Having "Me" Time

An hour ago I watched Obama's speech in India in which he recognized India as the world's largest democracy and stated how they must work together with the US for with power comes great responsibility.  He also welcomed India to one day gaining a permanent seat on the United Nations' Security Council.   I find it fascinating for it comes at a time when China is gaining it's place in the world arena and with shifts of power, the US must find a strategic partner.   This is a story that sounds familiar and one that has been with us since the evolution of humankind.  Great civilizations have risen and fall, empires have been built and destroyed, great men have lived and died.  It's not new.  It just comes in different forms.  This is also the story of Egypt, a civilization that once existed over 3000 years ago and one whose remains still astound us to this day. I've always had a fascination for Egypt since my ...

In less than two day's time I'll be on my annual block leave and wondering around the land of the Samurais.  I've been planning this trip for years and for some reason or the other never made it.  I've made plans before with friends, bought the guidebook and even had an itinerary. Then something comes up and 'phoof' it's off and gone. This time though the trip is set in stone with tickets issued and an itinerary prepared.   It'll be by first time in Japan and I'm excited.  I have always loved the Japanese maple tree, the landscape, I die for japanese food, I crave to visit the zen temples and discover some peace, I admire the japanese sense of order and am enthralled by the strangeness of Murakami novels.  There is so much that is yet to be discovered in Japan.   I grew up with a wonderful Japanese friend, and I can't wait to see her once again. It's been many many years.  Much too many. Yet despite all thi...

Back from my very brief vacation in Kuala Lumpur I must admit, I miss it already.  Flying out Friday morning and back on Sunday evening, it was indeed a very short trip but one that I'm glad I finally made.  I had been meaning to go for several years now upon the invitation of a wonderful friend there, but for one reason or another, I just never made it.  Now that I have, I wish I had done it sooner.  Being able to reunite with a long time friend was wonderful and I'd like to "Thank You" her and her family for giving me such a wonderful time there.  They were a wonderful host. There is much to see and do in Kuala Lumpur than first meets the eye.  Only a two-hour flight from Bangkok and accessible on the low-cost AirAsia it is a wonderful little getaway place to go if you are in need of an escape from everyday life whilst at the same time discovering a new culture and way of living. Unlike Thailand which is predominantly Buddhist (90percent),...