Thursday, 31 March 2011

What it meant by sustainable development?

For me, sustainable development is a cycle. What we do everyday has a impact onto the environment and the environment will affect us in one way or another. We have to bear the consequences and be responsible for our actions. Most of us are aware of what happening today and are trying the best to come out with solutions that make the world a better place to live in. Today's disaster, man made or natural are caused by our action somehow and it's unbelievable that many of us are neglected it. Maybe the disasters didn't affect that bunch of people, thus seeing the news is not enough, people have to experience it to understand how greatly it affecting each other.

We seen that many countries are developing new energy sources so that it will reduce the over dependent of oil. Ethanol from sugar canes, lithium from alga. It's a great start, it shows human being are indeed intelligent. Oil will run out on earth one day, it's a hard truth.

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Reflection on Video: 2004 Tsunami The Aftermath

The movie depicts the before, during and after the tsunami happen. It was a devastating events and i would like to express my condolences to the affected ones. Some scenes was shocking as we don't see this happen all the time. It acts like a wake up call in one way or another. In the other hand, some scenes show the love and care family and strangers shared during the good and bad times. Overall, it was a really touching film.

I am a Buddhism Asian, so my knowledge of Asian culture is quite developed since young. When i saw the scene where the white journalist giving a hard time to the monks' action- burning corpses, i was at first angry at him but after awhile i just realized that he was brought up in the west, their culture was different.  They mistaken the monks which they burnt corpses to clear space but actually it is a believe when someone pass away, the body need to be burnt so that the soul will be released from the body to reborn. That when i realized it was actually a culture clash. The white journalist has a low context of the Asian culture as he was new to the country and he will not know what we do is right or wrong.

I saw a scene which one of the actress said that she believed in god, and it is something that she can trust to keep her safe every night when she is asleep. I am an agnostic (free-thinker). I don't know if god exists but when i saw this scene, i was moved. Now i know one of many reasons why my mother believe is so devoted in buddhism, why she bother to go to the temple to do prayers and give offerings, why on special occasion she willing to wake up so early to prepare a feast for someone is worship so greatly. She believes gods exist and they are guiding her on the long and winding road to enlighten. I realized that believing in gods is a type of motivation, a motivation that can help us through good and bad times, they tell us not to lose hope and keep our spirit high. For me, i believe in myself. We need to pull ourself through the bad times and enjoy the good times. What we do is all that matter and we need to bear any consequences. I believe that my parents are gods, they create and give me this life, they brought me up and taught me what's right and wrong. They are always there for me when i needed them the most, the good or bad times.

Saturday, 19 March 2011

Blogging on a Saturday night


Cineleisure, The Heren, Grand Park Hotel, Paragon, Lucky Plaza, Wisma, Ion, Shaw Lido. These are the shopping centers i walked pass when i finally find myself standing at a bus stop opposite Far East Plaza, looking at the moon gently. The warmth and happiness i saw in the bright round circle, which suddenly tells me that i am very fortunate to be where i am. So much going on around the world. Shocking events in Japan. I am moved by the way the Japanese reacted to the misfortunate situation. No pointing fingers, no riot, no complaint, people are in law and order and the workers in the nuclear plants risking their life to prevent and reduce more damage. I saw the video about the dog refusing to leave his or her injured friend. I pacifically use the word 'his' or 'her', rather than 'its' for a reason. This dog actually has a heart that many of us does not have. A heart that can touch many life.
It is painful to lose everything over night
The dog has a heart which some people  might not have
let us all pray for Japan


I reached home, took a cooling shower straight. I never feel so refresh before. There was some drama in the bus i took. An older aged lady with her care taker came up the bus at Thomson Medical Centre. There was a few second of silence. Those people sitting at the front quickly react and move away from their seats so that the people who were in need could make use of the facilities. But to my surprise, the girl sitting in the very front seat, didn't move. I was shocked. She was in her teenage year but she couldn't scarify her comfort for someone who were in need more than her. Sigh. Oh well, at least i feel contented with myself as i was the first to move away from my seat. Sometime, it's good to sit on the bus for a long journey. It make you feel calm and peaceful, looking at the expression on people's faces, be touched by people who are generous. For me, getting taxi in town is way too stressful. Last week, i waited for almost an hour for a cab so i decided to walk to the bus station to await a bus. So this week, i just don't want to get upset by the waiting time so of course i walked a long distance, doing some shopping along the way and took a bus home. I felt so proud of myself, not wasting money on cab which i can afford but chose not to. I can't see what's wrong with today's people, why can't we show some love and care? Is it so difficult? Or we can't be bother as we are self-sensed? The world would be  great place if everyone learn how to love and care for others. Show some love and care to the person deserve or needed, life is short and fragile. If we don't do it today, we might not have the chance. Learn to cherish. 

Today's full moon is bigger than usual and there must be a reason for it. According to CNN, this moon will be a super 'perigee moon' which is the biggest in almost 20 years. It will be around 10 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter as compared to other full moons during the year. On Saturday, the Moon will be at a distance of 356,577 km from the Earth. As rare as it is, it may be worth a look. Miss it and you'll have to wait until 2029 to see it again. I wanted to find out if there is any special occasion in my country so i called my mum up. Today in Cambodia is actually the biggest 'power day' of the year. My family like most families, lay out a table of offerings to the god of the moon. The offerings such as flowers, 5 kinds of fruits: logan, banana, rambutan, orange and apple, burning of joysticks, tea and coffee, steamed chicken, hard boiled egg, cuttle fish and the most important thing is 'nom yee'. Nom Yee is actually round ball of flour, stuffed with white bean and in sugar and cream sirup. This represent the moon and by eating it, harmony and peace will be brought to our soul.
Some of the offerings

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

Why Study Geography?

Geography is the study of human and nature relationship. It allows us to better understand how each event happen and the reasons behind it. We can relate any happen phenomena to the economic, politic and social aspects of each country.

Understanding today's situation is very important as globalization has brought all human being closer together. Population & environment studies are essential as we need to keep track of the past, present and future so that we can do the necessary precautions and learn from the past mistake. This will enable us to have a better knowledge of what to do when a situation struck us.