Geographic Basics

We live in a beautiful, stunning and amazing world. We are surrounded by awesome nature, skilled architecture, fascinating landscapes and billions of people. If the Earth deviated just one-eighth of an inch closer to the Sun in its orbit, we would heat up and burn to death. If it deviated just one-eighth of an inch away from the Sun in its orbit, we would soon freeze to death. The positioning of our planet in itself emphasizes the hand of a Supreme Creator.

Yet I wonder how much we know of our planet? Of the lands and the seas, countries, continents, cities, landmarks? I am appalled at how little Malaysian children know concerning their home planet, and how much they even care. Geography is a subject of vital importance and one that is extremely rewarding.

I wonder how many questions you would be able to answer from the the following set, as we go back to Geography Basics:

1. Name the 7 continents of the world.

2. Name 10 of America's states.

3. Name 5 countries which border China.

4. Name 10 European countries and their capital cities.

5. Name 10 African countries.

6. Name 5 national islands.

7. Name 3 countries on the equator.

8. On which continent would you find:
     - Bolivia
     - Eritrea
     - Syria
     - New Zealand
     - Switzerland
     - Canada

9. In which country would you find:
     - Rio De Janeiro
     - Athens
     - Melbourne
     - Kiev
     - Madrid
     - Johannesburg

10. Name the capital cities of:
     - Philippines
     - Taiwan
     - Japan
     - North Korea
     - Indonesia
     - India
     - Sri Lanka
     - Thailand

So how did you do? Is your geography up to scratch? Let me know, I'd be pleased to hear your feedback!

Roger Federer and Credit Suisse

The great Roger Federer has teamed up with Credit Suisse in a lucrative, long-term partnership recently. Follow the link below to learn more of Federer's desire to be the best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBA8I1CWJK8&feature=player_embedded#

Lauren's Latest Poses

So here is a collection of images of Lauren, which I know my mother has been waiting patiently for! Prepare your eyes for the coolest baby in the Blogosphere...

At 22 months old, Lauren is remarkably clever, speaking the occasional full sentence, and doing all the things a naughty baby does. And she loves the National Geographic magazine just like her daddy!

Nessun Dorma

Giacomo Puccini began working on the opera 'Turandot' in 1920. The opera's final duet was all but finished in 1924 when he was tragically struck with throat cancer. Travelling to Belgium to see a specialist, he died as a result of the surgery and never got to hear his opera including the finale, 'Nessun Dorma'. The song became famous when Luciano Pavarotti belted it out during the World Cup in Italy in 1990 as the tournament's theme song. Pavarotti's performance of the 'Nessun Dorma' is now further immortalized by the great tenor's sudden demise on September 6th, 2007.

Nessun Dorma, meaning 'Nobody shall sleep', is one of the most difficult songs to sing as it contains two of the highest notes in the tenor range - B4 followed by A4. This fantastic song is made to sound ludicrously easy by Maestro Pavarotti, the man from Modena. His unmistakable face is the facade to an even greater unmistakable voice, a distinctly unique and thrilling tone that has delighted millions with absolute awe and wonderment.

Those who blindly mumble lyrics sung by popular artists who barely know how to sing without the help of machinery, really can't appreciate genuine talent. The racket of today's pop songs is an awful (and ever-increasingly, immoral) show designed to lower standards of morality and virtue. I need mention just the disgusting 'Pussycat Dolls' or 'Lady Gaga' and you soon get what I mean.

Luciano Pavarotti's rendition of Nessun Dorma is real music, uplifting, touching, spiritual, classical, timeless. As you follow the link to observe his 1994 performance in Los Angeles, you will feel the ultimate passion in his voice, on his face, in the applause of the crowd.

This is the real music. The real singing. Nothing else matches up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VATmgtmR5o4

A Miracle

Over at the west quarter of the sky, a dark, deep blue expanse lingered. But signs of dawn were materializing across the heavens towards where the Sun would make its first appearance around an hour later. A collection of stars yet dazzled brightly in the 6:30am sky. Venus was clearly visible too, larger and more circular than its twinkling neighbours. A half moon hung in the canopy directly above, a soft glow emanating exactly around its circumference.

Panning across the morning panorama was like being in two places at once. The dark of night on the right, smoothing out into the light blue tinged with yellows, oranges and pinks signifying the new dawn, on the left.

One cannot fully appreciate a sunrise until one has waited through the dark.


The miracle of observing the mechanisms of night transforming into day with ones own eyes is definitely the best way to start a day.

The flowers wait silently each night, through long, dark hours, to eventually suck up and soak in the first, purest shafts of sunlight at daybreak. I envisioned them taking a long, deep breath and slowly releasing, being energised and nourished by the power of the Sun.

If being at one with nature is experiencing what nature experiences, then I've participated gladly this morning. I know how the flowers feel. Waiting through the dark to catch the first glimpse of light is a miracle of the ages, just as powerful, just as rewarding today, as ever.

Behold the delicate intricacies of this unusually stunning flower.

*If one thinks the day of miracles is over, one must simply arise a little earlier*