Sunday, May 18, 2008

2008 - year of crisis

As of late there has been increased debate whether globalisation is really as worthy of the hype as it was previously thought. The current state of the world economy is testament to the fact that somewhere something has gone wrong.

Oil prices are reaching record highs at $127 per barrel. The credit crisis of last year is still evoking aftershocks as seen by the recent Bear Sterns, Fannie and Freddie crises. The financial markets seem to have no boundaries. Food is becoming a scarce commodity. What is going on?!

With the increase in globalisation, China and India has become increasingly larger importers of oil. With demand soon exceeding supply, we have the current situation with oil prices reaching record levels. Experts are predicting a $200 per barrel situation by the end of this year. If OPEC splits due to the rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran/Venezuela, it is certain that oil prices will reach perhaps higher than $200 per barrel. In a world run by oil, this would mean a catastrophe.

On the other side of the arena, we have the crises in Burma and China with thousands of people dead and equal numbers barely surviving with reduced aid. The momentum to donate to the Myanmar crisis was slower than that seen in previous cases such as the 2004 tsunami or the Pakistani landslide. Are people running out of their empathy or their money? Around the world inflation is steadily increasing. India reports 3% whilst Sri Lanka is at 30%.

Sri Lanka is in a crisis beyond the reach of monetary assistance. People being abducted. Kidnapped. Murdered. No law. Genocide in the smaller scale. Bombs set off by persons that are not related to the terrorists. Who is doing what? Noone knows. What is the solution? Only a few dare to speak of it. Others leave.

This is not a proud moment in history. People seem to have forgotten their humanity in the seeking of more more more. Greed - for power, for wealth, for glory seem to have taken precedence over kindness, generosity, truth and honesty. Will we get through this? I don't know. Will we have to change? For sure. Will we have to reassess our priorities as nations, economies, families and individuals? Yes.

I can only hope we start now. For very soon it may be too late.

Monday, May 05, 2008

Catch up!

Hi All!!!

After a really very long hiatus I am back and what better way to catch up on 2007 than the checklist?? So here goes:

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
- I met an amazing human being, made a lovely bunch of girlfriends, had a job I thoroughly enjoyed, visited Singapore

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? No but will make the same one this year, To go the gym religiously and get myself toned up!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yep, my cousin had a baby girl, my beautician had a baby boy :)

4. Did anyone close to you die? Nope, thank God

5. What countries did you visit? UK, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? 2007 really had it all, I would just like to be just the way it was..

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The most amazing guy on earth became mine -08th of June

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Obtaining a job with an investment bank, finding someone to love, and meeting some people who are my best friends

9. What was your biggest failure? Stupid romantic choice at the beginnign of the year

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Not really :)

11. What was the best thing you bought? New laptops for me and my mum :)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My two best mates, my bf, my mum

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Close ex best friends

14. Where did most of your money go? In several long distance flights, lots of food and clothes :)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Seeing my bf for the first time after so many bouts of long distnace!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Avril Lavigne - Keep Holding On

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

I. happier or sadder? Happier.

II. thinner or fatter? Fatter

III richer or poorer? Richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Spent less time complaining and more time being productive

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Cribbing

22. Did you fall in love in 2007? YES and its the most exuberating experience EVER

23. How many one-night stands? None!

24. What was your favorite TV program? Grey's anatomy

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Probably not. More disappointed in certain people, proud of a whole bunch of other people!

26. What was the best book you read? There were many but Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseinin stands out!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Indie, Alternative Rock, the awesome brit music scene! Not too much musical disvoceries going on last year

28. What did you want and get? Find good friends, Find a lovely bf, Find a great job

29. What did you want and not get? a few material possessions

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Becoming Jane, Ratatouille

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 23, went to India for pilgrimage

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Cant ask for anything more than what I received

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Comfortable yet trendy - ballet pumps all the way!

34. What kept you sane? Faith in God, Mum and a Few Good Mates

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Patrick Dempsey(LOL)

36. What political issue stirred you the most? Sri Lanka's ethnic crisis and political turmoil

37. Who did you miss? My bf :( when I was living away from him

38. Who was the best new person you met? My best mate Ned, the nicest specialiest girl around

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007: Things can get better, there are such things as nice guys, girlfriends are ever so important they can cushion any fall, Sri Lankan food is the best in the world

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: L.O.V.E