Independence Day of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Today is the Independence Day of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo gained her independence on June 30, 1960 from Belgium.

Official Name: Democratic Republic of the Congo (former name – Zaire)

Area: 905,564 sq miles. (2,345,410 sq. km)

Cities: Capital – Kinshasa; major cities – Lubumbashi (Elizabethville); Mbuji-Mayi (Bakwanga); Kananga (Luluabourg); Kisangani (Stanleyville)
Population: 62.6 million (UN, 2007)

Religions: 50% Roman Catholic, 20% Protestant, 10% Kimbanguist, 10% Muslim, 10% other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs
Languages: French (official), Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba

Type of Government: dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative government

GDP: $ 40.67 billion (2005 est.)

Monetary Unit: 1 Congolese = 100 centimes
President: Joseph Kabila

Internet domain: .cd

International Dialing Code: +243

Official Web Pages: http://www.presidentrdc.cd/

Sources:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1076399.stm
http://www.scopesys.com/anyday/

The New York Times Almanac 2007

Picture:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/mz-flag.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/cg-flag.html
http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/images/photos/photo_lg_demrepcongo.jpg

Congratulations – Spanish Team!

Today, I was watching the European Cup 2008 final match.
Before the match was started, I was thinking Germany could win in this match because German Team is one of the tops in the world and they are just like ‘host’ in Austria.
Each player of German team was good but not enough in team work.
Most players in Spanish team were young, fresh and could run very fast with soccer skill. And yet, they owned such a great team work!
Congratulations!

Picture: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport

P.S: I have a clip of video of this match and I will post it in soon. Thanks!

Independence Day of Mozambique

Today is the Independence Day of Mozambique. Mozambique gained her independence on June 25, 1975 from Portugal.

Official Name: the Republic of Mozambique

Area: 309,404 sq miles. (801,590 sq. km)

Cities: Capital – Maputo
Population: 21.4 million (UN, 2007)

Religions: 50% Indigenous beliefs, 30% Christian, 20% Muslim
Languages: Portuguese (official), Indigenous Languages

Type of Government: Republic

GDP: $ 23.4 billion (2004 est.)

Monetary Unit: metical (plural – meticais) (1 metical = centavos)
President: Armando Emilio Guebuza

Internet domain: .mz

International Dialing Code: +258

Official Web Pages: http://www.mozambique.mz/

Sources:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1063120.stm
http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/http://www.scopesys.com/anyday/

The New York Times Almanac 2007

Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/mz-flag.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/mz-flag.html
http://www.tagasafaris.co.za/images/mozambique-resorts-matemo-island-pic1.jpg

The Strength

Today, I am reading one of the Buddha’s teaching books.
The following is some translation from the book about the ‘Strength’ as much as I understand. Sometimes, you may interpret 'strength' as 'power.' And sometimes you also may interpret 'is' as 'depend on.' Enjoy with the reading and it is good to find it out – what is your strength?

The Strength of a baby is ‘crying.’
The Strength of a woman is ‘anger.’
The Strength of a rebel is ‘weapon.’
The Strength of a government is ‘rule.’
The Strength of a wise man is ‘sense.’
The Strength of a knowledgeable person is ‘consideration.’
The Strength of a religious person is ‘tolerance.’
The Strength of a foolish man is ‘blaming.’


Picture: http://www.crmvet.org/crmpics/fist.jpg

Meanings of the Given Names (K)

Karen = Pure

People often ask me - what does my name mean?Sometimes, I also ask the others if his or her name means something.These are not important but it is good to know about each other in our cultures of mankind.

For my friends who want to know, the meanings of (Western) given names:

Men’s Names (K)

Karl: (Germanic) Manly
Keith: (Gaelic) The wind; woods
Kelvin: (Celtic) Warrior friend
Kenneth: (Celtic) Handsome or comely
Kent: (Old English) Open country
Kermit: (Celtic) God of arms
Kerwin: (Germanic) Love, friend
Kevin: (Celtic) Handsome birth
Kirby: (Germanic) Village with a church

Women’s Names (K)

Karen: (Greek-Danish) Pure
Karla: (Germanic) Man
Katharine, Kathleen: (Greek) Pure
Kay: (Greek, Latin) Pure; rejoicing
Kirsten: Latin) Christian


Source: Smith, Elsdon C. “Vocabulary of Given Names.” The World Book Dictionary. 1968 edition. 1968.

Picture: http://www.visionpublicationsltd.com/catalog/images/pure.jpg

Independence Day of Kuwait

Today is the Independence Day of Kuwait. Kuwait gained her independence on June 19, 1961 from the United Kingdom.

Official Name: State of Kuwait
Area: 6,880 sq miles. (17, 820 sq. km)
Cities: Capital – Kuwait City, Other cities – Salmiya, Hawalli, Faranawiya, Abraq Kheetan
Population: 2.9 million (UN, 2007)
Religions: Muslim 85%, (30% Shi’a, 70% Sunni), 15% Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other.
Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Type of Government: nominal constitutional monarchy
GDP: $ 48 billion (2004 est.)
Monetary Unit: Kuwaiti dinar (1 dinar = 1000 fils)
Emir: Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah
Internet domain: .kw
International Dialing Code: +965
Official Web Pages:
http://www.moc.kw/
http://mall.gov.kw/beta1/index.html
http://www.majlesalommah.net/


Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/791053.stm
http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/
http://www.scopesys.com/anyday/
The New York Times Almanac 2007

Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/ku-flag.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ku.html

Happy Father’s Day: A Chair of A Founding Father

This is a chair of George Washington, founding father of the United States. I took this picture in the St. Paul’s Church of New York where Washington was worshipping. When he came to the church, he sat on this chair, according to the note.

George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. He was born on February 22, 1732 at Fredricksburg, Virginia and died on December 14, 1799 at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Washington was an excellent horseman and Commander in Chief who married a wealthy widow, mother of two children.

George Washington was the president of the United States for two terms. Although the American public encouraged him to seek a third term, he refused to run again.

During the General Henry Lee’s speech, “Funeral Oration Upon George Washington,” Lee claimed that Washington was “a citizen first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

My dear reader,
Please allow me to take a photo of your chair, too, as a historical heritage of your village, of your community, of your state, of your country, of our world and universe, at least - of your family.

Happy Father’s Day!!!

New York! New York! New York! Watering Taxi Makes me to miss Arakan

(I took some pictures at New York, city of the cities, during our trip in May 2008 and I will write the picture stories of the trip in this series. Thanks!)

While I was watching this view with a water taxi in New York, the phenomenon made my mind to visit to my homeland, the Arakan where I was born and lived till I was a high school student.

Arakan has many streams and rivers, especially the streams. Boats and ships can be very commonly found in the Arakan land where I left almost twenty years ago.

With miss to my grandma, mom, dad, brothers and sisters, friends and RaKhaing Pray!

New York! New York! New York! Company Names in Old Style

(I took some pictures at New York, city of the cities, during our trip in May 2008 and I will write the picture stories of the trip in this series. Thanks!)

At New York, you also can find these kinds of company names in old style, probably 16th / 17th century style.

It is good to maintain historical matters.

Politics for all

Politics is a hope
Politics is a future
Politics is a dream
Politics is an art of state-building

Politics is for freedom
Politics is for self-determination
Politics is for democracy
Politics is for a dignity of all people

Without human beings
There is no politics
Any political problem created by people
Can be solved by people

One man one vote
All are decision makers
Everyone is leader

Working together
Collective activity is a real people power

Difference is beauty
Tolerance is a culture of polity



Nyi Nyi Htwe
31.5.2008


Picture: http://blog.nau.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/art_politics.jpg

Meanings of the Given Names (J)

Jewel = Precious Stone

People often ask me - what does my name mean?
Sometimes, I also ask the others if his or her name means something.
These are not important but it is good to know about each other in our cultures of mankind.
For my friends who want to know, the meanings of (Western) given names:

Men’s Names (J)

Jack: (Hebrew) Gracious gift of God
Jacob, James: (Hebrew) May God protect; supplanter
Jarvis: (Germanic) Spear, servant
Jasper: (Persian) Master of the treasure
Jefferson: (Old English) Son of the Geoffrey
Jeffrey: (Germanic) See GEOFFREY
Jerome: (Greek) Holy name
Jerrold: (Germanic) Spear, rule
Jesse: (Hebrew) God exists
Jethro: (Hebrew) Excellent
Joel: (Hebrew) Yahveh is God
John, Jonathan: (Hebrew) Gracious gift of God
Jonas: (Hebrew) Dove
Joseph: (Hebrew) May God add.
Joshua: (Hebrew) God is salvation; Yahveh helps.
Joslyn: (Latin) The just; merry.
Jullius: (Latin) Downy-bearded; youthful
Junior: (Latin) Younger
Justin: (Latin) Just or upright

Women’s Name (J)

Jackie: (Hebrew) Gracious gift of God
Jacqueline: (Hebrew) May God protect; the supplanter
Jane, Janet, Jean: (Hebrew) Gracious gift of God
Jemima: (Hebrew) Dove
Jennif\fer: (Celtic) White wave
Jenny, Jessica: (Hebrew) Gracious gift of God
Jewel: (Latin) Precious stone
Jill: (Latin-Greek) Downy-bearded, youthful
Joan, Johanna: (Hebrew) Gracious gift of God
Jocelyn: (Latin, Germanic) Merry; a Goth
Josephine: (Hebrew) May God add.
Joyce: (Old French) Joyful; merry
Judith, Judy: (Hebrew) Praised; a Jewess
Julia, Juliet: (Latin-Greek) Downy-bearded, youthful
June: (Latin) Youthful; from the month
Justine: (Latin) Just

Source: Smith, Elsdon C. “Vocabulary of Given Names.” The World Book Dictionary. 1968 edition. 1968.

Picture: http://www.jewelinfo4u.com/images/Gallery/mineralminers_amethyst1.jpg

New York! New York! New York! Inside View of A Shopping Market and An Internet Café

(I took some pictures at New York, city of the cities, during our trip at NYC and I will write the picture stories of the trip in this series. Thanks!)

The inside view of this shopping market and Internet Café carries my remembrance to Thailand.
This kind of inside view of a shopping market is very similar to the latest shopping places in Thailand, especially the Shopping Malls (The Malls) in Bangkok.
This Internet Café (the second picture) is also similar to the Internet Cafes in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The prices in New York City cafes are much higher than in the cafes of Thailand.

When I was in Thailand, the highest price for 1-hour usage of Internet in an Internet Café was 60 bahts per hour and the lowest price (at the Internet Café of next to the Chiang Mai University) was 8 bahts per hour. The average price for Internet usage in the cafes in Thailand was 30 bahts per hour (slightly less than $1).

In this café, the price was set up as:
$3 for 15 Minutes (more than 90 bahts for 15 minutes)
$5 for 30 minutes (more than 150 bahts for 30 minutes)
$8 for 1 Hour (more than 240 bahts for 1 hour)

I remember that in 2001, when I learned how to send an email in an Internet Café where near to the Chiang Mai University, it was 10 bahts per hour (25 cents per hour).

Whatever and however it is, we all have to give our special thanks to those technologists for their innovations of those amazing and unbelievable technologies of our era.
Special Thanks!!

Quote of the Week: Easy and Hard Parts

For most voters in the political middle who’ll determine the outcome on Nov.4, the easy part will be deciding to embrace one of these excellent candidates.
The hard part? Rejecting the other.

Editorials of Chicago Tribune
June 4, 2008

Picture: http://blogs.cars.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/03/minicars500.jpg

Independence Day of Tonga

Today is the Independence Day of Tonga. Tonga gained her independence on June 4, 1970 from the United Kingdom.

Official Name: Kingdom of Tonga

Area: 289 sq miles, (748 sq km.)

Cities: Capital – Nuku alofa, Other cities – Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, Eua
Population: 100,000 (UN, 2007)

Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents).

Type of Government: Hereditary Constitutional Monarchy

GDP: $ 244 million (2002 est.)

Monetary Unit: 1 pa’anga = 100 seniti

King: George Tupou V

Internet domain: .to

International Dialing Code: +676

Official Web Pages: http://www.pmo.gov.to/

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1300742.stm

http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/
http://www.scopesys.com/anyday/
The New York Times Almanac 2007

Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/tn-flag.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tn.html

New York! New York! New York! A Tattoos Shop and Remembrance A Girl with Tattoos

(I took some pictures at New York, city of the cities, during our trip at NYC and I will write the picture stories of the trip in this series. Thanks!)

At famous Manhattan of New York, I saw this tattoos shop. Name of the shop was ‘Birthmark.’ While I was looking around the pictures, prices, etc, my memory flied to a girl whom I met at a beach, with a beautiful tattoos mark. I smiled by myself and my little daughter was in my backpack.

Once, I met a girl at a beach in Thailand. She was a very beautiful girl.
Actually, I was walking and talking telephone around the beach. Sometimes, I drank a can of beer and sometimes, I smoked.
While I was buying a beer can from an icy beer seller, that girl was also coming to buy a beer can, too. She was wearing sunglasses with the swimming suit. I noticed about that she owned beautiful and smooth skin. I smiled at her and she smiled at me, too.
After I bought a beer can, I began to walk and that girl was walking to the same direction with me. She was at back of me. I walked a little slowly as I wished to walk together with that beautiful girl. About two minutes later, she caught me. As soon as we were walking side by side, I tried to have conversation with her.
I said, ‘How are you?’
‘Fine, and you?’ she asked.
‘I am fine, too. It is a hot day,’ I remarked.
She said, ‘Oh, yes, it is hot but it is good to swim.’
I sucked my beer and she did too.
I said, ‘You have very beautiful skin!’
She said, ‘Really? Thanks. You are handsome, too.’
We laughed together.
While we were laughing, I looked at her closely. Oh, she had a tattoos, a remarkable tattoos, which was at her belly bottom. It was a colorful butterfly.
‘Wow!’ I unexpectedly exclaimed.
She laughed at me and said, “I think you see my butterfly. Right? Do you want to catch it?”
With surprise, before I could not be available to say anything back, she run away to join with the girls’ group as the girls were yelling at her. I guessed it was her group. She just said, ‘See you.’ And waved bye-bye. I waved bye-bye back to her and her group.

You know what? On that day, the whole day, I was thinking about her and seeing her tattoos.
I am smiling right now, too!