Girl only asked three stars tattoos but ended up having fifty six

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1193384/What-did-expect-Incredible-face-revealed-man-tattooed-girl-56-stars-asked-three.html

An 18 year old girl from Courtrai town, Belgium only asked for three stars tattoos near her left eye, but after the 55 pounds tattoo session, she was surprised to see 56 stars on her face. Kimberly Vlaminck claimed that she was misunderstood by the Romanian tattoo artist, Rouslan Toumaniantz. She asked in mixed French and English to do the artwork. The artist Toumaniantz who has tatoos all over his face denied her claim that she only asked three stars. The woman witness supported Toumaniantz. Kimberly sued Toumaniantz for 10,000 pounds. He said he would help to pay for the removal of the tattoos but maintained that she really asked 56 stars for her face. He also said that the Belgian girl was happy with the tattoos when they were finished but she complained against it after her father and boyfriend were not happy about it. She said that she fell asleep during the session. Toumaniantz who has a tattoo shop called The Tatoo Box claimed otherwise. He said Kimberly was wide awake and "she knew exactly what she wanted." Removing the tattoos would cost her 8,500 pounds though even if removed, the scars would remain on her face.

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This is the first time I read such a story. Tattoo artists make mistakes but such mistake is unbelievable. If she did not tell him to make her 56 stars tattoos where would he get the idea to do that? Besides, tattoo artists make an outline first before doing the design. So, in her case, she would definitely see how many stars would be inked on her face. Say, she fell asleep. But how could she sleep that long? Those were 56 stars, right? And then she woke up right after it was finished? I have been watching LA Ink and Miami Ink tattoo shows and I cannot remember seeing any customers there falling asleep. They all are wide awake having conversations with the artist(s). Say, she was doped, then that would be very bad for tattooer's business and what benefit that man could get from tattooing her with so many stars? By doing such work is certainly labor intensive, is it not? Unless, the man wanted her to look like him and planned everything out, because the man himself has tattoos all over his face. So, he wanted a girl teenager version of him. Just a thought. Why not?

Long-haul airfares are down, Short-haul flights are still up

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article6486412.ece

Good news to all British frequent flyers and vacationers. Some desperate airlines are reducing their airfares for long-haul flights because of the decrease in the number of passengers. IATA, an airline trade association says that airfares from British airports fell by 34 percent in March. But Trailfinders Nikki Davies says that long-haul flights “can’t really get much cheaper.” Nevertheless, it is still good news for travelers. For example, going to New York through United Airlines is 295 pounds with taxes and charges. But through Kuwait Airways going to New York is 57 pounds cheaper, making it just 238 pounds for a return flight. Also, flying to the West Coast is not that expensive. British Airways direct flight to LA is 353 pounds while US Airways to LA via Philadelphia is just 289 pounds. In addition, the cheapest flight from London to Sydney is 469 pounds with Singapore Airlines whereas last year, it was 810 pounds with Cathay Pacific. However, short-haul flights airfares to Europe are not yet reduced. Ryan Air, a British airlines company, is still the number one "cattle-class carrier" when it comes to low priced short-haul flights. Their ticket price to summer vacation destinations like Palma, Mallorca is only 170 pounds compared to Fly BA’s best fare of 250 pounds. Ryan Air’s chief executive Willie Walsh describes this price disparity as “a fight for survival.”

REACTION
This is indeed good news for British travelers who go to the US, Australia and Asia. They can have a relative wide range of cheap long-haul flight prices to choose from. This is also good news for the British people and other nationalities as well who are planning to go on vacation outside Europe this summer. So even if it is credit crunch time, they can still go because there are cheap airfares to avail from different top of the line airline companies. However, for those who plan to have their vacation here in Europe, Ryan Air is still the best option to travel with. Although, personally, if not for the price, I would not fly with Ryan Air. Ryan Air is cramped and I don't like tight spaces. It makes me uncomfortable. But their flights are really low. So, sometimes trading off comfort to cheap prices is worth it because with other airplanes, they are certainly comfortable and they have free food but the price difference with Ryan Air is humongous.

No Twitters for Teachers

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/technologynews/5363485/Teachers-banned-from-Twitter-after-principal-constantly-criticises-students.html

After a female secondary teacher was caught using twitter 20 times a day airing her criticism against her pupils, colleagues and parents, the Argyll and Bute council issued a ban on teachers from using twitter and other social networking sites. In her entries, she tweeted: “Have S5 pupil for company excluded from afternoon school for swearing at English teacher this morning." 3.18pm May 5 and “Have three Aspergers boys in SI class -never a dull moment! Always offer a different, interesting take on things." 8.37pm April 21. Her other tweet entries included complains about some of her classes and the schedules. One parent read her tweet entries and was outraged about it. The Argyll and Bute council spokesperson said, “Teachers may request access to blogs which have an educational value." The said teacher faced a disciplinary action as an adherence to the regulation that "Any member of staff found to have breached council policy will face appropriate disciplinary action”.

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I agree that the said teacher should undergo disciplinary action. However, banning all teachers from using the Internet, social networking sites and the like is not fair. What happened was one teacher’s fault, not everybody’s. I agree that it was wrong of her to publish her complains in that manner. She should have come to the union or approached her colleagues. But if she was afraid to do so, then it is understandable that she used twitter as her tool to attract their attention. I think whether or not she used twitter (it might also be Friendster or Facebook), the real problem was her not being happy in her work. This teacher seemed to be overworked and burned out that she saw twitter as her way to air her grievances. So, the council and the school should look into that and not ban teachers from using the Internet, blogs and social networking sites.

British TV host and Actress glued herself to a bed

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1191841/Im-A-Celeb-USA-host-Myleene-Klass-rescued-hotel-staff-gluing-bed.html?hgtyhhng

While on the shoot of her show in a Costa Rican jungle, Mylene Klaas glued herself to a bed in her hotel room. The 31-year old model turned TV host of I am a Celebrity…Get me out of here USA sprayed herself with an insect repellent. The product’s chemical substance reacted with the varnish on the bedposts, so she was glued on the frame. A hotel staff came to rescue her when she cried for help. According to a source, the staff had to “peel her off slowly but surely.” I am a celebrity…Get me out of here is a reality TV show about surviving life in the jungle. Mylene Klaas joined the 2006 UK version of this show and became famous for her “white bikini under an open-air waterfall.”

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After reading this story, I could not help myself from laughing. I know accidents happen but this one is stupid. Did she not read the product instructions before using it? However, being peeled off slowly but surely is really awful. Imagine that happening to you, oh, that is really one hell of a big OUCH! I wonder what happened to her after she was peeled off. Hopefully, she is fine now and learned her lesson from this very painful experience. This is also a lesson for us, readers: to avoid this kind of situation from happening, be careful when using insect repellents or any products.

No to visa rules on foreign students

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article6388701.ece

Members of the University of Colleges Union (UCU) voted no to the new visa rules on foreign students. These new rules would force university lecturers and staff to spy on their foreign students. Accordingly, “universities must keep a copy students’ passports, report them if they fail to enroll or consistently miss lectures, or if they drop out.” Suspicion of students’ involvement in terrorist activities is to be reported as well. The UCU called this “discriminatory” and “an attack on the civil liberties of international staff and students.” UCU General secretary, Sally hunt added, “Our members are educators not border guards.” The tightened immigration legislation wants them to do policing and surveillance work. Presently, there are 240,000 foreign students in Britain; where as 43,120 of them are Pakistanis. The union will lobby for the abolition of this new visa rule.

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I support the union’s call to abolish this new visa rule. Firstly, University professors, lecturers and staff are there to provide education and not to act as a National Guard or border patrols. Secondly, this new rule is discriminating and an attack on people's civil liberties. It immediately tags foreign students as suspicious elements, thus, are threat to Britain’s national security. It attacks the freedom of movement and privacy among others. Thirdly, certain professors who might have a grudge against a student can abuse this rule. Just by a mere suspicion of “terrorist action”, a student is instantly subject to interrogation. What is a “terrorist action” anyway? Thirdly, in the same article, it is reported that the British immigration law has a loophole that allows foreign students, mostly Pakistanis, to obtain a student visa. This is the immigration people’s problem. Besides, these students entered Britain legally. Lastly, an education institution operates separately from the immigration and border agencies. It has a distinct entity. The education institutions are there to teach and not to police.

Recently Elected Oxford Professor of Poetry Ruth Padel resigned

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/may/26/padel-error-poetry-election

Her historical feat lasted only for nine days. Ruth Padel, the first woman elected to hold the 300-year old Oxford University professor of poetry position. She quit her post last night. She was forced to resign by the “divided opinions” in the university. According to her, it was a “bad judgement” on her part that she sent e-mails to two journalists about the sexual harassment of her rival to the chairmanship post, Derek Walcott. In a press conference, she explained that she did what she did out of students concern on Walcott’s previous sexual harassment issues. She apologized to the Oxford University and to Walcott, whose work she “revered”. A new election will take place after the term of the incumbent professor of poetry Christopher Ricks is finished.

REACTION

Ruth Padel's intention to help the students is intriguing. I cannot help but think whether she was purely concerned with the students or she saw it as an opportunity for her to get the position.

Why of all [the] moments she could pick, she chose to send the e-mail about the sexual harassment case against Derek Walcott, during the election period for the Poetry professorship post. Why did she not wait until after the elections? Or why did she not go to the responsible authorities? Why e-mail it to the journalists? Now, she did not only loose her position but she also tainted her reputation. Indeed, a "bad judgement."

North Ireland's first-ever sextuplets

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8065097.stm

Four girls and two boys. These are the sextuplets of the Conway couple of the County Tyrone in Belfast. The couple's natural born babies are the first sextuplets in Belfast and in the UK in 26 years. The upcoming arrival of the babies to their hometown is greeted with a lot of support from thier neighbors, parish priest, councillor and the rest of the community. Everyone is overly happy about the news of their birth. Mrs. Nuala Conway had a Caesarian section delivery at the Royal Jubillee Maternity Hospital in Belfast on May 22. The babies were 14 weeks premature. They are now in the intensive care. As they return to their hometown, great support awaits them according to their local prist Fr. Pat Hughes. In 2002, quintuplets were also born in County Tyrone.

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Every birth, may it be a single or multiple one, is always a happy occasion. It is delighting to know that the couple's community is showing their support to them. From what I know, these kinds of birth have a special funding from the city or local government. They would certainly be needing that especially that they have six babies. Raising one baby is difficult, let alone six. I wish that their babies will be healthy and that they will get all the support they need. They are lucky to have sextuplets because in the future, they won't worry of having another kids. They got plenty in one go. And not everybody is blessed with multiple babies or even single one.

Murdered Boy, Murdered Dream

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/East-London-Stabbing-Jahmal-Mason-Blair-Found-Dead-On-Amhurst-Road-Hackney

His dream to become a professional football player died with him. 17 year-old Jahmal Mason Blair was found dead by the patrolling police at 1 am in Amhrst Road, near Hackney Downs and Hackney Central stations yesterday with punctured wound to his neck. A black male, aged between 14 and 18 years old wearing dark clothing is the possible suspect for his murder. The police are looking for witnesses who might have information leading to the suspect. His family left a tribute for him in Facebook while his friends and other concerned public placed flowers in the crime scene. Meanwhile, an anonymous witness said that she heard a fight involving 20 boys at around after midnight. She did not know what happened afterwards. According to Jamal's friend, although he was small, he got a talent in playing football. In fact, he was rising as a star player and just tried-out at Reading.

The autopsy of the victim's body is scheduled tomorrow, 24 May.

REACTION
To lose someone is very painful. But all the more painful if you lose someone in a situation like this --- murdered, and the killer is on the loose. I can relate to the pain Jamal's family is suffering from right now. In 2002, my brother was also murdered and until now, the murderer is at large. We do not know who killed him and why he was killed. In our moments of mourning, we uttered that had he died because of sickness, perhaps the pain we were feeling was not that excruciating, because at least we knew that he was going to die. But the way he died, it was as if he was a stray dog shot by a trigger happy crazy person who was tripping that night. My brother is 7 years dead now and his case seemed to die with him. The local police did nothing than a preliminary investigation and case closed. I think the local government should take up immediate actions to prevent teenagers from hanging out in the streets in the wee hours. In the first place, these teenagers should be at home sleeping by this time. I am really hoping that justice to Jamal's family will not become as elusive as ours. His killer must soon be arrested and punished accordingly. He did not only kill the boy, he also killed his dreams.

Carol Anne Duffy: First female poet laureate

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/may/01/carol-ann-duffy-poet-laureate

Carol Anne Duffy ended the four hundred years domination of male poets in the poetry world. She became the first female English poet laureate today. She said she thought long and hard before she accepted the post. She did it mainly because there was no woman poet laureate (yet) and as a sort of recognition to all the great women poets. She told that her public life would be separated from her private life. Having in mind that "it was better to give it [the money] back to poetry", her yearly stipend of 5,750 pounds will go to the Poetry Society. The news of Duffy's nomination leaked a week earlier before the formal occasion. From a shortlist of ten candidates, Duffy ended up number one with the Queen's approval. PM Gordon congratulated Duffy and called her a "truly brilliant poet". She will occupy the laureate post for ten years, replacing Andrew Motion, who wrote poems for the Queen and a rap for Prince William. She was supposed to take the post in 1999 after Ted Hughes death but reluctant because of her lesbian relationship then. Duffy is one of the best selling authors in the UK, with a long list of prestigious awards such as the TS Eliot prize, the Dylan Thomas award, the Whitbread poetry prize, the Somerset Maugham award and the Forward prize. She started to get involved with poetry in the 1970 and earned the title,"poetess". In an interview with Jeannette Winterson, she stressed that she was not a lesbian poet but instead defined herself as a poet and a mother. Aside from her seven adult novels know for its "accessibility, lightness of touch and emotional depth", she also writes poems and picture books for children, plays and edits anthologies. Before Duffy, the first woman to be considered for the post was Elizabeth Barrett Browning in 1850 but Tennyson was chosen instead of her. Her predecessor, Motion, gave her two important pointers. Firstly, preserve her private life. Secondly, the laureateship can bring havoc to her writing. Carol Anne Duffy lives in Manchester and creative director of Manchester Metropolitan University's writing school.

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It is a great achievement for the women - in the literary world and in general - to be recognized in this field. Particularly, in a field mainly dominated by men for hundred of years. I have not read any of her books or poems yet. But I will surely do after reading this news. Being a poet laureate is definitely one big of a task. Especially under the scrutinizing eyes of literary critics, there must be pressures. Her courage and reasons in accepting the post is admirable. She made her mark in the history of literature by being the first Scot, first bisexual and first woman poet laureate of the 21st Century. Indeed, an amazing woman and an inspiration to aspiring poets and writers. Kudos to Carol Ann Duffy.

Gordon Brown apologized for MP's Expenses

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5307019/MPs-expenses-Gordon-Brown-apologises-to-public-on-behalf-of-House-of-Commons.html

The country is enraged over the recent scandal of MP's expenses disclosed by the Telegraph. After the public apology done by Tory's leader David Cameron, PM Gordon followed by conceding that it was not only the system's fault but the Government and other opposition parties must share the raps as well. The Labour party leader apologized to the public on behalf of all the politicians and parties during his speech to the Royal College of Nursing in Harrogate today. His spokesman's said that he (PM) was satisfied with all the explanations done by his Labour ministers who "milked the system" and would therefore not take any actions against them. After the PM speech, followed the speech of David Cameron. His colleagues in the Conservative Party's shadow cabinet, Michael Gove (13000 pounds in moving costs), Andrew Lansley (4,000 pounds for house renovation) , David Willets (115 pounds for changing 25 light bulbs in his second house) and Oliver Letwin (2,000 pounds for a replacement of leaking pipe under his tennis court), to name a few, are under investigation for paying their expenses for their second homes with the tax-payers money. Cameron insisted that an acknowledgment from politicians that this had happened and that they were sorry was needed to gain the public confidence back. He also expressed that " it is not just morally desirable but politically essential that our representatives set a good example." Cameron and the PM are both calling for the "cleaning up" of the system. Meanwhile, some warned and were alarmed about the suggestions on the disclosure of MP's receipt to a private auditing firm under the Freedom of Information Act. But PM Gordon's spokesman's dispelled it by saying "there should be a tougher auditing but not at the expense of transparency."

Note: For the details of every MP's expenses, go to this link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/

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The Telegraph is commendable for exposing the MP's in their dubious schemes for claiming expenses. They are exploiting the parliamentary allowances system to support their own lifestyle and second homes. This is outrageous. I am agitated. These MP's should step down from their offices. Instead of providing services they promised to the people during the elections, they are spending people's money for their own luxurious affairs. These kinds of politicians should never be elected again. They are using government positions to have a wealthy life while many people they promised to serve are poor. I am disturbed by the statement of PM Gordon that there would be no action to be taken against his Labour Party ministers who may have "milked the system". Is he serious? Will he allow his party mates to get away with it? As if it is just the most normal thing to do in the world? There must be a collective action to oust these corrupt politicians. There must be something to be done to teach them a lesson. I am hoping that the British people would unite and form a movement calling for a political change and genuine social reforms.

Man complained: "My pizza has no toppings." But later realised it was upside down

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5299709/Man-complains-his-pizza-has-no-topping---until-he-realises-it-is-upside-down.html

The newest YouTube craze is the recording of a call placed by a Welsh man in a supermarket helpline complaining that his pizza had no toppings therefore he had nothing to eat for dinner. Minutes later, he realized that he opened the pizza box upside down. Admitting he was a fool, the man continued to complain that the box "should have been marked with instructions". A certain man named Nicky Labron said that the call was a joke and one of many prank calls posted on YouTube under his name. While ASDA supermarket chain spokesperson said that it sounded genuine, but it was not traceable. He added that ASDA "has no plans of marking its pizza boxes with instructions about how to open them".

To listen to it, click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H8HnaTIcmk

Reaction
A funny yet odd story. The man's reaction was a bit odd because instead of checking the box first, he called the helpline to complain. Because if it was me, I would do the former. On a reflective note, however, I am wondering whether the ASDA pizza box the man got was a plain box without any information on it. As far as I know and have seen, the maker's name and pizza flavor are usually written on top of the box. With these information, one can tell that that is the opening side. If the pizza box the man got was a plain box, then, it is understandable that the man opened it upside down. He was also right to claim that it should have had "opening instructions." But If the box had the maker's brand on top of it, then, the man must have been really hungry to open it upside down. What I don't understand is the calling part. Nevertheless, whether the calling part is true or not, the lesson of this story is to check first before calling the helpline to prevent making a fool out of yourself in the end, unless, you want to become instantly famous.

More swine flu positives in the UK

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/three-more-uk-cases-of-swine-flu-1676569.html

After confirming five swine flu patients, the Department of Health added three more cases making it a total of eight people affected with swine flu in the UK. Six patients are from England and two are from Scotland. Apart from these, there were also 230 possible cases being investigated. All victims traveled from Mexico, where the disease originated. The three victims are being treated at their homes. While other people who came into contact with them were being offered anti-virals by the DH. To further prevent the disease from spreading, health authorities advised the public to use tissues, dispose of them properly and wash their hands regularly. Prime Minister Gordon Brown assured the public that there are plenty of medical supplies and the government is ready since they have been prepared for something like this for a long time. PM Gordon's assurance is supported by Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, the Government's Chief Medical Officer. He said he is expecting many more cases but is confident that the government will be able to handle it.

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This swine flu outbreak reminded me of SARS epidemic in 2002 that lasted for two years. Hopefully, this swine flu will be prevented quickly and the deaths caused by it will be stopped as soon as possible, especially in Mexico where people are not only troubled with deaths but also with economic downturn. Because of the outbreak, which is on the brink of becoming pandemic, restaurants, bars and cafes are closed. Locals and tourists are almost nowhere to be seen. This definitely hurts people's income. So it is either they die of swine flu or of hunger. In the UK, it is good that the government is prepared and that there are medical supplies ready. However, why do they wait for an outbreak to happen before launching a simple public health campaign of washing hands, using tissues and making medical supplies available to the people? I hope that the WHO will call on rich countries to give all possible medical and economic support to Mexico and other affected poor countries to combat the swine flu outbreak.

Old School Fashion

Sunday, April 19, 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/fashion/oldschool-fashion-1659767.html

SUMMARY
High fashion vintage is no longer for the elite only. Cow and Bang Bang Vintage, two of the popular vintage specialized stores, opened their branches in Sheffield city centre two years ago to offer affordable, unique vintage clothing and accessories especially for the hard up students. Both stores organized different activities to entice students to patronize their products. Cow organized a student lock-in at all their three stores in the Sheffield, Birmingham and Nottingham with an after-party event while Bang Bang Vintage offered discounts and up-and-coming designers’ collections. Students were also offered various fashion shows, clothes swaps and fairs. Furthermore, different vintage fairs have been organized in student avenues and unions selling reasonably priced vintage items, offering style advice and repair of clothes. With these offers at hand, students can wear high fashion vintage anytime they want.

REACTION
It is nice to read good news like this. Particularly in this belt-tightening times, students are less likely to spend money on expensive fashionable vintage clothing and accessories. I like the stores’ idea of not only providing stylish, trendy and less pricy garments and accessories to the students but also organizing vintage fairs and clothing swap activities. Surely, they will attract more students and young professionals. Of course, behind the idea is also to generate profit but nevertheless, there are few stores that work on a concept of going vintage in an affordable way. I wish I could go to Sheffield. Perhaps I will find there the vintage bag I want. I’m not really into vintage but I like vintage bags, especially old leather messenger bags. It’s a pity there are no stores like that here in the Netherlands, or at least none that I know of.

GP’s “are failing depressed patients”

Sunday, April 19, 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/gps-are-failing-depressed-patients-1671060.html

SUMMARY
People suffering from depression are unaware of the treatment they get. This is the result of the study entitled Daring to Choose conducted by the charity Depression Alliance. According to the group, out of 513 people they asked, only a third of them have been informed about anti-depressants as a choice, while 70 percent know little information about the side effects of the drug. The study also shows that GP’s (General Practitioners) fail to adhere to guidelines created by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) on the proper use of anti-depressants, treatments and counseling groups. Thus, the Alliance is campaigning to make depression as a public health issue a government’ priority. They are also calling on NHS officials to make the medical and non-medical services available to people. Furthermore, the Alliance chief executive, Emer O’Neill, said that often people with depression go home after consulting their GP’s with no other choices but the prescribed anti-depressants. On the government’s side, there are efforts to address the issue but some experts are critical about it. Manual laborer, Alasdiar Mackenzie, shared that when he had a serious breakdown he was told by his supportive GP that he could not rely to NHS. Fortunately, he had money to seek private medical help.

REACTION

I thought in a country like the United Kingdom where health care is advanced, depression is being taken as a serious mental illness. But I was wrong. It is outrageous that GP’s and the NHS do not provide choices and proper medical treatment to people suffering from depression. It is sad that people like Mackenzie had to pay a private therapist because NHS is not reliable and GP’s often fail them. What if people with depression have no means to undergo private therapy sessions? Luckily, there is a group like the Depression Alliance initiating a campaign to make depression a public health priority. This is a good sign showing that there is a sector in society that cares for people suffering from this kind of mental illness.

First Entry

Again, another blog site. But why? I already have two (the one in Friendster is not counted) where I have an on and off relationship. Another one? Well, this one is different. With this blogsite, our relationship is fixed....for 7 weeks...because it's a school project! (Yey! hmmm...) Meaning, a regular blogging work for 7 weeks...aha...hmmm...Yes, okay. Enough.

Welcome everyone!!! Hope you'll enjoy my blog articles.