tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78767070229761502442024-03-08T02:44:59.985-08:00Just a Thought. APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-38440045366842583592013-10-18T06:33:00.002-07:002013-10-18T06:50:49.218-07:00City of Contrasts, Country of Unity<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWwHeDgC3Yo/UmE8Dv1xT6I/AAAAAAAAAKg/HPNSmEiewNs/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWwHeDgC3Yo/UmE8Dv1xT6I/AAAAAAAAAKg/HPNSmEiewNs/s400/IMG_1206.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
A delegate from Moldova, in a conversation we shared on the
bus one evening, used the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">contrasts</i>
to describe Johannesburg. That word turned out to be, in fact, the most accurate
description of the impression I had gotten from Jo’burg as well as an idea that
was confirmed again and again as more observations were made about the city. Johannesburg
is a city where men with expensive suits and brand new Jaguars, Lamborghinis,
and Mercedes drive by beggars and poor children on almost every street.
Johannesburg is a city where the downtown Sandton City is as polished and clean
as downtown Miami but you drive away from the Sandton Convention Centre in the
wrong direction and start to see trash lying around in the fields, houses that
look like shacks, people that look homeless, and most despairing of all –
children that look abandoned. Speaking to school kids in Johannesburg, I one
day listened to horror stories about what’s happening to their classmates that
are making horrible choices and are referred to as “devil worshippers”, only to
watch other kids running around the fountains and sharing their interests and
talents in sports, music, and poetry the next day. But here’s the deal: these
are a type of contrasts that to some degree or extent can be seen in every big
city. Meanwhile, what struck me most about not only Johannesburg but South
Africa in general is how strongly united the people were. I’ve never seen such
devotion to one’s country in any other nation. I could be talking to a South
African about the weather or their beautiful wildlife and receive a response
that would make anybody want to stay in South Africa forever. Yet I could also
ask them tough questions about the high rates of violent crime and youth
unemployment in South Africa and a representative of the Ministry of the Police
Force would take the time out of his busy schedule to be present in person, and
not only openly admit those awful numbers but also respond by laying out the
essence of the National Development Plan that is currently being brought up for
popular discussion, information being spread so that the areas truly in need of
help and development are properly reached. In the words, actions, and
achievements of some South African youth activists, I’ve seen so much passion,
hard work, education and energy that could build a whole new county in the
middle of a windy, waterless desert if need be. Seeing this kind of potential,
and given their hearts lie in education reform as of right now, we can expect
to see even further improvements as a result of South Africa’s battle against
unemployment and crime in the near future. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
I am immensely inspired by the South African spirit for
development and the paths the people are carving for themselves. I have to
admit, other nations could learn more from South Africa about unity and passion
for change than South Africa could from them. I certainly did.</div>
APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-44708875913860379522013-10-18T06:31:00.003-07:002013-10-18T06:31:47.857-07:0048 hours vs. Flu<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
Most of us get a cold at least once a year. Since flu season
is in full bloom, I thought I’d share a special routine I implement whenever I
start feeling a cold coming. Usually this kind of an infection starts at the
throat and slowly spreads through the nasal passages, and might even get
further complications such as a fever and a cough. The first 48 hours (starting
from the sore throat/stuffy nose stage) are very important because this is the
time to help your immune system as much as you can in its fight against the
infection. Below is a detailed description of the above-mentioned routine:</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-hot tea with honey and lemon to soothe the throat;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-mustard bath or a salt bath (pour some iodized salt or
powdered mustard into a small tub of hot water; soak feet in this water for 30
minutes; and remember: slight prickling sensation=okay, burning
sensation=second degree burns); </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-eat some raw onion – this should temporarily sterilize the
throat and the nasal passages of any bacteria (Note: People with stomach
problems can replace the onion by rinsing their throat<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with warm water with salt); </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-crackers and chicken noodle soup;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-drink more hot tea;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-layer up; wrap yourself in blankets and sweat;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-after about 30 minutes of sweating, change into dry clothes,
drink more honey tea and sweat some more;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-at night, sleep for at least 10 hours;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-in the morning, take a steaming hot shower (loosens the mucus);</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-after the shower, dry up and dress quicker than usual as to
not let your body get cold;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-dress comfortably and again, layer up;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-eat a healthy meal (this means it should include protein –
low-fat meat such as chicken for example – and vegetables/salad) every 4 hours;
snack on fruit in between;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-drink plenty of water;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-always keep your feet dry and warm;</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->-Optional medicine for a cold
without any fever/cough: antibiotics for 5-10 days (will need a prescription);</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
-Required medicine for complicated cases: </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel2CxSpFirst">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If you feel a bad cough developing, take
antibiotics for the first 5 days and only then start taking the cough-specific
over-the-counter syrups, gel capsules, etc. Taking the cough stuff too early
would be useless anyway because, well there’s not much phlegm build yet to have
to get rid of. Also, take it easy on the cough suppressants – I personally
believe those do more harm than good: I’d rather cough more frequently but for
fewer days rather than cough rarely and have to cough for a month. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel2CxSpLast">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If you have a fever and/or a headache,
immediately take something with paracetamol in it and try to sweat as much as
you can by resting under lots of blankets and drinking hot liquids in double
your daily intake. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
At the
end of the initial 48 hours against the flu, when my immune system should be
fighting with the aftermath of the infection on its own, I find it helpful to
take some time to get life back flowing through my body by doing an intense
1-hr workout plus 30 minutes of stretching/yoga. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
P.S. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor but am merely sharing my
own experiences and research.</div>
APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-24326834608542691682013-05-02T06:01:00.000-07:002013-05-02T06:01:56.646-07:00Physical to Mental
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Ever since I learned to cook, I’ve always found the process of
cooking kind of relaxing. I could compare it to what one might feel while
running: your body’s on full alert and in full motion but your brain gets a
chance to disconnect itself for a little bit and do some major shuffling and
re-shelving of ideas. You get a chance to look at your actions, no matter the
past, present or future, and employ objective rather than subjective judgment. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
One of the things I have missed the most while living in the
dorms was having my own kitchen. Before college, kitchen was a place to which I
could come exhausted from school and work and troubled with the day’s
interactions but from which in a matter of an hour I could leave refreshed. And
it had nothing to do with food at all. Perhaps my rather conservative upbringing
has influenced me more than I realize, but the times I’ve felt clear-headed and
impartial enough to make the most important decisions had something to do with
me cleaning, sorting, and cooking things, and, in some cases, running long distances.
All of these activities made me busy just enough to think in terms of facts and
logic but not deep enough to think about feelings, so in a way, this prevented
emotions from interfering with my decision-making. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
What if, on some subconscious level, mechanical-type physical
activity encourages not just <i>any</i>
stress-free thinking but a <i>specific</i>
mental process that corresponds directly to a certain task at hand, which, in
case with cleaning the house, for example, would unintentionally be cleaning
our mind of unnecessary and irrelevant factors, so to speak? If this were true,
then it would make sense that the process of sorting physical items would lead
us to sort ideas into categories in our heads, therefore making conclusions
easier to reach. Cooking food could be envisioned as a process of putting together
right amounts of ingredients to create a dish to serve one’s tastes – relating
to how we take into account as many factors as possible when reaching
resolutions and compromises. Distance-running, on the other hand, would be responsible
for our mind’s ability to not only carefully select routes but also develop
patience and endurance when having come across obstacles and rough patches in
life through which there is no other choice but to “run through”. Though the
connections drawn above are only hypothetical, I can’t help but wonder how much
of the physical activity we think we complete with a certain degree of
automaticity, such as walking, driving, folding laundry or putting on make-up, might
have more influence on our minds than we realize? </div>
<!--EndFragment-->APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-33069676450072667152013-05-02T05:59:00.000-07:002013-05-02T05:59:06.393-07:00Groups
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Sometimes, to keep one's mind away from getting trapped among life's routinely thoughts and worries brought by daily events, it can be fascinating to try and think about the way humans operate as a whole. What habits have been developed, what patterns. One of those patterns is a perpetual need to "flock together" (with some exceptions, of course). We create groups intentionally, unintentionally, and we even create groups
when we’re trying not to create groups. It’s kind of an endless circle that humankind
might never be able to break out of. Sometimes a small portion of people
realizes what’s happening and tries to avoid separatism and favoritism, but
eventually they either exhaust their resources and retire or achieve only small
results, insignificant in the big picture. Because once you turn into a group
with a common cause, you’re destined to start rejecting people that do not fit
into your group. Which is still, as I recall, an event of separating people. The
sole definition of the word <i>group</i>
makes this inevitable, since a group is <i>a
limited entity</i> by definition. Despite the cons, being in a group makes one
feel more comfortable. It might even make one feel more powerful. Really, it’s
easier to break one man than seven. In fact, I believe groups have more pros
than cons. Imagine a world as one group where no one would ever be excluded…it
would just be one giant blob of people, absolute chaos. Groups are actually a
way to put people in certain directions, put everything in order, make sure all
bases are covered. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-38885712847909790162013-04-01T04:19:00.000-07:002013-04-01T04:20:24.208-07:00On Mill’s On Liberty<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
John Stuart Mill was ahead of the time in which he lived by
his ideas and understanding of the main concepts of democracy. He contests a
common misconception that democracy is the ultimate solution for liberty by
highlighting a clear problem – tyranny of the majority. Such events in history
that dramatically affected our lives as women’s rights movement were inspired
by his works. Mill is a strong opponent of paternalism, tyranny of the
majority, but on the other hand, a supporter of rights, liberty and one’s
sovereignty over one’s own life, as long as harm is not caused to others. His
center principle is the liberty principle. In his essay, he tries to define the
cases in which limitations can be placed over society or an individual. While
reading <i>On Liberty</i>, one might assume
that his main goal in this work is to introduce the harm principle, whereas he
introduces the harm principle only in order to set a limit on which rules
society can impose on individuals. Another curious topic he touches is the role
of rules and customs in our lives. <u>We have greater liberty living by rules
and regulations because they maximize utility, and by custom, because it simply
works, while society can exercise power over a citizen, but only to prevent
harm. </u>When is it legitimate to coerce individuals to do or not to do
something? When can individuals choose not to follow the society?</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
First, what are rules? Rules are principles and regulations
governing our actions and conduct. There is a set of basic rules that we should
follow to make our lives easier as well as others’. “Mankind are greater
gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves than by
compelling each to live as seems good to the rest.” (p. 12) Rules are connected
to society’s and individual’s interests, where everyone makes sacrifices in
their behavior to allow the most amount of good for the most amount of
people. Certain interests can be
identified as “core interests”, which are to be protected by the society using
rights – socially constructed rules that help us benefit our society. One
citizen’s right is somebody else’s duty. Examples of our rights are: liberty of
opinion and belief, liberty of tastes and pursuits, and liberty of combination
among individuals. One liberty that Mill pays a lot of attention to is
sovereignty over our own lives. In the beginning of his essay, Mill identifies
harm as a setback to someone else’s interest, whereas, in the last half of it,
he gives more complications to his definition. Now he identifies harm as a violation
of one’s rights, direct interests, and liberties. He is now stating that
society ought not to interfere with one’s self-regarding acts. Mill would say
that no matter how foolish one’s choices might be, you cannot impede them, as
long as it’s only themselves that they are harming. Though he does offer two
exceptions - children, due to their immaturity and, therefore, inability to
engage all of their faculties to make their own decisions, and barbarians, due
to their incapacity of being lead to development by method of conviction,
persuasion or compulsion. “Liberty, as a principle, has no application to any
state of things anterior to the time when mankind have become capable of being
improved by free and equal discussion.” (p. 10) In addition, this is the only
case where Mill justifies paternalism – telling somebody what he or she must
do. Mill generally does not believe in paternalism – humans are individual, and
must decide for themselves what is good or bad. This leads his concern about
the rules that society imposes on citizens: in his opinion, they should never
interfere with one’s self-determination. Another one of his concerns about
rules is that to require not to harm is less clear than to require to do
something in order to protect oneself from harm. However, we can be forced to
take actions not to harm others just as much as we can be forced to take
actions to keep harm away from them. He leaves the concern to be solved by the
society, which has to determine what stage of harm is to be protected against.
Mill’s last concern about society’s rules is that the liberty to do things
collectively leads to small harms on the way, which ties back to pleasing the
majority. Shortly, in last chapter he brings up live examples from which we can
make a conclusion that sometimes allowing harm will provide benefit to
society’s interests in general. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
On the other hand, customs have a very significant meaning in
our lives. We use them because they work, and we benefit from them. The
stereotype is, customs are practices so long established that they have a force
of law. Mill would not necessarily agree with this definition, because he
strongly encourages individuals to come up with new ideas and listen to those
who have them. He sees benefit in forming your own opinion, even if it is
against traditions and customs of the society. Developing our plan for
ourselves certainly has several benefits. First, we employ all of our senses
and abilities, thus, we develop. Second, we provide the world with different
opinions, experiments and experiences, so long as we do not injure others.
Third, by expressing our opinion, we might be right and benefit the society,
while, if we are wrong, we benefit the society as much as we would if we were
right. Pages 56 and 57, in Mill, consist, “Human nature is not a machine to be
built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a
tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the
tendency of the living forces which make it a living thing.” Mill’s concern
regarding customs is that one’s certainty would make one assume that one has a
right to coerce others to follow oneself, which is why he sees pursuing your
own interests and freedom to choose actions, whatever they are, without
injuring others, as a best plan, opposed to being forced.</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
No matter how strong Mill’s statements and principles are, he
still leaves us a lot of room for development of his ideas. Plus, all of us
interpret his ideas in a way that is enhanced for our own lives. Customs are a
very big part of our lives, but we must not forget how they were formed and
make our own judgments. Without customs and rules, it would be more difficult
to live in pursuit of our own interests, without harming others. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-80162882799974536322013-03-29T05:56:00.000-07:002013-03-29T05:56:40.241-07:00In the Middle
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Recently, in the
process of writing I had to talk about genders and I recall stopping for a good
five minutes only to contemplate whether assuming that there are two genders is
politically correct or not. Google-ing it didn’t help either, and I never really
got an answer to my question as to whether the transgender counts as a
separate, third gender, etc..so I just had to go with my gut and say, two
genders it is. Anyway, it only occurred to me now that the whole thing was unusual.
The fact that there are only two genders should have been like an axiom to me,
something as solid as the fact that the sun rises in the morning and sets at
night, or the fact that if you throw a ball up in the air, gravity will pull it
down. Now, if it were my mother or father writing, they wouldn’t even have
given the thought another second. Perhaps, the thought wouldn’t even have
occurred to them at all. And that, I think is one of the places where lies one
of the biggest differences between our generations. Our fathers and mothers are
a generation of black-and-white, where nobody would hardly ever need to think
twice about an issue. In their world, there are no if’s. In their world, one is
either rich or poor, smart or stupid, male or female, native or foreign, etc.
We, on the other hand, are a generation that has been taught to accept, to
adapt, to eradicate discrimination, and avoid assuming things about others
without learning facts of their individual backgrounds. When we were in high
school, most of our persuasive speeches were on defending rights of minority
groups; in college most of our visiting lecturers come from a minority
background. There are many times we have to think about whether what we say
might offend somebody in the room. In short, we are slower to jump to
conclusions about a stranger than our parents, but we are also not entirely
non-judging, so we’re sort of a generation of in-the-middlers. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-48776058283802578792013-03-29T05:52:00.001-07:002013-03-29T05:52:26.357-07:00On Chivalry
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst">
Feminism
is definitely a topic that inspires a wide variety of opinions from both men
and women. The most frequent one I’ve heard lately on the male side is, “You
ladies want the society to treat both genders equally though you always
complain that chivalry is dying!” Whether this is correct or wrong depends on
how we define chivalry. If chivalry portrays women as weak and in need of help
from men who, in turn, are portrayed as superior to the other gender, then I
could see why the point is being made about eliminating this kind of behavior among
other things. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle">
Personally,
I see chivalry as social etiquette rather than indication of inequality. And
when it comes to etiquette, respect is the key word, not superiority. For
example, men opening doors for women is a sign of respect or admiration (one
could even say endearment), not a statement saying, “You are probably not
strong enough to pull this door, so I’ll do it for you”. Men do it because they
want to, and I believe women should respond accordingly. There have been
numerous times I’ve witnessed females ignoring doors held for them and
proceeding to open an adjacent door for themselves. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle">
On the
other hand, chivalry is part of a frequently depicted in novels and romantic
movies process called courting. Since the purpose of courting is to win a woman
over, some women might feel as if they are a trophy of sorts, an object as
opposed to a one-of-a-kind human being. Meanwhile, chivalry has been one of the
ways through which a man would declare interest in a woman. By attending to her
needs and treating her as someone with a certain degree of fragility, in no way
is his goal to belittle, but rather to deliver a message through behavior as
opposed to words. And that message shouldn’t be perceived as, “You are fragile
and weak, so let me take care of you,” but rather a plain: “Notice me, for
these are my qualities: I am caring, attentive, protecting, etc.” </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast">
Many
struggle to understand that we often and sometimes unintentionally compare
things that ought not be compared. I believe males and females fall into this
category. An idea that was thoroughly integrated into my judgment at age of
fifteen due to a particular turn of life, a simple phrase, “Not better, not
worse – just different” is one that serves perfectly to what I am trying to
express here. Perhaps men and women are so different on various levels that it
is not entirely possible to compare one group to the other? If you can’t
compare one to another, then how would you distinguish them equal? What if, in
the process of calling others to cease stereotyping (assigning generalized
roles to) people according to their gender and taking measures to create
absolute equality in all aspects of life, we are doing exactly what we’re fighting
against? That is, try and assign a certain behavior to individuals, no matter
how universal or neutral. Now, whether opportunities are provided equal for
both is another question and I agree in every respect that no one should be
limited to what he/she might desire to endeavor. This is a concern of justice
and is a valid concern to tend to. But should it matter to the society how
“masculine” or “feminine”, strong or weak each individual act, so long as all
is fair, legal and harm-free? </div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-2279734887125246582012-09-13T18:32:00.000-07:002012-09-13T18:32:03.408-07:00The Value of a Human LifeThrough every different experience in life, I learn something new: if not about others or life in general, then about myself. Recently, I picked up a cold virus that had me weak, aching, fevering, shivering and helpless for an entire night. That was, by far, the most physically unbearable and uncomfortable experience I’ve ever had. However, it made me think about something else. Health is much more important to me than I realized. Health was a privilege that I didn’t give enough credit to. Being healthy is what made it possible for me to work on achieving my goals, attending events I needed to attend, traveling places I needed to travel, and not have to worry about anything else. Being healthy is a requirement on the road to success. In a way, being healthy gives you the opportunity to make the most of your life. And there’s that word, life. Every day, there are people whose lives are saved by a donated organ. And to those particular people, that second chance at life is priceless. Because life is priceless. Waking up in the morning, picking up a newspaper, having a job that you love, smelling the rain, finishing a task, starting an exciting weekend, winning a game, attending a fun event with friends, sharing emotions with family – priceless. And it breaks my heart to see that something so fragile and indispensable can be taken away from innocent people in a matter of a second as a result of something as insignificant as a disagreement in political ideals and misunderstanding of religious beliefs. The killings of the US Embassy staff in Libya yesterday were a cold, cruel, and most of all, an absolutely heartless act. I subconsciously draw a story in my head, of a man, with a big family: several kids, wife, siblings, parents; with a job that he is most passionate about, as that is why he is still paying off student loans for all the education he went through to get to where he is now – the US Embassy in Libya. A man in perfect health, a man that has good values and strong principles, a man that is involved in his surroundings. And then, imagine all of it’s gone. The man, the man’s involvement, passions, love, affections, fears, emotions – gone. Just because a radical group of Libyans is at disagreement with some video, this man’s life is taken away, in an instant. Without a second to think, without a chance for survival, without reason. How can someone intentionally take away the one most valuable, meaningful, irreplaceable thing from this man and his family? A life. An attribute of the highest value – a human life. APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-59605385748788195262012-07-07T13:40:00.000-07:002012-07-07T13:58:00.269-07:00My Best Photos YetWhen I see something beautiful while at home, I try to snap a shot of it if I've got a camera on me. Not to brag later, no, but to have something to hold on to as I grow and change, something to look back to as a token of my roots, reminder of the person that I am and will always be. A Turkmen. Born in the Soviet Union, but living in democracy and capitalism. Taught in the East, though educated in the West. Raised in one millennium and living in the other. Studying last century - learning about the next.
My home city, along with my native culture, is changing every hour. It grows but doesn't lose its trends, patterns and direction. Beautiful in daylight, it shines even brighter at night. And as it represents me today, I'd like it to do so even better tomorrow. The tasks I dwell upon are the tasks that worry my culture as well. Battling conformity to reserve individuality by combining conformity with enough individuality. Modernizing the traditional without changing it.
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I'm no photographer but these are my best photos of home yet. One is a historical statue turned into a centerpiece for a modern park downtown and another is a childhood attraction renovated and moved to a more contemporary region of the city.APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-75265848488441340952012-07-07T12:22:00.000-07:002012-07-07T12:34:25.597-07:00Another Guinness Record Goes to...TurkmenistanMay 18th is annually celebrated in Central Asia as the Day of Revival, Unity and Poetry. Turkmenistan is no outsider to these celebrations. In 2012, the day was even more special: as part of the celebration, the planet's largest ferris wheel in an enclosed space (setting a new Guinness record) was unveiled in the country's capital (which also happens to be my home) city, Ashgabat. Inside a massive glass/white steel casing decorated with a giant 8-point star, lies a 47.6-meter-structure that holds (and spins, of course) 24 six-seat cabins. This structure is part of a new entertainment complex called "Anem" (translated from Turkmen as "the universe") that was opened to the public along with the new ferris wheel. I had the chance to see the place for myself a month ago (June 2012). It is truly nothing like one would have ever seen before and is surrounded by a great park area with fountains. At night, it's filled with young people as it is beautifully lit and is currently "the next big thing", so to speak, not only for tourists but also the city residents themselves. Like me. Came with my family and loved it.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Hb1kNOIZrY/T_iHMaikdnI/AAAAAAAAAG8/67lO86Fs5B4/s1600/IMG_1263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Hb1kNOIZrY/T_iHMaikdnI/AAAAAAAAAG8/67lO86Fs5B4/s320/IMG_1263.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7mgJXA9GMk/T_iKc57lvzI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Nf_MLCNZ_Lk/s1600/IMG_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7mgJXA9GMk/T_iKc57lvzI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Nf_MLCNZ_Lk/s320/IMG_0205.jpg" /></a></div>It should be known that Turkmenistan is no newcomer to the Guinness Book of Records. On the Day of Revival, Unity and Poetry of 2011 (last year), Turkmenistan unveiled its answer to the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. An 185-meter pillar devoted to the country's constitution was presented in the Ashgabat city. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q24OwpCO_8/T_iKpBnM0yI/AAAAAAAAAHY/V9VQN5uTX2s/s1600/IMG_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q24OwpCO_8/T_iKpBnM0yI/AAAAAAAAAHY/V9VQN5uTX2s/s320/IMG_0224.jpg" /></a></div>The "Arch of Constitution" is now one of the most memorable sights in the capital city - decorated with 5 Turkmen national ornaments in gold, it is also surrounded by beautiful fountains, a great park and has 2 viewing decks.
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Besides the 2 world records described already, Turkmenistan boasts to have the world's tallest flagpole, the longest carpet, the "largest star-shaped architectural feature" and the "largest cluster of fountains in a public space". Personally, the fountain record makes most sense to me because my home city has so many fountains that on a hot summer afternoon one will see that there are more fountains per square kilometer than people.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuKT4UBnUK0/T_iMSkWH3LI/AAAAAAAAAH8/Wlr0_wb3l1o/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuKT4UBnUK0/T_iMSkWH3LI/AAAAAAAAAH8/Wlr0_wb3l1o/s320/IMG_0557.JPG" /></a></div>APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-6718691935967122332012-06-26T11:02:00.000-07:002012-06-26T11:49:19.162-07:00The Caspian Sea AdventureThe closest you can ever get to the Caspian Sea in Turkmenistan is to head to the city of Turkmenbashi (named in honor of Turkmenistan’s first President), or specifically the Avaza resort, a resort that has grown so rapidly in the past 3-4 years that it could now be a city by itself. More than that, it is still growing at the same pace. Full of hotels, summer camps, health sanatoriums, restaurants and bars, the Avaza of the future is not yet even halfway complete. At this moment, there are construction sites stretching for over 50 kilometers north of the current-day Avaza. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asDmLqRadKE/T-n5C1QMJOI/AAAAAAAAAGA/d_eNcvWFt1c/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asDmLqRadKE/T-n5C1QMJOI/AAAAAAAAAGA/d_eNcvWFt1c/s320/IMG_0586.JPG" /></a>
The hotels are great and are the biggest attribute of Avaza. It may also help to ask around and visit restaurants outside the hotel to try different dishes and kebabs, especially the ones out of fish. If planned well, one’s vacation in Avaza should go more than smooth and definitely pleasant. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7fTJHXHu1c/T-n643Vx6KI/AAAAAAAAAGM/QOrXbaTbRls/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7fTJHXHu1c/T-n643Vx6KI/AAAAAAAAAGM/QOrXbaTbRls/s320/IMG_0598.JPG" /></a>
The new Turkmenbashi airport is flat-out gorgeous. Just the right size, very organized and clean. An American-style highway system has recently been laid from the airport to Turkmenbashi and straight to the heart of the Avaza resort. The hotels provide many amenities, responding to almost every age, taste and preference. The pools are cleaned every morning and there are lifeguards at the sea. There are also many restaurants, disco bars, museums and fun little tours on boat along the man-made river that runs through the entirety of the resort. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcH8euGDJ8I/T-oAdtWE7NI/AAAAAAAAAGo/R085Hhtk_5s/s1600/IMG_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcH8euGDJ8I/T-oAdtWE7NI/AAAAAAAAAGo/R085Hhtk_5s/s320/IMG_0625.JPG" /></a>
My family and I stayed at the hotel named Kerven and enjoyed our time there. Would I go back to that particular hotel next time? No, but only because I would want to try one of the newer places that are currently being built. Either way, no matter what hotel you choose, you’ll always know it’s worth it when you see the view from your room and breathe in the fresh and healing Caspian air. The air and the sea should have been the main reasons you came down there anyway.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4xoq52v2CI/T-n9NiJPWXI/AAAAAAAAAGY/WI5uPPFVBns/s1600/09062012565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="217" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4xoq52v2CI/T-n9NiJPWXI/AAAAAAAAAGY/WI5uPPFVBns/s320/09062012565.jpg" /></a>APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-38580393828269514482011-08-29T10:48:00.000-07:002011-08-29T10:48:53.134-07:00Never Too Late to RediscoverIf you are a geography, history and economics nerd (like me), I'd highly suggest reading the following blog article at: http://thoughteconomics.blogspot.com/2011/08/brazil-how-to-build-great-country.html that contains an interview with the Brazilian Foreign Minister from 2003 to 2011, current Minister of Defense Celso Amorim, on "How to Build a Great Country" and how Brazil got to the international position it holds now. If only we could send a Celso Amorim to every developing country...APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-35295559711226598352011-07-11T14:02:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:02:42.516-07:00The "College Bubble"Came across a pretty interesting video on YouTube today called "College Conspiracy"...<br />
Here is the link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpZtX32sKVE&feature=pyv&ad=6739540474&kw=conspiracy <br />
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Personally, I don't understand the need to create such an opinionated video. By claiming that "college education is the largest scam in the US history," the producers of this documentary are basically stating that college is a dishonest scheme, a fraud, or a wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in personal or financial gain (according to definition of the word "scam" in the Online English Dictionary). After watching all of the video, I realized that their biggest dissatisfaction with college is based on how high the price of a college degree is and how little benefit a college degree can supposedly provide you. <br />
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However, I'd like to point out two things in response to this video. First, there is not one path in this world that is perfect for everyone, and a college degree is not a requirement, therefore it should be one's own choice whether to attend college or not. It's not like there is a certain fixed guarantee that one will not succeed in life without a degree or will with one. The video itself is influenced by an interview of a man that succeeded without a college degree. This example should be used as an illustration of someone who made the right choice rather than the pointlessness of college. College is just another way to systemize the job market, just as many other sorting systems in life, but it does not mean it is absolute - there are exceptions. Second, yes, the prices of college are high, but what prices aren't? The group that provided the research for this video is called inflationUS, and inflation is frankly one of the most contributing factors to this issue. They interview several people that have fallen deep in debt because of college, but they don't see that college isn't the reason. They took an unnecessary risk and made a bad bargain when signing to an unrealistic payment schedule, that's all it comes down to. <br />
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My response to this video should be regarded as my objective view on the matter. I did not intend to offend, in any way, the makers of the above mentioned documentary.APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-59497528714101363422011-07-01T17:01:00.000-07:002014-02-21T04:59:47.595-08:00Fears and DecisionsFear. Just the word itself exudes cold. It's a feeling that can grow into one of the largest and most powerful forces behind almost every single decision you make in your life. <br />
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It starts out simple, of course. In kindergarten and elementary school, it was fear of being alone that drove me to stay as long as I could at school or outdoors with my friends until my parents came home in the evening. In middle school, it was fear of defeat that made me work myself till sweat and blood in every single sport or other activity I was involved in. In high school, there were so many important decisions to make that it was fear of making the wrong choice out of which I tried to excel at everything. It was fear of letting my parents down that drove me to study Physics through and beyond college level while in 9th grade and brought me to earn the third place title in the whole nation during the National physics Olympiad that year. I’m afraid that in that case, it was probably the only driving force involved. To this day, I still don’t understand – why physics? Honestly, I don’t even like the subject. I never did, not even outside the stressful atmosphere of the competition. Interestingly, acquiring the medal brought more of a sense of relief rather than accomplishment. <br />
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See, fear isn’t the best-quality driving force, because it doesn’t do much when there’s nothing else pushing along with it. Neither is it only a driving force. Fear can be as much of a stopping force as it can be a driving one. It is fear of danger and death that stops you from taking risks or breaking rules, whether you’re sitting on a plane or just crossing the road on your way to work. It is fear of missing out that stops you from leaving a baseball game until there is a break. It is fear of being dependent on someone and missing out on certain chances later that stops many young people from creating a family before they think they’ve tried it all. However, when fear is a stopping force, it becomes, in some twisted way, partially less effective. Whether you turn off your cell phone before the plane takes off doesn’t guarantee you that everyone else did the same, therefore, doesn’t quite guarantee you your safety. If you marry late, you still might later miss out on things that you would get if you married young. The point being, no matter what you do and where you are, you’re always missing out on something. But is that a problem? No. It just means that decisions shouldn’t be based on simply your fears. Every turn taken in life can become the “ultimate right choice” for you when led by passion, love, knowledge, belief and purpose.APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876707022976150244.post-45981873596935578452011-06-06T20:57:00.000-07:002011-06-06T20:57:39.723-07:00Life is Either a Daring Adventure or NothingI love flying. It is and has always been a part, or, might I say, a start, of a new page, new experience, new opportunity throughout my life. For some, it might accidentally become a problem of identity - if you find yourself lost and confused about who you are, due to all the places you have visited.<br />
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I love flying. Flying is annoying to most of the people that use air transportation, but to me, this is always a start of something exciting. This is where I take time to think deeply and realize what awaits for me in the very near future when I get off that airplane. All the biggest impressions in my life and career have resulted from traveling.<br />
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As a college student that goes to school half-a-planet away from home, I don’t really get to see my parents and friends that often. Oh, forgot to mention, I am from a Central Asian country named Turkmenistan. So, when I do get to fly home (once in 1-1.5 years), it’s a long, expensive and exhausting trip. Consisting of about 4 flights averaging 10 hours each, that’s what it sounds like to anyone. Anyone, but me. I do not possess explanation to it at this point, but I hope that all the odd pieces come together in the future. <br />
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I hope that through reading my blog, at least some kind of an urge to travel awakens inside those who have never stepped foot outside of their own country. It isn’t about patriotism, not at all. I am and will be spending most of my twenties in the States, but it doesn’t mean I’m betraying or losing love for my home country. Nor will I ever be able to deny a special, developed over time, place in my heart for all the countries I’ve visited, especially America, the country I’ve visited the most.<br />
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The purpose of this blog isn't just advice, it's more of a message. A message that, in today's globalized world, traveling is a MUST. APhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289862346829362763noreply@blogger.com0