NPR

National Public Radio (NPR) was created in 1970, after the passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. NPR is one of the most listened to radios stations in the United States. It is a privately and public-funded non-profit media organization that covers a wide range of news and cultural programming. I have only listened to NPR in the past year, as it does tend to cater toward the more educated crowd. I suppose one cannot claim they are well educated until they listen to NPR a few times a week. Two of the most listened to radio shows in the United States are Morning Edition and All Things Considered broadcast on NPR. Polling has shown a majority of Americans consider NPR to be the most trusted news source in the US.

Today, while I was listening to All Things Considered a few stories caught my attention. The first interesting feature was about the Mexican drug crisis in the border city of Tijuana. At least 20 physicians have been believed to have been abducted, by drug cartel kidnappers. The obvious reason behind the kidnappings is that drug traffickers generally believe doctors are wealthier, which unlike the US is not entirely true. The Mexican army has been deployed on the streets to try and quell the violence. I guess what is so amazing about the Mexican drug problem is how blatant the cartels are, by providing advance notice of their activities to the government. Imagine if we lived in a partially lawless society.

The second story I wanted to mention was Nepal's Monarchy, which is now abolished since the Nepalese assembly voted to get rid of it. A personal aside to my own trip to Copenhagen during my wonderful time there :) , I had the opportunity to visit two castles of historic significance. Fredensborg and Rosenberg slot. When I walked around inside the two castles I admired the detail and grandeur. However, its painfully obvious that most of the monarchs believed they were God from their extravagance. I'm glad society has moved past that waste, but nevertheless its always nice to go visit castles and learn about the past.

Scams

Every semester at the University of Illinois, I read alot of advertisements claiming that you will make thousands of dollars over the summer if you do certain things. These scams are commonly known as pyramid schemes or multi-level marketing firms that skirt the legal definition of a pyramid scheme.

You can read up on pyramid schemes here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_scheme

Some of the best known scams that I know of are companies that advertise selling knives sets, and painting companies offering work to college students. Most of the time they advertise that you can make 10,000 or 12,000 dollars in one summer. I can't believe the amount of people that fall prey to these scams, that end up leaving you worst than you started off.

My personal way of investing money is to just put it in the bank and not touch it. Sure there are good investments out there like stocks and bonds and 401k's, but I'm too young to be worried about making serious investments. If something sounds too good it usually is. But hey what do I know I'm a 19 year old, so if you want to invest in the painting company go right ahead. Most of you know my number I'll be waiting to comfort you for your losses.

The Chinese Earthquakes and Pandas

If you've talked to resident expert in Pandas and Computer Engineering Student V.Liang you'd already know Pandas are reproducing thanks to fresh Bamboo and open spaces. The good news from China is that most of the missing Pandas have been located and transferred to a Zoo in Beijing. As we get closer towards the Beijing Olympics I'll comment on China about once a week.

Panda News

Guangyuan County in China has had an estimated 60,000 people killed by the earthquake. Thing have only gotten worst an aftershock today has leveled thousands of homes. China has decide to not rebuild the cities have been destoryed. Most people will be compensated and moved to new areas. I think the Chinese government has acted differently than in the past, the government is trying to show more compassion. I guess my point in menitioning this is I would hope people would remember to apperciate the things their given. Volunteer when you can.

Gas Prices

So I'm spending downtime at home in Miami. My first week at Motorola is finished 11 more to go. I guess the first thing that's been frustrating me lately is gas prices. I drive a long way back and forth between my internship. Its so disheartening when I put 40 dollars into my Honda Accord (Letting my dad drive the truck for a few months) and it only reaches half tank. I want to know why oil companies are making record profits while everyone is a getting a raw deal. I was listening to NPR and they said that most of the land that US oil companies have to permission drill in the United States have been untouched. Yet they still argue that they need more land. They complain that Alaska needs to be open to more drilling. Its all BS, if you can't see through greed then you a very stupid. The thing I don't understand is why we don't get a better deal on oil when Cheney and Bush have both been in the oil business. Cheney clearly gives preference to Halliburton which he was the CEO of which controls many US contracts in Iraq. Google Cheney and Halliburton, and see what you get. To slap us in the face Halliburton moved its headquarters to Dubai to avoid paying US taxes.

If you read this weeks article in the NY times, Teeth Gritted, Drivers Adjust to $4 Gasoline. You'll see that more people are getting rid of their gas guzzling cars and turning to small cars. I really believe a lot of low-middle income Americans are going to suffer to fill up their tanks. I was talking to my friend Mohamed we both agreed when I get a sports car someday when I'm working at Microsoft or Google, I'll need a Prius to drive around town, and the use the sports car sparingly. Such is the life we live in the US now.

Article:

Nytime Article

If you can't read this everyone can register for a free nytimes full access account with their illinois.edu email, or whatever university you go to, like Jeff, and Luciana. gatech.edu etc..

Life in MIami and at Motorola

Now I'm finally home in Miami, I've started at Motorola. I came in got my office, a laptop, and a direct line, with my name tag outside the door. They have alot of projects they'd like me to take my shot at, theres alot of things I need to understand that I have no experience in. I hope I'm able to do something meaningful while I'm here. My flight from London was uneventful 9 hrs across the Atlantic Ocean. I will be traveling to a few more places this year although I'm not sure exactly where yet. I'd like to make one more international journey this summer. Miami weather is very hot right now near 90 degrees. Tonight is the Kentucky and Oregon primaries. I might try to change the format of this blog, but it will require some effort. I plan on making a new blog soon also.

London Calling

Well I am waiting in London Heathrow for my flight back to Miami. Its been an amazing trip to Europe, with my visits to Sweden, Germany, and Denmark. I've enjoyed spending time with Sayo and Gina (Denmark) who are both at DTU, and Karla down in Berlin. As many of you know traveling is my hobby and its an expensive one let me tell you. From the train tickets to the premium seating. I hope I get to travel even more in the near future. I have most of my pictures up now from all the countries I have visted. Located at:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/sadderly

I wish everyone a good summer, and safe travels.

Denmark Day 2

Denmark is really great. Here is a link to the root directory of my pictures on google.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/sadderly

Just choose any album with Denmark or my other travels.

Denmark

I have arrived in Cophenhagen, Denmark. I'm staying with Sayo. Things are really gorgeous here. Take a look for yourself, not that many pictures up considering I just got here!

http://picasaweb.google.com/sadderly/DenmarkMay11th
http://picasaweb.google.com/sadderly/ChicagoLondon

Finals

I suppose there's not much to say its almost 4 am. Its finals week and its sucks.

Taiwan will Touch your heart

When I was in Taiwan earlier this year, they played a really catchy song called "Taiwan will touch your heart". At the bottom of my post you listen to a two versions of the song. This week its final exams, which I'm sure everyone loves. Summer is so near, but so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgiS_lk7MAk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRu2oK0Kqc4&feature=related