2006 DAC

Design Automation Conference in San Francisco. I went there last month. It was interesting to see how new innovations have reached our imaginations. Intel was hosting so many demos. I checked out about 3 demos at intel. Most of the companies seem a little slow this year --- lack of enthusiasm. I've been to DAC for three times now. First one was in L.A, and second one was in Vegas. Of course, Vegas conference was the most enjoyable and memorable. Technology and innovations are more exciting at that time. Here, we still have so much promises. Wireless is where everyone is heading to get faster and in a bigger way. TSMC and UMC had big booths, and their demo people are nicer than some other booths. This year, I couldn't spend much time like last time. Oh yeah, free gadgets --- give aways are there and I got a free USB drive from Intel. It is cute and nice although it won't be much useful since it is only 32 MB.
Also, they had an interesting painting project which raised money for the San Jose Ballet. I painted one block and they took the picture of the block and printed for me (so nice). I was late and I got to see only like 4 demos this time. It was fun and enjoyable.

Insight

The cup is always half empty for some people. Life is full of goodness and bad things mingling in a given period. We need to pick the nice flowers rather than staring and being sad about the withered ones. Why do people dwell around the bad memories? Start over. Life is fresh. There are so much opportunities to look forward to. Be appreciative of the gratitude that you have ever received. Then, just move on and find another path. Life is unlimited. We do not need to prove to anyone of what we believe in. Believing is within. I have read that happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have. So, we just have to remind ourselves that our cup is always half full.

the image is from www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/.../images/2005_1831.JPG

I need to know

It's not Marc Anthony, but --- yes,
I really need to know. Why????
Why people disappoint each other?
Why do we have to disappoint each other.
I need to know. I really need to know.
Because ---
There I am, in the middle of the night,
with wide eyes, blinking meaninglessly, then
starring into the darkness, twisting and turning,
unsuccessfully meditating.
My sweet and simple life,
now I have tainted with the most innocent flowers of kindness.

the image is from www.spilot.com/images/4336.jpg

Happiness

If you can forgive,
If you can content,
If you can endure,
Happiness will be there
with you forever.

from my favourite math teacher
(D. M. M. T) 1987

Sunny Days

Summer is here. Well, ---- almost over.
However, it is still sweet and flavourful just like a pot of honey.
Butterflies are playing around the lilies.
Bees are drowning around the wild grass flowers.
Birds are singing on the green branches of the trees.
It's almost time to hit the stores for Back to School sales.
New semester, new year, new friends, new days ---
so much to look forward to --- for those kids
going back to school.
Maturation process is instant.
Before one gets time to figure out,
there they are, there we are,

all grown up, independent, and full of dreams ---
Different dreams of life.
Nomatter what, along the maturation process,
the main ingredient is 'the responsiveness'.
After all, we are all responsible for our actions , our commitments,
our decisions, our own life, and

how we spent or wasted those flavourful honey potted sunny days.

picture is from www.honeypotcrail.co.uk/images/Isle_of_may.jpg

The World Smallest Flowering Plant

Duckweed
the smallest yet that can bloom to bear fruits
the tiny mighty power
that takes over any idle water
Travel down the stream
oh! so gracefully ---
-------------
---to boldly go
where-------
no duckweed had gone before.

The picture is from www.phillywater.org/WQ/images/duckweed.jpg

To Live

Shhhhh....
It's quiet.
Bright moon is bouncing its rays
over the peaceful river
ehhh...
The night is still young
again
we yawn for another day
another bright and shining day
of course,
just one more.
Only one more
one more day...

Melodies of Life

This song always reminds me of
the greatest loving and caring friends....
that I have met all along
the melodies of my life.
I am very greatful for having all of you
....as memories that made up who I am today.
For you all to enjoy........

English version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mNOJpN_qOQ&feature=related
Japanese version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnRCaDLFAWI&feature=related
(I don't want to upload the song on my blog.
So, here it is the site that I found where you can listen the song and read lyrics.
Personally, I love the Japanese version better.)

Melodies of Life
Vocals: Emiko Shiratori

Alone for a while I've been searching through the dark
For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart
To weave by picking up the pieces that remain
Melodies of life--love's lost refrain

Our paths they did cross, though I cannot say just why
We met, we laughed, we held on fast, and then we said goodbye
And who'll hear the echoes of stories never told?
Let them ring out loud till they unfold
In my dearest memories, I see you reaching out to me
Though you're gone, I still believe that you can call out my name

* A voice from the past, joining yours and mine
Adding up the layers of harmony
And so it goes, on and on
Melodies of life,
To the sky beyond the flying birds--forever and beyond

So far and away, see the bird as it flies by
Gliding through the shadows of the clouds up in the sky
I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings
Leave them now and see what tomorrow brings

In your dearest memories, do you remember loving me?
Was it fate that brought us close and now leaves me behind?

* Repeat

If I should leave this lonely world behind
Your voice will still remember our melody
Now I know we'll carry on
Melodies of life
Come circle round and grow deep in our hearts
As long as we remember

Japanese Version Lyrics
Melodies of Life

ate monaku sama yotte ita
tegakari monaku sagashi tsuzuketa
anata ga kureta omoi de kokoro iyasu toka nishite

yakusoku mo suru kota monaku
kawasu koto bama kimetari mosezu
dakishime soshite tashika mete hibiwa nido to kaeranau

kioku no naka no te ofuru anata
wawatashi no namae o yobuku toga deki runo

afureru sono namida o kagaya kuyuu kini kaete
inochi wa tsuzuku yoruo koa uta gau koto nonai ashitare totsuzuku

tobu tori no mukou no sorade ikutsu
no kioku azuke tada rou
hakanai kibou mo yume mo todokanai basyo ni wasurete

Meguri aunowa guuzen toi e runo
wakareru toki ga kanarazu kuru noni

kieyuku unmei demo kimi ga ikiteiru kagiri
inochi watsuzuku eien ni sono chikara no kagiri doko made mo

watashi ga shinou tomo kimi ga ikiteiru kagiri
inochi watsuzuku eien ni sono chikara no kagiri
doko made no tsuzuku

The Great Burmese Poet

---that I admire the most is Sayar Zaw Gyi. Luckily, he is a grand father of my colleague from high school (Gosh! I miss her(H.Y.M), I wonder where she is now), so I asked my friend to get me an autograph from my favorite poet of all time, her grand father --- and I got one. It is an authentic autograph for me from Sayar Zaw Gyi. One of my favorite poems from Sayar Zaw Gyi's collection is "Tine-thi-bar-ye"(meaning 'the whole world know it all). He was famous for the poem, "Bay-dar-lann", which was made into the song, and a famous movie using the poem as a theme. Such a great poet,--- one of a kind.

Vintage Wine

Life is sweet ... a process of long concentration over the time. We say 'Hi', then we say 'Bye' to the world, to the people, to the love ones at one point. Like the sun, which rises in the eastern horizon till it reaches the bright full noon, which eventually has to set in the west with a graceful arrays of light. Just like a rose, which blooms from the youthful bud to a fully bloom flower, and which then has to wither bravely petal by petal. Experiences are collected over the time, inside the inner depth of our mind, in our heart,--- in our soul. The end of the road is the same station where everyone gets off holding the unique ticket which again leads to where --- nobody knows. Uncertainty is the beauty, the lethal attraction that we hooked on. When things become certain, life becomes boring and unappealing to most of us. We are insanely in love with uncertainty because it can shake us, it can break us, or it can even take us to our beyond believe and our wild imaginations. No matter what it takes, we live on, --- we all live on,--- waiting for tomorrow, singing Annie's beautiful song unknowingly, faintly in our hearts: 'Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow, it's only a day away---'.

Lake Elizabeth

Evenings are very peaceful at the lake Elizabeth. One full round walking around the lake takes about 45 minutes to an hour on an average speed. It is about two miles distance around the lake. A lot of joggers and families exercise around the lake. There are four to five play grounds for the children around the lake. Some does bicycling, some does rollerblading, and some does running while others mostly walking with their own pace. Most of the children ride their bicycle or scatters, and enjoy the breeze coming across the lake. Imagery of the lake and its surrounding is changing with seasons.

Very beautiful in deed in the spring time. Against the green velvet like mountains at the far east side of the lake, the wild land around the lake is occupied by the seasonal wild yellow flowers. The lake is surrounded by different kinds of flowering plants. Not only cherry flowers bloom in early spring but also the significant Californian seasonal wild flowers are spotted occasionally.

In addition to the flowers, there also are the wild animals taking different niches at different areas surrounding the Lake. The most prevalent ones are the yearly visitors, Canadian Gooses, which are so elegant. Ducks, seagulls, pelicans, and a lot other additional species can be spotted at different areas. Watching a family of ducks swimming in the lake or watching a couple of gooses gracefully can be making one feels leaving all the worries behind.

Sunsets are the most beautiful scene especially in the summer time. The cold breeze coming across the lake refreshes the heated stuffy mind. Long summer stretch of the days are the additional luxury to witness the beauty of sunsets. Nature is our best friend and natural beauty is the one keeping us happy, healthy, and in peace of mind.

Korean Drama

has been popular in Burma(Myanmar) since a while ago. Actually, it is not only in Burma, it has been well noticed throughout Asia. It is a new Korean wave. Their success is because of the newer generation Korean directors and script writers being trained in western countries. These newer generations of the film makers went back to Korea and they successfully implemented their own culture and traditional values into their knowledge of film making.
I wish something like that could happen in Burmese(Myanmar) film industry. I hope one day to see the artistic idea of originality and quality materials in Burmese films. It is a long way to reach to the standard of our own since Burmese film industry just keep copying and remaking any successful films that they can reach. Copying is always a good start to learn, but nothing original in the life long portfolio of the artist resume??? One should seriously consider on their status (as an artist). The knowledgeable older generations of the artists like Sayar Gyi U Thuka, the talented camera men like Sayar Chit Min Lu, or the genius script writers like U Win Oo, has been gone and Burmese film industry has been crowded with little stars of less artistic interests. Most of today stars' concerns are to be rich and famous, no matter what it takes to reach to that status. Reputation, integrity, knowledge, or talent is very hard to find among the mix crowd. I don't mean to bring down all the stars .... I am sure there would be a few hidden talented quality stars among the crowd. I hope one day these talented stars would be able to shine brighter than ever for the sake of art and creativity.

My obsession

towards Japanese design and products.
San Francisco Japan town offers 'Japanese Design Today 100' show this week. The list of the modern design includes a simple radio, a rice cooker, a PS from Sony, bullet trains, multiple edges erasers, an electric guitar and so much more. The president of this little design tour said that designers should consider the design to be useful and comfortable for the consumers, but not just to promote a good sale. It is a very interesting show which brings light into mind that one can always be thoughtful about others in almost every little details. Master minds does not only create a big inventions, they also create every day little essentials to be more comfortable and artistic. Creativity is everything ... it is an art, it represents love, and it gives purpose to our lives, our thoughts, and our ways of living. Japanese designs are unique, simple, very efficient and perfect. They fill our life with a warm love.

Titanic

by David R. Slavitt (1983)

Who does not love the Titanic?
If they sold passage tomorrow for that same crossing,
who would not buy?

To go down . . . We all go down, mostly
alone. But with crowds of people, friends, servants,
well fed, with music, with lights! Ah!

And the world, shocked, mourns, as it ought to do
and almost never does. There will be the books and movies
to remind our grandchildren who we were
and how we died, and give them a good cry.

Not so bad, after all. The cold
water is anesthetic and very quick.
The cries on all sides must be a comfort.

We all go: only a few, first-class.

Very ironic, but it is interesting to see things from a different view.

Devil's Birthday

666: "Omen" is back on the movie therater.
Some people believe that something bad will happen
on that day, sort of like apocalypse.
In the King James Version of the Bible,
the well-known verse of Revelation 13:18 reads:
"Let him that hath understanding
count the number of the beast:
for it is the number of a man;
and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."
Why the nature of darkness always provoke the curiosity?
Other than some women trying to avoid to have their babies
on that specific day, it was just another regular day.
And we survived....the 666.

Morning Nostalgia

When the sun rises, it looks like a big bright orange circle in the east horizon. It is shining over the river and the paddy field. The sky is usually clear and brightly blue. There is a little hut in the field where the farmers live. There are some buffaloes greeting the sunrise out in the field. Coming across the river is the morning breeze carrying the smell of some dried fish put out by the farmers. If it is rainy season, it just carries the smell of refreshing water vapors. In winter times, the fog would be lying around the brim of the horizon, looking very much alike a thin white veil. The mornings are always youthful and energetic.

Morning breakfast is always varied. From steamed sweet rice with the graded coconut on top to Burmese traditional Moent-hnin-khar ( rice stick noodles in the fish soup), there are so much varieties to choose from street vendors. Coffee and tea shops are everywhere, where they serve hot plain tea for free as much as one wants. People carry their own shopping baskets and walk to street markets every morning for their groceries. The street markets could be very colorful, noisy and interesting. It is the place where people socialize and exchange current news, affairs, gossips, and all sorts of events that draw their interest the most. It is not surprising to see the stray dogs fighting over the trash can or a beggar sleeping by the side of the street. Markets are filled with fresh meat, poultry, variety of fishes, vegetables and fruits, snack foods, and freshly cut flower shops. Buyers and sellers bargain constantly for anything and everything. Reaching to the agreeable price is the establishment of their good relationship. It is a way of practicing public speech and merchandising skills.

Everytime I get a chance to see the bright orange morning sun, it touches my heart to vividly remember those youthful mornings with lively noises, the smell of morning snacks, and refreshing fragrances of the freshly cut flowers.

Amazing Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty is unbelievably a world celebrity. She does not become popular with any movie or comic or any kind of background like Mickey Mouse or Barney. She is just a plain image (of course, Sanrio created her as a character much later). She is 36 years old now (in 2006). There are many different psychological analysis on Hello Kitty's charm over many people's heart for many years. Why this kitty is so special? It is hard to answer. There are so many adorable Japanese characters --- so many out there, but why, why Hello Kitty has been persistent in the market? This is a fact that struck me and surprised me the most.

It is hard to name something of everyday item that has not come out with Hello Kitty brand. From toilet paper to computer laptop, from rice cooker to vibrator, from automobile and airplane to electronic games, from underwear to designer jewelry, from Hello Kitty taxi service to Puroland and Harmonyland (something similar to Disneyland), this kitty never fail to surprise me everytime I encounter new product in the market. According to wiki, she has 22,000 products and she is accounting for half of Sanrio's $1 billion annual revenue. This kitty is a fortune.

My Sweet Rose

My little sweet rose is blooming beautifully.
It took painstakingly long
to see this first rose.
I seeded the plant long time ago,
almost ten years....
It was not like those who bought the plant,
which is almost blooming
or already in bloom.
Through the years of weeding
and grooming with lots of love and tender.
Finally, my little plant is cherishing me
with this sweet rose.
Ahhhhhh ------ my first rose.

I did not know which color the rose is going to be,
but when the time comes, as I have always wanted,
it is a very pretty pink rose.
Everyday, moment by moment,
I watch my sweet rose blooming,
petal by petal.
It brings a tranquility into my life.
It gives a courage to my soul.
It shines a hope onto my heart.
I have seen so many beautiful roses out there, everywhere,---
all of my life, but this one is special,....
...very special in a way that it adds
a whole different level of meaning into my life.

Puzzle

Life is like a different dimensional puzzle.
Depending on which pieces we decided to choose
to put together, we get different outcomes.
Nomatter what, it is our own commitment ---
it takes time, it takes learning process,
it takes experiences, and it takes a lot of courage too.
Life is beautiful like those early morning green grasses
shining under the morning sun.
Life is beautiful like those spring cherry blossoms
blown away in the breezy wind.
Life is beautiful like those white crest waves
running over and over onto the shore.
Life is beautiful like those mountains
changing colors with the seasons.
Take a pause --- --- --- ---,
and enjoy the moment,
the beautiful moment of our precious life.

The First Piece

Life is short, and happiness is very illusional.
I almost forget the uncertainty of life until recently when I was pet sitting five gold fishes.
I decided to change the water for them, with all the good intentions, yet they all died.
I was in misery .... .... ....
I didn't mean to kill them, or let them die.
But it happens. Then, I remember how I had felt when I heard the news of how grandpa had passed away, how my dad had passed away, the two events only about 5 years apart from each other.
Life was sweet, life was sour,.... Life was romantic in my younger days.
Now, life is becoming richer and bitter each and everyday.