Thursday, March 29
Sunday, March 25
Belissima
All the awe and wonder and love of Italy came flooding back this month as Benc and I celebrated the 1st year anniversary of our trip to Europe, and we did so by waking up early the past four Sunday mornings (7 am!) to catch the BBC special Italy: From Top to Toe.Count Francesco da Mosto, a Sicilian-Venetian, presented the show. He drove all through Italy in his fire-engine red Alfa Romeo and brought the audience to the most popular, as well as little-known places in the country.
The show was extremely engaging, as was the host. I loved that he knew of all the out-of-the way places (there are kilometers of tunnels underneath Naples; Palermo's city center is dying; once can climb Mount Aetna and get to its active center!). I also loved the way he presented the Italian way of life, and how they take time to actually enjoy it. It's also nice to see how we have similar traditions and values when it comes to family. Feel na feel ko tuloy ang last name ko, hehe.
In case it gets replayed on BBC, I highly recommend you catch it. If you've been to Italy before, you'll be able to re-live your trip! If you've never been there, you'll be booking your next flight to Roma. :-) Believe him when he says, Italy is better experienced than explained.
Saturday, March 24
Schoolwork
Some new things I learned in school:
1. Asia has the highest concentration of pirates in the world.
2. The Uk "apportioned" the middle eastern lands among three powerful families.
3. King Hussein of Iran is actually a descendant of Muhammad.
4. Pakistan and India have a long standing argument about who should live where -- Hindus vs Muslims.
5. Pakistan and India both have nuclear weapons. :-(
6. Kashmir is caught in the middle of a three-country argument over who should have access to the small territory...and many people have died because of it.
7. Iceland is so far the only nation that approximates the ideal nation state: they are almost totally homogenous!I
8. There are actually cases of discrimination in Japan against non pure-Japanese.
9. Mass media could be a great tool to promote nationalism.
Those are just some of the stuff I learned in my Modern Asia masters class this semester. We had an exam today, so there are still some things in my head. Hehehe. It was a pretty interesting class, but it could have been taught better. Seriously. Oh well, we make the most of what we have.
And now to tackle another final exam. Phew.
1. Asia has the highest concentration of pirates in the world.
2. The Uk "apportioned" the middle eastern lands among three powerful families.
3. King Hussein of Iran is actually a descendant of Muhammad.
4. Pakistan and India have a long standing argument about who should live where -- Hindus vs Muslims.
5. Pakistan and India both have nuclear weapons. :-(
6. Kashmir is caught in the middle of a three-country argument over who should have access to the small territory...and many people have died because of it.
7. Iceland is so far the only nation that approximates the ideal nation state: they are almost totally homogenous!I
8. There are actually cases of discrimination in Japan against non pure-Japanese.
9. Mass media could be a great tool to promote nationalism.
Those are just some of the stuff I learned in my Modern Asia masters class this semester. We had an exam today, so there are still some things in my head. Hehehe. It was a pretty interesting class, but it could have been taught better. Seriously. Oh well, we make the most of what we have.
And now to tackle another final exam. Phew.
Friday, March 16
Proud
I was able to finish a story for the CANVAS short story contest! I'm proud of me for seeing it through, kahit na I procrastinated. Hehehe.
I submitted late though. The clock said 5.30pm, and according to CANVAS rules, entries submitted after 5pm would not be considered. But I submitted anyway. And last night, I got a message in my email saying CANVAS received my entry. Hmmm, I wonder if they accepted it na rin lang.
But what was really important to me was the fact that I finished a story. That's a giant step for me. And I'm proud of me.
Awright! Bring it on! Palanca, here I come.
I submitted late though. The clock said 5.30pm, and according to CANVAS rules, entries submitted after 5pm would not be considered. But I submitted anyway. And last night, I got a message in my email saying CANVAS received my entry. Hmmm, I wonder if they accepted it na rin lang.
But what was really important to me was the fact that I finished a story. That's a giant step for me. And I'm proud of me.
Awright! Bring it on! Palanca, here I come.
Friday, March 9
Tuesday, February 20
You learn something new everyday
That's one of the great things about the Internet and the World Wide Web. And Google. and blogs. And friends who like to share. :-)
Because Ulan shared her new journal with me, I was led to fiveandahalf.net, where I saw paintings by this man named Wayne Thiebaud. They're one of the loveliest paintings ever! Take a look!
You'll find more photos by Googling, and you can learn more about Mr. Thiebaud via a Wikipedia entry. Don't they look great? I think I have found my inspiration for my blog's new look!
Yipeee!
Because Ulan shared her new journal with me, I was led to fiveandahalf.net, where I saw paintings by this man named Wayne Thiebaud. They're one of the loveliest paintings ever! Take a look!
You'll find more photos by Googling, and you can learn more about Mr. Thiebaud via a Wikipedia entry. Don't they look great? I think I have found my inspiration for my blog's new look!Yipeee!
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