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From the thick forests a stream flows generously with its cold and clear sweet water. The greens of the horizon safely protect a lush valley planted with rice abundant of ripening panicles and some fields covered with greenhouses of other farm products. Every now and then a thick formation of cloud would descend only to disperse momentarily as thick clouds unveil the sun. It is heartwarming sight to behold the infrequent hugging of mists and forest trees. Although it is summer the valley ’ s coolness is that of autumn. The place is called Green-Eco Touring Village in Mul-an Gol Bukyiri, Chuncheon, Kangwondo. Of its 55 hectares only 44 people or 26 households lives in the place, mostly in their 40 ’ s and majority are aged people. Although a paradise, it is devoid of the laughter and noises of children and lacks the charm and energy of the youth. The place unlike the other rural villages of Korea is without migrant resident or a farmer with a foreign bride. With zero birth rate the ...

Another of those beautiful emails forwarded to me and circulating among friends. So for those who might not be able to receive it in their mailbox I have it posted here on my blog. Sorry the source was not cited. Thank you for the author of this work. A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: 'I am blind, please help.' There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, 'Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?' The man said, 'I only wrote the truth. I said what yo...

Ramadan is the holiest month on the lunar Islamic calendar — a time for fasting, taming human passions, and developing compassion for those less fortunate ("O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may aquire self-restraint " Qur'an 2:183). For Muslims worldwide, the start of the month is based on sightings of the moon, as well as other astronomical calculations. In the United States, most communities follow the decision of the Islamic Society of North America for the highly-anticipated start of Ramadan. When is Ramadan? In 2008, Ramadan begins on Monday, September 1 and will continue for 30 days until Tuesday, September 30. Traditional fasting during Ramadan begins at sunrise or Fajr, and ends at sundown or Maghrib, when foods prepared especially for the month of Ramadan are eagerly devoured! The entire month finally culminates in the Festival of Fast-Breaking or Eid-ul-Fitr which is observed by families or entire n...

Assalamu malaikum warakmatolahi barakatu! Peace! I was told by my Indonesian officemate that today starts the holy month of Ramadan. I have experienced Ramadan having lived for two and half years in KSA. Then I celebrated it with my then co-intern Mus. I decided to observe it as well this year. Not only for health reason but as a personal cause to meditate, pray and invoke an end to violence to the people of Mindanao. Below is a reflection of a good friend, colleague in the NGO who have direct working experience with the tri-people ( Muslim, Christian, Indigenous People (IP) or Lumad) of Mindanao on the issue of peace and development. I invite everyone to celebrate with our Muslim Brothers and Sisters the real spirit of Ramadan, may peace start with us and spread it to the world. Peace in Mindanao! Ramadan Kareem! The Force of Truth Reflections on the Eve of Ramadhan by Marides Gardiola (madettmaitreyii@yahoo.com) The other day I was watching a friend as she slept. She had just come ...