“The Anatomy of Global Dimming”

Global warming imposes fear and confusion to people for ages because of the gradual increase in global temperature. However, the threat does not end there. Another issue regarding the environment has emerged based on recent research findings. You may have heard of the term ‘Global dimming’, but one thing is certain: destruction is its middle name.

We humans have grossly underestimated the speed at which our planet is changing. Another new dreadful phenomenon has arrived, and recently, scientists refuse to believe that it actually exists.
Gerry Stanhill, an American scientist working in Israel, noticed that the solar energy reaching the Earth’s surface is gradually decreasing. He compared the Israeli sunlight records in 1950 and those of the current ones only to find out that there was a drastic 22% drop in the amount of sunlight. He was not convinced by the result so he also decided to check the amount of sunlight difference in some other places. He discovered the same outcome; with sunlight amount decreased by 10% over the USA and by 16% in some parts of the British Isles.

In 2001, Stanhill published his research and called the phenomenon global dimming. However, he received a lot of speculations from other scientists. Later Stanhill’s conclusion was confirmed by Australian scientists using completely different methods to estimate solar radiation. And although, no developments were perceivable up to this day, these researches have confirmed its existence.

It is currently thought that the cause of global dimming is probably due to the increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere together with oxygen and hydrogen then CO2 mixes with Oxygen gas and Hydrogen gas during natural condensation (cloud formation) in the atmosphere, making the clouds more reflective due to a high content of nuclei droplets (caused by carbon dioxide). There clouds are called reflective clouds. When sunlight enters the Earth’s atmosphere, these reflective clouds block the sunlight, deflecting them back into space.
Therefore, the greater the amount of CO2 present in the atmosphere the higher the possibility of reflective clouds to exist. Less CO2 in the atmosphere imposes a higher possibility of increase amount of sunlight to reach the earth surface.

Global Dimming kills. It hides the true power of global warming. Global warming effects will increase if the global dimming is only to be address which will lead to an increase of 10°C in the atmospheric temperature over the next 100 years. The Earth by then will have a Sahara climate, an increase of soil erosion activity percentage and a decrease of agricultural vegetation production and it will lead to worse scenarios such as famine, death of millions of people worldwide and acid rain will occur, leading to the increase of skin disease cases due to polluted raindrops.

The only way so far to lessen such phenomenon is to eliminate the Carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere like simply planting more trees. Treating global dimming alone would not help, rather worsen the situation rapidly. If we want to stop this disaster in the next 100 years, solving the Global Warming and Global Dimming together is the only best way.

We suffer a lot nowadays, and people in some parts of the globe can’t bear to suffer worse than today. Time is gold and the same is true to the possibility of humanity to continue to exist in the long run. Every second counts and so is the speed of the changes our planet is bound to have.
If global warming and global dimming continue to exist, the future of mankind will also continue to dim and if due actions are not taken we might as well say hello to darkness and say goodbye to the bright future of our children’s children.

Published at the Magazine “Yuhom” ,Tolentine Star Publication

It is Awesome to be a Pharmacy Student

Pharmacy is indeed a very challenging course in college and I will tell you why.

I want to be rich and have a car in the future; one way of achieving that is to look for a good course that will enable me to earn a high amount of money every monthly salary. My first impression about Pharmacy is that I thought Pharmacy is a cheap course where graduates work at the community and sell drugs at the drugstores. I thought it is low profile and you will earn just a minimal salary monthly. The course is not famous in our generation, but still out of the blue I discovered that my brain and heart has a plan to take this course.

I enrolled in Pharmacy when I was about to enroll in Medical Technology, because of these following reason. First, I heard that Pharmacy has a bigger salary than Medical Technology. Second, Pharmacy is one of the best courses as preparatory medicine. Next, Pharmacy here in the Philippines is very in demand due to very few Pharmacists in the country. Lastly, Pharmacy is more accessible than other medical courses except Nursing, because we all know that Nursing and Pharmacy are tied for the next courses with high obligations, next to Medicine.

Amidst all these reasons that prove Pharmacy is awesome, there are some things I need to tell you. These are the things that somewhat be the reason of the course awesomeness. The course will kill you, not literally of course but nearly there. The load of units is intense. You will give all your time in studying in order to pass the subjects. Talking about subjects, these are not just simple ones, but rather they are indeed complicated and very difficult. Consider classifying all medicines in the world, their uses effects and the amount you should prepare in terms of patients age, sex diseases. See! There’s more, consider learning all the pathogens, diseases, anatomy and physiology of plants and humans, microbes all over the world, the generic names and brand names of the drugs which is not a joke and many more!

Being a pharmacy student is awesome, but in line with this proposition is the responsibility that sits on your shoulder. Being a Pharmacy student is not like other students with other courses but being a Pharmacy student is like being a cow that dreams to be a human.

I am a Pharmacy student and I am proud to be one, for this is my calling. This is my pride.

On Our Way to Star—but it Rained…

Friend is not just a six letter word of which we always define as an individual we can laugh, trust and cry unto, but a friend is actually an individual who we can really live on forever.

March 23, 2012 was one of the most memorable days in my life here on earth. It was a day when Nang Grace’s birthday was celebrated. A day full of excitement, fun and it is also a day worth dying for. I will tell you why.

Days before the event I was notified by an invitation of Nang Grace’s birthday via Facebook and I was very happy to know that I was invited. I was so excited amidst all the exams and the Hunger Games agenda. When the day of the party arrived all I have been thinking was the pool and pool and pool. So our journey started with my brain full of things coming from a pool. It was probably six of the evening when I arrived at the Tolentine Star office, the gathering place. All my friends already agreed that we will meet at the office and when we are complete we will altogether go to the resort for the party. I arrived safe and I found my friends busy making a minion sculpture as a gift for Nang Grace. We lasted at the office for about an hour when we finally decided to proceed to the event. When we are about to look for a vehicle that could take as there, a heavy rain occurred. Rain poured heavily for several minutes but that did not stop us. We rode a jeepney all the way to the location but unluckily the jeepney was not allowed by the guards to enter the gate of the resort. So as a result we were stuck at the little guard house beside the gate having a good time for a shelter because the rain is still raging on. After several minutes of standing, the eight of us finally decided to take a risk, fight the rain and run to the event, which is about a kilometer away, as fast as we can.

I was running hard and hugging my bag as tight as I can so that it will not get wet. Later I realized that it was just the five of us running. The other three was left at the guardhouse. There is really no time to think of what to do because first, we are in a middle of nowhere and we are soaking wet and second we are honestly enjoying our stupidity, laughing hard while shouting and running. All I can think was to find a shelter from the rain, but that’s the big problem. Five of us was soaking wet, running at the wide and empty street of Bacolod City, don’t know what direction we are going to take. I was actually running ahead when I spotted a small shelter just two meters away. I ran hard as I can and when I arrived at the shelter, which is actually a small extension of the roof of the residence gate. I sighed and thought I was safe from the rain. Yes, I was really safe from the rain, but from dogs, no. after three seconds maybe of staying at the shed, a hell of big dogs started to bark at me. I was terrified and I shouted as I ran away and went back running crazy at the street.

After few meters of running we finally found a safe place to stay away from the rain. All the five of us was all wet and was gasping inside a dark empty shanty at the side of the street. After several seconds of rest a light from a vehicle appeared and later we discovered that the time we started to run ballistic, the guards allowed the jeepney to enter the gate.  We joined our dry companies riding the jeepney and went altogether to the resort. When we arrived at the resort we had a hard time looking for the Nang Grace’s room. We are like wet chicks searching, for the rain is still pouring heavily that time. After several minutes of exploring around the resort we finally found Nang Grace’s mother and relatives.  What happens next, well you know, eat and eat and eat. The next events will be on my next post. Watch out for it because it will be wacky and wild!

Harry Potter is scared of Katniss Everdeen?

That would be interesting, thinking a wizard is afraid of a hunter from District 12. Harry Potter is one of the most amazing series of novels the world had. Yet, we cannot deny the fact that this recognition might somehow be shared to others. Like what is happening now, Hunger Games made a fantastic global impression to all book lovers and the possibility that it will take over the Harry potter records is not impossible.

Harry Potter is awesome, I myself is a diehard fan. I have all the seven books, I read them all. J.K. really changed my world of imagination. Harry Potter was just awesome! But still on the other hand, I admit that I am a Hunger Games addict, I mean I read the book two years ago and I can’t stop thinking everything about it. The book was just epic. Suzanne Collins crafted a masterpiece which really put an enormous impact in my mind and heart.

Harry Potter made a history but Hunger Games is on its way to make a history too. The world of literature has a vast space for excellent novels. Harry Potter and Hunger Games really deserved a spot to be recognized as one of the most awesome novels in the world, based on my own opinion. To all the people who keeps on comparing the two novels, go on, but you cannot deny the fact that nothing between the two is better than the other, because both are awesome in a different angles and different ways.

We book lovers should be happy that these novels existed. We should always be thankful that we had a chance to get inside their world, either magic or fighting. We should think how happy King Literature is now. These two books indeed proved that reading is awesome. They had proven that the world of literature today is really great. Without these novels, we will never be entertained.

Uploading Title

On the night of February 16, 2011, Maria Lourdes Aragon is singing Born This Way by Lady Gaga. Her performance was recorded and uploaded to her sisters YouTube channel to showcase her talent for her family and friends. She was singing normally, like nothing was going to happen. That night the 10 years old Filipino-Canadian girl, Maria did not expect that she will be a famous YouTube sensation.

Nowadays YouTube sensations are on a hit. Many YouTube viewers found them entertaining and well, the life of YouTube sometimes. YouTube sensations are people with such incredible talent, immeasurable sense of humor, unimaginable stupidity and amazing entertainment. Viewers always check their channel if ever they have new uploaded videos and in return they ask for a subscriptions. Many YouTube sensations nowadays are famous, especially those on the field of comedy. Viewers always love to watch their videos especially those who did the covers (people who performs a famous song of a famous artist) and even those who just did nonsense things.

Yet among all these popularity of these so called YouTube sensations many speculations have brought that maybe being a YouTube sensations might bring you to only three destinations.

First, destination to the place where you did the video.

For short nothing happened, all those efforts and expectations was just merely a dream.

Second, destination to a place of humility and downfall.

Let us make Rebecca Black as a perfect example, and by the way, if you don’t know Rebecca B. I suggest you better Google her first. Now Rebecca Black was once a hot name in new and internet and it was all because of her attempt to stardom, I am not saying that she must stop dreaming but I meant that the approach was just a no, no.

Now, there is also other YouTube sensation that did the covers, was accused for having no originality and just insulting the original artist of the song he/she covers.

Lastly, the destination to the peak of Popularity.

Now this one is on a brighter side, if you can still remember Charice Pempengo or simply Charice, she is now savoring the life of a Hollywood soon to be star (I think) all because of YouTube.  It doesn’t matter what you are and what you do as long as you have what it takes to be a YouTube sensation why not? Right? As long as you keep those violent and inappropriate things only in your head not in the video itself, that’s fine.

If you want to be a popular individual in a short period of time, here are the tips you need to consider on how to be a YouTube sensation:

• First of all make an account in YouTube then customize your channel.
• Think about a certain topic or idea you want to share or publish.
• Also consider how to respect your viewers. Remember that almost all individual can see your videos if it is in a public mode. Avoid offensive acts or disrespectful deeds.
• List the needed materials. Like if you want to share your talent in singing, make sure you have a good audio recorder, if you want to showcase your dancing skills try to use cameras rather than webcams.
• The Courage to publish yourself, allowing any random viewers to see your face you have to consider how you look in camera. Prepare appearance before clicking the record button and make sure that you look presentable and appropriate. Also consider the background.
• You must also have the patience in waiting in uploading your videos, the higher the memory of the video the longer it will be uploaded.

So what are you waiting for? If you want to be famous or just even share the talents or ideas you got, get those computers and cameras and show the world what you got. Who knows, you might be the reason why YouTube replaces Facebook in the number one spot for the most visited site every day.

Why do YouTube sensations exist?

According to double click ad planner by Google, YouTube ranks 2^nd place as the most visited site in the internet every day, next to Facebook. It is the effect of the improvement of technology nowadays and it becomes one of the new fastest methods for expressive communication that can influence, inform, entertain and even persuade the viewers. Yet the greatest thing YouTube can give to an individual is an opportunity of winning a golden ticket in a trip to Fame Peak.  Uploading ones video with extravagant performance that can catch, entertain and amazed viewers at the same time, is difficult but we cannot deny the fact that trying can change your life. That is why there are YouTube sensations.

The HUNGER GAMES: Movie Review

Synopsis

A couple hundred years in the future, what used to be known as North America makes up the nation of Panem. About 75 years prior to the events of the film, the then thirteen districts of Panem unsuccessfully rebelled against the oppressive government housed at the nation’s Capitol, and after the destruction of District 13, the remaining twelve districts pledged to never rebel again and subject their loyalty to the Capitol in the pursuit of “peace.” As an additional punishment for the rebellion, the Capitol orders that every year, each district will be forced to randomly choose one teenage boy and girl at what is known as a reaping for participation in the Hunger Games, a bloody battle to the death that eventually leaves only one lucky victor alive with the other 23 dead.

Enter Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), a 16-year-old girl who resides in District 12, a poor coal mining town in the forests of the Appalachian Mountains. She works with her best friend Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) to provide for and protect her family, who are all suffering greatly from the tragic death of the father. When the reaping comes around, Katniss’ younger sister Primrose (Willow Shields) is selected as a tribute, but due to Katniss’ extremely protective nature when it comes to Prim, she instinctively volunteers as the female tribute in her place. Traveling alongside Peeta Mallark (Josh Hutcherson), the son of bakers in District 12, the two are sent off to the Capitol to prepare for the glorified bloodbath, Hunger Games. (Source: http://metalarcade.net/2012/03/the-hunger-games-movie-review/)

Thoughts before Watching the Movie

• I am a fan of the trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The novels were just compelling, poignant and epic. Collins set a new masterpiece that the world should really love.
• The Hunger Games was rated 13. I read the book before watching the movie and knowing that the story has a lot of violence and actions during the scenes at the arena will be rated 13 bothered me. I was thinking that, what will Gary Ross do in order to portray such heavy and important scenes in the movie? So I was excited and mystified.
• I watched the movie in IMAX 2D here in Philippines which cost around 180 pesos, is only a proof that I am very eager to see the movie in a best way that I can and so be it.

Cinematography

Talking about cinematography of the movie, all I can say is that they really did a nice job.  There is only one point that I dislike when it comes to the cinematography of the movie and yes, it was the idea of a hand carry camera. I understand what Ross was trying to portray, a realistic and ideal scene that would really capture the viewers attention. It was a clever idea, especially in the bloody scenes and other stuffs and yes it really captured my attention. Honestly I can’t really get it off my mind.

• In order not to really give full details of the bloody fights at the arena, the hand carry camera thingy technique was applied, in which for me was good. Yeah, it somehow worked but honestly, it ended making me a little dizzy. In my head during that scene was only, “Dafuq is that camera”.
• The scene also where the two tributes of the District 12 enters the train. That’s a cool idea of applying again the hand carry camera thingy technique, but oh mommy, the world just shakes. It was too much. I think they overdo it.

In the end I am giving the cinematography of the movie a fair rating of 3/5.

Screenplay                         

The screenplay by Mr. Ross, Ms. Collins and Billy Ray was magnificent. I think that, Collins as the script writer worked as an advantage for the movie. The movie all throughout was great due to the lines and story in which was really well adopted from the novel.

Talking about details, I have read other blogs with same topic to this post. Some people commented about the things that were not in the novel but present in the movie. Things such as:

• Madge absence.

For me it was just ok. The pin was supposed to be a gift from Madge to Katniss but in the movie Katniss got it from Greasy. The pin then revolved around Prim and Katniss, in which for me works. Madge is not that really important character so it was just ok not to put her in the movie. And besides the pin thingy between Katniss and Prim really showed how bond and great the relationship between the two is.

• Haymitch’s additional roles in the middle and somewhat near end of the movie.

            It was great. I love it. It just shows that Haymitch really cares about the two. That he is against this Hunger Games held by the Capitol. Besides, not doing those additional stuffs might just make Haymitch a drunkard till the movie ends.

• The length of Seneca’s exposure and role, in which he is somewhat forgettable in the Novel, but in the movie he somewhat plays a big role

            Yeah I wonder why it happened.  I don’t even remember Seneca exist in the novel.

• The short length of time on the cave scene.

It was not good and it was not bad. It was just ok. I just, you know need a little bit of time. The scene was so squeezed but nevertheless is was ok. I understand that you know the movie lasted for two hours and a half, what if they add more time to that cave scene it will maybe run for a near three hours. Lol.

• The way the cornucopia looks like. In which I totally agree, it is supposed to be gold and you know totally big and very different from what it looks like in the movie.

In contrary, amidst all these changes, I still loved the movie. It was a brilliant decision of doing some changes like what I mentioned a while ago. So I am giving the movies screenplay a 4/5 rating.

Casting and Actors Performance
Let me tell this, the casting was awesome! Form lead roles to side ones. Debra Zane you are the best casting director ever!

• Woody Harrelson as Haymitch – Nice choice. He played the role well.
• Lenny Kravitz as Cinna – good and outstanding
• Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket – was perfection. She nailed it! Oh! Mahogany!
• Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman – Perfect! It was just a perfect fit.
• Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane – It was ok.
• Alexander Ludwig’s Cato – It was good. He is scary.
• Liam Hemsworth as  Gale – I honestly did not expect that Liam will do good.
• Josh hutcheson as Peeta Mellark –He was just alike of what I imagined while reading the book.
• Jennifer Lawrence – Spectacular choice. Amidst all criticism that she is not good for being Katniss because she is chubby and children from District 12 should be skinny and rugged. All I can say is that, I don’t F***ing care. LOL. Jennifer did a fantastic job. She might be nominated for Oscars. Just watch out.

Rating for the casting and the actors performances is 5/5!
Overall the movie was great. I was not disappointed. I loved it. I love the way they molded it to be entertaining for both viewers whom have read the book and viewers whom who did not. I am looking forward for the next movie, Catching fire. This movie really deserves to be a block buster worldwide!  The Hungers games movie for me is 4/5.
Hot comments about the movie from random web people

Perhaps we need to redefine our values.
I understand that every kid wants to be some sort of hero.
But not killing other kids.
– eudor, Toronto

For me the author had a chance to really send a strong message but missed it.
In the scene in the beginning of the movie where Katniss is being “tested”. When she is in the arena with her bow and arrows and the oligarchs are partying above, Katniss had a great chance of killing one of them instead of hitting the apple. THAT is what should have happened. THAT would have sent a signal to the people to revolt and WE would not have had to watch a movie where children kills other children.
Unfortunately, the author missed that great opportunity to tell a good story.
– Dalexlegis, Nashville, TN

I really don’t see what the big deal is – it’s a decent movie but nothing special stood out for me. And I purposely didn’t read the book first.
– Lee, New Jersey

I left after about 20 minutes as the visual effects of the hand-held camera being used to film this movie made me extremely dizzy.
– pjlavrakas, Flagstaff, AZ

This story based loosely on Roman mythology, is a clear indictment of the global capitalist system and its roman circus like attitude toward human beings who are treated like commodities, collateral damage and animals.
– Jubal on Current, Eugene, OR

This movie was very good. This movie is obviously for the people who have read the books. The readers understand what is going on throughout the movie. The book explained what Katniss thinking and feeling about. Therefore, you should see this movie because it can teach us a lesson.
– J, New Jersey

What great books! What a great movie! Can’t wait for the other three!
Katnip is the American soldier of today. Volunteering to serve her District (country.) Being a member of the 99 percent and providing for the 1 percent. What you say? How many people in The U.S. today know what allows them to have their “daily bread?” The 1 percent (actually the U.S. has 6 percent of the world’s population) use roughly 50 percent of the worlds resources, not knowing or evidently caring what happens to the rest of the world. And what do we do? We watch it all (the real Hunger Games) on television then yawn and go to bed. What would happen if we, as U.S. citizens shared everything with the rest of the world? The biggest crash in stock market history, which, of course the 1 percent will NOT allow. Thank you Suzanne Collins for bringing this to our attention. We need to be reminded daily. Those of you who haven’t read the series, please shut up. Those who don’t understand this movie, please shut up. As for me, bring on more. Let’s see if we can enlighten even ONE more person to wars negative realities.
– Barry, Monterey

A Day of Coughs and Laughters

It was one hot afternoon, when I woke up. My head hurts; I am dizzy and hungry at the same time. I was suffering of a thing called hangover. After playing five hours straight of DOTA the other day due to boredom, I suffered the consequences right ahead. Plus, I have not mentioned my cough with no phlegm but too itchy in the throat that troubles me too sleep at night.  Amidst all these negative scenarios I was still eager to walk and fix myself as a preparation for the upcoming event later that night; a time to have fun with my high school friends.

I was very busy of my studies and work for the past months that I have no such time to give for my beloved friends. We cannot also deny the fact that they are having a hard time too. It’s been almost a year from our graduation day at high school, since I last saw some of them and as the day that we have planned for the few days had arrive, we will meet each other and watch the Lin-ay sg Negros 2012. It would be lame, you know?! Haha.. but my point is that all I care about is seeing them and having fun with them, where ever and when ever time and opportunities are available. Period.

Back to my room, where I just woke up. Yes, I immediately walk to the kitchen to eat my lunch and breakfast then iron my clothes, brush my teeth, pack my things and take a bath. After doing these rituals I went to McDo Lasalle to meet them. What happened next was history.