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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Arakan ; Let's Go Forward!


This is December 31st of 2011. Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven years ago on this day, the great country of Arakan was brutally annexed by Burmese army.
Since then, we were oppressed, humiliated and systematically discriminated by Burmese authorities generation by generation.

According to news-reports, though we have great coasts, river-routes, off-shore gas products, which makes billions of dollars each year, and many other products, the Arakan is now the second poorest region of Burma. We are one of the poorest, the most illiterate and the most undeveloped societies in the world, under Burman-colonization.

Now, we, new Arakanese generation no longer can tolerate this worst condition of Arakan. We have to recreate our own destiny, our future and our fatherland.

The followings are great pictures of demonstration of our great brothers that located in front of the building of United Nation in New York. This is the second straight year of demonstration of our heroic and responsive Arakanese brothers as they truly love Arakanland.

We, Arakanese respect the rights of all other nationalities of our human families of the world. As members of world family, we also wish our rights, freedom, independence and self-determination to be recognized.
Great causes in humanity often occurred when one group of human beings are ruled and oppressed forcefully by the other group.

With great respect of the other nations of the world, Arakan once a great country in Asia also should be recognized its statehood sooner, rather than later!!!

Free Arakan!

Happy New Year 2012!




Rechecking New Year Resolution 2011

My Happy New Year resolution for the year of 2011 will be to read or write or do something about the Buddha’s teaching as my personal favorite subject; something about / for Arakan as my native land; and something about the United States / the World as a citizen, each week. The action will be one of reading something about those subjects, writing something about those matters, or commenting or sharing or posting something as web-page/s.

(The above is my new year resolution of 2011.)


As this is the final day of 2011, I am rechecking my happy New Year resolution that I made in January if the resolution has been being met or not. It did meet.
I have been publishing “The Arakan International” monthly in Arakanese. I did read the Buddha’s teachings as much as I could. I published “Questions and Answers of New U.S. Naturalization Test” in translated version from English to Burmese. It sold out at least 800 copies.

Since then, I have been doing something about Arakan, the United States, the World and the Buddha’s teaching.

Moreover, I did not absolutely drink six months (from July 1st to December 31st) as I made self-promise by June, 2011. So, it really makes me happy today.

Good-bye 2011!

Let’s move forward into happy new year 2012 with new energy, new experiences, new challenges and new achievements, of course!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Hopefully, this is not a PLOT!

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/271735/burma-to-take-its-refugees-back-from-bangladesh

The above is a piece of news in Bangkokpost.com by December 21, 2011.

Hopefully, this is not a systematic and strategic PLOT by Burmese military and ........$#&*!~@:

- to create conflict between Arakanese and Kulas

- to destroy the Buddhist temples in Arakan.

!!!!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Happy Birthday Your Majesty!





Cooperation is needed to quickly solve the problem!


(from the speech of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the king of Thailand)


Happy Birthday and Long Live Your Majesty!



Source: Bangkokpost



Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Arakan International (Oct 2011)


In order to read, please click the following link;

http://rakhitta2010.books.officelive.com/Documents/AI%20101h.pdf

Thanks!

Top and Bottom

I am a sport fan. I really enjoy to watch most games of sports, especially soccer, American football, basketball, hokey, tennis etc..

As a fan, I also check the standing tables of teams and clubs of certain sports. For example, I look around the standings of clubs in premier league, UEFA and world cup, etc. I also notice by myself that I look at the top teams any time when I check out. Sometimes, I look at teams in bottom of the table/s too.

When my friends who interested in certain sports and I have conversation, most of them also know those teams of tops and bottoms in standing tables.

This shows that we usually look at or interested in the most successful tops. And for some reasons, we look at the poorest / s; may be because of interested in or curiosity; may be with sympathy and empathy; may be to laugh at.

In other words, I think that we often forget or less interested in the middles than the tops and bottoms.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Sleeping-Mines

Once, one of my friends who was in Cambodia during war-time said that there were many mines in the region where he lived in.

It was unbelievable that about a half of them were Sleeping-Mines. You may confuse about the name ‘Sleeping-Mines.’ How?

Any group of any armed-force used dozens of mines as guard surrounding any place they choose to sleep every night in order to be safe. And yet, in the morning when they moved to another place, they even not take a look to those Sleeping-Mines. They just simply left them. Since the war was on, and those armed-groups were running around and taking rest in several numerous locations, you can imagine how many mines could be around.

Through out this example, we can see there are many mines in economical, political and many other fields in the world nowadays since some are setting those Sleeping-Mines in order to take a soundly-sleep by themselves.

As a result, millions of people have been becoming victims of ignored-Sleeping-Mines.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Happy Seventh Aniversary!











My first day in the United States was October 26, 2004.


So, today is my Happy Seventh Aniversary in the United States - so called freeland!


After seven years later, I  -


become an American citizen.


finish an associate degree.


have three children.


publish monthly newsletters and a booklet.


can speak, read and write English a little bit better than when I came here.


sent a few hundred of US dollars to my poor parents.


own some books, especially stories and encyclopedias.


have a blog that I post whatever I want to and whenever I wish to.


have some friends in persons and many online friends as well.


am seven years older than before, which means seven years closer to die.


feel we have somewhat freedom here though it is not really free.


hope brighter and better future though there are many powerful and dirty hinders.



Happy Seventh Aniversary!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Happy Birthday Google!

Happy Birthday Google!

Have a Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat Future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Stories those I Wish to Write (One): Poor Man and Billionaire




Sometimes, I would like to write stories. I also have some rough ideas to write. Here is one of them.


A poor man who once was a rich man works for a billionaire. As a worker, he has chance to know something about the billionaire. It is also top secret of that billionaire. The secret is this – the billionaire was a thief and robber before he becomes a billionaire. Most of his wealth comes from robbing and stealing. And yet, one of the victims those whom were robbed or stolen, was that poor guy who is currently working for the billionaire.


The billionaire has authority that he has been cleverly creating and building in community. He also has many powerful friends and special guards with special weapons and communication systems. He already and systematically covered everything about his past.

The worker clearly knows that it will not be easy to show evidence about his employer’s secret. However the worker with his own plan steals a pen from his boss. He also slightly shows that he is a pen-thief. His prime ambition is to get in trial as a thief in order to face the billionaire in the court. No matter he wins or loses in trial because of he steal a pen, but huge benefit for him will be having chance to reveal the secret of his hypocritical billionaire in front of people and world’s media.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Summer-night Dream!




Last night in my dream, I was playing with many kinds of players in a playground. I knew some of those players very well while I was not able to know or imagine some players at all. Many different colors, backgrounds, ways of approach, hardnesses, softnesses, obvious-, hidden-, etc, were included.


While I was playing, sometimes, I was tired. Sometimes, I felt great while sometimes I felt empty, and sometimes- deep suffering.


Key problem that I found was - almost all of those players were puppets whom were extreme systematically guided and controlled. And the cost for the whole process? You could know much better than I do.


Since then, I was wishing and seeking for puppet-master/s to play with, before I totally woke up!





Friday, July 22, 2011

We are extremely and shockingly sad together with Norwegians!

The bomb, open fire on innocent public! Stupid, coward, inpolitical and inhumanity!

Whoever back on this, I heartily and fully challenge you that instead of killing innocent people, to bomb or shoot me any time, anywhere by any mean and reason that you could create. Let me be guilty for those other innocent human beings! However please do not worry or afraid of my revenge. I will never revenge you, instead, I will forgive you ever!

From now, any of those who are bombing and killing the innocent humans, any time you are about to plot for those kinds of action in anywhere, please remember me first and please come here first!

Today, I might be fool or mad with extremely sad feeling, together with Norwegians and all other world citizens who are facing too much suferrings in their lives!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

One of True Values in Human Beings

(Izana at New Salem, village of Lincoln)


It was too hot today. According to our temperature reader, it was about 119 degree F.

In order to avoid the heat, my kids and I decided to not to cook for dinner, instead, to order a pizza.

I said, "Let's order pizza, so we do not get any heat here" while we (kids and me) were in the kitchen.

Immediately, Izana said, "But the other guys get the heat."

Since it was pizza makers' business, it was unnecessary to think by that way. However, I really appreciate for my son's such great hearted words with fully sympathetic consideration.

Then, I told him to keep that kind of mind, heart and consideration for his whole life. I told him - "If you keep that kind of mind and heart, you will become a humble man, one of true human beings with true value."

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Year of Japan!





In the first month of this year, the national soccer team of Japan made a grand history as the 4th time championship for Asian cup as the first team in the history of the tournment.


In March, Japan was hit by one of the biggest natural disasters in the world's history.


And today, July 17, 2011, Japanese women's soccer team breaks another record as the first time ever in the history of the world cup of women's soccer as champion not only for Japan but also for Asia.


2011 brings for Japan both Cheers and Tears dramatically. I will say this is the year of Japan!


Let us pray that may Japan gain much more cheers than tears, as well as for all people around the world!


Congratulations successful Japanese soccer!







Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Congratulations National Women's Teams of Japan and the United States!




Two days ago, I watched highlights of the America's wining match on Brazil at quarter-final, for the first time of this year's women's world cup, while I was in a hotel room.


Then, I saw the matching news for semi-final between the U.S. and France, and, Sweden and Japan.


According to historical strength, I guessed the United States and Sweden will meet in the final as I have never seen the playing style and power of Japanese side before, this year.


Today, I had chances to watch part of both semi-final matches. My blind-guess was only correct for the team of the United States, but not for Sweden. From ball-position to strength, Japanese women's team is a standard one. If Japanese team play by this way, the team of the United States will have a hard time on Sunday to hold the world cup. However, if the team of Japanese make any kind of less quality than today, even for a little bit by any mean or any reason or by fortune, the cup of planet for women's soccer in 2011 will be for truly giant Americans.

Whatever it is, with both of traditional strength and its true quality, I am very happy for the success of women's team of the United States. At the same time, I have truly appreciation for the success of Japanese team for many reasons with my passion while I put national team of Japan's 4th championship in Asia's cup as the cover story of my first monthly issue - The Arakan International.


I am waiting for the final results of Women's World Cup and Copa America to fondly express in coming 7th issue of the AI.


Special Congratulations National Women's Teams of Japan and The United States!!







Saturday, July 9, 2011

Monday, June 20, 2011

Nicely Growing!


When brother goes to school,
His sisters follow too.
They tease and play together on the way,
Especially on a sunny day,
And they all are nicely growing day by day!


Sisters on a Bike


Two sisters ride on a bike,


That looks like a trike.



On it says, the word - 'police,'


And they won't let any criminals released.




(Izana Hill)

Sunday, May 29, 2011

"Online and Me"



Any way, today, I got a little drunk, but it should not be matter with writing and reading the following!

I have an AC in facebook like many others do on these days.
My password for my face account is very simple that "MyFacebook." That's all.

Probably some people got my password for that simplicity or might be any other reason that I can never imagine. Whatever it is, there are many friends those I found on face book those "confirmed" to be friends though I never requested to be friends.

I also found several times that when I go to write "Happy Birthday," for one of my online friends' birth day, often, someone has already done good job for me that he or she wrote "Happy Birthday," from my account. What was my reaction do you know? I just smiled!

Any way, there were my many email accounts that I had to change becasue someone changed my passwords or somebody made mass up with my email account, etc, etc...Again, just fine!
Any way, today, I listened to a song that somebody sent through some groups in facebook.

It was really fun. I felt that I was in my very young life that fragile for almost everything, while I was listening to it, which was great!

There are many, many, many things if I say about my Online stories. I might tell you more later.

Thanks and I'll try to listen to more music.
Thanks all online creators and friends!

A Beautiful Flower In Our Front Yard






A closed shot of beautiful flower,

With little drops of water,
It makes a grand compound,

With green leaves background,

Roots in the ground can be found!


OTM and Izana



Friday, May 27, 2011

Congratulations Mahla!




Yesterday, our little daugher, Mahla graduated from her Pre-School of the College of DuPage.


Her both teachers, Nancy and Michelle told that Mahla has made progress in all areas of drawing, reading, writing, playing with friends and self-confidence.


Congratulations Mahla!


We love you!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Realities in Today’s America




Reality One; Guilty: If someone who is living in the United States think, believe, say and act that America is good or great, it is the guiltiest manner in today's United States!



Reality Two; Quality: A resident or a citizen’s true quality in America depends on the color of shirt or pant; but not on his or her belief, accomplishments, standing, education, character and content. (I also believe this is also reality of today’s great human beings in everywhere!)



(To be continued.)

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Freedom and Flying!





Once, I wrote a poem about a bird.

A bird who could reach into the cloudy sky with only one swing, which will take only a few seconds.

That bird who also possessed many other amazing qualities, such as courage, kindness, empathy, sympathy, strong spirit and body.

However, the key sorrowful problem was that the bird was inside the cage. In other words, because of hindered condition, all greatest qualities of the bird simply become useless!

Last week, we (my wife and I) watched an award winning movie, 'Black Swan.' Some movie trailers were included in that DVD those usually give tip-tastes before the main story has played. One of the trailers in those previews was from the movie, 'Mao's the last dancer.' A line in the trailer, which I liked the most was, "You need to be free before you fly!"

Even till today, I often think about that line and the deep meaning of it. It it true for any of us. Unless you are free, you cannot fly. Then, I am thinking about the action of flying. There are many actions for a bird - 'catching food,' 'making nest,' 'laying eggs,' 'taking care of new-born babies,' 'protecting enemies,' 'making beautiful sounds,' and of cause - 'flying.' Among all those actions or activities, I think the action that the most describe about the "Freedom" for a bird, is "Flying." In other words, 'Flying' makes 'Birdness' the most.

It is absolutely true that there is a deep and wide correlation between 'freedom' and 'flying.' Unless you are free by yourself both physically and mentally, you will not be able to make a meaningful flying!

Thank You!







Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Today's World

The first guy who initially make a call 911 is a THIEF, and the police who take that call is an another THIEF, and the jury who will take charge for that case is an another THIEF, and the rich guy or a company or somebody who will sponsor for the event is an another THIEF, and yet many news commentators who will write, anounce and give the view for the public are Gang-Members---who all are from the same group, under the same instruction and the slaves of systemtic conspiracy! The Victims? Of cause-the POOR CITIZENS or who are real tax-payers!

The guys who even do not understand the meaning of "balance" are the loudestly-yelling-out-about "EQUALITY," without mutual recognition, mutual respect, sympathy, empathy and values of humanity. As a reslut, billions of people are under troubles and doubts without freedom!

Cheat, Steal, Spy, Humiliate and do whatever you want, in order to say "The Winner." Whoever died, lives destroyed, -- who cares?

For many (so called) Leaders-- to be famous and elected is more important than welfare of citizens, national interest and dignity of the truth!

Through out or based upon some sort of the past situations, set up "Instigations" between the others and, among the crisis of the others, take adventage by themselves with enormous selfished-benefits.

Let the others be in the front line, fight and die, and let some guys build their powers on the others' dead-bodies!

(To be continued!)

Environmental, Biological Presentation

I gave a presentation last week in my environmental biology class.

As honor to birthday of John James Audubon, a French-American artist who focused on the views of nature, here is my presentation notes as the following;



Recent Environmental News

By
Oo Thein Maung
(Biology 1110)



Thunderstorms

According to the new research by Global Network of Monitoring Stations,
•About 760 thunderstorms every hour
•Each continent shows peaks during its daytime
•Globally, the peak time is around noon GMT


Mass Rat Migration in Australia
•After a run of high rain fall seasons, a mass migration of rats is under way into inland.
•The native long-haired rat, or Rattus villosissimus, normally lives in the Barkly Tableland.
•Ability to produce 12 babies every three weeks gives it the highest reproductive potential of any rodent in Australia.


An Election for Cobra’s Name
•Escape and subsequent capture at New York's Bronx Zoo
•New York Daily News asked the public to vote on the best name for the cobra
•More than 34,000 votes – “Mia”


Mine Project Cancelled for Environmental

•A controversial titanium mine project has cancelled in Cambodia’s southwest because of environmental concerns.
•Due to concerns about the impact on the environment and biodiversity as well as the living standards of the people.


United for Climate
•Rich and poor nations agreed on a roadmap for UN climate talks.
•But the poor nations say rich countries must take, particularly over cutting the greenhouse gas emissions that are blamed for global warming.
•A Green Climate Fund established $100 billion annually by 2020 to help poor nations.

New York at Risk!

•Sea Level would rise at least 28cm (1ft), according to IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) by 2100.
•Because ice sheets such as those on Greenland or Antarctica gravitationally attract the water.


Lucky Lizards!
•Customs officials in Thailand have seized 1,800 protected lizards said to be destined to be sold as food.
•The 3ft (1m)-long lizards were tied up and stuffed into bags
•Destined for Chinese kitchens.

Sooner? Or Later?
•Scientists who predicted a few years ago that Arctic summers could be ice-free by 2013.
•Now say summer sea ice will probably be gone in this decade
•And one of the projections say by 2016

Poor Young Penguins

•Young penguins in the Antarctic may be dying because they are having a tougher time finding food.
•Melting sea ice cuts back on the tiny fish they eat.
•Now - 2 to 3 million pehguins in Antarctic.
•7 to 8 millions two decades ago.


Correlation between Conflict and Violence and Poverty
•Conflict and violence are holding back global economic growth
•1.5 billion people in dire poverty (World Bank)
•Poverty rates in conflict, violent countries have 20 percentage points higher than in other countries


Babies! Babies!
•7,000 stillbirths that occur each day (WHO)
•Around 2.6 million stillbirths occur each year strike middle and low-income countries
•Middle-income countries such as Columbia, China, Mexico and Argentina, have reduced their stillbirth rates by 40% to 50% in recent years.
•Finland has the lowest rate.
•Nigeria and Pakistan are the highest.

Cuban Drought
•Cuba is facing its worst drought in half a century
•The drought started two years ago
•Tens of thousands of families almost entirely reliant on water trucks for essential supplies.
•More than 100,000 people in the worst affected areas of the capital, Havana.

Expensive Mangoes
•Alphonso mangoes shortage because of cold winter and unseasonable rains in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay).
•A dozen - 2,500 rupees ($56).
•India produces nearly 13 million tonnes of mangoes - about 40% of the world's output


$1.25 a day!

•Rising food and fuel prices are pushing millions of people into extreme poverty. (World Bank)
•That has pushed 44 million people into poverty since last June.
•1.2 billion people living on less than $1.25 a day.


Laos’ Dam Problem
•Laos faced pressure from its neighbors on its controversial dam construction project on the Mekong River that has sparked deep environmental concerns.
•The wildlife organization WWF has warned that dams could irreversibly change the Mekong's ecosystem.
•China already has several dams on the upper Mekong


Ancient Humans?
•Footage of a chimpanzee being born has shown that the animals give birth in a way that was thought to be unique to humans.
•Scientists had believed that this birth position evolved in the primate ancestors of modern humans.

Multiracial America Ahead
•Multiracial people now number 9 million, about 2.9 percent of the total U.S. population
•New figures from the 2010 Census show a 32 percent increase
•Perhaps, future Americans will have to fight for identifying themselves as white or black or brown?



Sources:
Bangkok Post
BBC
CNN
SMH
24 Hour News

Thank You!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Izana's Arts


Our little son who is now a first grader draw many pictures often.

The followings are few of his pictures and I make this as a little record for him and for fun as well:




A Fish: He made this for his school.


Republican Jedi Vs. Sith Lords


Ahsoka: Jedi Hero




George Washington (Izana made this for Presidents' Day.)

(I think Washington is getting a little angry!)


Spongebob Squarepants: His favorite TV show