorbed in your work.
Become Financially Independent
The third category is your desire for financial independence. You want to be free from worries about money. You want to have enough money in the bank so that you can make decisions without counting your pennies. You want to achieve a certain financial state so that you can retire in comfort and never have to be concerned about whether or not you have enough money to support your lifestyle. Financial independence frees you from poverty and a need to depend upon others for your livelihood. If you save and invest regularly throughout your working life, you will eventually reach the point where you will never have to work again.

Enjoy Excellent Health
The fourth and final category is your desire for good health, to be free of pain and illness and to have a continuous flow of energy and feelings of well-being. In fact, your health is so central to your life that you take it for granted until something happens to disrupt it.

Action Exercises
Here are three things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.
First, take time on a regular basis to think about what would make you really happy in each of the four areas.
Second, set specific, measurable goals for improvement in your relationships, your health, your work and your finances and write them down.
Third, resolve to do something every day to increase the quality of some area of your life - and then keep your resolution.


Source: Brian Tracy’s Newsletter
Picture: http://docwhisperer.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/happiness.jpg

Quote of the Week (Education is Power) and Top Ten Universities in the World

“Education is the engine that makes American democracy work. And it has to work, and that means people have to have access.”

Drew Gilpin Faust
President of Harvard University


Top Ten Universities in the world are as below and since the list has two institutions, which are ranking in the same number 4, I take number 11 into the top ten:

1
Harvard University (United States)
2
University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)
3
University of Oxford (United Kingdom)
4=
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (United States)
4=
Yale University (United States)
6
Stanford University (United States)
7
California Institute of Technology (United States)
8
University of California, Berkeley (United States)
9
Imperial College London (United Kingdom)
10
Princeton University (United States)
11
University of Chicago (United States)


Source:
Time / December 24, 2007
http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2006/
Photo:
http://graphics.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/02/12/1171277138_0554.jpg

Country Song of Kids

New Europe: The Beauty of Unity in Diversity

In Eighteenth, Nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries, it was the Europe’s world. We could see the powers in any corner of any region of the world were Europeans. Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal and Netherland were leading powers, especially the U.K.

In the century of twentieth, world’s leading stage moved to the United States; in all arenas of - economically, politically, educationally and in the field of military as well.
During the first decade of the 21st century, new powers have occurred in the world’s stage, such as China and India.

Now, the European countries are searching for the place of Europe in the new world, which has been changing very rapidly. The 27 member countries of the European Union signed a new treaty, which is called ‘Lisbon Treaty,’ today.

With almost 500 million citizens the EU generates an estimated 31% share of the world's nominal GDP (US$15.8 trillion) in 2007. It represents its members in the WTO and observes at G8 summits and at the UN. Twenty-one EU countries are members of NATO.

There are many pros and cons on this new treaty. The bottom line is that we can see ‘the beauty of unity among the diversities’ in the European Union.

Welcome the New Europe in the New World!


If you want to read new Treaty Text of EU, click this link;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/11_12_07treatya.pdf

Protocols and declarations;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/11_12_07treaty.pdf

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
http://europa.eu/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Picture: http://www.delegy.ec.europa.eu/images/Eu_Img.jpg

Mathematics in Daily Lives and 4 Steps to solve application Problems

In this semester, I am taking ‘Business Math.’ People often ask me that what classes I am taking in this semester. When I answered ‘Business Math’ is one of my classes, some people acted like they are afraid of the subject ‘math.’ I did, too.
Actually, mathematics is part of our daily lives. Look at the following sentences, which we usually speak in our daily lives;
‘What time did you wake up this morning?’
‘Do you eat three meals per day?’
‘Mortgage rate is much higher now.’
‘Oh…it is minus 2 degrees today; such a cold day!’
‘I ate three apples already today.’
‘How many letters do you have to reply today?’
‘My inbox has 80 mails and 3 junk mails.’
‘This is December 12; I have an appointment at 2 pm.’
‘It is 4:00; I have to go now.’

Do you see in which role mathematic plays in our daily lives? It is part of our lives.
Any way, our text book in our business math is ‘Mathematics for Business’ by Salzman, Miller and Clendenen.
There are many interesting notes in this book and I would like to share with you here about four steps for solving application problems. Sometimes, it could not be wrong to use mathematical ways to solve the problems of our daily lives.

Here are the four steps to solve application problems;
Step 1. Read the problem carefully, and be certain that you understand what the problem is asking. It may be necessary to read the problem several times.
Step 2. Before doing any calculations, work out a plan and try to visualize the problem. Know which facts are given and which must be found. Use indicator words to help determine your plan.
Step 3. Estimate a reasonable answer using rounding.
Step 4. Solve the problem by using the facts given and your plan. Does the answer make sense? If the answer is reasonable, check your work. If the answer is not reasonable, begin again by rereading the problem.
Note: Be careful not to make the mistake that some students do – they begin to solve a problem before they understand what the problem is asking. Be certain that you know what the problem is asking before you try to solve it.

Finally, I would like to share the words that a comedian who graduated in math, once said in an interview, with you. How he took the math into his life perspective do you know? He said about one of the rules in math that ‘Without the Same Base, the Powers CANNOT plus or minus.’
Is that right?


Photo: http://www.rjcooper.com/talk-n-scan-calculator/talk-n-scan-calculator.jpg

Voices from Nobel Week

By awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 to the IPCC and Al Gore, the Norwegian Nobel Committee is seeking to contribute to a sharper focus on the processes and decisions that appear to be necessary to protect the world’s future climate, and thereby to reduce the threat to the security of mankind. Action is necessary now, before climate change moves beyond man’s control.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee


Coming as I do from India, a land which gave birth to civilization in ancient times and where much of the earlier tradition and wisdom guides actions even in modern times, the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", which means the whole universe is one family, must dominate global efforts to protect the global commons.

R K Pachauri
Chairman

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2007
(Oslo, December 10, 2007)


We are what is wrong, and we must make it right."
In every land, the truth - once known - has the power to set us free.
Truth also has the power to unite us and bridge the distance between "me" and "we," creating the basis for common effort and shared responsibility.
There is an African proverb that says, "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." We need to go far, quickly.

Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr.
Former Vice President of the United States
The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2007
(Oslo, December 10, 2007)

PS: The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's Democratic Leader, in 1991 for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights.

Source: http://nobelprize.org/
Photo:
http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/KK/B/B/M/B/_/kkbbmb.jpg
http://im.rediff.com/news/2007/oct/12nlook1.jpg

Izana and World Map

Note: Izana will be 4 in January 3rd of 2008.

Izana's Yoga

Happy Birthday Your Majesty!

“May the power of the Triple Gems and holy spirits protect you all from suffering, danger and make you happy, always."

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand


Happy Birthday Your Majesty!


Source: www.nationmultimedia.com

Setting A-B-C-D-E Priorities

My dear reader,

What is your goal in your life? What do you have to do to reach for that destination? Are you getting problem with many things to do but too little time in which to do them? Here are a piece of tips to set up your priorities from Brian Tracy’s newsletter. Enjoy reading and be the best in your field!

The best method for setting priorities on your list, once you have determined your major goals or objectives, is the A-B-C-D-E method. You place one of those letters in the margin before each of the tasks on your list before you begin.

"A" stands for "very important;" something you must do. There can be serious negative consequences if you don't do it.

"B" stands for "important;" something you should do. This is not as important as your 'A' tasks. There are only minor negative consequences if it is not completed.

"C" stands for things that are "nice to do;" but which are not as important as 'A' or 'B,' tasks. There are no negative consequences for not completing it.

"D" stands for "delegate." You can assign this task to someone else who can do the job instead of you.

"E" stands for "eliminate, whenever possible." You should eliminate every single activity you possibly can, to free up your time.

When you use the A-B-C-D-E method, you can very easily sort out what is important and unimportant. This then will focus your time and attention on those items on your list that are most essential for you to do.

Photo: http://www.powerhouse777.org/Portals/0/priority%5B1%5D.jpg

Do men’s hearts have less romance power than women’s?

Recently, I borrowed a book, Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Civilization, from our college library. When I read about ‘Romance,’ the writers of the oldest Greek romance novels, from ‘Adventures of Chareas and Callirho,’ (probably 1st century of B.C) to ‘Kight in Waiting,’ and ‘His Lady’ of 3rd century (A.D.) were male novelists.
Then I read about ‘Women’ of ancient Greek. I found a tragedy with ancient women. Look at these few lines: “…The Athenian woman was not free to decide her own life. Her lord and master, her kyrios, had every right over her person. In very early times, he could kill or sell her with impunity. A law of Solon forbad anyone to sell his daughter or sister unless she was proved to have had intercourse with a man before marriage…..”
According to these historical notes, we can imagine that those ancient women absolutely could not have freedom and the right to read and write like men did in that era. If they could, some chapters in history would probably be changed.

Alright, let us turn to today’s era.

When I was in Burma and Thailand, I noticed that many famous remance novelists in those countries were women.

In the Time magazine of this week (the issue of December 10, 2007), there are Q&A with best-selling romance novelist, Nora Roberts, for the Time’s ‘10 Questions’ section. Look at here one of the Q&A:
Q: Why aren’t there more successful male romance novelists? (J.R. Repich, Miami)
A: They’re emotion-based books, so perhaps they appeal more to women-although a lot of men will read them if they’re sitting at home on the coffee table. It goes back to reading what you enjoy, and women enjoy romance as a genre more than men do.

What do you think?


Picture: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/BigPinkHeart.jpg