Titled "The most IMPORTANT video you'll ever see" and you'll see why.

I want to thank youTube user, wonderingmind42, for sharing this video.

This is a no-nonsense video of Dr. Albert A. Barlett on Arithmetic, Population and Energy.

Kseniya Simonova's Amazing Sand Drawing

I had goosebumps watching this video. It was so powerful and moving. What a truly beautiful display of expression.

Across the Universe - the movie (2007)

My current favourite musical is 'Across the Universe'. The cinematography is a great work of art. The movie transform into a slide show of beautiful video clips, each suiting to the music and mood of the scenes and the soundtrack, all cover versions of the Beatles, are sung so beautiful. I've watched this twice and I still feel so good about the movie. What's great is that the songs are cleverly arranged to fit the flow of the plot. It's a definite piece of work! The plot is pretty alright, it's a romance story with a lot of hippie stuff going. A truly beautiful movie.

Check IMDB and Wikipedia

Sony Pictures Entertainment

A film of poverty and hunger: Chicken a la Carte by Ferdinand Dimadura

A colleague of mine sent me this video and it was heartbreaking to watch. Sometimes, we are so caught up with the materialism of this world, we forget about the others who struggle for the simplest of things to survive.

"Synopsis: This film is about the hunger and poverty brought about by Globalization. There are 10,000 people dying everyday due to hunger and malnutrition. This short film shows a forgotten portion of the society. The people who live on the refuse of men to survive. What is inspiring is the hope and spirituality that never left this people."

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

I remember talking to a friend about globalisation and how I did not wish to see my country globalise so much. It frightens me that people get so competitive to the point of losing humanity in themselves because of globalisation. It is true human darwinism at work. D and I were on the topic as well during my recent education/travel trip. It doesn't help that commercialisation helps drive globalisation. How commercialisation is taking every single freedom we have and messing our mental and emotional states completely scares me.

Like roads which you have to pay to use, when it was once free. And, you even have to pay different prices (They are not cheap! And, someone's getting their Chopards soon!) for different lengths of the road. Someone once suggested that we may well be paying for oxygen one day and I didn't think it is not possible.

I guess how some humans managed to counterbalance the detriments of commercialism which befall on them in order to keep a float is truly admirable while most of us whine about the trivialities. The common people are easy sacrifices for a stronger economy. Cliche but true: it's life.

Children Learn What They Live by Dorothy Law Nolte

I came across a beautiful poem that was featured on the Asian Geographic Magazine which bigR bought. I scoured for it at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand on my way back because this issue highlights Asian youths, which is the very reason of my being in Thailand. But, I couldn't find it. Instead, I found Gut Feelings by Gerd Gigerenzer, which I am excited to find time reading since it is related to my work.

Children Learn What They Live
by Dorothy Law Nolte
(Asian Geographic Magazine)
No.63 Issue 2/2009


If children live with hostility,
they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule,
they learn to be shy.
If children live with tolerance,
they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement,
they learn confidence.
If children live with praise,
they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness,
they learn justice.
If children live with security,
they learn faith.
If children live with approval,
they learn to be like themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship,
they learn to find love in the world.

Ramadhan Picture by Ahim Rani

A colleague showed me a series of beautiful photos of Ramadhan from around the world and I was surprised to find an entry by Brunei's very own and very popular, Ahim Rani.

So, here goes ...



"An officer of Brunei's Islamic authority looks through a telescope as he performs "rukyah", the sighting of the new moon for Ramadan, over the skies of Bukit Agok outside Bandar Seri Begawan August 31, 2008. Muslims scan the sky at dusk at the end of their lunar calendar's eighth month in search of the new moon to proclaim the beginning of Ramadan. (REUTERS/Ahim Rani) "

The image was taken from the original article entitled "Observing Ramadhan" by Alan Taylor. The article features a beautiful, interesting and colourful collection of pictures about Ramadhan. While many muslims in the world have faced much discrimination, oppression and distress, it is truly heart-warming to see peace in some of these pictures within the muslim community.

Hamdilah Kamaluddin

I had the pleasure to work with Hamdilah during Fasha's and Wadi's wedding. He came across to me as a very easy-going and friendly person. And, he struck me as very kind and generous too.

I was the 85mm shooter for Hitam Puteh during the Nikah ceremony that was held in the living room packed with guests. Movement was difficult as I was permanently stationed during the ceremony among guests and photographers. With no chance of movement, holding an 85mm limited my variety of shots of the groom and the actual climax of the ceremony since the Imam's back was facing me. Hamdilah was kind to offer me his spot as we tried to shift as politely in between tight spaces. And, how gracious is he to offer me, almost a stranger, his wide lens! Mind you, lenses are very precious to photographers and not many would offer their lenses without question nor hesitation. Well, at least, not to a newbie like myself.

Our exchanges about photography was pleasant and he helped enabled the live view function on my camera! So sakai, eh! Maybe ignorant is more the word. While our meeting was brief, I hold respect for a photographer as generous and helpful as Hamdilah and look forward to working with him again.

Here are some of his photos and you may click on any of them to enter his photoblog.