The Weekend Limited

Dear Hey Heeeeeeyy,

So today is Friday. If I were a working woman I would totally be like TGIF, but since I'm not Friday is but another day that comes before a Saturday. But Saturdays are good, cause that means my parents...uh...I mean roommates can keep me company as I run around the house like a doped up hamster. This week was filled with fun things like Kanye, less fun things like Chem, and completely un-fun things like my eye exploding (true story, ask my dad...I'm pretty much a cyclops now). I didn't really learn too much super interesting things and that is why this wrap-up might be a little less informative than I would hoped it would be. I like banana bread.

1) An igloo has nothing on my house.

2) The periodic table is like an alphabet, the compounds are words, and I am dyslexic.

3) Despite popular belief, you can't catch syphilis from a doorknob. Also, never EVER google image the aforementioned STD. Its gross, and unless you want to see a lot nasty ass who-who-dillies I would leave that one alone.

4) Louis Pasteur said something pretty interesting, "When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become."

5) You CANNOT say, "I don't walk fast." you have to say, "I don't walk quickly." (Something to do with an adverb and a chicken)

HAPPY BIRFDAY!

Dear Zac's Mom,

Thanks for bring Z into this world...into my world. Too creepy? Almost.

PS. Thanks to Kanye's mom too! (Its not his birfday but I thought I would just raise my diamond in the air for him.)

Congratulations!

Dear Himalayas,

I came across this article on the NY Times Website last night. In short the article is describing China's disapproval with H. H. Dalai Lama receiving the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington. The medal is awarded to "any individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States." (Wikipedia)

China is subtly threatening serious ramifications if the ceremony goes forward as planned. As of yesterday, President Bush was to award H.H.D.L. in his residence, and not in the oval office, today. What particularly struck a chord with me were the daft comments made by Zhang Qingli, the leader of the Tibet Communist Party. Mr Zhang said and I quote, "Such a person who basely splits his motherland, and doesn't even love his motherland has been welcomed by some countries and has even been receiving this or that award." The party boss goes on to say, "We are furious. If the Dalai Lama can receive such an award, there must be no justice or good people in the world."

For those not in the know, the Dalai Lama has been exiled from Tibet since 1959 after tensions in Lhasa became to dangerous for the spiritual leader to remain in his home country. For the past 48 years H.H.D.L. has tried desperately to come to some agreement with the Chinese government to free Tibet. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in promoting understanding and respect for humanity as a race, and for seeking to reach a settlement with regards to Tibetan autonomy. Unfortunately, the Chinese government did not and will not award region a higher level of autonomy and successive attempts of reconciliation have been futile.

It becomes clear that H.H.D.L. should be anything but the target of Mr. Zhang's unfounded remarks. He remains loyal to his motherland, Tibet, and would want more than anything to return home before his life in this world ends.

For more info on Free Tibet:
Students for a Free Tibet
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
H.H.D.L's very own website

See-Saw of the Mind

Dearest Confusion,
So recently I have come to terms realized that I, Lillian the Great, live in a constant state of hypocrisy in regards to my perception of what is kablamo! Focus your looking balls below and see what I'm talking aboot...

1) Burj Dubai: fascinating feat of engineering or total waste of energy and resources?

2) James Blunt: crooner extraordinaire or a bearded creepy fellow who tends to sing about how beautiful I am? Its true.3) China: rising or crumbling?

4) My Blankie: too old or young at heart?
5) Toasted sandwiches: the ultimate lunch or second to a sweet dynamite roll?

As you can see, I live in a constant push and pull world of what is right and what is wrong. Life is tough...tough and tiring. Its 9:11 in the am, I have been awake for a full two hours...I'm going to go have a nap. In my big bed, with my fluffy pillows, eating my toasted sandwich, while having my blankie keeping me company, dreaming of Chinese versions of the Burj Towers, all while James Blunt is playing in the background.

Blog Action Day!

To the world,

H2O.

In chemistry this compound can be described as electronegative, in which two hydrogen atoms are covalently bonded to a singular oxygen atom. It has a molar mass of 18.02 g/mol, its molecular geometry is bent, and it can exist in three forms: gas, liquid and solid. It also comprises 80 % of my body, 75 % of the planet, creates $ 100 billion annually in global sales, and forms the basis of all life. In Canada, water is clean, it is abundant, and it is free. So why is it that so many people purchase bottled water every day? Unfortunately, I do not know. However what I do know is this...

From an environmental (and logical) perspective buying bottled water is perhaps not the greatest idea. Many consumers partake in this industry for health and safety fears however, in most cases these worries are unfounded. Often marketed as "pure" the water which fills your plastic bottles is water that has come from a community source or reservoir. Furthermore, public water works have much more stringent regulations than those of bottling plants, and the chances that contamination is going to occur in the latter is close to that of the former. Secondly, the processes of bottling, shipping, and refrigerating the water consumes a high amount of energy which in turn has a negative bearing on the environment. With x billion of bottles consumed per year it is inevitable that a large fraction of those are going to end up in landfills, further causing an incredible amount of unnecessary waste.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, there are currently 1 billion people in developing countries living without access to clean drinking water. That is 1 in 5 children. 80% of those children are suffering or have died from waterborne diseases, making unsafe drinking water the second largest cause of death for children under five.

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So next time you reach for that bottle of glacial fresh water, perhaps pause a moment and think about the spin-off created from that singular inanimate object.

Websites:
NY Tap Project
NDRC
Business Week