Hubby is a frequent traveler, and every time he travels, of course there is that extra concern for his and the whole aircraft’s boarders’ safety. But it seems we will have less worries soon, for up to three American Airlines jets will be outfitted this spring with laser technology being developed to protect planes from missiles fired by terrorists. The anti-missile technology was developed for military planes, and U.K.-based BAE Systems PLC said Friday it won a $29 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security to test it on passenger planes, but not on regular flights. The technology is intended to stop a missile attack by detecting heat from the rocket, then responding in a fraction of a second by firing a laser beam that jams the missile’s guidance system.

I was a drop-out! But good that whenever one of my aunts and my elder sister are together, they would always talk about piano and piano lessons, comparing their collections and sharing them, even playing their new pieces in the living room. They play so gracefully and using it at church. Now I know how to help them grow their collection and knowledge through piano lessons, for there is one resource in the World Wide Web publishing Piano lessons & piano chords email newsletter. They would love to meet the host there. He is sending out every 5 days or so and lasts for 101 issues at no cost. He also has full-blown piano courses on DVD for adults that can be purchased, and I know they would appreciate it so much. I think, and know they would love it if I purchase it for them, right? So they can play the piano and I listen for relaxation:-).

It is the new year, and though many don’t bother with New Year’s Resolution, some still strive to make their year productive, making promises to themselves to achieve “extra ordinary” things that can change the world by being perfectionist in themselves first.

The target and single-minded vision of formidable ruler Sheikh Mohamad bin Rashid Al Maktoum for putting Dubai on the global map and making it one of the fastest growing cities in the world. With resources and ambition to achieve it, he did, and so now Dubai emerged as a world business hub, and attracted world-wide attention through innovative real estate projects, manning jobs with its largely foreign workforce.

le 21 décembre 2007

The advantage of having a tour guide was that, there are many advantages, Ha; he knows the goings and way through the place, so we head off to the Taj Mahal so early in the very cold morning before seven, for him, so that we will avoid the crowd, which he also always said for us to be aware of pickpockets.

There are entrances leading to the main gate to the Taj. The Southern Gate faces the old Mumtazabad (Modern Taj Ganj). It is meant for pedestrians or the pedlars only. On the right side of the gate is a tomb of red stone which is surrounded by court Yards and crowned with a dome, said to have a grave of one lady companion of Mymtaj Mahal, and due to this reason, the building is called the tomb of a Maid of Honour.

Eastern gate faces towards Fatehabad. There is a domed tomb erected on the elevated platform near this gate, built in the memory of another wife of Shah Jahan called Sirhindi Begum, and so the gate is known as “Sirhi Darwaza”. The main building is eight sided, having twenty four arches, a big hall and a veranda.

The western gate is the main entrance of the Taj Mahal, facing towards Agra cantonment and Agra city. There is a red sand stone edifice erected on a beautiful terrace outside this gate which is known as Fatehpuri Begum, another wife of Shah Jahan. There we entered through the west gate. There were guards on the entrance, and no matter how they seemed to be very old and outdated, the guns would still prevent troublemakers. Upon buying the tickets, which is 750 rupees each, (now they only accept rupees, dollars are not accepted since it is devaluating) there is a complementary bottled water, great. There are lines for men and women to enter where each one is inspected and all bags opened. Food are not allowed, and if you have one in your bag, it will be confiscated and thrown for the monkeys to catch. There were just so few people there that we made it through easily and fast through the gate and the be in the Fore Court leading to the main gate of the Taj Mahal, where photographers were selling their services. Though we have our cameras, I asked hubby to hire one of those photographers for you know, they are professionals, and just great, along with the album it also comes with the film.

No matter how hard the way, no matter how heavy the burden,
and no matter how many the troubles around are,
may we go forward and advance in life in this new year,
heads up high but know when to bow down,
eyes full of compassion, seeing every burden,
just like the elephant’s eye, clad with humility,
submitting to the supreme.

I was so terrified last night because hubby was not feeling good, and having all the discomfort, being a victim of the place’s nastiness. I wanted to cry out as I was watching at him, but it was not time to panic. I am just so glad we made it through the night.

Wearing a computer today? Hah, with today’s technology, it might not be long before we start wearing a computer just as we put on our watch, caps and other finishing touches before we go out of our houses. “As the general computing systems become smaller, we are reaching a point at which it becomes conceivable to do these these devices easily, ones that offer access to information and communication resource anytime,” University of Massachusetts computer science faculty member Andy Fagg, who is developing a wearable computer told Sciencedaily. He said, “It is about having a digital assistance s you go about your life”, if man is not enslaved by it.