Mount Fuji Climbing- an unforgetable experience

Mount Fuji taken from Kawaguchiko 5th station, 2300m.

Mount Fuji, with the height of 3776m, is the highest and most beloved iconic mountain in Japan. Climbing the mountain itself can make lifelong memories, both in terms of physical challenges and the panoramic view of the surrounding areas below. Mount Fuji climbing is very popular, and it is crowded during climbing season, July and August.

I had longed for reaching Japan's highest point before leaving. As an inexperienced climber, I chose the easiest trail, starting from Kawaguchiko 5th station (2300m). It's supposed to take between 4-7h to ascend to the top, but it takes me about 8h. There are many huts for overnight stay, selling foods and drinks along the trail; the price becomes more expensive with altitude.

Climbing Mount Fuji is the most exhausting and challenging experience I ever made. I had to endure strong and cold wind during the night due to poor preparation. I almost gave up the original plan to get to top. One lady felt unconscious, falling down and crashing her head cus of extreme exhaustion, but I was determined to move on cus I saw some old people and small children (who know how experienced they are)!
It was not really climbing anyway. I don have to climb the cliff like the professional ones, but it's not really hiking too because the volcanic mountain has long and steep slops from its foot to the top (it looks much easier and shorter to climb in the above pic, but don be fooled!). I reached 1oth station, the top, around 5:30 am. There is nothing much to see on the summit besides the crater, but the below scenery is so breathtaking that I felt most rewarding like being on the heaven.

The ascending trail I take. Some people were climbing at day time while I was descending.

It was supposed to post no more physical challenge after I reached the summit. I, however, didn't notice the sign and took the wrong descending trail which is more difficult and sleepy. That is the most terrible road on earth with its endless slop and rocks. I had to hold my heels constantly and felt like skiing rather than walking all the way down from the top to 2000m. Worse, I had to trek one more hour in the jungle to get to the bus stop. My legs were killing me. I would call it Mount Fuji adventure than climbing or hiking. The author said don be petrified by the saying that a wise man climbs Mount Fuji only once in a life time. I say it is too enough to climb Mount Fuji once in a life time.

Sunrise on Mount Fuji, taken from 9th station overlooking mountains and Fuji 5 lakes.

Two hikers are sleeping soundly by the cliff of the ascending trail as if they don love their lives.
Mount Fuji crater. The building behind is the highest point in Japan.
Kawaguchiko 5th station, 2300m. Mount Fuji is scenic and forested till this station.

On the top of Japan World. I did it at lasttt!

Look fresher at a viewing platform of the 5th station before climbing.

More on Mount Fuji: http://www.mt-fuji.co.jp/index-e.html

The World's Most Competitive Countries

Half of the top 10 are European and the U.S. is still No. 1, but Asia's tigers are coming on strong.

Asian economies are overtaking the U.S. and Northern Europe to become the most competitive in the world.

Among the top 20 economies out of the 55 ranked, those in Asia-Pacific posted the greatest gains compared with last year.

IMD produced the rankings using 331 criteria ranging from gross domestic product growth and unemployment to the number of Internet users and the price of local cell-phone calls. Hard data from sources such as the World Bank and U.N. comprised two-thirds of the inputs; the rest came from nearly 4,000 survey responses from executives in each country regarding the availability of skilled employees, government regulation, the availability of venture capital, and other more qualitative issues.

See BW's slide show of the top dozen countries in this year's IMD competitiveness ranking.
Table: The World's Most Competitive Countries 2008

Done! Goodbey Student Life In Japan

At last, the day I had been waiting anxiously has come: Sucessful thesis defense. That is the end of my student life in Japan. Will have to face a new life when going back to Cambodia. For the time being just enjoy my last two months sightseeing. Feel like missing the spring and fall here before going.

Took some photos and videos as memories on the defense day at Waseda' main campus and an arabian resturant in Ikebukuro. I had never thought how important it is to take photos of my university before. Honestly speaking, the middle-east food is not my favorite. It's nice to have a change and try a new taste, anyway. It is the most expensive dinner I ever had. Maybe it was because of the belly dancing; everyone, including my prof., enjoyed it and forgot to eat.

Bad to the Bone: Dealing With a Bad Boss

By Susan M. Heathfield,

Dealing with a less than effective manager, or just plain bad managers and bad bosses, is a challenge too many employees face. No matter the character of your bad boss, these ideas will help you deal with your bad boss.

Start your campaign by understanding that your boss may not know he is bad. Just as in situational leadership, the definition of "bad" depends on the employee's needs, the manager's skills and the circumstances.

Recommended Approach to the Unwitting Bad Boss

- Talk to this boss. Tell him what you need from him in term of direction, feedback and support. - Be polite and focus on your needs. Telling the boss he’s a bad boss is counterproductive and won’t help you meet your goals.
- Ask the manager how you can help him reach his goals. Make sure you listen well and provide the needed assistance.
- Seek a mentor from among other managers or more skilled peers, with the full knowledge of your current manager, to enlarge your opportunity for experience.
- If you’ve taken these actions, and they haven’t worked, go to your boss’s manager and ask for assistance. Or, you can go to your Human Resources staff first, to rehearse and gain advice. Understand that your current boss may never forgive you, so ensure you have done what you can do with him, before taking your issues up the line.
- You may never hear what the boss’s boss or the HR staff did to help solve your bad manager’s behavior. It’s confidential. But, do allow some time to pass for the actions to have their desired impact.
- If nothing changes, despite your best efforts, and you think the problem is that they don’t believe you, draw together coworkers who also experience the behavior. Visit the boss’s manager to help him see the size and impact of the behavior.
- If you think the problem is that your boss can’t – or won’t – change, ask for a transfer to another department. This recommendation presumes you like your employer and your work.
- If a transfer or promotion is unavailable, begin your search for a new job. Fleeing is always an option. You may want to conduct your job search secretly, but under the circumstances, it may be time for you to go.

Click on the title link to read more. See what to do When the Bad Boss Knows.

Hun Sen's Diplomatic Juggling Act

While the US interests for Cambodia come mainly from terrorism, China involvement is driven by economic interests.

More than any other Southeast Asian country, Cambodia finds itself caught in the middle of competing United States and Chinese diplomatic overtures. With Washington offering bilateral strategic initiatives and Beijing rich financial assistance, Prime Minister Hun Sen has deftly balanced the country's diplomacy between the two superpowers to his government's political advantage.

Cambodia's economy is expanding at double digit growth rates and China's economic interest in the country has intensified since 2005, when US oil company Chevron discovered what some have projected are large stores of oil and gas off the country's southern coast. Those growing commercial ties were witnessed in the establishment in February of a special economic zone at the coastal town of Sihanoukville, from which goods will be produced for export duty free to China.

While China's economic influence grows, that of the US is on the wane. In recent years the US has given around $150 million in annual economic aid, a small fraction of China's commercial patronage. At the same time US-Cambodian trade ties have fallen off, seen in the 30% year-on-year decline in garment exports to the US in 2007. The US has long been the primary importer of Cambodian textiles, which is still the country's largest export item.

By offering more aid through strategic initiatives, the US policy towards Cambodia has apparently shifted after emphasizing throughout the 1990s the promotion of democracy and the rule of law. That frequently put the two sides at diplomatic loggerheads, notably over an FBI investigation into a March 1997 bomb attack.

While the US tries to deflect China's commercial diplomacy, Beijing has simultaneously landed on ways to unite economically and culturally with Cambodia, including through outreach to politically influential ethnic-Chinese entrepreneurs. It's also apparent, some say, in the fading popularity of the English language over Mandarin Chinese, also known as Putonghua, in local schools. Cambodia is now home to the largest Chinese school in Southeast Asia, Duan Hua, which currently enrolls over 8,000 students. The most popular Chinese courses are specifically geared towards business, with students reasoning that English language capability may help to land jobs with international aid organizations, while Mandarin, which is taught across mainland China as the official language, will catapult them into more lucrative positions in business.

Cambodia's Construction Boom

Golden Towers 42 (under constuction), Pharos Mekong Towers (in planning)

By roatha007

Cambodia has seen unprecedented construction boom in recent years, driven largely by S. Korean investment. Mega construction projects include Camko City, Golden Tower 42, De Castle Royal, Koa Pich, Boeng Kok, PP Pearl, PPSES and River Palace. The boom is driven by economic factors and speculation:

• Macroeconomic and political stability: This is the first and foremost driver. Improved macroeconmic management and CPP's dominance play a vital part in boosting confidence in construction investment.
• Rapid economic and population growth: The stability has contributed to double digit growth . Combining with high population growth, it is expected that there will be more affluent people demanding better living and shopping places, entertainment centers...
• Tourism boom (Angkor factor): Tourism is shooting up and is expected to boom in the near future. As a result, there is a high demand for hotels, resorts and entertainment centers. The trend is obvious in Siem Reap, and PP and Kampong Som are joining the rank. The upswing also helps prop up other sectors.
• Influx of foreign investment and equity funds (spill-over effect): Cambodia's investment-friendly policy has attracted investors hoping to reap windfall profits. Some investors and private equity funds find Cambodia a safe heaven in hedging against international financial turmoils and avoiding strict regulation in neigbouring countries. Investing in real estate is a wise decision in this sense. Some Korean construction companies have shifted to Cambodia due to the high cost and restriction in VN.
• Cambodia's lost decades: Decades of turmoils and destruction means Cambodia is in immense need of all types of infrastructure, both private and public.
• Underground money: The laundering of money obtained from corruption and other illegal activities contributes to construction boom. Cambodia's present situation and lax law enforcement provide a rare opportunity for money laundering; investing in real estate in a fast growing economy is a best option in yielding quick and high return. Some development projects by foreign investors, esp those from eastern Europe, are in fact international money laundering.
• Last but not least is speculation and somehow opportunism: The indirect-but-indispensable element is optimism. There are a lot of speculation about Cambodia's hidden wealth and positive prospect. These include agricultural potentials, unexploited natural resources (esp oil), tourism promise and political stability. The boom is much more about speculation than reality, as most mega projects are still in planning stage. Big investments in Cambodia are still very risky, and investors are adopting wait-and-see attitude.

Real estate boom in Cambodia's capital: http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jun2008/gb2008062_768642.htm

Special supplement on real estate in Cambodia: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php?option=com_news_portal&Itemid=54&id=44&lang=en&sectionid=18&task=category

Cambodia's mega projects on Youtube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dEQCNQ1GKxQ&feature=related

The World's Happiest Countries

A British researcher merged dozens of statistical metrics to rank nations on the elusive notion of contentment.

By Marina Kamenev

Feeling blue? Perhaps you live in the wrong country. A recent study from Britain's University of Leicester examined a range of statistical data to devise a ranking of the world's happiest nations. Heading up the list: Denmark, which rose to the top thanks to its wealth, natural beauty, small size, quality education, and good health care. At the bottom were Zimbabwe and Burundi. There were a few surprises along the way, too. Asian countries scored worse than researcher Adrian White expected. Capitalism — sometimes criticized for its heartlessness — was far from a source of discontent, though the top-scoring capitalist countries also tended to have strong social services. And the U.S. ranked only 23rd, due to nagging poverty and spotty health care.

Not surprisingly, the countries that are happiest are those that are healthy, wealthy, and wise. "The most significant factors were health, the level of poverty, and access to basic education," White says. Population size also plays a role. Smaller countries with greater social cohesion and a stronger sense of national identity tended to score better, while those with the largest populations fared worse. China came in No. 82, India ranked 125, and Russia was 167. The U.S. came in at 23. View the world's happiest nations: http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/10/happiest_countries/index_01.htm?chan=rss_topSlideShows_ssi_5

Rating coutries for happinest factors: http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2006/gb20061011_072596.htm

CEOs' Words of Wisdom for the Class of 2008

With graduation behind them, newly minted MBAs are getting ready to put their hard-earned knowledge to work. Perhaps some of the most valuable wisdom they received didn't come from professors or coursework, but from the inspirational words of a CEO on the commencement podium. A prevailing theme from this season's commencement speakers was how new challenges—including globalization, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability—will change the role of the leader in the 21st century.

• Muhammad Yunus (the pic), Founder and managing director of Grameen Bank: The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner addressed the entire body of MIT graduates, but his message that businesses should exist first to serve social good was perhaps heard loudest by Sloan's MBA grads.
• William Weldon, Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson: Weldon pointed to two adages that have inspired him most: the words written on Jackie Robinson's tombstone—"The value of a life is measured by its impact on other lives"—and his own company's credo, which says strong leaders are those who build a sense of purpose for themselves, their employees, and their organization.
• Jeffrey Immelt, Chairman and CEO of GE: Immelt urged graduates to continue the process of learning throughout their careers—both from successes and failures. "One thing I wish you more than anything else is failure. I don't mean that in a bad way, but I can't tell you how much I've learned from failure. It's how you generate confidence."
• John Denniston, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers: John Denniston told graduates they should be ready to adapt in order to lead during periods of "unprecedented economic transformations."
• Robert Rodriguez, CEO of First Pacific Advisors: "As your career unfolds, you will face many choices. Beware of gravitating to the expected, expedient, accepted, and the safe. They all entail hidden risk. All too often the easier pathway appears to be the safest and surest, but it is not necessarily so."
• Ann Moore, Chairman and CEO of Time Inc: "Inactions may be regretted more in the long term. As you age, you feel worse for not trying."

Click on the link for more wisdoms.

More on Preah Vihear

Just seeing the photo is enough to tell why the Thais want it and why we need to protect it. Below is the list of news, documents and links related to Preah Vihear:
Cambodia's proposal for the inscribtion of Preah Vihear on the World Hertiage List

http://www.pressocm.gov.kh/publishing/Preah%20Vihear_English.pdf
Prasat Preah Vihear overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prasat_Preah_Vihear
http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2008/05/23/preah-vihear-an-overview/
Preah Vihear travel guide: http://wikitravel.org/en/Preah_Vihear
International Court of Justice: Case concerning the temple of Preah Vihear
http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?sum=284&code=ct&p1=3&p2=3&case=45&k=46&p3=5
Understanding Preah Vihear issue: http://www.mfa.go.th/internet/information/19648.pdf
Preah Vihear News: http://www.preahvihear.com/
Tale of Asia on Preah Vihear: http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-preahvihear.htm
Pilgrimage to PV: http://www.earthportals.com/Portal_Messenger/stonesinsky5.html
Gobal Voice on Preah Vihear (comments on Preah Vihear issue)
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/06/24/preah-vihear-belongs-to-cambodia/
Preah Vihear Photos: http://impressive.net/people/gerald/photos/by/location/cambodia/preah%20vihear
News links related to Preah Vihear dispute:
Thailand to co-host bid Preah Vihear listed by Unesco (a new trick)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/280608_News/28Jun2008_news10.php
Thai court nixes temple cooperation
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j_Jf2WvfwZyntywvbTXg0VfGEfwwD91J39TO0
Temple tenstion: Kenneth's letter to PP Post (why is Cambodia gov't so stupid)
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/200806268841/National-news/Temple-tensions.html
Ancient temple at center of debate in Thailand
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jZwfevhsGLvqW-M__bOJ1Psix7swD91HT2H00
The judgement of the World Court, 1962
http://www.bangkokpost.com/250608_News/25Jun2008_news20.php
Abishit: Gov't telling lies ( Leader of gouts)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/250608_News/25Jun2008_news01.php
Win-win temple deal (Cambodia was trapped in fact)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/220608_News/22Jun2008_news08.php
Preah Vihear white paper to be released
http://www.bangkokpost.com/210608_News/21Jun2008_news06.php
Thai rally over temple dispute
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gsN2uTPpxoebQhHlznf-JLCQyKvgD91CEF500
Dispute holds up temple listing
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200806/s2273596.htm
Preserve the integrity of Preah Vihear ( a Thai scholar reveals some facts)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/290608_Perspective/29Jun2008_pers001.php
Commentary: Nationalistic puppets (why Thais think they are greatest race in SE)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=128521

Preah Vihear listed as a world heritage

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080708/ap_on_re_ca/canada_world_heritage_site_3

Temple issue helps pin Thai stance on colonial map (a big gain for Thais)http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/14/politics/politics_30078015.php

Thai-Cambodian border stand-off continues

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/world/asia/21cambodia.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Cambodia turns down Thai request to review the borderline

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/22/content_8742133.htm

The reasons behind Thai-Cambodian temple dispute

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0722/p06s02-wosc.html

Dealing with stress on the job

Today job stress poses a threat to the health of workers and, in turn, to the health of organizations. Short-lived or infrequent episodes of stress pose little risk, but when stressful situations persist and remain unresolved, the body is kept in a constant state of activation, creating increased wear and tear to biological systems. Ultimately, fatigue or damage results, and the risk of injury or serious disease can escalate.
Job stress can be caused by a number of conditions. These include corporate culture, interpersonal relationships, roles and responsibilities on the job, how work tasks are designed, career concerns, and environmental conditions. If your workplace seems stressful, you can try to reduce it by considering the following:
• Ensure that the workload is in line with workers’ capabilities and resources.
• Design jobs to provide meaning, stimulation, and opportunities for workers to use their skills.
• Clearly define workers’ roles and responsibilities and provide opportunities to participate in decisions and actions affecting their jobs.
• Improve communications and reduce uncertainty about career development and future employment prospects.
• Provide opportunities for social interaction.
• Establish work schedules compatible with demands and responsibilities outside the job.
• Identify and promote strategies for employees to use to reduce stress day to day. These include recognizing the symptoms of stress, exercising, eating right and getting enough rest, learning and practicing relaxation techniques, talking things out with someone, and having a good laugh.
Being vigilant and paying attention to individuals and the environment can help you create a healthy workplace.

The key to marketing any product

By Marilyn J. Holt, CEO of Holt Capital

Whether you are marketing an existing or introducing a new product, you need to present the "whole product," not just the primary offering. Marketing the whole product is not just about creating a new gadget or service, but also about presenting everything to buyers that is necessary to define, support, and drive them to take action.
You are well on your way to delivering the whole product to customers if you can answer the basics to some of these questions:
• Who is your primary buyer and why?
• What are the top three "Why to buy?" messages that you want to deliver to the market?
• What are the top three to five features you want to emphasize and why?
• What is the differentiation positioning of your offering?
• How does your product compete and compare against other offerings in the marketplace?
• How is your company going to support the product?
• What is your company's discount structure for multiple purchases?
• What is your return or cancellation policy?
• Is the offering itself or the services around the offering more important?
• Finally, if you were to buy this offering from a competitor, what questions would you want to have answered before you paid good money for it?

Lake Tōya: 2008 G8 Summit Venue

The picturesque lake was chosen as the location of the the G8 summit which Japan will host from July 7-9, 2008. The leaders of the world's eight major industrialized nations will meet at Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa overlooking lake Toya (the pic). The lack attracts more than 4 million tourists a year.

Lake Tōya (洞爺湖, Tōya-ko) is a volcanic caldera lake in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Abuta District, Hokkaidō, Japan. The stratovolcano of Mount Usu lies on the southern rim of the caldera. It is a nearly circular lake with 10 kilometers diameter in east-west direction and 9km in north-south direction. The main town is Tōyako Onsen, on the western shore.
Lake Tōya is said to be the northernmost lake in Japan that never ices due to thermal activity in the area, and the second most transparent lake in Japan. Nakano-shima, an island in the middle of the lake, houses the Tōya Lake Forest Museum.

Click on the title link to view travel and sightseeing inf.

G8 Toyako summit special reports: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/G8_summit_2008.html

Tibet Railway (Part 1)

One of human greatest achievements ever made! It seems that riding the train itself is a great pleasure given the stunning scenery across diverse landscape from Shanghai to the top of the world. Men could make anything possible; it is just the matter of time.

Inflation in emerging economies: An old enemy rears its head

Emerging economies risk repeating the same mistakes the developed world made in the inflationary 1970s

There are an alarming number of similarities between developing economies today and developed economies in the early 1970s.

Inflation in developing countries are in deed more serious, as official figures often understate their inflationary pressure. Widespread government subsidies and price controls are one reason, and price indices are often skewed by a lack of data or government cheating.

The recent jump has been caused mainly by surging oil and food prices and speculation.

Governments have responded with more price controls and export bans. In the short run such measures may help to cap inflation and avoid social unrest, but in the long run they do more harm than good.

Some central banks have nudged up interest rates this year, but they have not kept pace with inflation, so real rates have fallen and are now negative in most countries. Many policymakers in emerging economies argue that serious monetary tightening is not warranted: higher inflation is due solely to spikes in food and energy prices, caused by temporary supply shocks and speculation.

The synchronised jump in global food prices suggests there is more to the story than disruptions to supply. Prices are also rising partly because loose monetary conditions in emerging economies have boosted domestic demand.

Another reason why central banks cannot ignore agflation is that it can quickly spill over into other prices. Food accounts for 30-40% of the consumer-price index in most emerging economies, compared with only 15% in the G7 economies.

Philip Poole, also of HSBC, says that many emerging economies have run out of spare capacity because investment has not kept pace with economic growth. Hence firms are more likely to pass on cost increases.

In another echo, those central banks often face intense political pressure to hold rates low to boost growth and jobs. To many Western economists and policymakers the solution is simple: emerging economies should allow more flexibility in their exchange rates. This would permit them to raise interest rates, and a stronger currency would help to curb import prices. Another solution is to tighten fiscal policy to reduce excess demand.

China has helped to hold down inflation in developed economies because its goods are much cheaper, replacing more costly goods. Competition from China also forces local producers to cut their prices and it curbs wage demands in rich countries. As China moves up the value chain it will pull down the prices of a wider range of products. China will continue to help hold down global prices—although possibly by less than in the past.

Short Classic Jokes

1. The patient says, "Give me the bad news first!"Doctor replies, "You've got AIDS.""Oh, no! What could be worse than that?" asks the patient."You've also got Alzheimer's Disease."Looking relieved the patient says, "Oh...Well, that's not so bad. At least I don't have AIDS."
2. The teacher of the Earth Science class was lecturing on map reading. He spent the class explaining about latitude, longitude, degrees, and minutes. Towards the end of class, the teacher asked his students, "Suppose I asked you to meet me for lunch at 23 degrees, 4 minutes north latitude and 45 degrees, 15 minutes east longitude..." A student's voice broke the confused silence, and volunteered, "I guess you'd be eating alone, sir."
3. A man is walking down the street and he sees a boy riding a wagon. The boy has his dog pulling it with a rope attached to the dogs balls. The man says "You know if you tied it around his neck, it would go faster." The boy replies, "I know but then I wouldn't get the cool siren."
4. A young couple gets married, and the groom asks his bride if he can have a dresser drawer of his own that she will never open. The bride agrees. After 30 years of marriage, she notices that his drawer has been left open. She peeks inside and sees 3 golf balls and $1,000.She confronts her husband and asks for an explanation. He explains "Every time I was unfaithful to you, I put a golf ball in the drawer." She figures 3 times in 30 years isn't bad and asks "But what about the $1,000?" He replied "Whenever I got a dozen golf balls, I sold them."
5. One day a girl brings home her boyfriend and tells her father she wants to marry him. After talking to him for while, he tells his daughter she can't do it because he's her half brother. The same problem happens again four more times! The girl starts to get pissed off. She goes to her mom and says, "Mom... What have you been doing all your life? Dad's been going around laying every maiden in the town and now I can't marry any of the five guys I like because they have turned out to be my half brothers!!!"
   Her mom replies, "Don't worry darling, you can marry any one of them you want, he isn't really your dad."

Useful dos and don’ts for fast economic growth

Growth is not everything, but it is the foundation for everything. The poorer the country the more important growth becomes, partly because it is impossible to redistribute nothing and partly because higher incomes make a huge difference to the welfare of the poorest.

Based on an analysis of 13 countries that have managed growth of 7 per cent a year over at least 25 years in the recently published Growth Report, countries enjoy high growth share five points of resemblance: they fully exploited the opportunities afforded by the world economy; they maintained macroeconomic stability; they sustained high rates of saving and investment; they let markets allocate resources; and they had committed, credible and capable governments.

These points are consistent with the so-called “Washington consensus” of the 1990s, which emphasised macroeconomic stability, trade and the market. Yet the report’s emphasis is different: it does not stress privatisation, free markets and free trade, while it does emphasise the role of the so-called “developmental state”.

The ingredients of fast growth include: investment of at least 25 per cent of gross domestic product, predominantly financed by domestic savings, including investment of some 5-7 per cent of GDP in infrastructure; and spending by private and public sectors of another 7-8 per cent of GDP on education, training and health. They also include: inward technology transfer, facilitated by exploitation of opportunities for trade and inward foreign direct investment; acceptance of competition, structural change and urbanisation; competitive labour markets, at least at the margin; the need to bring environmental protection into development from the beginning; and equality of opportunity, particularly for women.

Particularly welcome is the short list of policies to be avoided. Among them are: subsidising energy; using the civil service as employer of last resort; reducing fiscal deficits by cutting spending on infrastructure; providing open-ended protection to specific sectors; using price controls as a way to curb inflation; banning exports, to keep domestic prices low; underinvesting in urban infrastructure; underpaying public servants, such as teachers; and allowing the exchange rate to appreciate too far, too quickly.

Running through the report is belief in the role of an engaged government. This reflects the commission’s composition and intended audience. The obvious weakness is that it ignores how effective governments emerge. But the stress is correct: rapid development occurs in strong states, with effective governments, not in weak ones.

Sparking Creativity in the Workplace

Can every employee be creative?

The paper shatters the myths surrounding creativity; for example, that it depends on personality, intelligence, character, age or experience, or that it belongs to people who live dangerously. The truth is that very often, the best ideas come from conservative people. Studies have shown that unusually intelligent people with a high IQ are no more creative than those with an average IQ.

How, then, can companies foster creative talent?

Creativity results from having the right aptitudes and attitudes: the ability and the will. Employees need freedom to work, since the best ideas often come when people are having fun, laughing and enjoying their work. Here are ideas for sparking creativity in ourselves and in our subordinates.

Improving Our Own Creative Talent

A creative attitude is a permanent willingness to approach problems and situations in new ways. It is based on three basic attitudes: tenacity, confidence and enthusiasm. Besides the attitude or will, we also need the aptitude or ability. In business, originality is not enough. Ideas must be useful and practical. To enhance our ability to produce new ideas we should learn to make better use of the "old elements."

Fostering Subordinates' Creative Talent

A creative attitude is an inner willingness, and so, will depend essentially on our subordinates' motivation. The first measure is to reward initiative and encourage experimentation. Second, align the right person with the right task.

There are basically four ways to encourage subordinates' creative aptitude: foster diversity; invite subordinates to explore and use sources of innovation; ask them SCAMPER questions (substitute, combine, adapt, modify, put for other purposes, eliminate, rearrange or reverse); and encourage them to use team creativity techniques.

As employees search for innovation opportunities, they should draw on the seven sources of innovation identified by management leader Peter. F. Drucker: surprises, incongruities, bottlenecks, changes in the industry, changes in perception, demographic changes and changes in knowledge.

To promote lateral thinking, teams should turn to creativity techniques such as provocation, broken logic, brainstorming or the six thinking hats, in which each team member must look at a subject or situation from a different "color" or angle.

Thus, to establish a creative culture, companies should concentrate on inspiring people with clear missions and goals, and they should promote information exchange and collaboration.

Cambodia's coming energy bonanza

If the United Nations, World Bank and Harvard University are to be believed, Cambodia is poised to become a major new global energy exporter, with a fossil-fuel windfall that promises to double the country's current GDP and potentially lift millions of Cambodians out of poverty.

The World Bank has said that Cambodia's total energy reserves may be as high as 2 billion barrels of oil and 10 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Depending on future world prices, fuel exports could generate annual revenues upwards of US$2 billion, or several times the current combined amount that Cambodia generates in domestic revenues and receives in foreign aid. Meanwhile, Cambodian energy officials indicated this week that they hope to ramp up production as early as 2009, three to seven years earlier than the World Bank projected as feasible.

An energy-rich Cambodia would appreciably enhance the war-torn country's geostrategic significance, particularly as the United States and China aggressively joust for access to new fuel sources around the globe.

Yet there's also a potential Cold War twist to China's bid. Any future oil-and-gas-production agreements with the CPP-led government will likely need to pass through Sokimex, Cambodia's leading conglomerate, which through a joint venture with Tela Petroleum Group controls 80% of the country's domestic oil and gas distribution. Energy analysts note that Cambodia's newfound reserves coincide with the expectation that Vietnam's own diminishing fuel supplies will run out over the next decade. So far Hanoi has no plans on how it might fill this future energy gap.

What is more likely is that senior CPP officials have designs on building up Sokimex and perhaps also Tela Petroleum through lucrative state energy concessions, which, once converted into foreign-currency earnings, may be tapped to support its patronage-based political machine and further consolidate the party's dominance over Cambodian politics - akin to how Malaysia's ruling United Malays National Organization has relied on state oil giant Petronas for its own political purposes.

Western donors have already sounded warnings about the potential pitfalls of Cambodia's supposed newfound energy wealth. Hun Sen's government has come under intense donor pressure to tackle endemic corruption among his ranks.

10 Ways to Catch a Liar

By Heather Hatfield
Tip No. 1: Inconsistencies
"When you want to know if someone is lying, look for inconsistencies in what they are saying," says Newberry, who was a federal agent for 30 years and a police officer for five.
Tip No. 2: Ask the Unexpected
"Watch them carefully," says Newberry. "And then when they don't expect it, ask them one question that they are not prepared to answer to trip them up."
Tip No. 3: Gauge Against a Baseline
One of the most important indicators of dishonesty is changes in behavior. You want to pay attention to someone who is generally anxious, but now looks calm. Or, someone who is generally calm but now looks anxious.
Tip No. 4: Look for Insincere Emotions
"Most people can't fake smile," says O'Sullivan. "The timing will be wrong, it will be held too long, or it will be blended with other things. Maybe it will be a combination of an angry face with a smile; you can tell because their lips are smaller and less full than in a sincere smile."
Tip No. 5: Pay Attention to Gut Reactions
While an average person might not know what it is he's seeing when he thinks someone isn't being honest and attribute his suspicion to instinct, a scientist would be able to pinpoint it exactly.
Tip No. 6: Watch for Microexpressions
"A microexpression is a very brief expression, usually about a 25th of a second, that is always a concealed emotion," says Ekman, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California Medical School in San Francisco.
Tip No. 7: Look for Contradictions
"The general rule is anything that a person does with their voice or their gesture that doesn't fit the words they are saying can indicate a lie," says Ekman.
Tip No. 8: A Sense of Unease
"When someone isn't making eye contact and that's against how they normally act, it can mean they're not being honest," says Jenn Berman, PhD, a psychologist in private practice.
Tip No. 9: Too Much Detail
Too much detail could mean they've put a lot of thought into how they're going to get out of a situation and they've crafted a complicated lie as a solution.
Tip No. 10: Don't Ignore the Truth
"It's more important to recognize when someone is telling the truth than telling a lie because people can look like they're lying but be telling truth," says Newberry http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/10-ways-catch-liar?page=3

Ten Tips to Encourage Meaningful Conflict

Conflict avoidance is most frequently the topic when conflict in organizations is discussed. Conflict resolution - as quickly as possible - is the second most frequent topic. This is bad news because meaningful work conflict is a cornerstone in healthy, successful organizations. Conflict is necessary for effective problem solving and for effective interpersonal relationships. So, knowing how to raise issues and participate in meaningful work conflict is key to your success in work and in life. These tips will help.

1. Create a work environment in which healthy conflict is encouraged by setting clear expectations.
2. Reward, recognize, and thank people who are willing to take a stand and support their position.
3. If you experience little dissention in your group, examine your own actions.
4. Expect people to support their opinions and recommendations with data and facts.
5. Create a group norm that conflict around ideas and direction is expected and that personal attacks are not tolerated.
6. Provide employees with training in healthy conflict and problem solving skills.
7. Look for signs that a conflict about a solution or direction is getting out of hand.
8. Hire people who you believe will add value to your organization with their willingness to problem solve and debate.
9. Make executive compensation dependent upon the success of the organization as a whole as well as the accomplishment of individual goals.
10. If you are using all of the first nine tips, and healthy work conflict is not occurring ... You need to sit down with the people who report to you directly and with their direct reporting staff and ask them why. Some positive, problem solving discussion might allow your group to identify and rectify any problem that stands in the way of open, healthy, positive, constructive work conflict and debate.

Country for Sale

Almost half of Cambodia has been sold to foreign speculators in the past 18 months - and hundreds of thousands who fled the Khmer Rouge are homeless once more.

Cambodia is a nation that would drown if their boat tipped over; it is also a country whose citizens mostly do not belong to the places where they have ended up. The Khmer Rouge saw to that, eviscerating the kingdom after coming to power. Below are some highlights extracted from the long article:

• Forty-five per cent of the country's entire landmass has been sold off - from the land ringing Angkor Wat to the colonial buildings of Phnom Penh to the south-western islands. By 2006, the World Bank estimated that 40,000 had been made homeless in Phnom Penh alone.


• Rumours were buzzing around Sihanoukville's covered market that virtually every island in the region was up for sale. Over the following months, Koh Russei and Koh Ta Kiev, Koh Bong and Koh Ouen, Koh Preus, Koh Krabei and Koh Tres were all snapped up by foreigners, who then started negotiating for mainland sites, too, among them public beaches with names such as Serendipity, Occheuteal and Otres.


• The troubled kingdom of Cambodia had suddenly found itself a refuge for cash and speculators fleeing paralysed western financial markets.


• Foreign fund managers had started pitching up in Phnom Penh, alerted by the country's unexpected boom in tourism. Their interest was land speculation: buying up large sites in developing countries that they would then sit on in the hope that, with the influx of tourists, land values would soar.


• Hun Sen and his ruling CPP have, in effect, put the country up for sale. Crucially, they permit investors to form 100% foreign-owned companies in Cambodia that can buy land and real estate outright - or at least on 99-year plus 99-year leases. No other country in the world countenances such a deal. Even in Thailand and Vietnam, where similar land speculation and profiteering are under way, foreigners can be only minority shareholders.


• Many foreign funds - hedge funds, property funds, private equity funds - operating on the outer margins of the financial world thrive on complexity, risk and maximising profit. In Phnom Penh, they found an ideal partner in the prime minister, who has created a unique business environment. Since the mid-90s, Hun Sen and the CPP have declined to enforce money-laundering legislation and have concerned themselves little with the probity of investors. Foreign businessmen were offered nine-year tax holidays, and were allowed to hold their cash in US dollars in banks outside the country.


• In July 2007, Hun Sen, gambling on his people's tenuous connection with the land, changed the designation of the southern islands so they could be sold. The forests, lakes, beaches and reefs - and the lives of the thousands of residents - were quietly transferred into the hands of private western developers.


• It was Hun Sen who, as early as 1989, realised the power of land. As he privatised the land, "he simultaneously cut off the rights of 360,000 exiled Cambodians, awarding prime slices to political allies and friends." Although he bathes his speeches in socialist values, even his closest aides told us that Hun Sen was more often than not a pragmatist.


• The investors could have sold up and come away rich. But this was development with a difference. They were speculating on the future value of the land, believing that by adding only modest infrastructure, perhaps attaching big-name hoteliers, they would reap vast profits in seven to 10 years.


• Since the land sell-offs, members of the government and its allies have been splashing huge sums around. A Korean developer told us that when he marketed Phnom Penh's first skyscraper, the 42-storey Gold Tower project in February, all two dozen £750,000 penthouse suites were bought within 24 hours by "an honour roll of the CPP and its friends in the military".


• Simon Taylor, the director of Global Witness, an international NGO that was forced to leave the country last year, having accused the CPP of running a logging racket, paints a depressing picture: "A shadow state has grown up, a government that misappropriates public assets, extorts from businesses and manages an extensive illicit economy.


• Has the legacy of the Khmer Rouge been purged? Naly Pilorge, director of Licadho, a local human rights NGO, thinks not: "Everyone claims Cambodia has come through the period of barbarism, but the sadism is still bubbling beneath the surface. Extreme violence, greed and disregard for the most basic human rights - of giving people a place to live - are still with us daily. The methods of the past are being used to dictate our future."

Tales of the Mekong Cambodia 1/6

This is one of the best documentaries about Cambodia from NG. It shows how important Cambodia's Mekong and Great Lake are. Cambodia's mighty rivers and lakes are not only rich in bio-diversity, they make Cambodia a beautiful and great nation. Tonle Sap gives birth to the Khmer civilzation; the Mekong is the life blood of Tonle Sap. Both the Mekong and Tonle Sap are now facing ecological disasters due to climate change, overexploitation and poor governance.

Southeast Asia's 40 Richest

The present SE's richest person is a Malaysian, Robert Kuok. Top the 40 richest is Indonesia, while Malaysia has the most superwealthy, including six billionaires. Most of millionaires in SE are from Asean Five. The list includes head of states and family fortunes. It ranks mainly businessmen, as it is still hard to know exactly how much some government officials have. Take Suharto and Hun Sen as examples.

http://www.forbes.com/2004/08/26/cz_jwd_0826seasiaintro.html

Asia Needs to Provide Global Leadership

Can Asians think?

The dean of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy says it's time to come to grips with the end of Western domination of global affairs. Below is his interview with BW:

You have boldly written about the hypocrisy of the West and its own inner conflicts that do not allow it to acknowledge that its time is up. What was the trigger that compelled you to express yourself thus?
I wrote because the Asian voice is never heard in the rest of the world. We are entering a completely new historical era, with new maps and new guidelines, [moving from] a monocultural world to a multicultural world. This new era is so different because it is the end of the era of Western domination of world history—though not the end of the West—and the beginning of a new era of a rising Asia. Because of Western dominance, the West has run the world for the past 200 years—in many ways benignly. It could do that when it felt confident and secure, when it felt the future belonged to it. But history teaches us that when these same powers become insecure, they become part of the problem, not part of the solution.
What are some of the consequences?
There is a global leadership vacuum at a time when you need new kinds of thinking. Asia needs to provide global leadership. But none of us seems to want to figure out what the consequences of the end of Western domination will be. It is painful for the West to give up power [and] it resists the transfer of power. It is anachronistic and absurd that the head of the IMF should still be a European and the head of the World Bank should still be American. The Doha round failed because the West has lost the confidence that it can push for trade talks and win.
And you think Asia would do better?
Asians could do as good a job in representing global interests. It is the responsibility of the rising powers to take this on, but there is a reluctance on the part of India and China to take this on too early.
But hasn't Asia been a big beneficiary of this Western dominance?
Yes. East Asia rose because [of] the rules-based order of the world, inherited from the West. America has done more for the rise of Asia than any other country. The yeast from which Asia rose came from Asian elites trained in the U.S. Larry Summers, then-president of Harvard University, said that in the industrial world, productivity improved by 50% in a single generation; in Asia, it has improved by 10,000%.
You give high praise to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) over the EU. Why?
Asean is an economic mini-power worth under $1 trillion, but it is a diplomatic superpower. The EU is an economic superpower, but a diplomatic mini-power. After all these years, the EU still remains a Christian club. Look at Asean. It has all religions in it: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Taoism, Confucianism, Communism, Christianity. Asean is the role model of the future, the EU is not.
What about the Middle East. Where does its rise fit in?
Its moment is nigh. The picture on the cover of my book is not Shanghai, but Dubai. Dubai wants to be Singapore. Dubai's success can pressurize and inspire Iran. The march to modernity in Asia began in Japan, then went to Southeast Asia, then China, then India—and from there it will go to Pakistan and the Middle East.
And China?
China is one of the most misunderstood countries in the world. Chinese society has changed 180 degrees in the last 30 years. Western universities are rushing to partner with Chinese universities. They have to join the line now. These are the universities of the future. China may have a closed political system, but it has open minds.
Finally, where do you see India in all this change?
India will have a critical role to play. With the rise of Asia, there will be a lot of angst in the West, especially if they lose to China, a Communist country, and fear the "yellow peril." India's rise in the West is seen as nonthreatening, because there are no traditional differences between India and the West.

Catch Sputnik mania!

About this Talk

Filmmaker David Hoffman shares footage from his feature-length documentary Sputnik Mania, which shows how the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957 led to both the space race and the arms race -- and jump-started science and math education around the world.

One good lesson: The documentary tells us how a free society could be stampeded by those who know how to use the media, but it could also turns what appears at first to be a bad situation.

http://http//www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/239

The World's Biggest Companies

One world; one gigantic marketplace. This year, 60 countries have global 2000 entries vs. 51 in our inaugural list in 2004. The Forbes global 2000 are public companies with the top composite scores based on their rankings for sales, profits, assets and market value. Our justification for using a composite ranking is simple: One metric alone can give a false impression about corporate size.

In total, the global 2000 companies now account for $30 trillion in revenues, $2.4 trillion in profits, $119 trillion in assets and $39 trillion in market value. Around the world, 72 million people work for these companies.

The U.S. still dominates this list of global giants, but with 61 fewer entries than last year and 153 fewer than in 2004, as many U.S. companies failed to keep pace with global competitors. In contrast, China, India and Brazil are rapidly adding companies to the list. India, for example, has 48 companies this year vs. 27 in 2004.

Measured by number of companies, 315, the banking industry has the biggest presence on the global 2000. Banking also dominates in assets, with total assets of $58.3 trillion, and profits, $398 billion. The 123 companies in oil and gas operations lead all industries in aggregate revenues, of $3.76 trillion, and take second place in total profits, of $386 billion.

The complete list of Global 2000: http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/18/biz_2000global08_The-Global-2000_Rank.html

Tokyo 2008 Spring

Higashi Murayama central park ( Tokyo suburb): The park is spacious and is a nice place for outdoor activities. This is a variety of Tulips. The red ones look beautiful and strong while the white ones have weak stalk and short life. Wanted to go to flower gardens to take the pics of flower fields, but decided to take this one instead cus it's more cost effective. Broke after returning from Cambodia!

Shinjuku Botanical Garden ( a Japanese style one). Located at the heart of Tokyo in the busiest business centre, this is one of the most spacious and popular places for Hanami, the party under cherry blossom, and flower viewing. There are a large collection of various kinds of tree and flower, esp Sakura trees. The location is very convenient, and the garden design is pleasant, but unlike other Hanami spots 200 yen admission fee is required.

Ueno Park: A big tourist attraction in Tokyo with museums, zoos and over 1000 Sakura trees. It is the most popular place for Hanami ( from late Mar to Early April). To secure a place, you have to reserve in advance. Hanami goers bring their own food and drink. It's a joyous time to get together. I've never had a chance to celebrate Hanami there cus it's always crowded and fully booked! Just go to see people enjoying and taking pics. That makes me happy too.

Kudanshita: The place is one of the must-sees in Tokyo. It's noted for its shrines, including Yasukuni, castles and moats. It's not a big place for Hanami but maybe best for flower viewing in spring due to its superb location and scenic view. These are Sakura and other flower trees on the slope of a castle surrounded by moats.

Another beautiful pic at Kudanshita. I like this pic the most. It looks refreshing and breath-taking with Sakura tress and clear water. It's also romantic if you notice many lovers are rowing underneath the bridge! May keep it for pic contest someday.

Another scenic view at Shinjuku park. Most of the pics I took on that day is not clear cus it was showering. As can be seen, people are using umbrellas. Should have checked the wheather forecast.The park is suitable for both lovers and family; a good place for jogging and sightseeing.

Don't know the names of these flowers, but they are absolutely beautiful and the arrangement is great. It is not really Ikebana ( Japanese flower arrangement). Undeniably, Japanese are good at arranging and decorating flowers. I notice that people in developed countries seem to like flowers...

Docomo Tower viewed from a nearby park. Is it a nice pic in terms of the art of photo-taking? Honestly, I am poor photographer. Hope this one is my first noticeable work.

2008 spring is the thrid one for me in Japan. Didn't roam around much and take many photos this time cus it seems there is no other places to view flowers in Tokyo.

7 Relationship Problems and How to Solve Them

How to solve the most common relationship problems and get your love life back on track:

Relationship problem #1: Lack of trust

Mary Jo Fay, RN, MSN, author of When Your “Perfect Partner” Goes Perfectly Wrong, offers these tips to help you and your partner develop trust in each other.

• Be consistent. Be on time. When you have to be late, call and say you’ll be late. Do what you say you will do, and call when you say you will call.


• Don’t lie, not even little white lies, to your partner or to others.


• Be fair, even in an argument.


• Carry your fair share of chores.


• Respect your partner’s boundaries.


• Be a good listener.


• Don't be jealous.


• Try not to overreact when things go wrong.


• Don’t dig up old wounds. Remember that once you say things, you can’t take them back.


• Be sensitive to the other’s feelings. You can still disagree, but don’t discount how your partner feels.

Relationship problem #4: Money issues

Money issues are a sore spot for many couples. Addressing them involves many questions, says Orbuch, from how much money you each think you should save to who earns more and who makes the financial decisions. “Money is an especially sensitive subject,” says Orbuch. “People just don’t like to talk about it."
Every three months, Orbuch says, you should schedule a “money talk.” Make a list of short- and long-term financial goals, and plan for how much you're spending and how much you're saving. “It’s not unusual for one partner to play a more primary role in money matters,” says Orbuch, “but the other partner should be involved and aware. One person shouldn't be making big financial decisions alone.”

Click on the title link for more.

Special coverage on Dith Pran- The Killing Fields Hero

Below are some coverages on The Killing Fields and its hero, Dith Pran, who devotes most of his life for Cambodia's causes and genocide prevention. The collection includes his book, various articles, interviews and videos. Also are his biography and his last words. It's an old and most-debated topic but hard to forget. It's a must for Cambodians to remember to prevent such horror from happening again. As he said during his last interview, one Killing Field is many; one is enough. Just compile it for review on his death anniversary. May he rests in peace. May his causes and spirit live forever.

Killing Fields' survivor Dith Pran dies
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080330/ap_on_re_us/obit_dith_pran
Real hero of The Killing Fields, Dith Pran, dies
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article3642909.ece
Your Dith Pran reader- Various articles frome The Times
http://timesonline.typepad.com/comment/2008/03/dith-pran-a-rea.html
NY Times Achieves- Dith Pran
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/d/dith_pran/index.html?8qa&scp=1-spot&sq=Dith+Pran&st=nyt

Bhutan's Enlightened Experiment

Let have a change this week by taking a tour to the one of our brotherly Buddhist lands, Bhutan. The Land of Dragon, which is a remote kingdom on the Himalaya, is famous for its rolling mountains, cultural preservation and Gross National Happiness. Really wanna visit there once in a life time.

Photographer Lynsey Addario talks about the Himalayan Buddhist kingdom's move toward modernization and democracy with nice pics and videos.Video link:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/video/player?titleID=1410476524

How to Handle a Crisis

Crisis: A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point. (American Heritage Dictionary)

How to handle a crisis?

The best thing is to have a plan of action prepared in advance. That way, you can react swiftly and smartly when a crisis hits. Crises by nature are messy, often unfolding at a pace that makes careful and considered response difficult. Sometimes, they stem from unforeseen events, and in retrospect some could have been predicted, but always they present a test of leadership skill and preparation.

Communication Is Key

Crises represent turning points for business health and reputation, often leaving both in tatters. If handled well, though, a crisis response can actually enhance reputation and spur some needed dialogue and change. Considering an airline achieved its tremendous growth largely because of its customer-friendly reputation, its failure to anticipate such cancellations and plan accordingly became the focus of the debate over what went wrong.

Playing Ostrich Won't Work

At minimum, clear and immediate communication is an antidote. If stakeholders know you're aware that there's a problem, that may be enough in the short run to maintain goodwill until the problem is fixed or at least dealt with. Yet it's far easier to find examples of poor-crisis communications response than it is to find examples of those who learn from others' high-profile mistakes. A lack of information fuels anxiety rather than defuses it.

7 steps in responding to a crisis: http://www.businessweek.com/playbook/07/0904_1.htm

13 Healthy Habits to Improve Your Life

There are 13 ways to boost your chances of living a happy, healthy life. More can be added to this list, but, for simplicity's sake, we'll stick with this typically unlucky number.

1. Eat Breakfast Every Morning: Research shows people who have a morning meal tend to take in more vitamins and minerals, and less fat and cholesterol. The result is often a leaner body, lower cholesterol count, and less chance of overeating.
2. Add Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Your Diet: The AHA recommends a serving of fish two times per week. Besides being a good source of protein and a food relatively low in the bad type of dietary fat called saturated fat, fish has omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.

3. Get Enough Sleep: Sleep is vital to good health and to mental and emotional well-being. The NSF reports that people who don't get enough slumber are more likely than others to develop psychiatric problems and to use health care services. Plus, sleep deprivation can negatively affect memory, learning, and logical reasoning. To avoid the pitfalls of insufficient sleep, make sure to get at least seven to 10 hours of slumber each night. Kids need more sleep, depending on their age.
4. Make Social Connections: Volunteer. Go to church. Join a club. Whatever you do, do it with people. Communal activities are good for your physical and mental health. Social ties have many benefits, including: providing information, instrumental help, emotional support and a sense of belonging.

5. Exercise for Better Health: Here is a review of the advantages of exercise.
- Helps control weight
- Maintains healthy bones, muscles, and joints
- Reduces risk of developing high blood pressure and diabetes
- Promotes psychological well-being
- Reduces risk of death from heart disease
- Reduces risk of premature death

6. Practice Good Dental Hygiene: Flossing your teeth every day could add 6.4 years to your life, according to Michael Roizen, MD.

7. Take Up a Hobby: Look up the word "hobby" in the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, and you will find the definition as "a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation." Since they are relaxing activities, hobbies are usually enjoyable. The joy may help people live healthier and recover better from illness. For one thing, taking part in hobbies can burn calories.

8. Protect Your Skin: Our skin starts to age as soon as we are born and, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, the best way to protect it and look younger is to stay out of the sun.

9. Snack the Healthy Way: The ADA recommends five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day as part of a healthy diet.

10. Drink Water and Eat Dairy: Water and milk are essential fluids for good health, but they can also help with shedding pounds. The body needs water to keep properly hydrated and individuals vary widely in how much water they need. Joints need it to stay in motion, and vital organs such as the heart, brain, kidney, and liver need it to work properly.

11. Drink Tea: There is some evidence that tea may help in improving memory, and preventing cavities, cancer, and heart disease.

12. Take a Daily Walk: An eight-year study of 13,000 people also showed that people who walked 30 minutes daily had a significantly reduced chance of premature death compared with those who rarely exercised.

13. Plan: There is, perhaps, no better word in the English language to better illustrate how you can incorporate healthy habits into your everyday life than the word PLAN. To eat healthy, for example, it would help to set aside time to draft a menu, make a grocery list, go to the store, prepare meals, and pack breakfast and lunch.

And the last, but not least, recommendation from me is COMMITMENT. Without it, nothing will happen no matter how much you plan!

Click on the title link for more details and other links.

Why are food prices rising?

Excerpts from various FT articles

Food prices have been rising steadily in the past few months and the effects are being felt globally. As agricultural commodities such as wheat and dairy trade at record highs, some governments, such as Russia, are implementing price controls on selected types of bread, cheese, milk, eggs and vegetable oil.

Rice prices have surged to a 20-year high in the latest sign of global food inflation, creating policy headaches in Asia, where more than 2.5bn people depend on cheap and abundant supplies of the grain. Asia has not known famines since the 1970s, and recent price rises for rice and other basic foodstuffs have sparked unrest.

Indeed, there is already ample evidence that political tensions are building: the World Food Programme, for example, now thinks a third of the world’s population lives in countries with food price controls or export bans.

There are now widespread predictions that there could be further price increases soon, because of growing demand for key resources. Scarcity of water and arable land means that the boom in food prices could last longer than most expect, a new study has warned. But why is food getting more expensive?

Here are the main factors I summarise from various articles: tight supplies and rising demand in emerging markets, urbanisation, changing diets in emerging market, subsidies and market distortion, the impact of climate change, rising input price, capital and resource misallocation. Click on the title link for interactive multimedia.

More related topics: http://www.ft.com/foodprices

Twenty-year high in rice prices sparks fears:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f40ad5ca-e975-11dc-8365-0000779fd2ac,dwp_uuid=a955630e-3603-11dc-ad42-0000779fd2ac.html

The next crisis will be over food: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5a9b3c72-db2e-11dc-9fdd-0000779fd2ac,dwp_uuid=a955630e-3603-11dc-ad42-0000779fd2ac.html

U.S. Is Top Source of Money Sent Home by Migrants

India gets more money sent back from migrants than any country in the world, according to a new World Bank report that also showed the U.S. was the top source of remittance.
Migrants sent $27 billion to India in 2007. China came in second, receiving $25.7 billion and Mexico was a close third with $25 billion.
In many developing countries, remittances provide a life line for the poor. They are often an essential source of foreign exchange and a stabilizing force for the economy in turbulent times.
The U.S., which was the top immigration country in 2005 with 38.4 million immigrants, is by far the largest source of outflows, with $42 billion in recorded outward flows in 2006. Saudi Arabia ranks as the second largest, followed by Switzerland and Germany. The Mexico-U.S. corridor is the largest migration corridor in the world, the Worlds Bank said, accounting for 10.4 million migrants by 2005.
For 2007, recorded remittances flows world-wide are estimated at $318 billion, of which $240 billion went to developing countries. However, the World Bank notes, “These flows don’t include informal channels, which would significantly enlarge the volume of remittances if they were recorded.” –Phil Izzo

Trackback URL: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2008/03/19/us-is-top-source-of-money-sent-home-by-migrants/?mod=WSJBlog/trackback/

Links to the original article and more information about immigration and remittance: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:21692926~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html