Jubillixity

2011-10-08T06:38:00.001-04:00

I don't understand all the fuss of disappointment over iPhone 4S. Seems like what people care now is the change to the exterior design. Don't you all know what makes Apple products Apple is their attention to details to even the tiniest most insignificant bolts on your Mac? Get a grip, do you research. If you don't care, fine, you still love your iDevices, so stop complaining. Oh by the way, AT&T just reported iPhone 4s has been their most successful iPhone launch EVER. Oh and thank you for everything you taught us, Steve, RIP.

Flickr

2010-12-27T10:22:00.002-05:00

So I finally decided to get the Flickr Pro account. Tell me what to do with it! ;)

in National Geographic mood (and more)

2010-06-21T01:41:00.003-04:00

Some random birds at Niagara Falls

Some people lament wilderness and isolation but I'm not exactly one of them. My short vacation the past week has thought me at least two things. First, I recently re-discovered my love to mother nature-although not so close to the feeling of "it's so beautiful I could just die happily in here". I talked to a friend about nature reserves as both a tourist attraction and a sustainable ecosystem. "In the end if all is destroyed we are left with nothing.", she wisely said. That conservation brings me to the thought of my home country Indonesia, with all the beauty of nature we boasted all the time, and yet who can say we are really conserving them? Another good friend told me a few years back, the one million dollar question perhaps, "is the earth going to be sustainable for human living for many years to come?". Nature could be ugly and beauty at the same time, deadly at times, yet it's still a home to many living creatures despite the continuous climate change throughout the time. Dear readers, if you like to visit different cities for the famous shops or architecture like Paris, or if you like going out for culinary trip somewhere at the other side of the city, or if you like to travel to experience different cultures like in Japan, why not try to go the beaches, the countryside, the mountains, the waterfalls, the jungle, the desert, the ocean... while you still can.

Shot by a good friend, Marie, by the way my knee was swollen up that time

Second, I also got hit by moments of "feeling lonely in the middle of a crowd". Those times where you are vulnerable and emotional, you can feel what are the most important things to you, who are the most significant persons to you, and for me..thankfully, it gives me more focus to how I live my life, and also reminds me how I should be grateful for everything (I mean everything). Yes, I hate being alone but sometimes that is the only way to explore your subconsciousness and to learn what you need to do. Because your life has been perhaps shaped by your friends and family, the community, the so-called divine intervention, and (if you believe) the Almighty, it does not mean that you are not in control for most of it. We are all trying to find our ways constantly and hopefully we will live our life to the fullest.

Park is the key!

2010-03-11T17:52:00.141-05:00

As everybody else is impressed with Wayne Rooney's remarkable 4 goals against AC Milan in two-ties, this post will analyze the current Man Utd 4-5-1 formation where United unsung hero Park Ji-Sung is playing a central role to this system.

Park shows amazing discipline to close down Pirlo during the Man Utd home match against AC Milan in March 2010. (Picture from Goal.com)

In 2009-2010 season, Man Utd has been playing 4-5-1 formation in most European games, aggainst big oppositions, or other difficult away games. What people might realize, and just to make things more complex, the actual formation can be drawn as 4-3-2-1, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, or taking consideration of Evra's and Valencia's advancing roles 3-1-2-2-2. Why 4-5-1?

In the absence of the brilliant Ronaldo, SAF has decided to play Rooney as a single spearhead surrounded by a fluid and packed midfield. The importance of this formation is to win the midfield battle, and to give time and space for slick passing from the likes of Scholes and Carrick. The other advantage is this packed midfield gives a more formidable defensive unit, especially in the absence of the reliable Ferdinand-Vidic partnership as centre-backs due to injuries.

The 4-5-1 issue
As we have seen at the beginning of the 2009-2010 season, this formation allows Rooney to flourish as to what people have been expecting from his potential. However, we also saw many times how the usual fluid-passing had gone ashtray and how the attacking force was not working as a unit. Midfielders are very important in this system and the loss of Ronaldo, who likes to switch from right side to the center left a big gap in center midfield. The arrival of a more conventional winger Antonio Valencia will never fill the boots of Ronaldo, as he naturally taking on full backs and deliver crosses.

4-5-1 system often leaves a huge gap behind the lone-striker. (Picture from Wikimedia.org)

Until recently, Rooney or Berbatov who played alone upfront were often seen isolated. There was no effective attacking play from the center where Ronaldo used to be the one who drift inside and lead attack from there. United was all monotonous and their wing play was predictable.

The key
The missing puzzle in this 4-5-1 system is the lack of a good attacking central midfielder at United. Carrick and Fletcher are natural defensive midfielders, while Scholes and Anderson have been transformed to play further back as a holding midfielder in the recent years. There used to be exchange positions of Rooney, Tevez, and Ronaldo to lead the center attacking play.

I had been screaming and calling for the likes of Fabregas, Lampard, anyone with the Kaka-esque vision or even Riquelme to fill the big gap in the center midfield, just behind Rooney or Berbatov. A playmaker playing in the hole, or someone to support the striker from the middle, where Scholes used to play behind Van Nistelrooy, was badly needed in this formation.

The rarity of a genius who dribble and pull the strings just behind the striker in modern games has forced Sir Alex Ferguson (SAF) to improvised. He has been using Ryan Giggs's intelligence, experience and vision to play in this position. Recently, when Giggs is out injured, he utilizes the versatility of Ji Sung Park, a natural right winger, occasionally a left winger, to play behind the strikers. This seems odd especially as Park is not as creative nor technically gifted as Giggs to create killer pass or to dictate play.

Instead, Park has some similarities in some ways to Roy Keane's play when he has the ball: pass and move. His quality in quickly closing-down opponents has not gone unnoticed by SAF. This leads SAF to try to play Park in the new position to guard opposition's deep-lying playmaker such as Pirlo. SAF knows that Park knows where to move and to close-down, and the most important, he never stops running. The energy of "three-lung Park" and his confidence to play in that position allow him to be a unique central attacking midfielder for United. To be more precise, he has oddly positioned himself a bit to the right, playing just behind Rooney and Valencia.

The average position of Man Utd players. Note the unusual position of Park as an attacking right-central midfield just behind Rooney and Valencia. (Data and map from Soccernet.com)

The heat map of Park showing how he roam the central midfield opposition area, exactly where Pirlo usually play. (Data and map from Soccernet.com)

Park revels in new role
This new position has two key roles :
1. Glue the midfield and attack: allowing Scholes or Carrick to sit behind, pass the ball, and making late runs. This also releases some of the defensive duties of the forwards, allowing Rooney and Valencia to play high up the field.

2. Defending from the attack: cutting passes and marking the opposition's player playing at Vieira or Makalele position, a good example is how Park succumbed the genius play of Andrea Pirlo.

"I enjoy playing in the middle of midfield. I have experience playing there before for PSV Eindhoven and for the Korean national team. So, for me, it doesn’t matter playing in the middle or on either wing." - Park

Park is not blessed with the creativity of Iniesta and will never be a traditional playmaker for United. Instead, in this system, the United has two deep-lying playmakers sitting behind and two forwards running in front of him. This unique position also disturb the opposition defense, pulling centre backs and the full-backs. Inevitably, this creates more room for Rooney or Valencia to roam, and divides attention allowing late runs from Fletcher or Scholes. United fourth goal against AC Milan last night was a good example. The 'not-so center position' also fits to Rooney's natural tendency to play from the left, and Nani has the space needed to drift inside from the left wing to utilize his stronger right foot.

Park made his career by famously bringing down Portugal in 2002 World Cup with South Korea, and finally two phenomenal performances with PSV Eindhoven in Champion's league semi-final against AC Milan in 2005 caught the eye of United. (Pictures from wldcup.com)

It seems that SAF has found the answer to the lack of creative attacking midfielder at United. It could be seen that playing one upfront and letting Berbatov or Owen wait on the sideline is a waste, but this system is as necessary as ever when you face the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona or other big guns. With Park slotted in this position, United has finally discovered a new foundation for their in-form attacking unit. Park suddenly caught the eye again to bring us back to memories of those high-octane and eye-catching displays during his early days with South Korea and PSV Eindhoven. The South Korean captain could be the key to United's challenge for silverwares this season.

Update
2010-03-21: Park again played in this similar position and braced an unlikely diving header to win the match against Liverpool at Old Trafford. This capped another assured performance from the tireless midfielder who played with much more confidence in his attacking play.

A brave header-which resulted in a slight cut on Park's head from the collision with Glen Johnson- turns out to be the crucial winning goal for United against Liverpool in March 2010. (Picture from BBC sport)

2010-03-22: Sir Alex Ferguson heaped praise to Park's recent form and confirmed that his display in UCL semi-finals 2005 was indeed the main reason behind his signing.

Digitalized magazine

2009-11-01T11:18:00.010-05:00

As you all now I'm quite a techie and I'm also an avid fan of magazine. Simply because they have images, pictures, drawings, whatever you name it so I don't get bored looking at pages full of text. I've just been introduced to (quite) a new concept of digital magazine. This has made me realize how far the digital and/or internet interactive communication has grown over the past decades-going back as far as 1970s where Project Gutenberg started to digitalize literature.

In the beginning, digital magazine had been focusing on a scanned version of its paper format converted into PDF. I believe the main issue lays on the size. The current standard 4:3 ratio of monitor has dramatically reduced the advantage of a standard double-A4 format reading, where readers can easily scan through different pages. The result is that tiring scrolling up and down, left or right until you eventually close your browser. When the Flash player becomes more and more dominant in the market, a lot of websites, internet browsers, software developers have since adopted its format. And so does the magazine follow to evolve. Here is one example:

http://5magazine.rioferdinand.com/1W4aa78fa8ef3fe012.cde

You can feel the concept is to get the magazine to appear alive and interactive in the most simple way. The integration of audio and video has definitively enriched the interface. The old idea of drop-down menu has been re-invented which makes it very attractive & efficient, giving the reader the opportunity to read what they want to read. The transition between pages, sections and sub-sections is impressively smooth. And the creator seems to take into account the current standard ratio of monitor which eases both the designer and the reader. The combination of static & dynamic text, design, animation and AV integration shows creativity at its best.

Our eyes are used to read content on papers, books, namely inks on the paper. That is the reason why our generation and the earlier will get tire quicker reading on the LCD screen compare to papers. Let alone the problem of finding the right angle to make your monitor readable on a sunny day. Here is when e-ink can play a role. With the latest advancement of e-ink on tablet and other accessories such as watches and clocks, the use of e-ink on our affordable laptop, current e-book reader, and perhaps e-magazine, is mouth-watering. Imagine that you can just connect to the internet or hot-spot to click and download your magazines to your library on your flippable reader. For you researchers, don't you want to put your piles of articles into a single reader that fit into your backpack. See? Technology is fun. :)

How to survive a class

2009-09-10T13:13:00.003-04:00

Yes ladies and gentlemen, studying is not always easy. I worked about a year, and I knew going back to school would never be easy. Still, I could never imagine that, at times, following a course means surviving THE lectures. And this morning I had three-hours-straight lectures, and the only way to survive for me is to visualize. And that means drawing. Drawing makes me happy. Happiness can produces endorphin, and endorphin can make you feel up and pleasent. At least that's what people say. Anyway, it was animal science course today, so here comes mr sheep! :)

cheers

Your email is hackable

2009-07-29T05:23:00.007-04:00

So yes, my hotmail got hacked last week. And yes, my ebay got hacked as well.

Symptoms: you can not sign in, your password is incorrect, it is possible that your email was hacked and the secret question/answer has been changed.

Treatment: try the following:

List the IP addresses you used for the past months to sign in to your account.
Example: http://whatismyip.com/
Contact your email/account provider, send them an email, or chat with them. Explain the situation.
Example: http://hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/dasp/ua_info.asp
As soon as the account provider contact you, it is likely that they will need to verify your identity and whereabouts (that's why you need the ip address). They also need to know what you have had in your inbox/ other account details.

Future measures: How can I avoid it?

Always sign out! If possible clear up the cookies.
Try to have different passwords for different accounts, such as email, ebay, or paypal.
Check the web address when you sign in. It could be a spoof with the exactly same layout but incorrect address.

Future measures: How can I be prepared?

Update your details information (address, birth date, and importantly secret question/answer)
Try to create folders and remember the name and the content.
Try to remember some old emails.
If you use a kind of chatting service with the same email, remember who and how you classify your contacts.

I've been lucky enough that nothing got stolen from my email/ebay (as far as I know). Internet is fun but is not so safe after all!

2009-06-14T17:10:00.002-04:00

It's been a while since I wrote here, and I just feel like writing, especially since that stupid horoscope from a free Dutch newspaper told me that I have to enjoy the butterflies in my stomach. So first, I'm gonna pick up a few lines from Jason Mraz's Life is wonderful.

...
It takes a thought to make a word
And it takes some words to make an action
And it takes some work to make it work
...
...
And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
...
Life is wonderful

Second, I'm gonna tell you why I'm interested in this song in the first place. A very good friend of mine sang this lines to me 2 years ago in a car on the way to Rotterdam. I was like,, 'yeah right i knew that already'.

Third, I'm gonna tell you my present and maybe I can share what I've been learning to you guys, since we like to share, and hey maybe we can try to help each other. So two years after she sang it to me, it's me who downloaded all of his albums and trying to understand the crap he's saying. As some of you who knows me better, I don't really listen to lyrics. Unless it's really good one or the lyrics are the part which stands out from the song, I just normally don't. Well what I learned from this song, and comparing it with my experience in the past weeks, is that:

No matter how you always tend to over think about something, and you wish that things will just happen to come to you, well you may not be lucky all the time. You just have to give it a shot, not desperately though, but with some measured actions.
Don't take things for granted, take it as what it is.
Never underestimates anything, cherish for what you have, and be grateful. This will give you a bit more peace in your heart, because,
When you're happy, when you're not complaining the way things are, things will get better. I don't know why, it's just what I experienced.

What I'm saying is that you have to work it out by yourself. At least you have to try. You maybe pessimistic at times, but believe me, hard work pays off. AND, be grateful for what you have. You maybe unsatisfied at times, but don't let it overtake your minds off. Life is beautiful, life is wonderful, hopefully you will all enjoy it.

Cheers,
GBU

YO-HO!

2008-11-15T02:23:00.004-05:00

The pirates are coming RRRrrr!! They took away some of my blogs and posts rrrRRrr!! Even some social networking accounts rrrrrrRRR!!! So I can command a new ship and delve the oceans rrrrrrr!!

ps.
pirates send their appreciations for whoever read and left comments before! rrrrr!!

A ticket to hell or heaven

2007-09-03T06:10:00.001-04:00

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind", a popular phrase from Albert Einstein. Religion is also science, or let's say, very similar to science. The source of science is nature, while, if you believe in God, the source of religion is God. In some ways they are very similar to each other. To do deeds, to share what you have, to protect nature, to avoid evilish stuffss (what is it anyway), etc etc.

Fundamentally, both have been shaped up by MEN. All the holy books exist in the world, AlQuran, New Testament, Old Testament, among others, were written by mankind, with God as the Almighty source-if you believe in God.

My main question is, 'what if everything that have been taught to us as a religion, were all nothing but human interpretations?'. I am not a Theologist but I can say, raised as a Muslim in an Islamic school, it made me realize that it has been very much human interpretations. I am not able to clearly distinguish-I may never will be-the pure part of religion. Which one is ritual, which one is culturally influenced, which one is symbolic, which one is a psychological, which one is essential. It does not matter which religion it is, but most of the rules may be blatantly the views of leaders from respective religions.

I did experience miracles from the Almighty, so personally I am not questioning His existence or powers. Religion promised you to get the most of your life in relation with yourself, people and of course God. However, if it is veracious that one religion is the only one which is true and rightful, why everyone regardless their beliefs can get the same extent of success, happiness, and peace?

God gives us this gray thing in our skull, to make us think. So forgiving He is and full of kindness that I do not think you should be afraid of questioning what have been taught to you. Who wants to live in fear anyway.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2007-06-10T15:22:00.000-04:00

It's been a tiring 7.5 months here in US. I really am on my limit, physically and mentally, but concomitantly my project is reaching the end point. Well for the past 7.5 months I have always been looking forward to the weekends, finding time to rest my self, to recharge the battery, and to enjoy live sports.

Now this weekend of mine has been a helllloottt exciting sports' weekend. Started on Friday, me playing the Winning Eleven................OK never mind, don't count it.

On Saturday after a string matches on Winning Eleven-in which my current Vaz Te has been playing well-finally it was the La Liga special.

Chapter 1 La Liga
I am not a big fan of La Liga, but after seeing the glimpse of Real Madrid revival in recent weeks, leveling Barca on the same point at the top of the table, I can't wait for the last 2 games. The Galacticos was going away to Real Zaragoza on the fifth, while Barca entertaining Espanyol, the UEFA cup finalist at home.

Both giants were trailing 1-0, until Messi's HAND OF GOD goal (part 2) equalized for Barca. 'God is an Argentinian', a commentator shouted. He later scored a good goal on after a flash run in the penalty area to make it 2-1, and about the same time Ruud Van Nistelrooij equalized through a nice header.

Real Madrid was playing it the hard way, Milito again put Real Zaragoza calmly on lead after a magic from Pablo Aimar bursting Real Madrid's defense. Real Madrid seemed to facing another heartbreak after 4 years without a trophy, and Beckham limping of his injury as Real Madrid had used all the substitutes, until RVN again put Galacticos level through a nice positioning following a goal mouth scramble at the 89th minute. 2-2

Believe it or not, Espanyol equalized through their Captain 2nd goal's Tamudo, embracing the Real Madrid bench at the end of the match. The two leaders have the same points tally but Real, despite an inferior goal difference, are ahead because of their superior head-to-head record.

DRAMATIC!

Chapter 2 MotoGP
Actually I did not get a lot of it as I was sleeping more than 9 hours and woke up too late. But it was the Championship leader Casey Stoner who edged out Valentino Rossi at Catalunya GP in Barcelona.

Chapter 3 French Open
I am not a big fan of Tennis either, but maan it's again Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal on the final. I would not give too much details here as I am not a fan enough to do that. The 'King of Clay' managed to ease Roger Federer 6-3 at the first set, but Roger hit back at the 2nd it 6-4. At the third and the fourth set, we were reminded with the brutality of Rafael Nadal on the clay. His serves were really getting in to Federer. Rafa was winning most of the extraordinary rallies, and Federer, a bit mentally drained at the end must accept that this year is not the year to take the Frech Open grand slam into his book of medal for the first time.

Great win, full of quality, Rafa!

Chapter 4 Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton won his first race in only the sixth race of his career. In one of the most thrilling race, as the safety car was deployed FOUR TIMES, he was driving in perfection until the checkquered flag.

Fernando Alonso, who was starting at the 2nd just behind Alonso, atypically drove too wide at the first turn into the grass, slipping to the third behind Nick Heidfeld. He made another frustrating mistake as he was running too low of fuel forcing to him to the pit although he was not allowed aftermath an Adrian Sutil's Spyker accident. 10 points penalty.

On one of the most horrendous accident no one want to see, Robert Kubica was flying his car to a barrier, flipping and scattering almost the entire car crossing the circuit and hitting the opposite barrier. Thankfully he only broke his leg and to date in a stable condition.

Meanwhile Fisichella and Felipe Massa was black-flagged for leaving the pits when the exit was closed. End of the race for them.

The surprising moment was, when Alsonso was overtaken by Takuma Sato of Super Aguri at the penultimate lap, rewarding him with with the sixth place. And Lewis Hamilton, at 22, survived 4 safety cars winning the race and putting McLaren, apart from Fernando Alonso, into a jubilant mood.

A SURREAL RACE, but congrats Hamilton!

Bonus Track
Well, I really need to finish this blog as I got something to do for my work, while watching Chapter 5 Portugal-Belgium UEFA U-21 champs, and later tonight Chapter 6 NBA final Spurs-Cavaliers 2nd game.

Thank God people created P2P TV live streaming. mwaAkakakAkaAKA! xD well c ya! :) Thank God that life has so much to offer!

From skin cell to stem cell

2007-06-09T08:48:00.001-04:00

Stem cell?

What is stem cell? Why is it causing so much controversy? Why is the recent breakthrough in stem cell research this week regarded by many as a major milestone in human medical treatment?

To put it simple, stem cell is an immature cell that in theory can develop to ANY kind of cells. The potency for human treatment is really astonishing especially in tissue regeneration.

Imagine that a leukemia patient needs a bone marrow transplant to be able to produce 'healthy' blood cells. Instead of treating it from others' bone marrow, which will considerably contain more risks as this transplant can be 'rejected' by the host, thus a term called Graft versus Host disease (GvD), patient would be able to create stem cell from his/her self. Ideally, there won't be any complication or rejection of this new transplant, as the 'Host' will see transplant as a part of the body, thereby minimizing the high risk of GVD.

In another word, with stem cell treatment, in the future human can 'heal their selves'.

Stem cell controversies

So what causes controversy? The problem is stem cell is naturally derived from a fertilized egg, which means there must be fertilization of a sperm and an egg, which will lead to the development of zygote, embryo, and eventually a new born baby.

Many, many, religions, laws and ethics make it impossible for stem cell research in human to go any further. Some people believe that the fact that as life begins from the moment of conception, as an ultimate limit where human can not go further or try to act as the Almighty. Plus other issues in moral and ethics make it the one of the biggest controversy since Galileo.

For example, the recent Democratic-controlled Congress passed legislation Thursday to loosen restraints on federally funded embryonic stem cell research, but the bill's supporters lacked the votes needed to override President Bush's threatened veto. Approximately more than 2/3 vote is needed as it is widely known that Bush is against the research.(1)

Stem cell sidesteps altercation

Stem cell scientists have not given up hopes, and a new light in this ironically regarded as one of the slowest development of science has dawned, as two new methods could help scientists overcome ethical and practical hurdles of stem cell research.

The previous one allows the development of stem cell from the same technique used to clone animal like Dolly. So it basically can recreate a stem cell from an unfertilized egg and any somatic cell. This technique, require a mass of women egg cells, which in itself, already contain moral issues although not as the same extent as the normal egg and sperm conception.

The recent finding, remarkably, was able to turn mouse skin cells into stem cell(2,3,4). From this point, they can be turned into any kind of cells, even an embryo, without using egg cell.

This approach has sidestepped the ethical minefield of working with human eggs and early embryos, thereby opening the highway of scientific research in stem cell for medical treatment.

The key is four transcription factors used by Yamanaka to reprogramme cells inconsistently and inefficiently, so that less than 0.1% of the million cells in a simple skin biopsy will be fully reprogrammed. It will probably require more transcription factors in human cells. (3)

From the blogger: What? Transcription factors? Transcription factors are protein within the cell that regulate transcription of genes in the chromosome. Transcription factors bind to DNA, and thus suppress or enhance different set of genes expressions. And yes, I am currently dealing with transcription factors.

Foresights seeing

Nevertheless, to reach the point where this stem cell approach will be applicable requires a lot of work and resource. When the approach does reach to the point where it can be done in human cell, that will be the beginning of the real research of stem cell application.

The risk, the moral issues, and the likeliness of misuse, will come along. Like most other science, the current molecular science is a double-edged sword-created and used by human after all.

References:
Figures obtained from www. csa.com and www.nature.com

(1)http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/washington/index.ssf?/base/politics-12/1181292892116120.xml&storylist=washington
(2)http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v447/n7145/abs/nature05879.html
(3)http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v447/n7145/full/447618a.html
(4)http://www.nature.com/stemcells/2007/0706/070607/full/stemcells.2007.6.html

Your very own purpose (v.2)

2007-05-28T10:14:00.000-04:00

After a while, it's time to put my thoughts into words again. It's 10.15am on Memorial day. Yay it's a long weekend with an extra day off on Monday. Guess what i've done so far. Mostly, SLEEPING! haha! yeah! After relentless weeks working on my so-called final thesis and other works, finally I got a decent weekend where I can sleep as long as I want, and not really worrying about anything else, (for a few minutes).. Well, everybody knows I'm a tinker thinker. I often find myself trapped in a difficult and complex situation, and it's even getting more difficult when emotion takes over. With that upcoming graduation, everything is just piling up together. sheesh.. I am tired mentally and physically, so this weekend is extremely important to me.

The following paragraph is the result of another tinker thinking over the long weekend. Some people say that whatever I want, I'm gonna make it. It might be easy to say that, and I feel very grateful some people said that, but I am a human too. I finally admit that I crumbled at times, but somehow I always managed to drag myself and get through it. And as a human being you got a precious gift from God that no other being able to surpass: learning. We learn all the time, but you need to think it over to understand it. So what is it this time? One of the most important thing I just noticed is 'sense of purpose'. With sense of purpose, you know you have a direction to go (wherever it is). You probably will never know why you were born in this world, the reason of your existence, which way you're supposed to go, but you know how you can make a difference in your own way. You know you have to make your path when you walk. You will always have your confidence and support from others, that fearlessly help to push you to the next gear. Sense of purpose can help to compensate whatever you lack, to bring you to your own accomplishments. For some people like me, sense of purpose gives a wonderful feeling of happiness after you got the opportunity to help someone. It can be your engine, axle, or even tires, but you are still the one who got the steering wheel , you're the one who drive.

So what's the story today again? Finally I went to the gym again. Haha! I still think it's one of the most boring sports ever, apart from that woeful jogging, but I dont have that much options nowadays. So I went to jog a little bit explore part of neighborhoods I'd never been. Maaan, the star and stripes are everywhere! Now this feels a bit american! Apart form the chain resto! Then I went to the gym, did a bit of work for just half an hour (that's long enough for me) and I walked out the gym only to find my key was still inside. SHOOT.. No one's there, it's a small gym exclusive only for a handful of dozens family in our apartment. And I came across this old man, whom I had a bit of trouble communicating. (Im still not sure why) He walked me to they gym, apparently he told me he's old enough so he dont go to the gym anymore. He cant drive no more, the only sport he does now is walking his wife to Genuardi (a grocery). Then I realized he is the oyaji I met a few times, who always walk his wife who is on a wheelchair. Hmmmmm I wondered what kind of life I will have, when Im that old (God-willing).

But geez, I still cant find any regular hot chick (apart from those at Hooters) in this King of Prussia thing. *sigh* This is a place for upper middle class people who already settled and got decent paycheck every month, not for the likes of me. sheesh.. maybe I need to move to a bigger city where students gather. Well well now you know one of the consideration to where I applied grad schools haha!

51 Ways to Save the Environment: The Global Warming Survival Guide

2007-03-31T16:16:00.000-04:00

Since not so long time ago, my concern about the way human live on earth today has grown tremendously. If you read even just a little about current environment problems, particularly pollution and global warming issues, the numbers are just implausible. I am trying not to be an idealist, environmentalist or being overzealous about certain problems, because, quite frankly, I am avoiding hypocrisy and I just do not want to make my life more difficult.

Nevertheless, maybe partially because I am a fond learner of science, I can not hide my affection towards nature and mother earth. What an irony it will be if the so-called human modern and high-tech civilization is the culprit of eventual destruction of their own home they are living.

For some reasons, apart from BBC sport, ESPNsoccernet, and manutd.com, I have been reading some news lately in Metro, NY times, SciAm, and Time. And to be more precise yesterday, I just found a collective report, composed in a simple and attractive way while keeping the important facts and real data in the Time website. Below are the points I find the most 'interesting' from the article originally published in the magazine.

"Can one person slow global warming? Sure! You—along with scientists, businesses and governments—can create paths to cut carbon emissions."

9. Build a Skyscraper

By Michael D. Lemonick

Article Tools

Almost everything about the Bank of America tower, a soaring skyscraper under construction near Times Square in New York City, has been designed to minimize the use of energy. Take the concrete. Making the stuff from scratch is very energy intensive, so the builders are using a mix of 55% concrete and 45% slag, a waste product from blast furnaces. Mixing slag with concrete saves energy and makes the concrete stronger. The tower will save so-called gray water from washrooms and use it to flush the toilets. The building will also generate much of its own electricity from natural gas, a less potent carbon emitter than coal. These features will account for $3.5 million of a total building cost of $1.2 billion, but the owners expect to recoup that in a few years with all the energy they'll save. When it's finished next year, the tower will be the second highest in the city, but it stands alone as the greenest building in New York.

10. Turn Up the Geothermal Heat

By Kathleen Adams

Article Tools

With clever engineering and an elegantly simple design, Diane von Furstenberg reinvigorated women's fashion in the 1970s with the wrap dress. Can she do the same for a building? Her newest project is a 35,000-sq.-ft. office, showroom and retail store in Manhattan's trendy meatpacking district, all heated and cooled by water pumped from deep underground. This geothermal system taps into water that is a relatively stable 55°F and transfers that heat to warm the building in the winter and cool it in the summer. The building's roof is covered in easy-to-maintain plants and grasses, and has two heliostat mirrors, which track the sun and direct its rays into the building, reducing the use of artificial lights during the day. Who says being environmentally conscious can't be cool—and hot?

17. Open a Window

By Carolyn Sayre

Article Tools

Most of the 25 tons of CO2 emissions each American is responsible for each year come from the home. Here are some easy ways to get that number down in a hurry without rebuilding. Open a window instead of running the AC. Adjust the thermostat a couple of degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Caulk and weatherstrip all your doors and windows. Insulate your walls and ceilings. Use the dishwasher only when it's full. Install low-flow showerheads. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water. Turn down the thermostat on the water heater. At the end of the year, don't be surprised if your house feels lighter. It just lost 4,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide.

22. Skip the Steak

By Bryan Walsh

Article Tools

Which is responsible for more global warming: your BMW or your Big Mac? Believe it or not, it's the burger. The international meat industry generates roughly 18% of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions—even more than transportation—according to a report last year from the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization.

Much of that comes from the nitrous oxide in manure and the methane that is, as the New York Times delicately put it, "the natural result of bovine digestion." Methane has a warming effect that is 23 times as great as that of carbon, while nitrous oxide is 296 times as great.

There are 1.5 billion cattle and buffalo on the planet, along with 1.7 billion sheep and goats. Their populations are rising fast, especially in the developing world. Global meat production is expected to double between 2001 and 2050. Given the amount of energy consumed raising, shipping and selling livestock, a 16-oz.T-bone is like a Hummer on a plate.

If you switch to vegetarianism, you can shrink your carbon footprint by up to 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide a year, according to research by the University of Chicago. Trading a standard car for a hybrid cuts only about one ton—and isn't as tasty.

26. Plant a bamboo fence

By Maryanne Murray Buechner

Article Tools

Bamboo makes a beautiful fence, and because it grows so quickly (as much as 1 ft. a day or more, depending on the species), it absorbs more CO2 than, say, a rosebush. Most homeowners have to restrict its growth, lest it get out of control. Do this, however, and you reduce bamboo's capacity as a carbon sink. Only large-scale plantings, which absorb CO2 faster than they release it, can favorably tip the scales. How big is your yard?

30. Shut off your computer

By Coco Masters

Article Tools

A screen saver is not an energy saver. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 75% of all the electricity consumed in the home is standby power used to keep electronics running when those TVs, DVRs, computers, monitors and stereos are "off." The average desktop computer, not including the monitor, consumes from 60 to 250 watts a day. Compared with a machine left on 24/7, a computer that is in use four hours a day and turned off the rest of the time would save you about $70 a year. The carbon impact would be even greater. Shutting it off would reduce the machine's CO2 emissions 83%, to just 63 kg a year.

43. Move to London's New Green Zone

By Adam Smith

Article Tools

Homes in London account for 44% of the city's CO2 emissions, more than twice the amount spewed out through transport. Worse still, the city needs to add 35,000 more every year to keep up with London's ballooning population.

That's why, on a brownfield site in the city's docklands, builders plan in 2010 to open the city's first large-scale zero-carbon housing development. All 233 homes on the 3-acre spot will hook up to a combined heat-and-power plant that turns wood chips into electricity and hot water, with extra juice from solar panels and wind. And should a chilly winter call for extra energy from the national grid, the plant will return an equivalent amount once demand from residents has dropped off. Renewable energy isn't the only advantage. Home owners can expect greenhouses for organic food, plus car and bicycle clubs to reduce commuters' emissions.

A response to the challenge from London's mayor to show that zero-carbon homes can be commercially viable, the development could cost just 5% more than standard projects. At least a third of the homes will be reserved for affordable housing. Helping the planet need not cost the earth.

45. Make One Right Turn After Another

By Caroline Sayre

Article Tools

United Parcel Service took a detour to the right on its way to curb CO2 emissions. In 2004, UPS announced that its drivers would avoid making left turns. The time spent idling while waiting to turn against oncoming traffic burns fuel and costs millions each year. A software program maps a customized route for every driver to minimize lefts.

In metro New York, UPS has reduced CO2 emissions by 1,000 metric tons since January. Today 83% of UPS facilities are heading in the right direction; within two years, the policy will be adopted nationwide.

50. Be aggressive about passive

By Stephanie Kirchner

Article Tools

Georg Zielke, his wife and kids share a five-bedroom "passive house" in Darmstadt, Germany, with heating costs 90% lower than their neighbors'. Extra insulation and state-of-the-art ventilation recycle the energy from passive sources such as body heat, the sun and household appliances to warm the air. When it gets really cold, the Zielkes just turn on the TV.

The German government has thrown its weight behind the idea, guaranteeing low cost loans for people who want to build a passive house. They cost about 5% to 8% more to build than a standard one. Invented in a German-Swedish joint-venture in he early 1990s, about 10,000 have been built in Europe so far, most of them in Germany—and just three in the U.S.

51. Consume Less, Share More, Live Simply

By Coco Masters

Article Tools

The chance to buy a carbon offset—in essence, an emissions indulgence—appeals to the environmental sinner in all of us. But there is an older path to reducing our impact on the planet that will feel familar to Evangelical Christians and Buddhists alike. Live simply. Meditate. Consume less. Think more. Get to know your neighbors. Borrow when you need to and lend when asked. E.F. Schumacher praised that philosophy this way in Small Is Beautiful: "Amazingly small means leading to extraordinarily satisfying results."

ps. I just realized I still have my interest in architecture building design I had a few years ago.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/environment/article/0,28804,1602354_1603074,00.html

England's fading hopes

2007-03-25T17:00:00.000-04:00

'Boring Boring England..' I wonder how this is possible with the quality in disposal.

Since Sven took charge England slowly have lost the much needed elements. Integrity, passion and teamwork have all been replaced by over-confidence and lifeless play. Yes, he brought England to all tournaments, but he just couldnt bring the best from the so called England golden generation. Typically rigid, old-fashioned, and the tendency to depend exclusively to the stars performance-which is just a double-edged sword.

McClaren promised a different, passioned, committed England. By dropping Beckham he shows that big names dont count, he also wants England to play with pace. Well what we see from Israel game? The answer is the same old boring England under Sven!

Here I show you what we get from the Israel vs England.

McClaren 'dares' to drop the Beckham so why not dropping the ineffective Lamps or Rooney? If he promised a pacy attacking football why bring Carragher and Phil Neville as full-backs? If I were England players, such Gareth Barry, I'd think 'Why try so hard if in the end the big names will start anyway?'

The main problem is players are playing out of positions. Carragher and Phil Neville may cover the defense but completely clueless in attack. Lennon was still pacy and was solely England's threat in the 1st half, but not comfortable on the left. Lampard did not perform again, and confusion with Gerrard who kept drifting to the midfield from the right did not help. Frustrated Rooney sure could do nothing when the center-midfield was already in disarray. Johnson's hard work was wasted by the lack of support behind him.

It was probably an easy night for Robinson, Rio & JT. Hargreaves was OK, but the outstanding display was again in the sacrificed Gerrard at the in-right. Why dont move Gerrard in the center midfield and Lennon on the right, plus use players who are the best in their natural positions! I can understand Micah probably was not fully fit but why dont give Gareth his chance on the left? Defoe cameo even looked the most threatening.

England just looked uncomfortable and predictable, and Israel just reminded England that they will always have puzzles to solve if they dont change. As an immediate effect, a winning goal in Barcelona this Wednesday is the only thing they need.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A21103624
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A21100366

DivX, Youtube, and Ukulele

2007-03-11T21:07:00.000-04:00

Who doesnt know Youtube? Do you love it? It was just bought by Google Inc. last year, so that practically measures the success of the website. However, it sill has one lack feature that has probably annoyed some of you who are reading this blog: the lack of VIDEO QUALITY.

Thankfully, I came across this website, which contains a word that, perhaps, familiar with the likes of me who enjoy (withthetiniesttof guilttyyfeellin) downloading or watching movies online, DIVX. For me, it is a super breakthrough of video compression as the video does not lose much of its DVD quality.

And, depending on the file of course, the sound is much better too! I'll give you an example, but you do need to install the Divx webplayer here. The following video introduced me to the beauty of ukulele! (I guaranteed you musicians won't be dissapointed with this one)
http://stage6.divx.com/Jake/show_video/1134707

Well, enjoy! :)

ps. I copied your page, ukulelean!

That’s just the way things are in the land of Mac — simple and straightforward.

2007-02-27T22:21:00.000-05:00

The very first time I heard about Mac is when I was about 10 years old, overhearing my mother talking about the reliable UNIX system (I think she was actually complaining about PC, which I did not know what they were then). And then later, I got in touch for the very first time when I was in an english class, and it really felt strange, not really user friendly at that time, though I can realize the speed. From that point, I become aware with all buzzling news and people's opinions about PC and Mac, and of course the red tapes. More recently, I talked to a friend of mine who was desperate to have a life as an iLife. And so I become more curious, and decided to take a beginner walkthrough of the two worlds and write this up.

Why Mac not PC for:
everyone: the UNIX is just far more simple, stable and safer; most surfers: simply more immuned to attacks; lifestyle's pacesetters: iPod, iTunes, iMovies, iLife, and its a beauty too; Windows user: you can run 2 OS here; Windows developer: copy and paste that to new vista!

Why PC not mac for:
tight-wallets: cost; minor software/hardware developer: mac is under one house; computer hobbyists: seems there are more space here.

Comments:
David Pogue, writing for the New York Times:
“You get the feeling that Microsoft's managers put Mac OS X on an easel and told the programmers, ‘Copy that.’”

Well now I am too tired to gather things' up so I am gonna hit the bed soon and continue sometimes. Dont forget to leave your comments. :P

Why are Dutch children so happy?

2007-02-14T21:16:00.000-05:00

A very interesting article for the Dutch, for you who want to know more about the Dutch, and for you who has experienced Dutch!

Why are Dutch children so happy?
By Kathryn Westcott
BBC News website http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6360517.stm

Dutch children have been rated the most fortunate children in Europe. Their parents go out of their way to please them, and teachers expect less of them than some of their European counterparts.

Dutch society is very child-centred

The Netherlands has come top of a league table for child well-being across 21 industrialised countries.

The study by the UN children's organisation, Unicef, looked at relative poverty, educational and health standards, sexual behaviour and the children's relationship with friends and parents.

"The Netherlands has always been a very child-centred society," says Paul Vangeert, professor of developmental psychology at the University of Groningen. "In particular, there is a lot of focus on young children."

He says he is not surprised by the report. "On the one hand you have objective indicators in the report like, health, income and education. The Netherlands is a very rich country. On the other hand, and perhaps more importantly, are the subjective indicators, young people's own subjective sense of well-being."

CHILD WELL-BEING TABLE

1. Netherlands

2. Sweden

3. Denmark

4. Finland

5. Spain

6. Switzerland

7. Norway

8. Italy

9. Republic of Ireland

10. Belgium

11. Germany

12. Canada

13. Greece

14. Poland

15. Czech Republic

16. France

17. Portugal

18. Austria

19. Hungary

20. United States

21. United Kingdom

Source: Unicef

Key points at-a-glance

Much of this, he says, comes from the relationship that Dutch parents have with their children. And from the fact that less pressure is put on them at school.

"If you take the percentage of young mothers in the labour force, it's not very high in comparison to comparable countries," Mr Vangeert told the BBC News Website. "There is a strong tendency for mothers to raise children or take a long time off work after children are born."

He says children are used to a "highly protective, highly positive caring environment."

Children rule

One of the strong points of the Dutch family, he says, is that it is very open and communicative. Relations are generally good between parents and children and they can talk about almost anything.

But, he says, the downside is that children almost rule the family.

"It's almost a caricature that children are the ones that decide what happens within the family," says Mr Vangeert. "Their wishes become so strong that parents have to work very hard to give them what they want. Sometimes, there can be a lack of balance between the happiness of the child and that of the parent."

18-year-old Ysbrand, a student in Helmond near Eindhoven, says this picture matched his childhood. He says that his parents spent a lot of time with him when he was younger. His mother stayed at home while his father worked.

But, he said the contrast when you get to 18 can be something of a shock.

"Now I'm left to look after myself," he told the BBC News website. "My parents say that I need to care for myself and to be independent. It's hard. I don't have much money as a student and to go out is expensive. Beer, for example, is very expensive in the Netherlands."

He says that while he has been drinking and smoking for some time, his parents have never really seen it as a big issue.

"They've never liked it," he says. "But they realise that they were young once. They are just waiting for me to give it up in my own time."

The Dutch are famous for their liberal attitudes towards drinks, drugs and sex.

"Because parents are more relaxed, the dynamics of the problems are less severe than in countries where they are seen as more of a serious issue," says Mr Vangeert.

Laura Vos, a 16-year-old schoolgirl from Amsterdam agrees.

"In this country, it's very free, you can do anything you want," she told the BBC's Newsnight programme. "You can smoke at 16, you can buy pot in the store next to the school. You can do what you like and because it's not illegal, it's not that interesting for us to provoke our parents with it."

REPORT CATEGORIES

Material well-being

Family and peer relationships

Health and safety

Behaviour and risks

Own sense of well-being [educational]

Own sense of well-being [subjective]

Unicef report in full (1.5MB)

Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Download the reader here

Schoolfriend Michell Klimt told the BBC that she thought that teenagers in other countries had to deal with the type of peer pressure that her friends did not have to even consider.

"I think in England, for example, there is a lot of pressure on teenagers. There is something on MTV called Virgin Diaries. Girls of 16 and 17 worry because they are still virgins. It's like they have to have sex to be cool," she says. "In Holland, it isn't that important - it doesn't matter to anyone."

Rutt Vanhoven, a happiness expert at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, says he was unsurprised by the report's findings.

"Small affluent countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark are very democratic and very free. There is also a very good education system. People can use that freedom and education to make the right choices," he says.

Selma el Maknouzi, a 16-year-old student from The Hague says young people in the Netherlands have a lot to look forward to.

"I'm very happy with the education here because it's at a very high level," she told the BBC News website. "Everybody has the chance and the opportunity to do whatever he or she wants to do. There are many jobs - everyone can work and there are opportunities to build a good career in later life."

Mr Vanhoven says that the general picture is pretty much in keeping with what he has seen in samples of the adult population. He says that typically in Western Europe countries like the Netherlands and Denmark score particularly well.

"And we know that happy adults raise happy children," he says.

COPD? What?

2007-01-31T21:10:00.000-05:00

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory tract disease characterized by irreversible airway obstruction. It is reported to be the fourth leading cause of death worlwide, and one of a few diseases that are increasing in numbers in the last decades.

Smoking Is the Most Common Cause of COPD

Most cases of COPD develop after repeatedly breathing in fumes and other things that irritate and damage the lungs and airways. Cigarette smoking is the most common irritant that causes COPD. Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco smoke can also cause COPD, especially if the smoke is inhaled. Breathing in other fumes and dusts over a long period of time may also cause COPD. The lungs and airways are highly sensitive to these irritants. They cause the airways to become inflamed and narrowed, and they destroy the elastic fibers that allow the lung to stretch and then return to its resting shape. This makes breathing air in and out of the lungs more difficult.

Other things that may irritate the lungs and contribute to COPD include:

* Working around certain kinds of chemicals and breathing in the fumes for many years
* Working in a dusty area over many years
* Heavy exposure to air pollution

Being around secondhand smoke (smoke in the air from other people smoking cigarettes) also plays a role in an individual developing COPD.

More:
http://www.european-lung-foundation.org/index.php?id=60
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_Causes.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/copdchronicobstructivepulmonarydisease.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COPD
http://www.priory.com/cmol/definiti.htm

Thunder and lightning

2007-01-21T13:09:00.000-05:00

Despite the global warming we have been warned
Winter still exchanges with summer throughout the year
I can tell I was hit by thunder and lightning numeorus times
my cells are vulnerable to shocks and changes
But somehow I always got the wind on my back, right away
pushing me, challenging me, get me on my feet

If I didn't feel grateful to the One up there
I'd be probably already blind by now
If I didn't ask for help and pray
perhaps I had crushed my hope of flying
So, let me ask,
do we actually have the power to change things?
If in the end we give our hope to the One up there

I do believe so but the answer is yours..

Am I wrong?

2006-12-24T11:14:00.000-05:00

What is wrong to be a villain?
What is wrong if I say two is simpler than one?
What is so wrong to be a workaholic?
What is so wrong to be different?

I am today

2006-12-11T23:03:00.000-05:00

__________________________________________________________
I know what it’s like to hide
Sit in your room and break down and cry
And all I could say was your name
I’ve had my share of pain
But I know it’s made me who I am today

(Lifehouse-midnight in philadelphia)

Bioethics: Preimplantation Screening - SURVEY RESULTS

2006-12-08T20:20:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the late! I totally forgot to post the result here.. :)

Alsya Jubilly Affandi, Dionne David, Tran Le Huong, Ngo Dinh Yen Phuong (2005)

Predictive Genetic Research is presently an alternative for identifying and preventing genetic disorders. Our focus of this research is on pre- implantation and prenatal screening. Despite the advantages of these techniques, many ethical debates have arisen. One might argue that the potential benefit of relieving suffering by eliminating genetic disorders outweighs the possible dangers of interfering with human genes. It must also be considered that an ethical action should give the greatest balance of good over harm or the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Since there are controversies about these issues, a research has been made, by handing to participants a questionnaire from 16 different nationalities.

1. Embryo selection is done by combining in vitro fertilization and genetic screening of a number of human embryos. The embryo of interest will be put into the womb, and the rest will be disposed. Acceptable reason?

Analysis:
Almost half of the participants agreed that Preimplantation Screening is acceptable to stop hereditary disease in a family. Nearly a quarter of the participants do not agree with the use of this technique at all. And only a few believe Preimplantation screening can be applied for non-health related purposes.

2. When can an embryo be considered human being?

Analysis:
About 39% of our respondents believe that an embryo is considered to be human from the fertilization of the ovum by the sperm, which means they do not agree with Preimplantation and Prenatal Screening at all. In addition, most of the respondents believe that the embryo is human from the stages: 5 weeks when arms & legs are develops; 7 weeks when pain sensors begin to grow; 10 weeks when embryo looks like a human and can be called as fetus.

3. By conducting prenatal genetic screening on a fetus, it is possible to detect genetic abnormalities. As a result, some parents may come to the decision to terminate the pregnancy. Acceptable reason?

Analysis:
Most of the respondents accept the act of abortion to prevent having a child with disease(s). The majority believe the early-onset mental disease is the most acceptable reason, followed by late-onset mental disease and other hereditary diseases. A few (12%) can not accept abortion for any reason, while only 2% of our participants agree to terminate the pregnancy on non-health related reasons.

Back to blogging

2006-12-08T20:02:00.000-05:00

yo im back yo! haha its been a while, since that hectic year.. I had to keep concentratin on my study, as well as my internships, as well as planning after graduation, as well as money, as well as moving and accomodation, Plus, the organization, the school, the family, and two most important things my soul and my lover.

Sometimes I like it sometimes I dont..

Now Im writing this it means that I dont really have anything to do now, or too bored to do anything. I think spending time in front of laptop too much is being too cruel to your self. But its a big part of my life now, helped with no tv and no one to mess with.

Sometimes I like it sometimes I dont..

Now im alone, adjusting to the new life here and spending time with myself pretty much more often than I used to do.. That means either I dont feel like going out with friends, or no friends.

Sometimes I like it sometimes I dont..

My life..

Sometimes I like it sometimes I dont..

But I know I always grateful too have such family, friends, bestfriends, bestbestbestfriends, my girlfriend, soulmates, and God..

Bioethics - Predictive Genetic Research

2005-10-01T09:43:00.000-04:00

Predictive Genetic Research

Predictive Genetic Research is presently an alternative for identifying and preventing genetic disorders. Our focus of this research is on pre- implantation and prenatal screening. Despite the advantages of these techniques, many ethical debates have arisen. One might argue that the potential benefit of relieving suffering by eliminating genetic disorders outweighs the possible dangers of interfering with human genes. It must also be considered that an ethical action should give the greatest balance of good over harm or the greatest good for the majority.

Therefore, we would like to investigate your personal opinion (together with personal data) by asking a few questions, keep in mind that this is a bioethical based project.

1. Embryo selection is done by combining in vitro fertilization and genetic screening of a number of human embryos. The embryo of interest will be put into the womb, and the rest will be disposed. Which do you think is an acceptable reason for embryo selection? (You can choose more than one option.)
a) For non-health related (to choose the eye color, gender)
b) To stop the hereditary inheritance of certain genes, like cancer genes.
c) To have another child who with the perfect tissue match, will be able to save the life of his/ her older sibling.
d) You do not agree with embryo selection (this should be left up to nature to decide)

2. When can an embryo be considered human being?
a). before 5 weeks- arms and legs begin to form
b). around 7 weeks - pain sensors begin to develop
c). around 10 weeks- embryo is now called a fetus and looks like a human and its gender may be detectable
d). an embryo is an individual, no matter how small

3. By conducting prenatal genetic screening on a fetus, it is possible to detect genetic abnormalities (mutations) and hereditary diseases. As a result, some parents may come to the decision to terminate the pregnancy. Which one do you think is an acceptable reason? (You can choose more than one option.)
a) For non-health related (gender)
b) To prevent genetic disorders occurring at the earlier age (e.g. Down Syndrome- genetic disorder resulting in mental retardation and developmental delays )
c) To prevent genetic disorders occurring at the later age (e.g. Huntington Disease- dominant inherited disease resulting in degenerative mental and physical abilities)
d) To stop the inheritance of hereditary disorder, like Cystic Fibrosis- causing thick mucus and bacterial infections in the lungs
e) You do not agree with abortion (because this is an act of murder)

Please add your comments in this way:
Age :
Occupation :
Field of study/profession :
Country of Origin :
Answers:
1.
2.
3.

What are Life Sciences?

2005-08-31T14:07:00.000-04:00

"Life Sciences cover the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedical technologies, life systems technologies, food processing, environmental, biomedical devices, and institutions that devote the majority of their efforts in the various stages of research, development, technology transfer and commercialization." http://www.fractal.org/Life-Science-Technology/Definition.htm

In my case, Life Sciences are more specified to a study of biochemistry, biotechnology, & molec ular biology. It is important to meet the global demand for laboratory scientists who have acquired special skills and knowledge necessary to perform professionally in their own field.

The study focuses on the following subjects:

cell-biology,
biochemistry,
microbiology,
molecular genetics,
bio-informatics,
immunology,
laboratory information systems,
communication and presentation,
research strategies

For example, while classic medical treatment cure and help patients against various diseases, Life Sciences offer the prevention against them.

The genetic-study nowadays is far away important than before, as number of disorders and disease are noticeably caused by 'faulty genes' .

However, as new biological discoveries and biomedical advances keep developing, the ethical and moral implications of them, are essential. Who would agree in "killing" embryos for a cure for a disease then?

2005-08-31T13:39:00.000-04:00

The Second Blog Account

hueey welcome to my second bLog,, ( the first one i made it on friendster) actually im not really interested in blogging,
thought it was a junk crap to post ur diaries on the web.. but,, that photo album feature on friendster has made up my mind! heuehuehe.. but later i become more and more bored about it, and I looked at someone blog, and find it really really interesting..!! sorry I dont make everything in English.. kinda difficult in certain cases wehehe.. xP

anyway.. just enjoy.. ^^

what the heck is BLOG?

(WeBLOG) A Web site that contains dated entries in chronological order starting with the most recent. The blog deals with one subject of interest, and entries contain commentary and links to other Web sites. Images as well as a search facility may also be included. Blogs provide a way to personally publish information about a subject and keep it updated. Some blogs invite feedback and comments from visitors.

When this BLOG thingy started?

Blogs took off in 1999 after blog development applications such as Pitas, Blogger and GrokSoup were released. The template-based software made it easy to create an online blog and continuously add entries without having to write the pages in HTML.

More about blogger see http://www.blogger.com/about

Oohh, proses hidup..

2005-08-30T17:20:00.000-04:00

Apa sih Cirinya orang dewasa?

Apakah dewasa itu selalu benar? Apa yang membedakan kedewasaan itu sendiri?

Kolom berikut ini, saya ambil dari salah satu website yang ditujukan untuk remaja Indonesia.. Entah kenapa, saat ini saya mempunyai kekhawatiran menjadi seorang yang "dewasa".. Dewasa dalam bertindak, dewasa dalam berpikir & mengambil keputusan, dan tak akan lengkap tanpa dianggap dewasa oleh orang lain.. Lucunya, saya yakin suatu saat nanti, saya tak ingin menjadi orang dewasa, dengan segala kerumitan dan problematis kehidupan, ingin menjadi remaja yang bisa dibilang "tanpa beban".. Ooh,, proses kehidupan..

Sekilas saya baca kolom ini, saya langsung teringat terhadap pelajaran PPKn dan Sejarah, yang sangat jauh dari interest sebagian besar pelajar di sekolah.. hehe x) sungguh sayang, IMHO, sistem pendidikan Indonesia, cenderung mengarahkan pelajar menuju nilai & kelulusan, dan melupakan esensi dari pendidikan itu sendiri.. ya contohnya PPKn dan Sejarah itu tadi..

Back to the topic, let's see how "adult" people categorize others as "adult"..

1. Rasional
Sikap rasional dan penuh pertimbangan bagi kebaikan berbagai pihak. Tidak emosional. Mereka mencintai orang lain, namun tidak lagi dengan cinta emosional tetapi lebih rasional. Maka, orang lain adalah seperti keluarga sendiri, cinta berubah menjadi kasih sayang dan persaudaraan.

2. Mandiri
Berani mengambil keputusan secara mandiri dengan perhitungan yang matang, dan berani menerima resiko dari perbuatannya. Jika sengaja atau tidak sengaja berbuat kesalahan, maka mereka akan berani mengatakan bahwa dirinya salah dan meminta maaf.

3. Bertanggung-jawab
Bertanggungjawab untuk memenuhi kebutuhan keamanan dan keselamatan keluarga dan lingkungan.

4. Asertif
Berani mengemukakan pendapat sesuai kebenaran, namun dengan cara yang sebaik-baiknya. Mereka berusaha untuk menyatakan sesuatu dengan tidak agresif, menyerang atau menyakitkan orang lain, tetapi juga tidak pasif, mendiamkan saja sesuatu yang buruk terjadi.

5. Bersosialisasi dan bermasyarakat
Ciri lainnya adalah dapat bergaul dan bermasyarakat dengan baik. Mereka dapat mengikuti aturan sesuai kesepakatan yang ada di masyarakat lingkungannya, lepas dari merasa senang atau tidak dengan kondisi yang ada, tetapi dalam suatu semangat untuk kebaikan bagi semua pihak.

6. Filter
Mereka mempunyai filter atau saringan terhadap hal-hal yang buruk, yang akan merusak atau mengganggu diri, keluarga dan masyarakat. Filter itu adalah dengan menggunakan akal atau memikirkan, yang diserasikan dengan bisikan nurani atau nilai-nilai iman dan taqwa.

Apakah tepat? Apakah hal-hal tersebut dapat diaplikasikan dalam setiap kondisi dan waktu? Apakah norma, etika, dan budaya selalu yang terbaik?

Thanks kepada
Referensi: http://hqweb01.bkkbn.go.id/hqweb/ceria/pengelolaceria/pp3yangmuda.html

FLU

2005-03-18T12:54:00.000-05:00

Netherlands' flu epidemic

18 March 2005

AMSTERDAM — The flu epidemic in the Netherlands is over, the National Influenza Centre (NIC) said on Friday.

In the past week, 13 people out of 10,000 were sick with the flu. For there to be talk of an epidemic, there must be 15 people ill per 10,000.

The NIC said on 18 February that the Netherlands was in the midst of a flu epidemic. The number of sick people peaked at 27 per 10,000.

The provinces of Zeeland, North Brabant and Limburg were the hardest hit, with an average of 67 sick people per 10,000 reported.

The nation-wide epidemic has been declining since the start of this month, newspaper De Telegraaf

reported.

The NIC said the highest number of sick people in the past week was being reported in North and South Holland, where 17 people per 10,000 were ill with the flu.