Lung tung.

Hừm. Thật là ghét. Mình lại ghen rồi, hừ.

Thế là chỉ còn 1 môn nữa thôi, còn nhiều cái phải làm quá :-SS Cố lên nao`!

Citibank notebook loan

- Does the indemnitor need to be a working person?
- Indemnitor and parents' CPF statement must be within the latest 12 months (must be obtained this Dec!!)
- NRIC and Passport copies of parents! (mum's also included!)
- Copy of invoice or purchase order of the notebook computer made out to the name of the Main Applicant

Supporting documents which are not in English must be accompanied by a translation in English. Applications with no supporting documents will not be considered. To avoid any delay in the processing of the application, please ensure that the supporting documents are complete and submitted to Citibank to the following address:
Citibank Singapore Ltd
1 Temasek Avenue
#13-01 Millenia Tower
Singapore 039192
Attn: Secured Loans Unit (Ref: ELA)

An old acquaintance

I ran into this blog of her today. I felt my heart touched, and my dreams craving out. It was such a beautiful soul, free and pretty. In the midst of everyday hassles, I realize my dreams could come true, and I want to live beautifully, too.. :)

http://360.yahoo.com/profile-wSU2OHA8brU.Nt0PDNlJysXl0bWy

Infatuation

If I leave you, how sad would you feel? Sometimes, I'm starting to doubt how much loving you really share to me.

More than a flirting-by passion, I know I like you. I see this picture today, And I realize she is still there. You say you don't care. But I need more trust. Poor this weak and indecisive me. If you call, I will pick up. If you message, I will reply. I don't want to disappoint you. Since I like you so much, you see. I want to hug you :) But spontaneous a person as I am, I cannot help thinking, what is the end for this. I want to freely let the passions fly, and leave behind all the shadow that darkens between us. But I see the shadow here and there. You never say you let it leave. I may have dreamt too much when I believe you do. I was building castles along the way. Castles are nice, and I like you..

But I think I should resist myself. Friends is just what we can call ourselves. Much as I want to care about you, I feel insecurity growing. Ambivalence, once it is there without control, will just grow by itself.

I start to wonder, if now suddenly I get this "proposal" from you, would I agree? I will not. Since I do not trust you enough. It's time I open my eyes to the wider world, and look for more handsome and trustworthy and caring guys than you.

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007

Em nhớ anh :(

Synonyms and antonyms

1. matching ~ corresponding, equivalent, identical, like, duplicate, paired, parallel
# different, clashing

2. relatively ~ almost, approximately, comparably, comparatively, nearly, proportionately

3. conform
(adapt) ~ accommodate, adjust, comply, attune, coordinate, fit, follow, harmonize, integrate, make room, obey, reconcile, reconciliate, suit, tune, yield
# deviate, differ, oppose, rebel
(correspond) ~ accord, agree, match, suit, tally
# diverge, mismatch

4. confidence ~ inner strength, positive self-image, self-assurance
# diffidence, insecurity,, self-doubt

5. defeat ~ overthrow, conquer, conquest, annihilate, bear down, halt, hinder, impede, overwhelm, prevail over, suppress, vanquish
# triumph, victory, win

6. immediate family # extended family

7. acceptive ~ receptive, but: accept # receive
- acceptive (a) tendency, inclined to receive or accept
- receptive (a) having the quality of receiving, taking in, admitting, able or quick to receive knowledge, ideas (a receptive mind), willing or inclined to receive suggestions, offers (a receptive listener)

acceptive ~ acceptant, acceptive, approachable, broad-minded, impartial, interested, observant, open to suggestions, perceptive, persuadable, swayable, tolerant, unbiased, understanding

# resistant, unresponsive

8. utilize ~ advance, apply, appropriate, bestow, employ, exercise, exploit, forward, further, handle, promote, resort to, use

9. thrive ~ do well, advance, bloom, blossom, boom, grow, progress, prosper, radiate, rise, shine, succeed

>< decline, fail, languish, blunder, break down, miss, run aground (of a ship - to become stuck on rocks), slip

Whisper words of wisdom

I had a weird dream today. From psychology tricks to interpret dreams, I guess it means ignorance will disappoint people who love you.

I thought I can be confiding enough. But I cannot. Yes, let it be. There will be an answer, let it be.

country, nation, state and nation-state

In casual usage, the terms "country," "nation," and "state" are often used as if they were synonymous; but in a more strict usage they can be distinguished:

- Country denotes a geographical area.

- Nation denotes a people who are believed to or deemed to share common customs, origins, and history. However, the adjectives national and international also refer to matters pertaining to what are strictly states, as in national capital, international law.

- State refers to the set of governing institutions that has sovereignty over a definite territory.

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[edit] Characteristics of the nation-state
Nation-states have their own characteristics, differing from those of the pre-national states. For a start, they have a different attitude to their territory, compared to the dynastic monarchies: it is semi-sacred, and non-transferable. No nation would swap territory with other states simply, for example, because the king's daughter got married. They have a different type of border, in principle defined only by the area of settlement of the national group, although many nation-states also sought natural borders (rivers, mountain ranges).

The most noticeable characteristic is the degree to which nation-states use the state as an instrument of national unity, in economic, social and cultural life.

The nation-state promoted economic unity, first by abolishing internal customs and tolls. In Germany this process - the creation of the Zollverein - preceded formal national unity. Nation-states typically have a policy to create and maintain a national transportation infrastructure, facilitating trade and travel. In 19th-century Europe, the expansion of the rail transport networks was at first largely a matter for private railway companies, but gradually came under control of the national governments. The French rail network, with its main lines radiating from Paris to all corners of France, is often seen as a reflection of the centralised French nation-state, which directed its construction. Nation-states continue to build, for instance, specifically national motorway networks. Specifically trans-national infrastructure programmes, such as the Trans-European Networks, are a recent innovation.

The nation-states typically had a more centralised and uniform public administration than its imperial predecessors: they were smaller, and the population less diverse. (The internal diversity of, for instance, the Ottoman Empire was very great). After the triumph of the nation-state in Europe, regional identity was subordinate to national identity, in regions such as Alsace-Lorraine, Catalonia, Brittany, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. In many cases, the regional administration was also subordinated to central (national) government. This process was partially reversed from the 1970s onward, with the introduction of various forms of regional autonomy, in formerly centralised states such as France.

However, the most obvious impact of the nation-state, as compared to its non-national predecessors, is the creation of a uniform national culture, through state policy. The model of the nation-state implies that its population constitute a nation, united by a common descent, a common language, and many forms of shared culture. When the implied unity was absent, the nation-state often tried to create it. It promoted a uniform national language, through language policy. (When Italy was united as a political entity, the majority of the population could not speak Italian.) The creation of national systems of compulsory primary education and a relatively uniform curriculum in secondary schools, was the most effective instrument in the spread of the national languages. The schools also taught the national history, often in a propagandistic and mythologised version, and (especially during conflicts) some nation-states still teach this kind of history. [3]

Language and cultural policy was sometimes negative, aimed at the suppression of non-national elements. Language prohibitions were sometimes used to accelerate the adoption of national languages, and the decline of minority languages, see Germanisation.

In some cases these policies triggered bitter conflicts and separatism. Where it worked, the cultural uniformity and homogeneity of the population increased. Conversely, the cultural divergence at the border became sharper: in theory, a uniform French identity extends from the Atlantic coast to the Rhine, and on the other bank of the Rhine, a uniform German identity begins. To enforce that model, both sides have divergent language policy and educational systems, although the linguistic boundary is in fact well inside France, and the Alsace region changed hands four times between 1870 and 1945.

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The nation-state model in practice
Political science uses the term "nation-state" for most existing sovereign states, even if their political boundaries do not coincide with ethnic boundaries.

In some cases, the geographic boundaries of an ethnic population and a political state largely coincide. In these cases, there is little immigration or emigration, few members of ethnic minorities, and few members of the "home" ethnicity living in other countries.

Portugal is seen as one of the best examples of a nation-state. Although surrounded by other lands and people, the Portuguese nation has been the same for almost 900 years. Since its foundation, in 1143, Portugal remained as a single nation living in a single country. Ethnically, Portuguese people are related to Celts, Romans, Germanic peoples like the Suebi and the Visigoths and have been under moorish control for nearly 500 hundred years (see:Berbers and Moors) being the south of the country the region which have suffered the most. Portugal had a great colonial Empire for more than 500 years. Nowadays, Portugal is a very singular country that is still seen as a nation-state though Galicians are still considered by some the same ethnic stock as the Portuguese (specially those in the north).

Iceland is often seen as a strong example of a nation-state. Although the inhabitants are ethnically related to other Scandinavian groups, the national culture and language are found only in Iceland. There are no cross-border minorities — the nearest land is too far away.

Japan is also traditionally seen as a good example of a nation-state, although it includes minorities of the ethnically distinct Ryūkyū peoples in the south, Koreans, Chinese and Filipinos, and on the northern island of Hokkaidō, the indigenous Ainu minority; see also Japanese Demographics and Ethnic issues in Japan.

Both Iceland and Japan are island nations. Portugal, curiously, is not an island and is surrounded by other historic nations in Europe.

The notion of a "national identity" also extends to countries which host multiple ethnic or language groups. For example, Switzerland is constitutionally a confederation of cantons, and has four official languages, but it has also a 'Swiss' national identity, a national history, and a classic national hero, Wilhelm Tell. [1]

Many historical conflicts have arisen where political boundaries do not correspond with ethnic or cultural boundaries. For example, the Hatay Province was transferred to Turkey from Syria after the majority-Turk population complained of mistreatment. The traditional homeland of the Kurdish people extends between northern Iraq and eastern Turkey, and western Iran. Some of its inhabitants call for the creation of an independent Kurdistan, citing mistreatment by the Turkish and Iraqi governments. An armed conflict between the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Turkish government over this issue has been ongoing since 1984.

Belgium is a classic example of a disputed nation-state. The state was formed by secession from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1830, and the Flemish population in the north speaks Dutch. The Flemish identity is also ethnic and cultural, and there is a strong separatist movement. The Walloon identity is linguistic (Francophone) and regionalist. There is also a unitary Belgian nationalism, several versions of a Greater Netherlands ideal, and a German-speaking region annexed from Prussia in 1920, and re-annexed by Germany in 1940–1944.

China covers a large geographic area, and uses the concept of "Zhonghua minzu" — "a Chinese people" — although it also officially recognises the majority Han ethnic group, and no fewer than 55 national minorities.

Where part of the national group lives in a neighbouring nation-state, it is usually called a national minority. In some cases states have reciprocal national minorities, for instance the Slovaks in Hungary and the Magyars (ethnic Hungarians) in Slovakia.

National minorities should not be confused with a national diaspora, which is typically located far from the national border. Most modern diasporas result from economic migration, for example the Irish diaspora.

The possession of dependent territories does influence the status of a nation-state. A state with large colonial possessions is obviously inhabited by many ethnic groups, and is not a mono-ethnic state. However, in most cases, the colonies were not considered an integral part of the motherland, and were separately administered. Some European nation-states have dependent territories in Europe. Denmark contains virtually all ethnic Danes and has relatively few foreign nationals within it. However, it exercises sovereignty over the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

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What states existed before nation-states?


In Europe, in the eighteenth century, the classic non-national states were the multi-ethnic empires, (the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the British Empire), and smaller states at what would now be called sub-national level. The multi-ethnic empire was a monarchy ruled by a king, emperor, or Sultan. The population belonged to many ethnic groups, and they spoke many languages. The empire was dominated by one ethnic group, and their language was usually the language of public administration. The ruling dynasty was usually, but not always, from that group. This type of state is not specifically European: such empires existed on all continents. Some of the smaller European states were not so ethnically diverse, but were also dynastic states, ruled by a royal house. Their territory could expand by royal marriage, or merge with another state when the dynasty merged. In some parts of Europe, notably Germany, very small territorial units existed. They were recognised by their neighbours as independent, and had their own government and laws. Some were ruled by princes or other hereditary rulers, some were governed by bishops or abbots. Because they were so small, however, they had no separate language or culture: the inhabitants shared the language of the surrounding region.

In some cases these states were simply overthrown by nationalist uprisings in the 19th century. Some older nation-states, such as England and France seem to have grown by accretion of smaller entities, before the 19th century. Liberal ideas of free trade played a role in German unification, which was preceded by a customs union, the Zollverein. However, the Austro-Prussian War, and the German alliances in the Franco-Prussian War, were decisive in the unification. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire broke up after the First World War, the Russian Empire became the Soviet Union, after the long Russian Civil War.

Some of the smaller states survived: the independent principalities of Liechtenstein, Andorra, and Monaco, and the republic of San Marino. The Vatican City is not a survival, although there was a larger Papal State. In its present form, it was created by the 1929 Lateran treaties between Italy and the Roman Catholic Church.

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