Hayao Miyazaki

1. What are his most famous works?

In 1984, he released Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind, based on the manga (comic) of the same title he had started two years before. The success of the film led to the establishment of a new animation studio, Studio Ghibli, at which Miyazaki has since directed, written, and produced many other films with Takahata. All of these films enjoyed critical and box office successes

1. What is unique about his style or approach to animation?

Miyazaki uses very human-like movements in his animation. In addition, much of the art is done using water colors. In contrast to American animation, the script and storyboards are created together, and animation begins before the story is finished and while storyboards are developing

1. What are his influences in the field of animation?

Miyazaki's earliest influences are the illustrated stories he read in boys' magazines and manga Tankōbon during his childhood. He has indicated that he does not only like their subject matter and their presentation of the artwork but also that he came to appreciate the pacing of their adventures.

EPI Project

EPI PROJECT

What is EPI?

Environmental Performance Index measures how well countries do on environmental issues such as protection of human health from environmental harm and protection of ecosystems.

Portugal:

Health Impacts:

Portugal is No.1 in child mortality as they tried to achieved substantial progress in reducing under-five mortality from 1990 to 2011. This includes Portugal, with a 77 percent reduction during this period. The pace of decline is likely to slow as it becomes harder to make similar percentage gains on a lower base.

Air Impacts:

Portugal is No.26 in air quality and has improved their score by 3.54% in the past 10 years. Air quality is generally good in Portugal, with the exception of in the north and center regions, Lisbon and the Tagus valley.

Water and Sanitation:

Portugal is No.26 in water and sanitation and has improved their score by 25.31%. Technologies use and service quality over the past decades (1980s–1990s) has improved their score dramatically. Nevertheless, sanitation still remains moderate in mountain rural areas and some people have their own sources of water controlled by municipalities. In Portugal 93% of households have access to drinking water through house connections.

Water Resources:

No.27 on the ranking list there has been no improvements to their score for 10 years. Lately Portugal has been trying to tackle water policies to become  increasingly integrated, and 

further oriented towards sustainability, demand management, and climate change mitigation.The aim is to increase efficiency by water users at the national level, and to reduce virtual water import through responsible consumption

Agriculture: 

Portugal is No. 100 on the EPI scale for agriculture and has improved their score drastically by 29.35%.  Portugal is among the world’s largest exporters of tomato paste and is a leading exporter of wines. Port and muscatel, both dessert wines, are among Portugal’s most famous varieties of wine.The country’s agricultural exports help offset the cost of imported wheat and meat. Nearly one-third of Portugal’s land area is used for agriculture.

Forest:

No. 119 on the scale, The woodlands of the Iberian Peninsula are distinct ecosystems on the Iberian Peninsula, mainly spanning Spain and Portugal.The flora of the peninsula, because of bio-historical, geographical, and geological, is among of the richest and most varied of all European floras.

Fisheries:

 Fishing is ranked No. 32 on the EPI scale improving their score by 6.93% in the last 10 years. Fishing is a major economic activity in Portugal. The country has a long tradition in the sector, and is among the countries in the world with the highest fish consumption per capita. Fishing effort is controlled by a licensing system, where acquisition, construction or modification of vessels requires prior authorization. 

Biodiversity and Habitat:

Biodiversity and habitat is ranked 83 on the EPI scale. In continental Portugal, there are over 3 000 species of vascular plants, around 400 species of vertebrate and an unknown number of invertebrates.Most of the Portuguese native breeds of cattle and sheep are at risk of extinction. For this reason a national strategy for the protection of native breeds has been introduced to preserve the genetic heritage and prevent native breeds from becoming extinct.

Climate and Energy:

Portugal is No. 6 on situation of climate and energy. In 2001, the Portuguese government launched a new energy policy instrument – the E4 Programme, consisting of a set of multiple, diversified measures aimed at promoting a consistent, integrated approach to energy supply and demand.

Portugal's Environmental Problems 

Social issues would include land use.Land is beginning to be a problem and is changing modified Portuguese landscape, ecosystems and environment. Urban areas are responsible for a huge consumption of resources at the expense of agricultural lands. Land is a limited resource under permanent threat.

The government has issues with number of of cars on the road as they are making a effort to control and reduce emissions with a major impact on the natural environment. In 2013, such emissions fell nearly 25 % in relation to 1990 levels.

Water pollution is starting to become a developing problem in Portugal because of the many fishing ports. Governments have asked fisheries to stop polluting the waters as it could hurt the economies fisheries.

Afghanistan:

Health Impacts:

Afghanistan is No. 148 on the EPI scale for child mortality. One Afghan child in 10 will die before their fifth birthday The Afghanistan Mortality Survey found the highest childhood mortality rates occurred in children born into poorer families in rural areas. Around half of the deaths of under-fives were caused by respiratory infections or infectious and parasitic diseases.

Air Quality:

Afghanistan is No. 165 on the EPI scale for air quality. Air pollution in pollution may be hastening the death of over 3,000 people every year, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Vehicle emissions are considered a major contributor to air pollution: Every month Kabul’s one million vehicles are added to by over 8,000 new vehicles registered with the Kabul traffic department, officials said. Most vehicles in Kabul are over 10 years old and more polluting than modern ones. 

Water and Sanitation:

No.164 on the the EPI scale, water and Sanitation is horrid in Afghanistan. Even though Access to an improved water source in Afghanistan is among the lowest in the world. Access to an improved water source does not mean that the water is safe to drink. For example, protected shallow wells in urban areas are often contaminated with bacteria. Piped water supply can also be contaminated. Households without access to an improved source take water from streams and rivers, open wells and unprotected springs, all of which are also often polluted.

Water Resources:

Afghanistan rank in water resources is No.145. According to an estimate, all traditional groundwater irrigation systems have reduced or dried up completely. About 60-70% of the karezes are not in use and 85% shallow wells are dried out. The population dependent on these systems has suffered badly due to failure or reduction in discharges of these systems. The main reason for the low discharges is low precipitation and consequently low recharge to the groundwater. 

Agriculture:

Ranked No.149 in the world for Agriculture, Afghanistan is not doing very well Agricultural sector of Afghanistan is facing a number of problems that need to be addressed properly and long term and nicely coordinated plans are needed for the resolution of these problems permanently. First is the absence of a proper system of irrigation. Almost 90% of our farmers depend on the water of river and canals but the system of canals has not been upgraded from many decades and a lot of water is wasted due to soil absorption and evaporation which would be great for agricultural growth.

Forest:

Afghanistan's forest ranking in number 38 on the EPI ranking. Forests and wetlands have been depleted by centuries of grazing and farming, practices which have only increased with modern population growth.Much of the population depends on forests for firewood and the revenue generated by export of pistachios and almonds, which grow in natural woodland.

Afghanistan's biodiversity and habitat is ranked 169 on the EPI scale and has improved by 34% by the last 10 years.The most significant threats to natural resources are illegal hunting and trade, deforestation, desertification, and lack of law enforcement.In this situation, food security and sustainable agricultural development will remain a priority in the future

Fisheries:

Afghanistan's Fisheries have no rank on the EPI scale.

Climate and Energy: 

Afghanistan's climate and energy have no rank on the EPI scale 

Afghanistan's Environmental Issues

The goverment has been struggling with deforestation as smuggling and occurs frequently. Truck loads of timber leave Afghanistan every day, and are taken to Pakistan. The government needs to crack down on illegal logging. This has been hurting the economy of Afghanistan 

Afghanistan has been at war ever since the Soviet Invasion. The Soviet army inflicted lots of damage by uprooting numerous pistachio trees, and the various battles caused numerous uncontrolled forest fires which destroyed thousands of trees

Sources:

"Deforestation." Afghanistan Online: Environment (). N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.

"Agriculture and Fishing." Portugal -. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.

Power of Image

Caucasus, a place seldom seen

The purpose of this image above is to potraying a grieving woman who just lost her two sons which may have been in a war. We never really hear the horror of stories of what violence brings and this just shows what it brings. I never heard of the place Caucasus until now and it shows the many countries that have wars but is never brought to light. Every black and white photo tells a story. In this case because it is in black and white, it brings a nostalgic feeling and somehow we can connect to losing a loved one.  The facial expression of this woman says everything about the photo. It sets the tone of sadness and by looking in the background of this photo, you can tell this lady doesn't have very much and her sons were her most prized possession. The contrast of the blackness and white really adds an effect to it as because the color black represents grief and suffering which completely adds to the mood. This picture also represents a decisive moment. In photography, a "decisive moment" is a moment in time that wouldn't  be easily repeated during the time you are there photographing the subject and has some great significance telling a story. This photo could never be staged or repeated which makes the photo genuinely realistic. All in all each and every one of us take for granted the roof above our heads, no violence in Malaysia and this picture reminds us of what we have.

Awkward situations aren't as awkward as they should be

The word awkward is WAY too over used. Waiting for your food is not awkward. If someone is wearing something weird it doesn't make the situation awkward. What this means is what’s awkward to you may not be awkward to the person with whom you’re interacting.The next time something seems awkward, observe what’s happening. If you’re shifting in your seat, rubbing your sweaty palms on your knees, and avoiding eye contact while the other person is sitting and seems content, he or she probably is.If you’re beyond revising your definition of what an awkward situation is, try your best to at least understand where other people are coming from. Awkwardness isn’t tied to eternity. The elevator ride doesn’t last forever. You’ll get to the front of the line eventually. The dinner finishes at one point. What I cringe about is when the room gets silent and someone blurts out "Well this is awkward!" Please! It was never an awkward situation to began with and you just made it awkward with your unnecessary comments. Point being is the next time to you think it awkward, it probably isn't 

Persuasive Essay

I hate celebrating birthdays. That sounds really blunt but it's the truth. I'm not talking about little twelve year old and small kids who invite all their friends over and receiving presents. 

No, I'm talking about people who don't like the attention as it reminds them they aren't getting any younger. In fact, there are actually many of us but we keep the thought to ourselves. Everyone will always have that one aunt who rings and some distant relative or a supposed friend who hasn't called for a year wishes you many happy returns of the day in a sugary, insincere voice, showering you with praise. Let's not forget that friends who says they "bought" you a present but they accidentally "forgot" it or they never even bought you one in the first place. But I think the worst are aunts or uncles who ask questions after the fact they wish you. "What grade are you in now?" "How old are you?" These typical questions that drag a simple wish into a long conversation. Why or why, you would think, do you have to suffer so much on your own birthday? Who came up with this idea of celebrating birthdays in the first place? Mm lets talk about presents. Who doesn't like presents? I don't; Now before you call me weird let me explain to you why.  At one time someone bought me a gift of something I truly needed and I slid it across the table back to them with a gracious ” no thank you”. I've even been yelled at before by not accepting gifts or having my birthday acknowledged and that’s pretty sad. I mean, doesn't everyone just want to be understood and their wishes respected? If I need something, I buy it. If I can’t afford it, I wait till I can. Not taking anything from anyone means I can live my life and experience my relationships at face value. Another thought is isn't strange how some people go all out to celebrate someones birthday yet throughout the rest of the year they would show no affection or interest. No sign of life for 364 days and then, suddenly, an outburst of emotion. Why do they feel so obliged to call and wish many happy returns of the day? The same thing often happens at weddings and funerals. Actually funerals attract lots of people, who often never even met the deceased but come anyway because of the free food and drinks and no need to bring presents. 

Anyways I'm getting off track but the point that I wanted to make is be courteous to people who don't like celebrating or hide away when it's their birthday because they probably have a reason to.   

My reflection on “On Compassion” by Barbara Lazear Ascher

After giving it much thought, I completely agree with her that compassion is not a character trait but something that must be learned through experiences. We can all learn to be better versions of ourselves quite on purpose. The other idea I agree on is giving out of compassion like the French woman in the shop; But I think another side is giving for the sake of giving. Now now, here me out on this before you call me Mr. Scrooge. Let’s take for example Christmas time. I love Christmas. I love the snow-themed everything and even though it might be Malaysia I still make the most of it. Again, I’m in love with giving but do we need to buy to give? We seem to think that buying is the solution to any problem, but that has lead to a society that is deeply in debt and piled high with needless stuff. We give because it’s the social norm. No-one wants to look like that guy or girl who didn’t buy their friends gifts because it hurts the environment or because they think it’s stupid. So we tend to go with the flow of the crowd and this act of charity ends up being a chore that we can cross off our list. I just wanted to remind anyone who is reading this that if you really want to give do it because you want to and not because you have too. 

Failing to Learn Japanese in Five Minutes

Hipster. Lately people have been calling me a "Hipster" which made me wonder "Am I a Hipster?" I immediately rejected the thought and even had a little chuckle at the mere concept of me sticking to a stereotype. But then I realized something. Every Hipster I'd ever met had laughed at the idea of them being a Hipster. Most people say no hipster is self aware enough to realize what they are but I beg to differ..A few weeks ago, our school had spirit week in which every day was a new theme. So Wednesday was Hipster day. Without realizing, I put on my regular clothes and added glasses to my outfit. It was not only when Grant Tarlton told me I was wearing my regular clothes. And BAM! did it hit me that I was in fact I was a Hipster trying to dress up as a "Hipster". I'm pretty sure irony slapped me in the face that day.