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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Inside Change


In the past two years and this year, I have been listening many tapes, reading books about success, leadership, entrepreneurship, love, politics, religion, society and so on.
There is one common thing, which leaders, authors and religious persons always highly and strongly commend is – TO CHANGE INSIDE FIRST.

For example, someone wants to be rich. That person needs to change inside first with strong desire to be rich and the reasons why he or she wants to be rich. By a psychological view, the more reasons you have to be rich, the stronger desire you have, and the closer to be rich.
Simultaneously, if you want to change something by yourself, you have to change something inside you! The real change must be rooted inside you. Then, from the behaviors to thinking styles, from habits to temptations, will follow your strong and firm inside change.

It is - all leaders, entrepreneurs, authors and religious persons say about the change. Just sharing with you and I will try to share more.

Change Inside First! In other words, Change Yourself First! You have to change in your heart and mindset; not your clothes and fake actions. When you really change inside, nothing can stop you to have a big change outside!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

About the Arakan Coins II

8th century silver coin from Arakan of Niti Chandra, with Shaiva symbols and a Brahmi legend. Reproduced from the British Museum.

As per epigraphic records a Hindu dynasty called Sri-Dharmarajaniya-Vamsa ruled in Arakan between 600-1000 CE. Coins found in the region have the names of rulers like Dharma Chandra, Niti Chandra and Vira Chandra. The capital of this kingdom was Vaisali whose ruins (modern Vethali) are found near Mrohaung or Mrauk U.



About the Arakan Coins I



Friday, August 22, 2008

An Excerpt of Arakan History from books II: Legendary History of Burma and Arakan


The following excerpt is from “Legendry History of Burma and Arakan” by Captain C.J.F.S. Forbes who was late Deputy Commissioner, British Burma. The book was published by Authority of Government in 1882 and this excerpt is expressed on page 3.

“Here they were joined by the kindred tribes of the Pyoo and Thet, who seem to have been at that time in possession of the middle Irrawaddy valley. The remains of this latter tribe may probably be found in a people bearing a somewhat similar name inhabiting the northern part of Arakan.”

Having placed his son, Moodooseikta, over those who remained here, Kanrazagyee with the rest of his followers pushed on again westwards and founded a city on a Kyoukpindoung mountain in the north of Arakan, the ruins of which city are still to be seen. Thus, according to both Burmese and Arakanese history, was founded the nation and kingdom of Arakan. Following this tradition the Burmans have always acknowledged the Arakanese as the elder branch of the race and style them “Bya’magyee.”

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You can read other excerpts about Arakan History in the following links:
http://thazon.blogspot.com/2008/04/excerpt-of-arakan-history-from-books-i.html
http://thazon.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-found-my-country-back.html

Thanks!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Independence Day of Latvia




Today is the Independence Day of Latvia. Latvia gained her independence on August 21, 1991 from Soviet Union.
Official Name: Republic of Latvia
Area: 24,749 sq miles. (64,100 sq. km)
Cities: Capital – Riga, Other Cities – Daugav’pills, Liepaja, Jegava, Jurmala
Population: 2.3 million (UN, 2007)
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Languages: Latvian (Official), Lithuanian, Russian, other.
Type of Government: Parliamentary Democracy
GDP: $ 26.5 billion (2004 est.)
Monetary Unit: Lat
President: Valdis Zatlers
Internet domain: .lv
International Dialing Code: +371

Quote of the Week: The Best Way to Be Faithful


“The Best way of remaining faithful to your comrades is to continue the work, to lift your heads, to be professional.”

Nicolas Sarkozy
French President

Note: Sarkozy addressed French troops from units that lost some of the 10 soldiers killed in a Taliban ambush and firefight in mountains about 30 miles east of Kabul, Afghanistan.

Source: Chicago Tribune (Thursday, August 21, 2008)

Picture: http://www.overseaspropertymall.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/nicolas_sarkozy.jpg

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I found my country back!

Arakan in the map of World History before 1200

The day before yesterday, I have received two historical books of maps; Atlas of World History and Atlas of American History. The books were given by my parents-in-law to me and Izana.

When I looked around the atlas of world history, I found my country, the Arakan.
Since then, today, I look around online, about the atlas of world history.

I found my country back in this map, which is under the headline of Eurasia before 1200. Neighbors of the Arakan were Assam, Pagan and Pegu.

Can you find it?
Looks Grand Indeed!!

Picture: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Premongol.png

Friday, August 15, 2008

Independence Day of India






Today is the Independence Day of Republic of India. India gained her independence on August 15, 1947 from the United Kingdom.
Official Name: Republic of India
Area: 1,269,340 sq miles. (3,287,590 sq. km)
Cities: Capital – New Delhi, other cities – Mumbai, Calcutta, Madras, Hyderabad
Population: 1.1 billion (UN, 2007)
Religions: 81.3% Hindu, 12% Muslim, 2.3% Christian, 1.9% Sikh
Languages: Hindi, English and 14 other official languages
Type of Government: Federal Republic
GDP: $ 3.611 trillion (2004 est.)
Monetary Unit: 1 Indian rupee = 100 paise
President: Pratibah Patil
Internet domain: .in
International Dialing Code: +91

Independence Day of Republic of the Congo




Today is the Independence Day of Republic of the Congo. Republic of the Congo gained her independence on August 15, 1960 from France.

Official Name: Republic of the Congo
Area: 132,046 sq miles. (342,000 sq. km)
Cities: Capital – Brazzaville, other cities – Pointe Noire, Pool, Bouenza, Cuvette
Population: 3.8 million (UN, 2007)
Religions: 50% Christian, 48%
Indigenous beliefs, 2% Muslim
Languages: French (Official) many African languages with Lingala and Kikongo most widely used Type of Government: Republic
GDP: $ 2.3 billion (2004 est.)
Monetary Unit: Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) franc
President: Denis Sassou-Nguesso
Internet domain: .cg
International Dialing Code: +242

Independence Day of Bahrain




Today is the Independence Day of Bahrain. Bahrain gained her independence on August 15, 1971 from the United Kingdom.

Official Name: Kingdom of Bahrain
Area: 239 sq miles. (620 sq. km)
Cities: Capital – Manama, other cities – Muharraq Town
Population: 753,000 (UN, 2007)
Religions: 70% Shia Muslim, 30% Sunni Muslim
Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Type of Government: Constitutional Monarchy
GDP: $ 13 billion (2004 est.)
Monetary Unit: 1 Bahraini dinar = 1,000 fils
Head of State: King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah
Internet domain: .bh
International Dialing Code: +973
Official Web Pages: http://www.e.gov.bh/wps/portal

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Meanings of the Given Names (N)


Noel = Christmas


People often ask me about - what does my name mean.
Sometimes, I also ask other peoples 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 (N)

Nathan: (Hebrew) Gift of God
Nathaniel: (Hebrew) Gift of God
Neil: (Celtic) A champion
Nelson: (Celtic-Germanic) Son of Neil
Neville: (Latin) New town
Newton: (Old English) New town
Nicholas: (Greek) People’s victory
Noel: (Latin) Christmas
Norman: (Old English) A northern; Norwegian
Norval: (Gremanic) Man from the north

Women’s Names (N)

Nancy, Nanette: (Hebrew) Grace; God has been gracious
Naomi: (Hebrew) Pleasantness
Natalie: (Latin) Birthday (of Christ)
Nellie: (Greek) Light
Nita: (Hebrew-Spanish) Gracious gift of God
Nora, Norah: (Latin-Irish) Honor
Norma: (Latin) Model or pattern

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

Picture: http://ginacobb.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/capitol_christmas_tree_1995_2.jpg

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Independence Day of Ivory Coast




Today is the Independence Day of Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast gained her independence on August 7, 1960 from the France.

Official Name: The Republic of Ivory Coast
Area: 124,502 sq miles. (322,460 sq. km)
Cities: Capital – Yamoussoukro (not recognized by U.S., which recognizes Abidjan) Other Cities – Abidjan, Bouake
Population: 19.3 million (UN, 2007)
Religions: 35-40% Muslim, 20-30% Christian, 25-40% Indigenous beliefs
Languages: French (Official); over 60 African languages and dialects with Dioula most widely spoken
Type of Government: Republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960
GDP: $ 24.8 billion (2004 est.)
Monetary Unit: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc
President: Laurent Gbagbo
Internet domain: .ci
International Dialing Code: +225



Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Independence Day of Bolivia




Today is the Independence Day of Bolivia. Bolivia gained her independence on August 6, 1825 from the Spain.

Official Name: Republic of Bolivia
Area: 424,162 sq miles. (1,098,580 sq. km)
Cities: Capital – La Paz, Other Cities – Sucre, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Cochabamba, Oruro
Population: 9.5 million (UN, 2007)
Religions: 95% Roman Catholic, active Protestant minority, especially Methodist
Languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara (all official)
Type of Government: Republic
GDP: $ 22.3 billion (2004 est.)
Monetary Unit: boliviano
President: Evo Morales
Internet domain: .bo
International Dialing Code: +591

Independence Day of Jamaica




Today is the Independence Day of Jamaica. Jamaica gained her independence on August 6, 1962 from the United Kingdom.

Official Name: JamaicaArea: 4,234 sq miles. (10,990 sq. km)
Cities: Capital – Kingston, Other Cities – Spanish Town, Montego Bay
Population: 2.7 million (UN, 2007)
Religions: 61.3% Protestant, 4% Roman Catholic, some spiritualist cults
Languages: English, patois English
Type of Government: Constitutional parliamentary democracy
GDP: $ 11.1 billion (2004 est.)
Monetary Unit: Jamaican dollar
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Kenneth Hall
Prime Minister: Bruce Golding
Internet domain: .jm
International Dialing Code: +1876
Official Web Pages: http://www.jis.gov.jm/

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1190968.stm
The New York Times Almanac 2007

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Independence Day of Burkina Faso




Today is the Independence Day of Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso gained her independence on August 5, 1960 from France.

Official Name: Burkina Faso
Area: 105,869 sq miles. (274,200 sq. km)
Cities: Capital – Ouagadougou, Other Cities – Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou, Ouahigouya, Banfora
Population: 14.8 million (UN, 2007)
Religions: 50% Muslim, 40% Indigenous beliefs, 10% Christian (mainly Roman Catholic)
Languages: French (Official); native African languages spoken by 90% of population.
Type of Government: Parliamentary
GDP: $ 15.5 billion (2004 est.)
Monetary Unit: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) franc = 100 centimes
President: Blaise Campaore
Internet domain: .bf
International Dialing Code: +226

The New York Times Almanac 2007


What do you need to become a professional photographer?

Twilight one in Door County on July 31, 2008

Twilight Two in Door County on July 31, 2008

Twilight One in Door County on August 1, 2008


Twilight Two in Door County on August 1, 2008


These (above) pictures, the twilights were taken in Door County, Wisconsin, during our vacation days, which were from July 31st to August 4th.
The first two pictures were taken in the evening of July 31st, Thursday. It was cloudy. The second two pictures were taken in the evening of August 1st, Friday. Not that cloudy at that time. The evenings of August 2, 3 and 4 in Door County were cloudy. Even it was difficult to see the sun because of cloud.

Then, I remember a note from my diary of 1997. I took this note from a TV interview with a professional photographer. One of the questions was very interesting, which was about – what do you need to become a professional photographer? Since this is the era of almost every household has a camera and we also use it very often, I want to share about it with you, my reader. At least just for fun!

The question and answer was as below as far as I understood:

Q: What are the needs to become a professional photographer?

A: This is the question, which has asked often in seminars, as well. My instructors also told about this.
There are four needs to be a professional photographer. Everybody can learn about the first three and the last one cannot be taught because it is nature, not nurture. Here are the four basic needs to become a professional photographer:
(1) Drive: First of all, it is Diligence. You need to drive by yourself. For example, I want to get an excellent twilight photo. I can have twilight two times per day; in the morning and in the evening. If I want twilight photo of morning and according to local geographic, it is the best to get at about 5 or 6 AM, I have to get up at 4 AM in the morning. And yet, I have to check the lights of at 5 AM, 6AM, 7AM, 8AM, in order to get the most appropriate twilight or the best one. That’s the drive.
(2) Equipment: The second need is photographical equipment. However you are talent and you have diligence, unless you have good equipment, you cannot make excellent and professional photographs. You do need to have good equipment.
(3) Technical know-how: You need to have enough knowledge about the equipments and their related terms, which you use. (How the camera works; how the zoom works; how the colors work; how the resolution adjustment works, and so on.)
(4) The Eye: The final thing you need to have and, which is nature is – the Eye. You need to have artistic eye and view. It is nature, not nurture. Nobody can teach you about it. For me, I am seeing almost everything, just like a photograph, just like a picture. It is the Eye.

Now, you get four needs to become a professional photographer, which are DETE (Diligence, Equipment, Technical know-how and the Eye).

Have a good day!