Beautiful places, Quotes, cute boys and a whole bunch of random reblogs. Welcome to my blog, earthlings!
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a great blog from Yuna. We are responsible for whatever that we posts online. Our role is to cultivate knowledge, not breed hatred.
![asianhistory:
I don’t think that was quite what I was saying, though? Or rather, not what I meant to imply. There were early Chinese and Indian traders in Malaysia which influenced culture and genetic makeup, but there were also plenty of indigenous peoples who probably first originated from Africa.
Wikipedia will give you this, if you want to try link-hopping!:
Historically, the ethnic Malays population is descended from several genetically related peoples who were largely of Animist, Buddhist or Hindu origin —the Austronesians, the Mon-Khmer peoples,[8] the Orang Laut,[9] the Orang Asli,[10] the Cham people,[11] the ancient Kedahans,[12] the Langkasukans,[12] the Tambralingans,[13] the Gangga Negarans, the ancientKelantanese,[12] the Srivijayans, the ancient Bruneians, the Batak groups, the Dayak peoples and various other tribes inhabiting the Malay world.[14]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/77fe9bea1b3a4e9d3409cc78b97957c3/tumblr_mjzy0aZXtr1qh6o2ho1_500.png)
I don’t think that was quite what I was saying, though? Or rather, not what I meant to imply. There were early Chinese and Indian traders in Malaysia which influenced culture and genetic makeup, but there were also plenty of indigenous peoples who probably first originated from Africa.
Wikipedia will give you this, if you want to try link-hopping!:
Historically, the ethnic Malays population is descended from several genetically related peoples who were largely of Animist, Buddhist or Hindu origin —the Austronesians, the Mon-Khmer peoples,[8] the Orang Laut,[9] the Orang Asli,[10] the Cham people,[11] the ancient Kedahans,[12] the Langkasukans,[12] the Tambralingans,[13] the Gangga Negarans, the ancientKelantanese,[12] the Srivijayans, the ancient Bruneians, the Batak groups, the Dayak peoples and various other tribes inhabiting the Malay world.[14]
“DIAMOND SAGA- CHARLES JR. DISOWNED!”
Sigh! Poor Charlie… The whole Diamond saga is on every public spectacle. Everyone wants to snoop around their business. Everyone wants to know every single detail about the Diamond. I look at the headline again. I kept on repeating that name. Charles. Charlie. Charles. Charlie. He is growing up now. Underneath the big, bold headline, they also put in one of the old Diamond’s family portrait. There he is Charlie (Jr.) who looks swanky in that suit and bowtie. He must be about 5 or 6 years old here.
I scanned that young face. Everyone can tell that he is not happy. Indeed, a remarkable job by the journalist. You do not have to know Charles (Jr.) at all. The boy’s expression just said it all. He was and is never happy with the family. But then again, no one knows the real story behind it. I fold the paper and put it near the book shelves. I took a deep breath and let a long exhale to let all the memories evaporate into the thin air. It is not working. The Diamonds still lingers around my mind. Snap out of it, Jenna. Snap out of it.
I walked away from the living room and went to the kitchen, preparing for lunch. Connor and Vivie will be home soon. Some dirty dishes are left at the kitchen counter. Ah! It is almost noon! I walked to the kitchen sink and turn on the tap water. As I stand, cleaning all the dishes, I looked over the window. There lays a massive green grass covering our backyard. Oh my dear, Charlie… I stopped working with the dishes and stared at the backyard. The memory lingers on again. There is that feeling again. The big, bold and ugly headline pasted in my mind. I cannot stop thinking about it. If only I could meet Charlie again…
“Jenna, dear…” Gasp! A huge arm wrapped around my waist and a kiss on the forehead. That familiar warmth feeling is so comforting. I lay my head back on Connor’s chest. My eyes are all fixed at the backyard. Butterflies flutter their wings, looking for flowers to settle on. “Did you read the headline today, hon?” Connor took a deep breath and exhale. He slowly turns me around to face him. He looks calm as always. And such a lovely smile. I knew Connor expected me to ask him about it. His twinkling eyes reveal it so.
“Yes I have… You forgot something, dear?” Connor points to the clock. Oh my God! It is almost 1pm in the afternoon. I have been staring at the backyard for that long. I forgot all about lunch. I let go of Connor’s arms and start preparing for lunch, leaving Connor standing near the sink. I caught a glimpse of him seemingly amused. I was about to open the fridge when Connor stops me.
“Why don’t we just order in?” He walks to one of the kitchen counter and look for food leaflet. At the same time, my mind still boggles over Charlie. That darn paper! I felt sorry for Connor, who just got back from work. I know that he is exhausted. Yes, he is so sweet. While he was searching for leaflet, I closely eye his body. His body physique had lost it’s sculpt and over the years, he had developed a beer belly. His face shows traces of lines. Despite all that, he still is sweet and charming as ever. I walked up to him and wrap my arms around his belly. His body just transmit that teddy bear like feeling.
“You’re alright hon?” I can sense worrisome in his voice. Laying my head on his back, I said to him “I can’t stop thinking about Charlie… “
Connor turns his back and planted a wet kiss on my lips. I just smiles and return his kiss. He knows that I have been bothered by the news lately. It has been mostly talking about the Diamonds or the “Diamonds saga” as they call it. It was disturbing and very daunting for both of us. We have known the Diamonds for almost more than twenty years now. In fact, we used to work with them. I used to teach Charlie. Poor boy… Connor works as one of the bodyguards for Charlie. That is how we first met; a shared friendship bond over Charlie.
HONK! HONK! Both of us were jumped by the sound of the car honks. “It’s Vivie…“
Connor unwrap my arm and took my hand, slowly leading me towards the living room. As soon as we get there, he asked me to sit while he approaches the front door to open it for Vivie. I watched him open the door and a slender figure came in. “Oh sorry dad… I left the house key in my room… “ Her hair bounces as she walks towards me and she suddenly stops. She stares at me and Connor back and forth. “Is everything alright?” She cast her eyes on me. There is that suspicious tone in her voice. She probably could sense it.
Before I could say anything, Connor cuts me off “Mum forgot to cook for lunch… So which do you prefer: Chinese or Indian?” Vivie let out sigh of relief. “Chinese… We had Indian last week…oh I’m gonna go upstairs and take a shower… “ She turn and climb the stairs. As soon as she is gone, Connor looked at me again and gives me another smile. He went back to the kitchen to order in. I can hear the sound of water running in the shower room from upstairs. I just lay back and force myself not to think about Charlie or anything to do with the Diamonds.
=================================================
It is almost 2 in the morning. The sound coming from air-conditioner plus Connor’s loud snores besides me kept me awake. At this point I do not mind to be disturbed. I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. Charlie… I wonder how he has been ever since the saga started. My brain starts sketching the 8 year old Charlie. He always wears expensive suits. I thought it looks way too much on a young boy like Charlie. A normal young boy wears T-shirt and pants and they are normally dirty and smelly. Charlie was never a normal boy. He is surrounded by bodyguards and maids.
Charlie’s parents are never around, not even on his birthday. Since both of them are famous entrepreneurs, they are paranoid about their security as well. Charlie was never let out in the public. He never went to public school or to any other places. The condo is his world. Thank goodness the place is never lacking of books. Books are his eyes and ears. Other than that, he never goes out and experiences the beauty in life. Just like the one he read in numerous books.
Since he was not allowed to go to public school, the Diamonds had hired me to be his teacher. I missed him calling me “Ms. Marbles”. I missed that voice. I have to say, teaching Charlie is the easiest job in the world. He is very resourceful. He always score excellent grades on every of his tests. What a bright young boy… I remember thinking about his future. Does teaching him about life worthy to him at all? Assuming that his parents already plan for his future-to take over Diamond’s family business and continue their legacy.
One time, I was teaching him about plants. All of a sudden, he asked me, “What’s it like putting your feet on the grass?” I was taken aback by the question. I stared at that pale face and then, suddenly it hit me. I realised that I never really care about how the grass feels as it touches my skin. Charlie, despite of his privileged status, missed out on the beauty of life. “I don’t know Charlie…” He looked down and continues to do his work. I knew he was disappointed. I cannot help but felt sorry for him. Unfortunately, our relationship is no more than a teacher-student. I cannot make a further connection with this boy. Oh the dilemma…
Little did I know tears trickling down my cheeks; beads by beads. I looked again at the wall clock. It is almost 4 o’clock. I got up from bed and sit at the edge of it. I wanted to stop empathising Charlie but I just felt so helpless. That question swirled in my mind, repeatedly forcing me to answer it- “what’s it like putting your feet on the grass?” I have the sudden urge to know the answer myself. I turn my head, looking at Connor sleeping so peacefully.
As I slid my feet in slippers, I had to make sure that I will not wake Connor up. Quite like a mice, I sneak out from our bedroom and walked downstairs towards the kitchen. Turning on the backyard lamp, I open to the back door. It is a very exciting and adventurous. Something that book cannot describe well. The night chills does not deter me from stepping on the grass. I took off my slippers and slowly step on the grass. Every single step gave me that feeling of excitement and freedom.
I finally understood what Charlie did what they did. I knew he had stepped on the grass and let the freedom flow through his body. At that moment, I knew that Charlie had found the question to his answer. The feeling as you step on the grass is the same as the feeling as you find the meaning of life. I smiled thinking about Charlie. Good boy!
by Deepak Chopra
Your dad knew how to take an epic shot before you did and he’s got the photo composition skills to prove it. Back when a man could get shit-housed off a few dollars of sweat-pant money, he was out capturing the portraits that inspired Bob Ross to paint. He was a pornographer of mother nature’s beauty who exposed the world to sights they’d never seen.
So hipsters, when you’re taking panoramic iPhone 5 shots of nature’s wilds and attempting to share your moment of serenity on instagram so you can whore it out for double taps, remember this…
Your dad would be insta-famous if instagram was around when he was capturing his human experience.
New York, NY.
(via luanlegacy)
| Socialism: | You have 2 cows and you give one to your neighbor. |
|---|---|
| Communism: | You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and gives you some milk. |
| Fascism: | You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and sells you some milk. |
| Nazism: | You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and shoots you. |
| Bureaucratism: | You have 2 cows; the Government takes both, shoots one, milks the other and throws the milk away.. |
| Traditional Capitalism: | You have 2 cows. You sell one and buy a bull. You herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income. |
| An American Corporation: | You have 2 cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. Later, you hire a consultant to analyze why the cow dropped dead. |
| A French Corporation: | You have 2 cows. You go on strike because you want three cows. |
| Japanese Corporation: | You have 2 cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called Cowkimon and market them Worldwide. |
| An Italian Corporation: | You have 2 cows, but you don't know where they are. You break for lunch. |
| A Swiss Corporation: | You have 5000 cows. None of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them. |
| Chinese Corporation: | You have 2 cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported the numbers. |
| An Iraqi Corporation: | Everyone thinks you have lots of cows. You tell them that you have none. No one believes you and they bomb your arse. You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of a Democracy....... |
| Counter Culture: | 'Wow, dig it, like there's these 2 cows, man, grazing in the hemp field. You gotta have some of this milk!' |
| Surrealism: | You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons. |
| Apathyologism: | You have 2 cows. You do not care. |
| Fatalist: | You have 2 doomed cows... |
| Atheism: | You have 2 cows. There is no God. |
| A West-Country Corporation: | You have 2 cows. That one on the left is kinda cute. |
| A Brazilian Corporation: | You have 2 cows. You pay taxes for 6 cows. You have to sell one cow in order to pay the taxes. Your remaining cow gets sick and dies while waiting for availability in the public vet hospital. |
| Russia: | You have two cows. Since they are both female, if you happen to keep them in the same stable you will pay a 5,000 rouble fine for homosexual propaganda. |
| PETA: | You have two cows. You kill them both. You then use naked women to convince other people that killing cows is wrong. |
| Moffat: | You have two cows. Both of them are your daughters time traveling from the past where they had a brief love affair with Da Vinci making you the rightful Queen of England. As you assume the throne, you throw them off a building. |
| Hussie: | You have 2 cows. You ask for another one. Instead of getting just 1 cow, you get 2,485,506 cows. |
| Romney: | You have 2 cows. You are not the president of the united states. |
| Once-ler: | You have 1 cow. Everyone decides to make 5 different versions of that cow. |
| Old Spice: | You have 2 cows. The cows are now diamonds. I'm on a horse. |
| An Irish Corporation: | You have a million cows because they're everywhere |
| Tumblr: | You have 2 cows. You ship them together and make GIF posts screaming about how much you love your cows, but they should stop existing because they are so perfect. |
| Also Tumblr: | I give you a hamburger. |
| Cows: | The shit you go through. |
| This post: | Started off as a post that explained different goverments but then everything changed when the fire nation attacked |
Here is a picture of a bunny taking a bath. You’re welcome.
(via thegirlandherbooks)
tedx:
Yesterday’s featured TED Talk was from TEDxWomen, TEDx’s annual global conversation about the state of women in the world today. In her talk, “Fifty shades of gay,” photographer iO Tillett Wright explains how she watched discussions of same-sex marriage divide the US into parts: for and against. This divisiveness bothered her:
“I was shocked by the fact that America, a country with such a tarnished civil rights record, could be repeating its mistakes so blatantly,” she says in her talk. “And this powerful awareness rolled in over me that I was a minority, and in my own home country, based on one facet of my character. I was legally and indisputably, a second class citizen .. I was plagued by the question: how could anyone vote to strip the rights of the vast variety of the people that I knew? … Had these people consciously met a victim of their discrimination? Did they know who they were voting against?”
So she set off on a quest for tolerance via photography, saying, “For me, photography is not just about exposing film, it’s about exposing the viewer. To something new. A place they haven’t gone before. But, most importantly, to people they might be afraid of.”
In a project called Self-Evident Truths, she photographed about 2,000 people who consider themselves somewhere on the LGBTQ spectrum, asking them to tell their story, to reveal the person behind the portrait. Above, 8 participants of Self-Evident Truths, and the stories behind the photos — in iO Tillett’s words.
Top: Alyss – Little Rock, Arkansas. iO: “Alyss, who identifies herself as pansexual, is the descendant of a long line of Pentecostal ministers, from a tiny little town in Arkansas. When she put on her MySpace that she thought she was bisexual, her mother grabbed her by the forehead and started praying over her in tongues. Alyss was told that she was no longer her parents’ daughter, and wasn’t welcome in their house anymore, and eventually, because she couldn’t stand being away from her family, she went back into the closet. Alyss was one of the most vibrant characters we met on our Southern tour.”
Second row, left to right:
Brian – New Orleans, Louisiana. iO: “When Brian showed up to the shoot, it was this big discussion about which one of the assistants was going to have to go and see if he actually knew what he was being photographed for, because he looked like such a straight manly man. But on his release form he put down “100% GAY”, and we all had to eat our stereotypes. Brian fell in love in high school, and lived with his partner for 20 years in Texas, until they broke up, about a year before this photo was taken. He had taken everything he owned and moved to New Orleans to start a new life, and was working at Mardi Gras zone. When he talked about his former lover his eyes would well up, and he referred to him as his “true love”. Brian taught me so much about how stereotypes of gay men as effeminate are a bunch of naive hogwash.”
Carrie – Athens, Georgia. iO: “Carrie waited in a long line of people to be photographed in Athens, with long brown hair and glasses. We took a few photos and then she stopped me and asked if she should take her wig off. As soon as I saw her head, and what she was inclined to hide, I told her I thought she looked so powerful and beautiful without her wig. Instantly she straightened, planted her feet and came into her own skin. It was such a testament to the act of standing proud of who you are, be it about sexuality, or otherwise, and I’m really happy to have been able to see that in her.”Third row, left to right:
Chip – Atlanta, Georgia. iO: “Chip is a scientist and a skater. Again, when he started filling out his form, I almost wanted to double check that he knew what he was there for. It turns out he had gotten in touch with us weeks before, hoping we’d come and shoot in Atlanta. Chip was the only skateboarder who had ever come to be photographed, which kicked off a really interesting discussion about homophobia within the macho world of skateboarding, and how we could all help to reduce it.”Reverend Jill – Knoxville, Tennessee. iO: “Reverend Jill came to the Knoxville shoot with her long-time partner. They pulled me aside and told me how important it was that people know you can have a strong relationship with God, and still be gay. I thought that took tremendous courage, not only to be openly gay in a state like Tennessee, but to take on the religious battle as well. I had a lot of respect for them.”
Fourth row, left to right:
Jamison – Dallas, Texas. iO: “Jamison truly just smacked me in the face with my own stereotypes about people. Before meeting him, and many like him, I had some preconceived, narrow view of what gay people looked like, (especially men) — even if it was a broad view by most standards. Jamison, a big, statuesque trucker from Texas taught me that I don’t know s*** from Christmas — other than straight people come in every shape and size possible. Jamison was a marker of growth for me.”Jodi – Wichita Falls, Texas. iO: “Jodi’s family disowned her when they found out she was gay. She struck me as such a normal, average American girl — she works as an Abercrombie model at the mall, and was in her third year of college — but when a friend outed her, her religious parents kicked her out of the house, took her photos off the wall, quit paying her tuition, and started telling people her brother was an only child. Jodi suffers from arthritis, but her parents had her removed from their insurance despite that. It was such a powerful revelation for me, to understand the power that religion has within people — that it could drive them to legally divorce their own child.”
Venus – New York. iO: “Venus is one of my favorite characters in the “grey” movement. She doesn’t confine herself within any labeled sexuality, but she is loud and proud of everything that she is. Venus is a well known DJ and party promoter, and she’s made a name for herself within the hip hop world, which she is helping evolve into a more accepting place.”
See more of iO Tillett’s photographs and commentary at the TED Blog.
there’s a reason why this is the best tedtalk ever. watch the video and learn.
“It’s okay if you don’t know what you want to do. Just try something.”
James Burke, User Experience, Information Architect at Choke Point Project
speaking at CreativeMornings/Amsterdam(*watch the talk)
just what i need…
