I have been quite busy lately, mostly since I stated the MIRM. In fact, I have totally quite playing my lovely PC games, i.e. Sim City Deluxe and FIFA 2006. Well everything has a price in life.
I have also almost completely quit football; I have no time for it. The only time I do have free for training, Tuesday and Thursday, I need to spend reading and doing research. The same goes for the weekends.
But I have decided that I need an alternative for my lack of football. Baanisuu and I have decided to start going on long walks on the weekend for three main reasons: get some fresh air, explore Malta's countryside and do some much needed exercise.
Baanisuu's grandad is thank God out of hospital. He still has mobility problems and has a painful leg, but the doctors attributed it to arthritis. Anyway he started going up steps again to feed his beloved birds and had numerous visits, especially his village mates.
Thursday 26 October 2006
Friday 13 October 2006
Those Americans...
An interesting article appeared in the Guardian today, regarding the population milestone that America will reach in the coming days; it will reach the 300 million mark.
Apart from the interesting info, these two lines struck me:
...Americans' persistent belief that bigger equals better...
...This (America) is the ultimate disposable consumer society...
Ok, we all knew this, but have a look at this:
The result (of immigration), he argues, is more congestion, more restrictions and the decline of American individualism, freedom and space. In short, America is turning into Europe: "Most Americans think Europe is a grand place to visit, but we wouldn't want to live there," Mr Beck said. "Europeans lead such dense lives, they are so packed in and so regimented."
I will leave you to think about that.
(With all respect to the American people I know)
Apart from the interesting info, these two lines struck me:
...Americans' persistent belief that bigger equals better...
...This (America) is the ultimate disposable consumer society...
Ok, we all knew this, but have a look at this:
The result (of immigration), he argues, is more congestion, more restrictions and the decline of American individualism, freedom and space. In short, America is turning into Europe: "Most Americans think Europe is a grand place to visit, but we wouldn't want to live there," Mr Beck said. "Europeans lead such dense lives, they are so packed in and so regimented."
I will leave you to think about that.
(With all respect to the American people I know)
Thursday 12 October 2006
A MIRM
What's a MIRM?
A MIRM is short for Master in Integrated Resource Management.
That is what I have just started, last Monday. The first module, comprising three lectures a week involving different speakers, is called Science of the Environment. It involves various topics on the physical environment, soils and agriculture, weather and climate and well as some environment chemistry.
The first bombshell was dropped on the first day, we need to prepare two one-hour seminars on various topics on the physical environment. All of us chose, democratically, our most suitable topics. I took Origin and Structure of the Earth as well as Igneous and Metamorphic rocks. I am sure there are loads of papers out there which I can consult and prepare these lectures. My worry is at Masters Level, I really have to delve deep into the subject, get the technicalities out. This might come as a cost since understanding technicalities is also always easy. Plus this is and Integrated degree, thus we always have to look at the wider picture, and combining, analysis different aspects and what are the resultant results.
It sure is a challenge which I hope will help me get rid of my constant writers' block that I suffer from, as well as tickling my brain into to think, possibly in a critical way too.
A MIRM is short for Master in Integrated Resource Management.
That is what I have just started, last Monday. The first module, comprising three lectures a week involving different speakers, is called Science of the Environment. It involves various topics on the physical environment, soils and agriculture, weather and climate and well as some environment chemistry.
The first bombshell was dropped on the first day, we need to prepare two one-hour seminars on various topics on the physical environment. All of us chose, democratically, our most suitable topics. I took Origin and Structure of the Earth as well as Igneous and Metamorphic rocks. I am sure there are loads of papers out there which I can consult and prepare these lectures. My worry is at Masters Level, I really have to delve deep into the subject, get the technicalities out. This might come as a cost since understanding technicalities is also always easy. Plus this is and Integrated degree, thus we always have to look at the wider picture, and combining, analysis different aspects and what are the resultant results.
It sure is a challenge which I hope will help me get rid of my constant writers' block that I suffer from, as well as tickling my brain into to think, possibly in a critical way too.
Monday 9 October 2006
Visiting the old, playing with the young.
Going to hospital has become a weekend chore now. During the week it is impossible, mainly due to time constraints: I usually work till 6pm and do not always have time afterwards to go there.
Baanisuu's grandfather has been already 18 days in hospital now. He regained is senses fully, sence of humour and apetite, but still is relatively week. We are all still waiting another scan of his head and subsequent results, to know what the damage of his fall is.
Sunday, after leaving the hospital, we went to Baanisuu's home. On our way we picked up her young cousins; one is six and the other is one year old today. Anyway, this georgeous little trouble maker is a real powerhouse. She was placed on the floor and given the friutbasket (which are decorations). The kid really did a mess with it, grabbing, throwing, shaking...kids' play. She was happy and was enjoying herself.
The moment of magic however, was when she grabbed the sofa and pulled herself up. Then she let go for 1-2 seconds before being grabbed by Baanisuu's mum. Those seconds made me almost jump with joy.
An old man in bed, unable to get up and sit or walk; a kid lifting herself up and experiencing her first moments of balance on two's. What's life?
Baanisuu's grandfather has been already 18 days in hospital now. He regained is senses fully, sence of humour and apetite, but still is relatively week. We are all still waiting another scan of his head and subsequent results, to know what the damage of his fall is.
Sunday, after leaving the hospital, we went to Baanisuu's home. On our way we picked up her young cousins; one is six and the other is one year old today. Anyway, this georgeous little trouble maker is a real powerhouse. She was placed on the floor and given the friutbasket (which are decorations). The kid really did a mess with it, grabbing, throwing, shaking...kids' play. She was happy and was enjoying herself.
The moment of magic however, was when she grabbed the sofa and pulled herself up. Then she let go for 1-2 seconds before being grabbed by Baanisuu's mum. Those seconds made me almost jump with joy.
An old man in bed, unable to get up and sit or walk; a kid lifting herself up and experiencing her first moments of balance on two's. What's life?
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