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Post by Nene on Nov 3, 2008 13:21:35 GMT -5
Thank you so much for your warm wishes. Unfortunately it rained all night, so we couldn't walk around. Since it's Friday, we decided to celebrate Halloween at a restaurant instead. We had a good time there.
Wow! Your pictures are so cute. I loved them all, especially the ones below.
They're absolutely adorable! Thank you so much for posting those beautiful pictures here.
[img src="htt [/b]p://img529.imageshack.us/img529/7223/370qq7.gif"] [/center]
I found some cute pictures for you too.
A parrot sits on a dog as their owners take part in a pray for peace ceremony at Royal Plaza in Bangkok. The owners dressed up the dog and the parrot and put the two together to bring joy and happiness to all who see the pair Picture: reuters
A barrow-load of orphaned baby orangutans at the Nyaru Menteng Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Indonesian Borneo Picture: barcroft
People take photographs of a Damascene goat, which won the Most Beautiful Goat title, during the Mazayen al-Maaz competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia... Picture: reuters
A cat plays with a mouse in a garden in Wuhan, China Picture: reuters
Photo News
Pakistani Police Arrest Cleric Who Presided Over Kids' Wedding
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Police raided a wedding between a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl in Pakistan's largest city, arresting the Muslim cleric officiating at the ceremony and the children's parents, a senior officer said Friday.
The cleric had not yet begun the ceremony in Karachi, which was attended by 100 guests, said deputy superintendent of police Malik Mazhar.
Pakistan law forbids marriage below the age of 18, but some Muslim scholars say it is permissible if the bride and groom have reached puberty. Read more below.
Blue Roses to Go on Sale in Japan
The Japanese company that created the world's first genetically modified blue roses, seen here, said Monday it will start selling them next year. [File Photo: AFP]
Think that red roses are predictable? In Japan, gift-givers soon will also have the option of blue roses. The Japanese company that created the world's first genetically modified blue roses said Monday it will start selling them next year.
Suntory Ltd., also a major whisky distiller, hopes to sell several hundred thousand blue roses a year, company spokesman Kazumasa Nishizaki said.
"As its price may be a bit high, we are targeting demand for luxurious cut flowers, such as for gifts," he said. The exact price and commercial name for the blue rose have not been decided.
The company is also growing the rose experimentally in Australia and the United States to get approval for sales, but no timing has been set for commercial launches in the two countries.
Suntory in 2004 unveiled the world's first genetically modified blue rose after 14 years of study which also involved Australian researchers.
It created the flowers by implanting the gene that leads to the synthesis of the blue pigment Delphinidin in pansies. The pigment does not exist naturally in roses.
WWF: Climate change to force pandas to shift their homes
Climate change could force giant pandas to shift their homes, a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) study revealed - and the results on Sichuan's tourism industry could be far-reaching.
Climate change could force pandas to shift their homes, a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) study revealed - and the results on Sichuan's tourism industry could be far-reaching.
Climate change could force pandas to shift their homes, a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) study revealed - and the results on Sichuan's tourism industry could be far-reaching.
In the study reported to an international symposium on climate change and pandas' habitat in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province on Friday, the WWF, formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund, forecast higher temperatures and more rain in the northwest part of the wild giant pandas' habitat, which would encourage them to move from their current home in the southeast to the northwest.
Cheng Li, a researcher at Sichuan University, told the symposium, which finishes this weekend, that his calculation suggests that giant pandas contribute 33.2 percent of the tourism revenue for Sichuan and created about 29 percent jobs for the tourism industry.
Deterioration of pandas' habitat would obviously damage the local tourism, Cheng said.
The latest giant panda survey by the WWF in 2004 found nearly 1,600 pandas in the wild. They are living in a habitat of 23,049 square kilometers, the WWF said.
UK academics are closely working with the WWF to study whether the panda habitat would be affected by global climate change.
Jon Lovett, professor at the University of York in the United Kingdom, said at the symposium, different kinds of bamboos, whose shoots are staple food of pandas, were affected by climate change differently. Prof. Lovett said that ecological changes will predominantly influence pandas to decide where to live.
(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2008)
Rare, prehistoric-age reptile found in New Zealand By RAY LILLEY - Associated Press Writer WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- A rare reptile with lineage dating back to the dinosaur age has been found nesting on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in about 200 years, officials said Friday.
Four leathery, white eggs from an indigenous tuatara were found by staff at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in the capital, Wellington, during routine maintenance work Friday, conservation manager Rouen Epson said.
"The nest was uncovered by accident and is the first concrete proof we have that our tuatara are breeding," Epson said. "It suggests that there may be other nests in the sanctuary we don't know of." New Zealand Rare Reptile New Zealand Rare Reptile AP Photo - In this undated photo supplied by the Karori Sanctuary, an adult tuatara lizard is seen basking on a tree stump at the Karori Sanctuary in Wellington, New Zealand. Conservation staff at Wellington's Karori Sanctuary have found what is almost certainly the first confirmed tuatara nest on mainland New Zealand in over 200 years. The discovery came during routine maintenance work near the Sanctuary's unique mammal-proof fence, when staff uncovered the four ping-pong ball sized leathery white eggs.
Tuatara, dragon-like reptiles that grow to up to 32 inches, are the last descendants of a species that walked the earth with the dinosaurs 225 million years ago, zoologists say.
tinkerbell, have you seen this news?
Actor Kim Wins Top Prize at Korea Drama Festival Awards By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter
Actor Kim Myung-min won the top prize at the 2008 Korea Drama Festival for his role as Maestro Kang (affectionately called ``Kang Mae'') in the hit drama ``Beethoven Virus.''
The Korea Drama Awards opened the five-day festival, which kicked off Saturday in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province.
The festival is a joint collaboration among major broadcasters KBS, SBS and MBC and various cable TV stations in Korea.
A total of 120 dramas had been reviewed, all of which were aired between Oct. 1 in 2007 and Sept. 30 this year.
Kim's character is talented but choosy in Beethoven Virus, the first drama of its kind, which depicts the lives of classical musicians, an orchestra and ordinary people who dream of becoming musicians.
The Best Drama award went to KBS's "Mom's Dead Upset" while Choi Soo-jong of "Daejoyeong," an epic drama, and Kim Ha-neul, who played a picky actress in "On Air," won the Best Actor and Best Actress award, respectively.
A new hallyu award was given to actor Bae Yong-joon (better known as Yonsama), who didn't appear at the ceremony.
There were also awards for Netizen Popularity, which went to Yoon-ah, a member of Girls' Generation (SNSD) for her role in the daily drama ``You're My Destiny,'' Kim Bum for stealing the show in ``East of Eden,'' comedienne Kim Hyun-sook of tvN's hit cable series ``Rude Miss Young-ae Season 3,'' and Kim Hee-jung for the popular and long-running ``First Wives Club.''
An individual contribution award was given to Baek Il-sub of ``Mom's Dead Upset,'' as did a juror's special award go to Kim Hae-sook of ``First Wives Club.''
About 20 Korean drama stars and major foreign broadcasters from six countries participated in a forum to seek ways to promote cooperation between countries to improve the production of dramas during the festival.
Under the theme of ``The Past, Present and Future of Asian Dramas,'' the festival will continue, with various programs such as the ``3rd Next Generation Actor Contest'' Nov. 3, ``3 People 3 Color Drama Concert'' Nov. 4 and the closing ceremony featuring drama soundtracks display Nov. 5.
R&B ballad duo Fly To the Sky, singer and Shinhwa member Shin Hye-sung and boy band Super Junior graced the opening ceremony.
The festival began as the first to boost hallyu dramas in 2006 and gained international attention in 2007 on account of its growing reputation among drama producers and actors.
chungay@koreatimes.co.kr
Stars at the Korea Drama Awards 2008
Following the announcement on the winners of the Korean Drama Awards 2008 two days ago, the award ceremony is held tonight at Jinju Castle. Winner of the Grand award (Daesung) Kim Myung Min, Outstanding Actor Award Choi Soo Jong, Outstanding Actress Award Kim Ha Neul and others attended the event. (source: hanfever)
I'm so happy for both Kim Myung Min and Choi Soo Jong. I really admire them for their outstanding performances. They're great actors and deserve to win the Grand Award and the Outstanding Actor Award. Congrats to all the winners of the Korean Drama Awards 2008!
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Post by Nene on Nov 4, 2008 14:24:08 GMT -5
(November 4) Have a perfectly wonderful Birthday!
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Post by Nene on Nov 5, 2008 13:09:34 GMT -5
jinju,
I found entertainment news updates for you.
Bae Yong-joon to Meet Japanese Fans Via Satellite Broadca
Bae's management agency said a large-scale fan event entitled "Christmas with Family - Although We're Far Apart" will be held at the Yokohama Arena on December 14. The event will be broadcast via satellite coverage and link Bae with his fans in Japan.
Hallyu singer Ryu, Kang Cheol and Woo Sung-min will take part in the event. The special year-end event will also feature never-before-seen footage of Bae's everyday life in Japan during his recent promotional visit.
Twelve thousand tickets were sold out almost immediately after ticket sales began.
Source : english.kbs.co.kr... ( English )
Hallyu Star Bae Yong Jun revealed his singing ability through CF.
For the cosmetic brand 더페이스샵 (The Face Shop)’s 5 year commemoration since it’s opening, Bae Yong Jun showed a natural and fairytale like style as he hummed to himself.
Bae Yong Jun said “I feel like I’ve become a minstrel in a fairytale”. He also said “I was very worried that my singing appearance would be awkward but I liked the cottage like mood so I was able to sing with a light heart”.
This CF was filmed in a big meadow in Kangwondo’s Pyeongchang and will be released on November 8th.
source: gomdoriii credit: Yahoo Korea News
Oh Ji Ho Joins Park Ye Jin in Lord of Study
November 1, 2008 by coolsmurf
Oh Ji Ho has been confirmed as Kang Suk Ho in SBS Lord of Study and has been receiving training from a lecturer teaching at a respectable school.
Oh Ji Ho’s management expressed, “Oh Ji Ho is not pretending but actually learning the maths very diligently. The amount of hard work that he is putting in is no joke really. But the fact that he can solve hard problems after learning it once, surprised even the teacher that he was learning from.”
Not long ago, Oh Ji Ho had appeared on an episode of SBS Ya Shim Man Man where he managed to figure out the problem faster than a calculator. Lord of Study talks about how Kang Suk Ho flops and failed at one school. He later ends up teaching at the special class in Seoul University and encounter lots of funny events with the special students. Park Ye Jin will play opposite Oh Ji Ho’s character and is called Lee Hye Sook. Lee Hong Gi of F.T. Island also stars.
Filming begins at the beginning of November and is scheduled for broadcast in early December in the Mon-Tue timeslot, taking over Tazza.
credit: gomdorii (translation) Have you heard about the new James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace"? It looks great. I like Daniel Craig. He's more like Jackie Chan and Jet Li because he also did most of his own stunts. I think it's gonna be another blockbuster movie. Can't wait!
Quantum of Solace
Photo Gallery
World Premier
Bond abroad: 007's best locations
Roger Moore's 007 prepares for a final duel with Scaramanga (Christopher Lee) in The Man with the Golden Gun. This scene was shot in Thailand's Phang Nga Province, on the island of Ko Khao Phing Kan. Bond returns to the Far East for Tomorrow Never Dies where Colonel Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) joins him for a high-octane chase around the backstreets of Bangkok. Japan features in much of You Only Live Twice, Connery's fifth outing as the world's favourite double agent. Brosnan's final appearance pits MI6's favourite son against evil billionaire Gustav Graves. The Icehotel in Sweden, as well as Svalbard, Norway and Iceland, are all locations for Die Another Day. The first official Bond film, Dr No, featured one of the franchise's most iconic moments - Ursula Andress in her white two-piece on the fictional Caribbean island of Crab Key. The scene was actually shot on a stretch of the Florida Keys. Read more here.
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Post by tinkerbell on Nov 5, 2008 20:52:13 GMT -5
NENEThe dog and parrot are cute. I like the dog's little hat. Instead of a barrel of monkeys, it's a wheelbarrow full of orangutans. Very funny. The Damascene goat is very unique. Did they take the picture of the cat and mouse right before the cat attacked or is the cat just asleep? My cat would never just sit and look at that mouse. Such self control! That husky looks creepy. My neighbors used to have a dog just like that with different color eyes. It gave me the willies. That story of the two young children about to be married is very disturbing. What's wrong with their parents?Those roses are beautiful! I love them in any color except black, brown, green, grey......Good article on the pandas. I hope everything works out, they look so cuddly and hug able. I would love to have one as a pet. I'd even settle for one of these.Can you imagine walking through the woods and running into a 32 inch Tuatara? I hadn't seen the news yet for the Drama Festival Awards. Thank you so much for posting the article and great pictures! Hooray for Kim Myung-min and all the winners. It was nice to see so many familiar faces. Some I haven't seen in awhile. I haven't had the opportunity to see Mom's Dead Upset. Hopefully I can watch it online. I bet jinju0 was sad Bae Yong-joon wasn't there. Thanks again. Have you seen this story on the news? What a heart warming story.SYDNEY - A dog was hailed as a hero on Sunday after it risked its life to save a litter of newborn kittens from a house fire, rescuers said.
In a case which gives the lie to the saying about "fighting like cats and dogs," the terrier cross named Leo had to be revived with oxygen and heart massage after his ordeal. Fire broke out overnight at the house in Australia's southern city of Melbourne, where he was guarding the kittens.
Firefighters who revived Leo said he refused to leave the building and was found by them alongside the litter of kittens, despite thick smoke.
"Leo wouldn't leave the kittens and it nearly cost him his life," fire service Commander Ken Brown told reporters.
The four kittens also survived the fire and on Sunday Leo, whom firefighters nicknamed Smoky, was again back at the house.Reuters
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Post by jinju0 on Nov 6, 2008 21:53:00 GMT -5
nene,Hi! thanks for al the great news and keeping me up to date. just trying to get the house in order before the holidays. but had a chance the other day to catch up on things and came across this bit of info.HXM is going to be in a chinese version of First Love and he will play the part that BYJ had. Another remake of an old kdrama is in the works, this time the 1996 series that brought Bae Yong-joon to fame, First Love. The new drama will be a joint Korea-China production, and adapt the story for Chinese audiences.
This is the first time a project of this nature is being done, with Chinese actors and Korean production (to be aired and distributed in China). As such, one rep expressed his hopes that this marks a new type of cultural interchange between the two countries.
This Chinese version of First Love will star top Chinese stars — the role originally played by Bae Yong-joon is set to be filled by Huang Xiaoming, while Choi Su-jong’s spot goes to an actor identified only as “Chen” (I can’t figure out which Chen this refers to, sorry! Chen Kun, perhaps?). In the original kdrama, Choi and Bae played brothers who fell for the same woman (Lee Seung-yeon). The wildly popular series also featured brief appearances by several budding actors who would later come into their own as Hallyu stars, such as Choi Ji-woo and Song Hye-gyo. i think that is very exciting news! i would love to see him in that role. i wonder who will be casted as his brother, sister and father.
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Post by Nene on Nov 7, 2008 15:07:35 GMT -5
jinju, Wow! Just Wow! That's the most exciting news I've heard in months. WooHoo! Thank you so much for the good news. I don't know any Chinese actor named Chen but I know Mr. Chan, hehe. I'm so happy that HXM will play BYJ's part. Yippy!
First Love Remake
I'm worried about Mr. Chen. If he can't cry on cue like Choi Soo Jong, he should be afraid. Be very afraid, hehe! I also found this picture.
BYJ seems to be close to his former co-stars. It's very nice of him to attend the opening of Park Sang Woo's photo exhibition on Oct 31, 2008.
There's more collaboration between Chinese and Korean entertainment industry. According to the news, So Ji Sub and Zhang Ziyi will pair up in a romantic comedy. Wow, another exciting news. Both of them are hot. Can't wait! So Ji Sub gets together with Zhang Ziyi
(a allkpop)erato in News on Nov 06, 2008 - 10:55 AM Tags: korean chinese zhang ziyi so ji sub cj entertainment sophie's revenge
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and Korean actor So Ji Sub will be starring together in a Chinese-South Korean co-production. The romantic comedy is being developed by CJ Entertainment and another production firm owned by Zhang.
The romantic comedy is titled, “Sophie’s Revenge,” and is on a projected budget of $2 to $3 million, and is expected to be released next year some time.
So Ji Sup starred in the KBS tearjerker, “I’m Sorry I Love You,” in 2004 and the SBS series, “What Happened in Bali” in the same year. Zhang has previously appeared in two Korean movies, “Musa The Warrior” (2001) and “My Wife Is a Gangster 2” (2003).
While searching for more info about First Love remake, I found a disturbing story about the late Choi Jin-sil. She had suffered a lot while married to that baseball player. He often beat her up. One time she had to be hospitalized. I have to admit I cried after seeing her picture. Poor Choi Jin-sil! I was amazed he's not arrested for hurting her. After her death, he still caused more trouble to her family. More story below.
Choi Jin Sil's Ex-husband Refused Kids but Wanted Properties Baseball player Jo Sung Min announced that he wanted to inherit Choi Jin Sil's properties so that their children could take them back when they've grown up.
A close friend of Jin Sil revealed that recently Jo came to Jin Sil's mother and declared that Jin Sil's properties were now under his name. He also came to Choi Jin Yong (Jin Sil's younger brother) with the same "belief". Jo said he would go to court to take back the children, whom he had deserted 4 years ago.
According to Jo's lawyer, the media had twisted the truth, as of why Jo fought for the inheritance rights of ex-wife's properties. Jo said that Jin Sil's properties should be managed by a third party (possibly himself) assigned by her lawyer or the court. Their children will have full access to these properties when they've grown up (18 years of age).
By law, if the mother passed away, the father had the responsibility to be the children's carer. Jo, however, pushed away the responsibility 4 years ago after the divorce.
Jo expressed that he was respecting the kids' decision by letting Jin Sil's family take care of them after their mother passed away. Caring fee would be paid monthly by whoever assigned to manage Jin Sil's properties.
Although Jo was quite happy to pass on the responsibility to ex-wife's younger brother and mother, he did not show any sign of giving up his inheritance rights. According to some sources, Jin Sil's properties valued up to 200 billion wons (13.7 million USD). Jin Sil's family, however, denied this figure and reported that the actual value was only 1/4 of the assumed amount. They said Jin Sil had 10 billion wons in the bank and the house was worth 30 billion wons. With addition of her other investments and properties, they should add up to a total of 50 billion wons (3.4 million USD).
Choi Jin Sil's 30-million-won house
Jo and the Choi family are not on good terms due to disagreements. Jo revealed that Jin Sil had always wanted the kids to be owners of her properties if anything ever happened to her. Jo said that no one had the right to manage or use any of Jin Sil's properties without his consent.
Choi Jin Sil was sent to the hospital in 2005 after being horribly beaten up by Jo
Things are not looking good for Jo at the moment. Because Jo was willing to cut ties with the children, it would be now extremely hard for him to win back the carer rights from the Choi family. Jin Sil's properties have been blockaded by the bank and will only be opened for access once the court has settled down the matter.
This news raises anger in many netizens. They think Jo has no right to interfere with Jin Sil's properties. Jin Sil's close friends hope that this unfortunate incident between the 2 families will not worsen the kids' mental state.
Choi Jin Sil's Mother Devastated by Son-in-law's Actions
One month after her daughter's sudden death, Choi Jin Sil's mother had yet recovered. To make things worse, Jin Sil's ex-husband had stirred Mrs Choi's life up by fighting for her late daughter's properties and their children.
Mrs Choi could not stop the tears when her late daughter and her pitiful grand-children were mentioned. This 60-year-old woman was even more hurt when asked about the relationship of Jin Sil and the late actor Ahn Jae Hwan. There were rumours that Jin Sil and Jae Hwan's debtors drove him to his death in September. Jin Sil could not handle the pressure and committed suicide in early October.
Jin Sil's death still leaves deep impression in fans and family after a month
"I don't understand why they spreaded the rumours and where the sources came from. How did my daughter have so much money to lend him? Poor girl", Mrs Choi shared her side of story.
The Choi family hoped whoever indirectly pushed Jin Sil to her death would be appropriately punished.
Jin Sil's younger brother and mother at the funeral
When asked for opinions about Jo Sung Min (Jin Sil's ex-husband) fighting for the kids' custody rights as well as Jin Sil's enormous properties, Mrs Choi could not stop the emotions and revealed, "Everything will be over soon."
TV show "Good Morning" called Jo Sung Min yesterday morning (November 3) for an interview. Jo answered, "I am their father, I have the rights to take back custody."
Jo fighting for Jin Sil's properties and his children's custody left Jin Sil's friends and family disappointed and upset
Jo revealed he did not want his ex-wife's properties for personal reasons. He emphasized, "I just want my children to have full access of them without any interference from the Choi family when they're legal."
Jin Sil's younger brother, Choi Jin Young, wanted to adopt his late sister's children Hwan Hee and Joon Hee to end the fight with Jo. According to lawyers, the adoption looks positive because the kids' mother had passed away and their father had denied custody four years ago.
I feel sorry for his kids. They're so cute and adorable. If he really loves them, he should allow Choi's mom and brother take care of them. They're already surrounded by loving and caring people. Jang Geun Seok with male version of ‘Can You Hear?’ for Beethoven Virus OST
(K bites) It is announced that actor Jang Geun Seok to the drama ‘Beethoven Virus’ will also participated for its OST.
Jang Geun Seok did the recording for the OST track ‘Can you hear?’ on 3rd November for the drama which also stars Lee Ji Ah and Kim Myung Min.
Jang Geun Seok said, “The song ‘Can you hear?’ is a beautiful song, which originally sung by So Nyeo Shi Dae TaeYeon. Because I am not a singer, I can’t sing as well, but I can say that I tried my best to portray the feelings to the song. Hope that viewers will like the song.”
TaeYeon’s version of the song was to portay RuMi’s (played by Lee Ji Ah) feelings towards Kang Mae (played by Kim Myung Min), and Jang Geun Seok’s version will portray young Gun Woo’s (played by JGS himself) towards RuMi.
This version of the song was released online on 6th November. The last episode of ‘Beethoven Virus’ will be aired on 12th November
[OST-Beethoven Virus] Jang Geun Suk - 들리나요 Can You Hear Me
Wow, another talented actor! Jang Geun Suk is pretty good. I love his version. Very nice!
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Post by Nene on Nov 7, 2008 17:24:10 GMT -5
tinkerbell, This is the first time I've seen this heart-warming story. Leo, the dog, is just amazing! He looks very cute too. I'm not surprised why people like to keep dogs as their pets. They're intelligent and very loyal to their owners. Love Leo and his story. That's a good question. I'm not sure. When I looked closely, the cat looked sleepy to me, hehe.
Are you afraid of a Tuatara? Just kidding. I'm afraid of this scary looking creature too. After reading the story below, I think I can live with them, hehe.
Crocodiles and humans live side-by-side in African village By Stephen Adams Villagers in west Africa have been photographed in a series of stunning images that show a startlingly close relationship between crocodiles and humans.
In this image, a large crocodile is seen leaping clear of the ground in an attempt to snatch a chicken offered to it by a resident, in a pose which brings to mind a cat jumping for a toy. Man making crocodile jump for food - Crocodiles and humans live side-by-side in African village
The residents of Bazoule, a community outside Burkina Faso's capital Ouagodougou, began to hold the reptiles sacred around 600 years ago and offer them chickens as a sacrifice.
The tradition has continued to this day and visitors regularly go to the village to watch the ritual. Children sitting on a crocodile - Crocodiles and humans live side-by-side in African village
The deadly reptiles and villagers appear to live happily side-by-side with children apparently happy to play and do chores just yards from them.
Photographer Oliver Born, who captured the images, said: "It shows that crocodiles are not just ferocious and dangerous animals and that they deserve to be protected. Crocodiles are today completely integrated in the life of the population.
"It's not rare to see some children playing just metres away from them - it is quite a magical place." Crocodile chasing a chicken - Crocodiles and humans live side-by-side in African village
The practice started in the 14th century when a local chief called Koud Naba ruled the area. During this period the inhabitants started believing the Nile crocodiles brought the seasonal rains, the absence of which can cause drought and starvation across the Sahel.
Now there are more than 100 of the creatures, which might not bring in the rains but certainly bring in the tourists.
Nile crocodiles are the largest in Africa. They can grow to almost 20 feet in length.
Wow, the villagers and those ferocious and deadly animals can live happily side-by-side. That's amazing! tinkerbell, do you wanna try to live there? Celebrity News Updates
Jackie Chan marches on with "Junior Soldiers"
Written by Clifford Coonan Wednesday, 05 November 2008 Story Categories: China, Film, Hong Kong, Jackie Chan, BEIJING -- Jackie Chan has started work on his latest film, which has the English working title "Junior Soldiers." Lensing is expected to begin early next year.
Spox Yuan Nong from the Beijing office of Chan's JCE shingle confirmed the pic would be shot next year but gave no further details.
Project is essentially a road movie in period costume set during the Qin dynasty, according to reports on the Sina.com website; "Underdog Knight" helmer Ding Sheng will direct.
Chan will produce, star and write the screenplay, which focuses on three people and a horse.
WooHoo! If I'm not mistaken, this is Jackie Chan's second movie to be filmed next year. Can't wait! I'll watch anything he does. Do you like Jackie in Dodgers' uniforms? I think he looks great.
Jet Li, Seller of 'Crazy' Dreams
china.org.cn On November 2, international movie star Jet Li confirmed that he would take no more lead roles in movies until his One Foundation is firmly on track. Supporting roles that require him on set for couple of weeks will be acceptable. For the time being making movies will become a hobby, while the One Foundation will be his life, he said firmly.
What is up with Mr. Li? What sense does it make for a movie star of his status to give up his career? That's what a lot of other people may be thinking. But they are wrong--it makes a lot of sense. Mr. Li wants to take on the serious responsibility of enhancing philanthropic awareness throughout the world, and especially in his mother land. This represents a major development in social reform--one of the hardest challenges in society is to create a shift in the public mindset.
With his great initiative, extensive network of social connections, and communication skills, Jet Li seems to be the ideal man for the job.
Mr. Li's words are emphatic and touching. At the two-day China Global Philanthropy Forum he described himself as "the world's biggest beggar and its craziest man". As to the "beggar" part, he said he is dedicated to begging everyone on this planet to wake up and show the natural-born kindness buried in their hearts. As for the "crazy" part, he would use any possible means to reach out to everyone and convince them, he said.
When big names such as Bill Clinton and Tony Blair pay tribute to Mr. Li, real credibility is added to the movie star's plans.
Mr. Li does not talk like a saint. He relates all his motives to personal experiences, especially to the death of his mother.
"My mother was hospitalized for terminal cancer in 2000 when I was shooting a film in France. I flew back to Beijing immediately after I was informed by my older sister. I criticized her for not telling me earlier, but she said that my mother had forbidden her, as she knew I had always been afraid of seeing dead people. At the time I was 37 years old, but in my mother's eyes I was still a small child. Standing by my mother's bed, I told her that I was back. A whole day passed but mother did not say a word to me. Finally I asked if she had anything to say to me. Slowly drawing a breath, she said, 'It is just a matter of a breath.' She said no more afterwards. Her words made me think hard for a long time.
After that, I made a promise to her that I would dedicate the rest of my life to all the mothers in this world and the entire human race. Yes, human life is a just a matter of a breath. Years later, a narrow escape from the Asian tsunami again caused me to think about life. Life is such a fragile thing that misfortune can strike any of us, no matter who we are. We should constantly care for and help each other. It has become my dream, as one who grew up on the very land of Beijing, to promote this idea." His words even moved some listeners to tears.
Mr. Li described his One Foundation as a platform to optimize philanthropic resources, rather than an organization dedicated to addressing problems in one particular area. The foundation will enhance the sense of philanthropy throughout society and provide opportunities to specialists from different fields to join hands and make the world a better place. This will certainly promote the development of China's social sector, which, still in its infancy, urgently needs support and guidance.
Mr. Li's actions speak even louder than his words. After the devastating earthquake that hit Sichuan Province in May, the One Foundation helped to ensure that hundreds of thousands of dollars were used effectively. Mr. Li rushed to the quake-stricken areas again and again to supervise his staff's work and console victims.
This is a major change for the actor's image. In the mid-1990s when Jet Li established himself as an A-list star in Asia, he made very few public appearances. In a rare interview at the time, he said that movies were his whole life and he had no interest in appearing in commercials. A lot of people might have supposed him very shy.
In late 1990s he began to be seen in TV commercials, but not often. During those years, he gave many more interviews and began to talk about his family, his films and his first failed marriage. He answered questions directly and honestly. Once he had developed his charity idea, he missed no opportunity to promote it. Now he is constantly in the spotlight. His interviews and speeches are to be found everywhere. The action star has truly become a public figure.
Certainly there is a long way for Mr. Li to go. He says that he expects to devote 20 or 30 years to changing people's attitudes to charity. There remains the question whether people will want to buy what he has to sell. Let us wait, hope, and see.
I really admire Jackie Chan and Jet Li for helping the poor and the needy around the world. It's wonderful to know they're actively involved with charities. They're the real superstars.
LOY KRATONG Have you heard about Loy Kratong Festival? It's one of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand. “Loy” means “to float”. “Kratong” is a cup made with folded banana leaves. Loy Kratong is held annually on the night of the full moon in November. This year (2008), the Loy Kratong full moon falls on Nov 12. On Loy Kratong night, Thai people from all walks of life will go to rivers, canals and waterways to float their Kratongs decorated with beautiful flowers, a candle and sticks of incense. Some Thai people believe that freeing the Kratong will release one's troubles and worries and they will bring them good luck. Some couples also believe that if the candle stays lit until it's out of sight, their love will last forever. The sight of hundreds of candles floating down the river is simply spectacular!
Loy Krathong
Yi Peng Festival
One of the largest and most colorful Loy Kratong ceremonis is held in Chiang Mai where it coincides with the traditional Lanna Yi Peng Festival (Festival of Lights). Yi Peng Festival is celebrated every year the day before Loy Kratong Festival. Local people believe the launching of tubular lantern hot air balloons (Khom Loy) into the sky is a way of releasing one's misfortune and sorrow. It's similar to releasing a Kratong. During the festival, houses, streets, canals are decorated with lights and beautiful lanterns. The most exciting event is on the last day of the festival. There are beautiful parades of giant Kratongs which have Yi Peng queens (Nang Noppamas) on them, folk shows, dances and fireworks. The highlight of the festival is when thousands of paper lanterns are launched simultaneously into the night sky creating a breathtakingly beautiful light sight of starry sky. This brings joy and excitement to the spectators. It's a wonderful memory that will last for a long time.
ลอยโคมยี่เป็ง (Yi Peng Festival)
SUK SAN WAN LOY KRATONG WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY LOY KRATONG! tinkerbell, we're not very lucky. Mom's Dead Upset videos had been removed from all websites. I think we have to wait for a while. Some nice people will try to upload this great series for us. I'll keep searching for you. ;D
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Post by tinkerbell on Nov 9, 2008 13:50:15 GMT -5
NENEThe story about Choi Jin Sil's family is heart-wrenching. Her children are so precious. How could he not want them? Sad.Am I afraid of a Tuatara? I would be if I ran into a 32 inch one. Interesting story with the crocodiles but no thanks, I wouldn't want to live there. I don't like reptiles. I guess you'd be safe as long as there are enough chickens around. heheI love Jackie Chan too. Are you happy to see him in a Dodgers uniform because it's an LA team? Just kidding, he looks good.Thanks for the Jet Li story. I hadn't heard that. I admire him, Jackie Chan and others for their generosity and involvement in helping the less fortunate. I agree, life can be short and you can't take your money with you.I know you aren't fond of monkeys but I thought this was a funny story. Baby monkey gets his own guard dog A Chinese zoo has given an orphan monkey its own guard dog to stop it being bullied by bigger primates.Keepers at Jiaozuo City Zoo said the monkey was always being bullied and they had intervened to save his life several times.
"So we put a dog in the monkey cage, hoping he can protect the orphan," a zoo spokesman told the China News Network.
The zoo said the dog, Sai Hu, does his job very well.
"Whenever the baby monkey gets bullied, he dashes up and drives the others away. And the baby monkey is also very smart. Each time he smells danger he runs to jump on the dog's back and holds on tight.
"The alpha male monkey has been really unhappy since we sent in Sai Hu. He tried to organize several ambushes on the little monkey, but they all failed because of the dog," added the spokesman.[/size]
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Post by TheBo on Nov 10, 2008 10:36:44 GMT -5
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