The Beauty in the Snow

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Photos of snow crystals taken with a photomicroscope.
What an awesome beauty hiding in such tiny crystals!
Photo Courtesy: SnowCrystals.com

Layout: Joachim Romeo D'Costa

The beauty of snow depends on the eyes of the beholder. Some see it as a white sheet covering plants, trees, rooftops, lawns, roads and fields. A few see it creating a surreal atmosphere where a sense of the otherworldly pervades. Some see it as an accessory to their frolicking and sporty spirit. Of course, there are others, who see it as a nuisance that makes them gloomy and keeps them home-bound.

We see snowflakes dropping on the ground, but few of us know that in these flakes there are tiny snow crystals that have a marvelous microscopic world of their own. Scientists have come up with cameras that can see these beautifully shaped crystals and take photos of them generating our admiration and marvel.

How do you like the shapes and beauty of the snow crystals?

Canada Awash with the Whites

The aftermath of the snowstorm of January 19, 2009 in Toronto

Photos © Jerome D'Costa
Layout: Joachim Romeo D'Costa

Snow, snow and snow -- everywhere! Yes, Canada is now blanketed with a thick layer of the whites. In addition, Canadians are braving a bone-jarring cold weather.

Currently, the temperature is: Vancouver 5C, Yellowknife -27C, Iqaluit -25C, Calgary 7C, Regina -8C, Toronto -5C, Montreal -11C and Halifax -6C. It is dangerous to go out of houses without appropriate cold weather clothing.

After the dumping of tons of snow, these places have a surreal look -- a kind of dreamlandy appearance. A few years ago, an immigrant from Bangladesh who never witnessed a snowfall in his life, described it thus: "We imagine heaven to be a place where everything is brightly white and pure. After the snowfall I find Toronto to be like that!"

Another view of the streets, sidewalks, lawns and houses -- all covered
with about 35 centimetres (13.78 inches) of snow (January 19, 2009)

Photo © Jerome D'Costa

Snowy Weather Terms

Those who live outside the snowy weather zones, will find it helpful to go through the goodies below:

Blizzard: A winter snow storm with strong winds, very cold temperature, low visibility, and lasting three to six hours.

Cold Spell: A period of cold weather.

Flurry: A sudden light snow fall of a short duration, having a very little accumulation.

Freezing Ice Storm: A snow storm in which snow only freezes on roads.

Freezing Rain: Rain, due to temperature below the freezing point of water, that freezes and forms a layer of ice on the ground or any other object.

Frost: A layer of tiny water crystals, resulting from frozen water vapour.

Ice Storm: A snow storm where widespread icing of plants, trees and infrastructures takes place.

Icicle: A tapering and pointed hanging piece of ice, formed after dripping water is frozen.

Sleet: Rain drops that freezes before reaching the ground and fall as ice pellets.

Snowfall: The depth of the layer of the newly-fallen snow.

Snow Flurry: Same as Flurry.

Snowpack: The accumulated snow --both new and old -- that covers a given area.

Snow Shower: A brief falling of snow at varying intensities.

Snow Squall: A brief, sudden and violent snowstorm.

Snow Storm: A winter storm having a large amount of snowfall.

Wind Chill: The cooling effect of wind and air, when applied to the loss of body heat from exposed skin.

Winter Storm: A storm with heavy snowfall, freezing rain, or sleet.

Chinese New Year: This is the 'Year of the Ox'

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The Canada Post commemorates the Chinese Year of the Ox
with a new stamp

Tomorrow, January 26, marks the first day of the Chinese New Year of 4707. This is the Year of the Ox. Those, born in the Year of the Ox, are believed to acquire the personality (leadership, stability, friendliness, inspiration and confidence) of this animal.

The Chinese all over the world celebrate their new year with elaborate rituals and festivities, starting on the first day of the first month and culminating on the 15th day with the impressive lantern festival.

Origin of the Year

There is a legend that Lord Buddha (563 - 483 BC) had called animals to come to him on the Chinese new year. None but 12 animals came. He then named a year after each of these animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, boar or pig). This 12-year cycle repeats in the Chinese calendar.

Rat is the symbol of imagination, charm and generosity.
Ox is the symbol of leadership, inspiration, confidence, stability and friendliness.
Tiger is sensitive, emotional and loving.
Rabbit is articulate, talented and ambitious.
Dragon is full of vitality and enthusiasm, but demanding on others.
Snake has wisdom, charm, romance and deep thought.
Horse is hardworking, independent and adventuresome.
Goat is elegant and artistic but complaining type.
Monkey is intelligent, of magnetic personality, and well-liked.
Rooster is shrewd, outspoken and decisive in decision making.
Dog is the symbol of honesty, loyalty, and fault-finding.
Boar (Pig) is sincere, intelligent, tolerant and naive.

Celebrations

The Chinese inside China call their new year the 'Lunar New Year', but expatriate Chinese call it the 'Chinese New Year.' The Chinese all over the world observe their new year with fanfare and festivities. They take a long holiday during these 15-day celebrations.

Passing of red envelopes, mostly with money inside as gifts, from older persons to younger ones; exchanging gifts; decorating homes, shops and offices with plants, flowers, icons and ornaments; attending fairs and fireworks; wearing mostly red-coloured costumes; and enjoying colourful and diverse food and candy items are part of the celebrations.

The new year rituals include a thorough cleaning of houses-stores-offices, best personal appearance, dragon dance, shooting off of firecrackers, and debt payments so that the new year starts with a clean heart, clean environment, and joyful spirit.

We wish all in the Chinese communities a Happy New Year!

'The Priests': A New & Hot Trio Musical Group

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The Priests trio: Father Eugene O'Hagan, Father Martin O'Hagan and Father Delargy

Photo Credit: Catholic News Agency

The Priests -- a musical group comprising three Northern Ireland Roman Catholic priests -- has already got its debut album a place in the Guinness World Records by being the "fastest-selling UK debut for a classical act."

The album, produced in last November by Sony BMG Music Entertainment, is now one of the hottest albums in the world.

Early in 2008, the trio -- comprising Father Eugene O'Hagan (48), his brother Father Martin O'Hagan (45) and their school friend Father Delargy (44) -- had signed a recording contract of one million British pounds (nearly US $ 2 million) with the musci giant Sony BMG.

Their album has parts of the Latin Mass, traditional hymns like Ave Maria and Panis Angelicus, and a selection of opera classics.

The priests continue to perform their regular priestly duties in their parishes in the Diocese of Down and Connor in addition to their new singing and limited promotional tours.

They can be heard both at The Priests website and the YouTube.

The Vatican Goes YouTube!

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The Vatican, on January 23, 2009, has officially launched a video channel on the YouTube which will show video news clips on Pope Benedict XVI's activities and important Vatican events in Italian, English, Spanish and German, reports the Catholic News Service (CNS). The Pope's message for the 43rd World Communication Day has been broadcast through the YouTube.

The Vatican Television Centre and Vatican Radio had been preparing and sharing short video clips on the Vatican Radio website. Now they will share these on the YouTube in partnership with the Internet giant, Google, the owner of the YouTube.

The YouTube, which has over 70 million monthly viewers, will be a strong vehicle for the Vatican and Pope to project their news and views to the world that is eager to know about God. Google Managing Director Henrique de Castro said that more people search on Google for "God" than for many famous world figures and celebrities.

Vatican's YouTube Channel

The short video clips of the Pope or significant Vatican events will be available at http://www.youtube.com/vatican The CNS reports that viewers will be able to leave comments, distribute the videos by e-mailing or messaging the links, and share the videos with friends on various social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook, as well as submit the Vatican video links to news aggregator sites like Digg.

World Communication Day Message of the Pope

In his long World Communication Day message, Pope Benedict XVI called upon the youth, the users of new technologies of the digital age, to use their computers, Facebook and YouTube accounts, and blogs for sharing the joy of their faith in Christ with their peers, reports CNS. The theme of the Communication Day was: "New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialog and Friendship."

The Pope also said that people must "avoid the sharing of words and images that are degrading of human beings, that promote hatred and intolerance, that debase the goodness and intimacy of human sexuality or that exploit the weak and vulnerable."

"When we find ourselves drawn toward other people, when we want to know more about them and make ourselves known to them, we are responding to God's call -- a call that is imprinted in our nature as beings created in the image and likeness of God, the God of communication and communion," the Pope mentioned.

This year's World Communication Day will be officially observed in the Catholic Church on May 31.

Adieu, Mr. George W. Bush!

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The derailment of the US economy under the leadership of President George W. Bush
Cartoon © Ujjal Peter D'Costa

US President George W. Bush's eight-year presidency is over. The newly-elected President Barack Obama is already sitting on the saddle and has started his four-year leadership and administrative journey since yesterday among unprecedented fanfare and public adulation. President Bush came to power facing controversy over improper voting and left his power amidst more controversies over his failed policies and mismanaged actions.

President Bush had received worldwide support over his global war on terror after the September 11, 2001 destruction of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. Then one by one he began to take decisions and actions that failed miserably.

His most irresponsible decision was the unplanned and baseless war on Iraq. That very action was the beginning of his undoing. His empire then began to fall with domino effect. His government's amateurish handling of the Hurrcane Katrina destruction and lack of proper oversight of the financial institutions leading to massive crisis will remain as a blot on his administration. All these made the Americans gradually withdraw their support from him and ultimately attracted them to Barack Obama's promise of change and appropriate action plan for the futue.

President Bush vs. President Obama: A Bird's-Eye View

Now let's see these two persons and how they relate to each other:

President Bush: A native of the State of Texas
President Obama: A native of the State of Hawaii

President Bush: A Republican
President Obama: A Democrat

President Bush: A White
President Obama: A Biracial (half-black and half-white)

President Bush: Aged 55 years at the time of his first inauguration as the President (January 20, 2001)
President Obama: Aged 48 years at his inauguration on January 20, 2009

President Bush: Inherited a surplus budget and strong economy from previous administration of President Clinton
President Obama: Inherited a deficit budget and the weakest economy

President Bush: From affluent family background
President Obama: From middle-class family background

President Bush: Reactive personality
President Obama: Sensitive personality

President Bush: From an integrated family
President Obama: From a broken family (absent father, single mother)

President Bush: Secretive and inward looking
President Obama: Open and outgoing

President Bush: Media averse
President Obama: Media friendly

President Bush: Inarticulate speaker
President Obama: Eloquent speaker

President Bush: Anti-abortion, anti-same-sex marriage, anti-embryonic stem-cell research
President Obama: Pro-abortion, pro-same-sex marriage, pro-embryonic stem-cell research

President Bush: Pro-engagement, pro-war
President Obama: Pro-dialogue, pro-negotiation

President Bush: Pessimistic attitude
President Obama: Positive attitude

President Bush: A non-author
President Obama: An author of two autobiographical books

President Bush: Old style politics, encompassing the middle-aged to elderly persons
President Obama: New style politics, encompassing the young, middle-aged and elderly persons

Barack Obama Sworn In As The 44th US President

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President Barack Obama takes office amidst political,

economic, social and moral challenges

Graphic Design © Joachim Romeo D'Costa
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Barack Hussein Obama, after taking an oath of office today in Washington, D.C., became the 44th President of the United States. He is the first African-American to be the President in the 233-year existence of this country. This event marks a new chapter in the US history.

Martin Luther King's Dream Greatly Realized

With Obama's installation as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the world's most powerful country, the dream of the black civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King expressed before a large gathering of civil rights leaders and supporters in front of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, came to a great realization. In his speech, titled "I Have a Dream", he had mentioned, "...I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal'....I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Obama's Mantra of "Change" and "Yes, I Can" Reverberated in His Speech

Addressing several hundred thousand people gathered in the National Mall and nearby streets and lanes on this cold winter day, President Barack Obama called for change, hope and renewal of American spirit. He said: "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the reciminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics."

He expressed his determination to face the challenges: "The challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America, they will be met." He also said: "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America."

His Call for Responsibility

He called upon the Americans to take up responsibility to bring about a change. He said: " What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility, a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world....This is the price and promise of citizenship."

He extended America's friendship to all nations of the world, but cautioned the persistent rogue nations and terrorists of his determination for defeating them.

Washington, D.C., is having several inauguration celebrations. The new President and his family from today will be living in the White House that was once constructed with hard labour of black slaves.

The New President's Name

Some people are averse to the non-western name of the new President. Some still think that he is a Muslim or occult Muslim. Barack Hussein Obama is common in other languages. 'Barack' comes from Arabic 'barak', meaning 'blessing'; 'Hussein' is also from Arabic 'hasan', meaning 'good' or 'handsome'; and 'Obama', meaning 'curved' or 'slightly bent', comes from Dholuo (also called Luo) language of the Luo tribesmen -- more than three million -- in Kenya and Tanzania. Arabic names are not necessarily Muslim names. Long before the advent of Islam in Saudi Arabia in the 7th century AD, most of these names were being used by Arabic-speaking Christians and other religionists, and, even now they do so, because names are mainly language-based, not religion-based.