Winter Storm

Today, the National weather service has issued winter storm warming. It has started snowing heavily since noon. Moreover, Uconn has announced an early release for all non-essential employees effective at 11:30 a.m. I called the shuttle bus to pick me up at the hospital main entrance. But, the operator said there is no shuttle bus available due to inclement weather. "Oh My God!!!", I exclaimed silently. I have never been through a snow storm before. So, I had to walk one mile in sub-zero winter storm and deep snow. It took about 20-30 minutes for walking to home. I couldn't see sneakers while walking. The snow reached above my ankle sometimes and spilled into my shoes. The snow depth is about 10-15 cm. When I arrived home my backpack and jacket were covered a little snow, but both were still dry. It is a harsh experience I think it also resembles the fairy tale-Little Match Girl.
But, yesterday there was no snow falling. I took these pictures in the morning during walking to university. Pine needles encased in ice. It looked so beautiful and amazing. I think no one can make. The only nature can create the wonderful things like this.

Update!!!

In the Saturday morning, the snow continues falling. It has continued throughout the last night. Everything is covered with white snow. I check the website it said the winter storm end this afternoon. I hope so.

Eloquent speech

"Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy
35th U.S. President
Inaugural address

"There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq, and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."

Barack Obama
Senator of Illinois
44th elected U.S. President

Keynote address at Democrat National Congress 2004

"Today, our country need unity. I will work for all Thai people, both those who voted for me and against me. If you doesn't have any thought to ruin this country, you are not my enemy. I will be everyone's Prime Minister."

Abhisit Vejjajeva
Democrat Party leader
Thailand's 27th PM
Inaugural speech

But this time, not only All Americans but also people all over the world including me are looking forward to hearing the inaugural speech of the new president of US, Barack obama. Recently, Time Magazine has selected him as its Person of the Year for 2008. Thousands of them are looking for temporary accommodation. The President and Vice President will be sworn in on January 20, 2009. But, apartments or hotels that are located in Washington D.C or the place nearby are fully occupied or booked. Do you have any rooms available? Please let me know. If yes, the rent will be too expensive to afford for me. This time next month, I will be watching the live broadcast.

Anyway, Have you ever heard the slogan "Yes, We can"?
Obama used it first during the 2004 Illinois Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate, and finally became the 2008 presidential campaign. I think this slogan may come from the chorus of the theme song for the children's TV show-Bob the Builder, not Joe the plumber. The chorus goes "Can we fix it? Yes, we can." His daughters may like to watch this show.

5th Prime Minister in a little two years

Thaksin Shinawatra

February 9, 2001 – September 19, 2006

On 21 October, 2008 the Thai Supreme Court sentenced Thaksin to jail for 2 years. He had violated a conflict-of-interest law while in office. A couple of days ago the Thai Ministry of Foreign affairs revoked his diplomatic passport.

Coup d'etat on 19 September, 2006

General Surayud Chulanont

1 October 2006 - 29 January 2008


General election on 23 December, 2007


Samak Sundaravej-the first Thaksin's bpuppet

29 January 2008 – 9 September 2008


Somchai Wongsawat-Thaksin's brother-in-law and the second puupet

18 September 2008 – 2 December 2008


Abhisit Vejjajeva

"ObaMark"

Thailand's 27th Prime Minister

After voting for new Prime minister, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected as the 27th Prime Minister. On the contrary, If he doesn't win, Pracha Promnok will become the third puppet. His nickname is Mark. So, I heard someone call him "Obamark" to correspond with Barack Obama. We need the new young generation politician to change the old-style politics. However, there is no honeymoon period for new government. He must prove himself and do something to solve the political situation and alleviate the impact of global economic crisis on Thailand.

Do you think it is the end of the puppet PM or just the beginning of the puppet opposition leader?

Update!!!

This is an inaugural speech after his endorsement as prime minister.

The Sound of Music

Have you ever seen the Sound of Music?

I watched the animation of this movie when I was at primary school. Few years ago my father bought the DVD and I watched the original movie for the first time. I feel captivated and enriched by melodious songs. At my point of view, it is the best music movie that I've ever seen. It won the Academy Award for best picture in 1965. Additionally, The cast album was nominated for a Grammy Award for the Album of the Year. The main character is Maria who is studying to become a nun. But the strict life is not suitable for her. Therefore, She is sent from her convent to look after seven children of a widower naval commander, Captain Georg Von Trapp. He use the military discipline to take care children. But, Maria wants them to enjoy the beauty of life as children. She introduce the pleasure of sound of music to them.

The eldelwiess is one of the songs which represent the pleasure to music of Captain and his love for children. They sing the song together. Later on the show it signifies a defiant statement of Austrian patriotism by the von Trapp family. Eldelwiess, which is a white flower found high in the Alpine hills, is also Austria's national flower.

In Thailand, ratchaphruek is the national flower. The dazzling yellow flowers represent two out of the three most important institutions of the Thai nation – the national religion(Buddhism), and Monarchy. Yellow has the highest symbolic value in Buddhism through its link with the saffron robes of monks. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej who was born on Monday. Yellow is the color associated with Monday.

What is the national flower of your country ?

West Hartford

In the morning, I planned to go out to buy groceries. But, I got the my roommate email. He said he will go shopping in the late afternoon. So, I changed the plan and decided to go to West Hartford center instead. This area are so beautiful and there are many places for sightseeing. If you are shopper, you can go to lots of shopping centers nearby.

Here are some interesting places.

Have you ever heard Merriam-Webster dictionary?


I think many people have to say yes

Noah Webster is an American lexicographer, textbook author, spelling reformer word enthusiast, and editor. He was born on October 16, 1758, in West Hartford. In 1806 He published the first truly American dictionary.. He has been called the “Father of American Scholarship and Education.”

The statue to Webster

Noah Webster Memorial West Hartford Public Library

Do you know Barnes& Noble ?

Barnes & Noble is the largest book retailer in the U.S. like Asia books or B2S in Thailand. Normally, I am very fond of walking around the bookstores. I was fantasizing about having my own small bookstore one day. I like very much because the atmosphere look very nice. But, books are quite expensive. If you want to buy the cheaper ones, I recommend to shop online with amazon.com. You can save few bucks. The another option is shopping through ebay. However, they are more expensive sometimes.


Anyway, I get lost on my way home from West Hartford. I crossed the street in front of the Webster library. I waited for a bus for 10 minutes. I checked the bus schedule it indicated the bus should come. Hence, I decided to walk along the street. When I walked for a while and I found the place looked strange. I tried to find someone to ask but I couldn't find anyone. Therefore, I continued to walk to find the intersection sign. I found and read it. It indicated you were on South main street. But I want to go Farmington Avenue to take the bus. I tried to find anybody to ask the way to go back. I met one guy he said you have to walk about 1 mile. I met another woman and I asked the direction again. The Farmington Avenue is 3 blocks away, she said. Fortunately, when I walked down the street the same woman called me to get on her car. She asked where you were going. I said I would like to go to Uconn. Finally, I came home safely. Thank you for her kindness to pick me up.

Thank you very much.