Baby Doll Mina...

Mina is the daughter of a very good friend of mine who I've been friends with for the last decade. It's just so amazing how some friends remain the same whether we lose touch or not and every time we touch base, we simply pick up from where we last left as if time and space means nothing. I love it.

As for Mina, it has many meanings. In hindi, it means a precious stone. Others say it's a Germanic origin meaning a resolute protector; love. Apparently, the name Mina is quite popular in many European countries such Norway, Germany etc...

Her grandma named her before she was born and unfortunately she passed away before Mina was born. Her grandma is precious, she left her with a gold bracelet and "Mina" was engraved on it. I hope my friend's soul of sadness and grief over her mom's passing away is filled with hope and love by her joyful baby girl.

God bless you my dear friend *G* and her Angel always, Amen.

Racism in this day and age?

This one is going to be a long rant.I was listening to the radio this evening after work on my way back to my apartment. It was an interesting discussion about the scandals of the "Oil For Food" program in Iraq which is administered by the UN.

There has been a series of scandals dating as far back as in 1991, however, today's discussion on the radio reflected a different fold on how billions of $$$’s have been mismanaged and used for other purposes. Apparently one third of it has been going to US corporations, 3-6 months salary of all the WMD inspectors before they even went to Iraq and a lot more.

I'm not going to get into the details of the actual scandals because there's enough articles on it (but pls don't read foxnews or CNN) because they've been pointing fingers solely at Kofi Anan and his son which is ridiculous because it's like comparing a slice of an apple to a field of apple trees. Let's be more objective and figure where the big chunk has disappeared to; not the petty amount of $300k! I guess anything can be said against a man of color.

Now, enough of the intro. What I was meaning to say about this is that there were many incoming calls and brief discussions would take place with the host on the radio. I was very impressed by the number of Americans who could understand, appreciate and are aware of what goes on beyond their boundaries and are saddened by what's been happening in the last few years.

What SHOCKED me is when I heard two consecutive calls which were absolutely racist. A guy calls in and says "I'm an active Zionist and I wanted to tell you that you're hosting an anti-semitic show" and started screaming at the host. That was quite stupid of him because the discussion had no connection to anti-semitism ... then comes in another caller saying "I'm an active zionist and did you know that African Americans are an inferior race?".Ok, it might not sound so bad but I was shocked. I was extremely shocked and saddened by that comment. Not because I felt sorry that the host had to hear that because she handled him pretty well in a very polite and diplomatic manner, however, I was so sad to know that people in the 21st century who are educated and living at large can actually compose a sentence like that and mean it.

I'm so sad and wish such people would simply evaporate in thin air or get caged in a zoo with a bunch of hungry vicious lions.

Is Indonesia Cursed?

First the deadly tsunami, then a series of terrifying earthquakes among the largest ever in the last century.Now, two erupting volcanos forcing over 25,000 residents to flee from the affected area!?!

What's the deal with these violent geological forces?My heart goes out to the Indonensians.

Opposite Ground Zero

This picture was taken just about directly opposite the WTC site; where the twin towers once stood. It has gained a prominent location in NYC for tourism. Been there twice and it was crowded.

Out of PwC's window

I was at PWC's office today, 20th floor on Madison avenue in NYC. I took a pic of the view just behind the window in front of the desk I was sitting at. Amazing huh? The Empire state building just a few blocks away :)

I'm still overwhelmed and in disbelief that I made it here especially when everyone was telling me not to have my hopes up for making it here.

Some Americans say...

... that 911 was an inside job. My friend and I were in NYC (at the world trade center subway stop) and when we stepped out, this is exactly what we saw. A group of Americans going on and on that 911 was an inside job, they were giving away flyers with more info about it and so forth.

One poster said the following:

The opportunity: The break-up of the soviet empire and with it, the diminishment of influence of any competing political system and it's military power.

The Transformation:
1. Endless war on the world - regime change in nations unfriendly to "American Interests" - Full spectrum US global dominance.

2. Drastic increases in military spending, more US military bases around the world from which US military power can be projected.The statement: "the process of transformation, is likely to be a long one, absent from catastrophic and catalyzing event, - like a new Pearl Harbor".

Need I to comment further? I think not.

Greenwich, Connecticut

Apparently Greenwich is the second richest town in the USA and it is a home of many financial service companies that left Manhattan. I live about 3 exits away from here so I decided to go around for a drive and see what this town is all about.

The population is probably a little over 60,000 (quite small) but I didnt realize there was such beauty round here. It felt like I was in Europe when I drove downtown. A one way street that had so many restaurants, boutiques, and antique shops, all located on extraordinarily expensive retail space. I

t's also unique because there are no traffic lights, just traffic officers at each intersection directing traffic. The average income of people round here is just under $100,000!

Who would have thought! I wouldnt have unless I was making that much :-)