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

Official Web Pages: http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/
http://presidentofindia.nic.in/
http://pmindia.nic.in/
http://goidirectory.nic.in/

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/country_profiles/1154019.stm
http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/
The New York Times Almanac 2007

Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/in-flag.html
http://www.state.gov/cms_images/india_tajmahal_2003_06_252.jpg
http://www.boloji.com/opinion/0099.jpg
http://livinggallery.oneindia.in/d/721-3/19MAR31U.jpg

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

Official Web Pages: http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/cg.html

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1076794.stm

The New York Times Almanac 2007

Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cf.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/cf-flag.htmlhttp://cache.virtualtourist.com/2550923-Hidalgo_loading_Dauphin_Ubangui_Congo_river-Republic_of_Congo.jpg

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

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/790690.stm
http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/official.htm#B

The New York Times Almanac 2007


Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ba.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/ba-flag.html
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/images/photos/photo_lg_bahrain.jpg

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

Stay in your way

Live in your way, which you like.

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

Official Web Pages: http://www.cotedivoire-pr.ci/
http://www.primature.gov.ci/
http://www.anci.ci/

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1043014.stm
http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/
The New York Times Almanac 2007

Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/iv.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/iv-flag.html
http://www.soccerstat.net/worldcup/images/squads/Ivory_Coast.jpg

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

Official Web Pages: http://www.bolivia.gov.bo/
http://www.presidencia.gov.bo/
http://www.vicepresidencia.gob.bo/
http://www.congreso.gov.bo/indice.asp
http://www.cne.org.bo/

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1210487.stm
http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/official.htm#B
The New York Times Almanac 2007

Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bl.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/bl-flag.html
http://www.bestwaytoinvest.com/UserFiles/Image/The%20Che%20Guevara%20statue%20at%20the%20site%20of%20his%20death%20in%20Bolivia.jpg

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

Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/jm.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/jm-flag.html
http://vacation357.com/uploaded_images/cheap-Jamaica-vacation-package-790554.jpg

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

Official Web Pages: http://www.presidence.bf/
http://www.primature.gov.bf/

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1032616.stm http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/

The New York Times Almanac 2007

Picture: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uv.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/uv-flag.htmlhttp://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/uk/tr/tg/lp/c4/500_c449390a69956a2502b17804dfc343fd.jpg

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!