Blog Review!

Phong Thao

Upcoming Weekend!

This coming weekend I’m going to be busy.  My fiancé and I are planning to do a ceremony for my two sons.  We called it Hu Plig (Calling of the spirit to be in good health).  Hu Plig has been in the Hmong culture as long as I know.  Hu Plig dates back when in the old days when my parents were living in Laos.  Hu Plig is used when one spirit is not in good health, loss, happy, and many more.  This tradition has been with the Hmong for ages. The shaman does the calling. He or she will perform a traditional calling of the spirit.  Shaman will need a certain knife, drum, and finger rings to perform the Hu Plig.  Shamans are the one who really does the calling of the spirit.  In my case of my ceremony I had, my grandpa did the calling for my new born. For some Hu Plig you might have to butcher a pig or a cow depending on the situation or calling.  Since our Hu Plig wasn’t as big, we butchered a pig.  So the whole event started in the morning like 5 a.m. since we had to get everything prepared for the feast.  My mom got up around 4 a.m. and cooked rice.  As we arrived at my mom house; we went right to work with getting the food prepared.  As aunts and uncles arrived in the morning, they all helped with the cooking.  My dad and mom had set a time for the feast at 11.  So, that even made us worked hard to get all things prepared.  As the day went on, time came closer to get all the food on the table (which we had connected 3 tables together).  The table is set up with food all over the table.  In the middle of the table, where my grandpa will be sitting, we place a platter with flowers in the center of it.  Fruits, candy, cookies, and eggs are placed around the flower.  Also, we will have two boiled chicken in a platter next to it.  We had the pig tail with the chicken platter. A lighten candle and cup of water is placed on the table.  When everyone is seated in their place on the table, my grandpa brushed our hands (my two sons, fiancé, and I) with white strings.  The brushing of the strings meant as a brush all the bad thing away.  Then he took two strings and burned it (mean getting rid of the bad things) and then placed it in the cup water.  After that is done, we have two people to check the chicken if it shows any sign of good or bad.  Signs are consists of checking the inner mouth piece, feet (the way it curves), and the whole chicken it’s self.  They will pass out the strings around to everyone.  Then they came up and tied it around ours wrists.  The strings are meant for good health, luck.  After that was over, they all pass out the strings, came up to us to, and tied the strings around our wrists.  As we stand there, they will say words as they are tying. The word that was said is for good health and luck.  The strings represent of the good in health, soul, and luck. After all that was over with, we all ate.  At the end of the day, when everyone leaves, we have to clean up the whole house.  Finally that was all over.  It is time to sit and relax of a second.  Over all the ceremony (Hu Plig) went as planned.  The ceremony (Hu Plig) cost us about thousand dollars.

Snow!!!

I was head to work when the first snow came down.  It came pretty quick.  As I was working, I looked outside and saw an accident.  Wow!! It had to be the snow that made everyone in a rush.  The accident looks pretty bad. The car did a tree-sixty and was facing oncoming traffic.  Luckily no one was injured.  As time went by at work, it just kept on snowing.  Damn, now I have to get out the shovels and shovel our drive way before it piles up. I thought it would stop after that day… I guess I was wrong!  It snow two more days.  Wow!!!! It is a pain in the butt to be out there in the cold just shoveling our drive way.  The snow was pretty heavy.  But I manage to get it all done within an hour.  I guess my son made like the snow.  He just wanted to go out there and jump in to the big pile of snow and throw snow balls at me.  He had the chance to be out there with me.  He just ran around in the snow and got himself stuck at the bottom of a hill.  Daddy, daddy, daddy I need help!!! As I walk over there to see, I was laughing because he was covered in snow.  As I got him out.  He just went straight inside.  It seems it was just the beginning of winter and now we have this much snow already.  God I wish I had move to a warm place!! I guess I can live with that.  By the middle of winter I know that it’s going to get worse.  Hopefully not!

Writing Assignment!!

In one of my class I our final is to write a paper about a product of your choice ( building materials).  I'm writing about Hydro energy.  Here's a little of my paper!

Hydro System

Money, you can use or buy anything you want with it.  It comes down to savings when you looking into buying something.  What about your home savings?  Homes saving are a plus!  Electric bill is a big fact in homes cost such as appliances and lighting's. There are many things out there to help reduce cost.  For example, lighting's you could use low fluorescent light bulbs.  Another way to reduce electric bill is to use an energy efficient that I powered by water turbine.  Some of the products comes with a battery base which it can store your energy source. 

What is Hydro System?

A hydro system consists of a cylinder tube that houses the main machine that holds a turbine that is connected to a generator system.   The system could be place in anybody of water.  The water current or flow would turn the turbine that spins the generator to create electricity.   These systems are placed by river currents, streams, and in the ocean. 

Green!!!

The hydro system doesn’t create any green house gases or air pollution.  It is also carbon free which it doesn’t burn any fossil fuels. Hydro energy is a renewable source.  The hydro power turns kinetic energy from the flow of the water into electricity and never use more than other resources. The saving on having one of this hydro systems put in might be costly, but it all adds up in the end when you see the saving.  This product doesn’t affect those fishes that live where it is placed. 

Used In Homes!

So what your thought of this paper so far?  Is it good, okay, or bad?  I'm hoping to get this paper done by FRIDAY!!!!!  Wish me luck!!!

Christmas Shopping!!!!!

As you a know Christmas is on it way here soon.  We all have plans to sent it with the family.  It's always the best time when it comes to getting gifts.  It's not just about the gift, it's all about the how the time is spent with the loves one you have in your life.  As for me, my Christmas will be in the twin cities.  We sibling,  had came up with the idea to doing secret Santa.  In my family there are eight of us.  But over all with everyone (brothers, sisters, wife's, mom, dad, and nieces, and nephews) that will make us about fifteen to sixteen.  There for, it would save us a bit on our money instead for getting everyone a present, as you all know how much thing cost nowadays.  As we draw for whom we get to have for secret Santa, I have my younger brother.  I have no idea what to get him.  I received a email re-guarding his wish list.  Some things on the list was gift cards. I was thinking of getting something gift cards, but just don't know where.  At this moment i might just go with a gift card.  Wow!! Its so hard to figure out what i should get him.  Well, there still little time left for me to think over on what to get him.  I just have to go to the store and look for something that i think he'll like.  Its not all about the gift, it's the thought of giving one.

Nobel

Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan was born on 8^th of April, 1938 in Kumasi, (Gold Coast) now Ghana.  Kofi Annan is married to Nane, a lawyer and a painter. Kofi and Nane have three children’s.  His father is a provincial governor and a chief of the Fante people.  The Noble Peace Prize award was given to Kofi Annan and the United Nations in 2001.  Kofi Annan received many medals, honors, and international prizes also.  His most noted award is the Nobel Peace Prize which he won in 2001.  He recognized the importance of the award regarding his work. In his Nobel Prize address, Kofi Annan states:

What it does have is the Nobel Prize – a statement of hope and courage with unique resonance and authority. Only by understanding and addressing the needs of individuals for peace, for dignity, and for security can we at the United Nations hope to live up to the honors conferred today, and fulfill the vision of our founders. This is the broad mission of peace that United Nations staff members carry out every day in every part of the world.  (Nobel Lecture, Oslo, December 10, 2001, Kofi Annan Para. 21.)

If feel like he stated this in a form of winning the Nobel Peace Prize does not mean a lot, but show that they will live up to preserve humanity.

Kofi Annan studied in Kumasi at University of Science and Technology.  He later finished his undergraduate in economics at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN in 1961 and then took economics at the University of Institute of des hautes etudes Internationals in Geneva. Kofi Annan received his Master of Science degree in Massachusetts Institute if Technology’s Sloan School of Management in 1971-1972.  Kofi Annan joined the World Health Organization in 1962 in Geneva.  He later served with the high office UN High Commissioner for Refugees.  Kofi Annan was the first to be elected from the UN staff.  Also, he was the first African to be elected for Sectary General. 

His first five year term began January 1^st, 1997; he was re-appointed in 2002. His work contributed to a better organized and more peaceful world.  As secretary-general, his goal was to reform the United Nations and make the system more effective.  He also, advocated for human rights and the rule of law.  Kofi Annan had the idea to create two new governmental houses with in the United Nations: the Peace building and the Human Rights Council. The Global Fund to fight AIDS was another initiated that was brought with Kofi Annan’s work and S1.5 billion in pledges and contributions to the AIDS Global Fund.  (Nobel Peace Prize, Oslo, Kofi Annan Biography, p2.)  His work through his Global Compact is responsible for protecting all the people from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crime against humanist. (Former Secretaries-General, Http://www.un.org/sg/annan.shtml, p1)  In 2000, an outline was made to end poverty and inequality, improve education, cut HIV/AIDS, and protect people from violence.

In his Nobel acceptance speech:

In the 21st Century I believe the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound, awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion. This will require us to look beyond the framework of States, and beneath the surface of nations or communities. We must focus, as never before, on improving the conditions of the individual men and women who give the state or nation its richness and character. We must begin with the young Afghan girl, recognizing that saving that one life is to save humanity itself. (Nobel Lecture, Oslo, December 10, 2001, Kofi Annan Para. 3). 

I feel that this quote will define the United Nation to become more successful in the work of protecting humanity its self.

Over all, Kofi Annan has a long and hard dedication to his work that proves that he is well deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.  His work shows that he is capable to prove that one’s hard work for the safety, security, and peace will make a big impact on the world.  

Thanks Giving Weekend!!!!!

Thanks Giving weekend was pretty good as always.  I'm always thankful of my family who always been there for me.  On that day of Thanks Giving, we were invited to attend 2 of my uncle's Thanks Giving feast. That's how it is every year, going to uncles house to eat. when we arrived at their house, the house was full of uncles, aunts, and cousins too.  Just looking at all the food that they had prepared.  Egg-rolls! Turkey! Fish! A noddle soup! And many more of Hmong food!  it was a pretty big feast that was going on that day.  they also had desserts! Pies, cake, and ice cream.  after all that food, we had to go my in-laws too.  They had about the same food their.  so it was still good to eat anyways. That was a lot of food we had to eat in one day.  It felt like I gain fifty pounds.  I had to loosen up the belt buckle. Ooh.. I can't forget about the drinking too. At my uncle's house, he just kept on passing out shot of Hmong liqueur.  And that stuff is pretty strong.  I had about 4 shots and felt like i was junk already.  All day we went about eating and drinking.  We had a good time.  I think next year Thanks Giving, i should really cut down on my eat and drinking.  But in the end;the food was the best part.

Happy Brithday!!!

 

Wow!!!!! It seem like he was a little baby, now hes grow up so fast.  Its his birthday today Nov. 16th. Wow!!! He's FOUR now!!It was six in the morning when my wife and I told Vincent that it was his birthday.  He just look at us in daze and all he wanted is to go back to sleep.  As that morning went on.  I got him up, gave him a bath, and got him dress.  The wife had plan to go down stairs to get his little cake ready for him.  As the time came closer to go down stairs, the wife had lighten the candle and video cam in her hands ready to video him.  Vincent took the last step down, his face glowed with a big happy face.  IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!! MOMMY. That was the word that came out of his mouth, the sound of joy.  After we sung HAPPY BIRTHDAY and he blew out the candle, all he wanted to do is dive right into the cake "face first".  "The birthday gift" as my wife said.  I pointed to the closet, and said "It's in there".  As we gave him his presents, he just opened up the toys and started to play with them all.  He also wanted to took them to grandpa house too.  As that was a perfect morning for Vincent, it was all about seeing him excited. Over all, the master plan of this goes to my wife. I thought it would be too early to do his birthday.  I guess I was wrong.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VINCENT!!!!!