I’m excited for my vacation next month! Guess where I’m going?
Cristo Redentor
Ha! I know!
But I have a good excuse. I have a 5-year visa and I don’t want to waste the money I paid for it. Yes – this is my fourth year in a row to visit the same country, I get it! It’s hard to resist. I love the country….
Try a pay a visit – - – you will understand why.
Iguacu Falls
Painful but true – - Philippine’s New Tourism Slogan “More Fun in the Philippines” gets bashed continuously. .
When controversies about the previous Philippine tourism slogan of “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” hit the web about being a copycat, rip-off artists and the like… we all had to admit our fault. Yes, it really did look like a blatant copy of the Polish tourism logo. You would think, we would learn from it. But we didn’t.
Millions of pesos are allocated to the creation, design and research for a new tourism slogan. Yet, the only thing we can come up with is a copy of someone else’s? This time, it looks like a rip-off from “It’s more fun in Switzerland!” used in the 50s. Yup, you heard that right.
So, it was just right for Bisean to bash the hell out of our slogan and logo. Although, I think that with us, adding verbs before the “…….It’s More Fun in the Philippines” is genius. But, let’s say that it’s something we really didn’t come up with - and simply copied from Switzerland - the additional comments became more personal and was not about the slogan and the logos anymore but rather, the people. Here are some of the comments:
It’s not just about ripping off fellow Filipino, using photographs without his permission or at least a notice…
It’s not just about using other countries’ images trying to get away with it…It’s not about millions of tax payer’s money used to reasearch (for what?), campaign, broadcast, print. No, it’s not just about that…… is Filipino culture. “We are better than…”, “Our country is better than….”. Insinuations.Is there a Siti Nurhaliza video in YouTube not bashed by Filipino critters? Is there a Miss Indonesia video in YouTube not bashed by Filipinos online? Is there a Thai tourism video on YouTube without any comments — “In the Philippines we have this and that…”? Are there anything, in any forum or platform, not bashed by Filipinos?It’s more fun in the Philippines “than”….It’s their culture. I hate to admit but this slogan says a lot about them that WOW Philippines in my previous tourism rant.I love the Philippines. Old friends of this blog knows it very well. And this post… is a reflection that nobody want to see.“It’s more fun in the Philippines than YOURS.” It’s their culture. Love it or hate it.
PAINFUL – - – BUT, TRUE.
Brazil… what is it about you that makes me love you so much?
I’ve been to many countries around the world. You can probably tell if you visit the Travel Category on this blog. I’ve experienced the hospitality of the people in Asia, Europe and South America. But the one thing that sticks out is the experience I had while visiting Brazil. Why? Because Brazil has very close similarities to the Filipino culture. A culture deeply embedded in the Catholic faith, warm and hospitable people and people who love what we Filipinos love…. FOOD!
When I was traveling with my friends who have been to Brazil many times before I even stepped foot on the land of beautiful people, I was led to try the most wonderful food choices around Brazil. One of the most popular was the local bread or pastry called pão de queijo”, the local cheese bread. It’s this yummy, to-die-for bread injected with cheese inside. I know, you’re probably thinking what’s so special about it right? It’s something that you have to try to understand.
Once I got a taste of it, I was addicted. So, every time I visit Brazil (I’ve been there every year for the past three years), it’s something that I have to have.
And guess what? They are branching out in Manila! Yup! The company, Casa do Pão will be opening up in Manila with their famous cheese bread. So, you don’t have to go to Brazil to try it out. It is coming to you. What’s more? The business is starting out this coming September with a soft launch and go full blast thereafter. You will be hearing about it on local TV stations soon. If you want to get in at the bottom of this business, you can invest in a cart as a start up. You can find more information about the business if you visit their website. If I were you, and you are looking for a business venture – you should look into this. This could be a start of a very profitable business.
Click on the link or image below to be directed to their website for more information on how to get in.
We are booked for our cruise to Turkey and Greece! Yay!! Azamara Cruises
Well, you might all think that I am really spoiled and that I travel too much. I am not. It takes hard work and “conections” to be able to do the traveling that I do.
Last year, I went on a European Cruise for 11 days and I had a blast. That was the first cruise I ever went on and it was the most magical experience. The cost of that cruise was an unbelievable special rate of $500.00 USD. Yes, to see eight cities in Europe for that amount is insanely cheap!
This time around, we are taking a cruise to Greece and Turkey on Azamara Quest. It’s a luxury cruise ship and I am sooo excited! Did you know that we just got upgraded from a interior state room to an ocean view state room? How lucky can one get?
I am so excited! We just booked our flights as well that just got confirmed. ALL ABOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre – BRAZIL Here we come!
Very happy now that our tickets are booked and ready to go. Several members of the Butse Gang will be traveling to the most exotic and beautiful country of Brazil. Bom dia!!!
We are trying to polish up on our Bazilian Portuguese because it’s easier to get around if you know the language. And I guess, since I have been to Brazil two times in the past two years, I should be fluent by now. Not quite. The CD that I bought was European Portuguese which is quite different from the way Brazilians speak the language. There are similarities but not quite that similar.
I guess, I have blogged so much about Brazil that I received an email from are representative of Brazil’s Department of Tourism and they wanted to show me their appreciation. I received some wonderful gifts from them which are pictured below.
My trip to Brazil / Brasil – coming up soon! Guess what I got in the mail?
I know I told you this but I was contacted by Brazil’s Department of Tourism. I guess I blog about Brazil so much, they wanted to show me their appreciation.
At first I thought that it was a scam, but when I checked out the website – it was legit. They told me that they wanted to share a few things with me, including a Travel Guide and vacation stuff.
Traveling to Malta
Written by my friend Betty Walls
A lot of my family members actually live overseas and in Europe. This is actually because my father is originally from Europe and from a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean known as Malta. Many people think I am referring to a dog when I tell them that I am half Maltese. The Maltese culture is vast considering the island itself is only a few miles long. The Maltese people are known for their rich accents and beautiful olive skin. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with this beautiful olive skin and instead am very pale because my mother is actually Irish. But because most of my father’s family lives in Malta, I actually decided to go and visit them for the very first time about a year ago. I got the idea to travel when I saw a program about Malta on my 101 Network on Direct TV.
The trip was fantastic and I just can not wait to go back. The waters surrounding the island were completely blue. It was very surreal and something that many people only wish to be able to see. You could actually see the fish in the water because the water was so crystal clear and clean. I stayed with my grandma and promised her that I would be back again for another visit when I had some extra time off of school and work.
Early stages of planning… next trip – Brazil (Yes, again!)
Yes peeps – - I’m planning my next trip to Brazil. If you’ve been visiting this blog long enough, you must know how much I fell in love with Brazil and it’s men people (hint hint) when I visited Sao Paulo two years ago. I was there again last year, and this will be the third time that I will visit Sao Paulo and Rio.
The trips that I had were memorable because I’ve met people whom I’ve kept in touch with over the past years. I have new company with this coming trip and worry that he may fall in love with Brazil like I have. The last person I brought with me is so in love with Brazil now that he tells me he will go whenever I go. I only have one warning to this new friend coming with us…. “Don’t fall in love!” 
This year, I am going to The National Cherry Blossom Festival 2011 in Washington, D.C. (Peak Bloom Dates Announced)
I plan every year to visit Washington D.C. during the National Cherry Blossom Festival but I never get to go. Somehow, my schedule gets jammed a couple of weeks after Spring begins. But this year, I need to go. The Cherry Blossoms were a gift from Japan and was given to the United States in 1912. To date, there are 3,750 Cherry Blossom trees in and around the basin. It’s been several years since I last went to experience the beauty of seeing the Cherry Blossoms around the Potomac basin. Besides, I need some good photos to post on my blog.
Did Global Warming Cause The Sun Rise 2 Days Early In Greenland?
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
Well, others call it “Climate Change”. Many of us call it “Global Warming” yet regardless of what you want to call it, scientists are baffled by this phenomenon where the sun was expected to rise (or be seen) in the town of Ilussat in Greenland on January 13th but was already visible by January 11th.
This concerns them because of Global Warming and how the rise in temperature could affect other things.
But the most troublesome theory may also be the truth. Some scientists suggest that the sun rose early due to global warming, namely, Greenland’s melting ice caps. In the past year, temperatures in Greenland have risen three degrees Celcius above average. As icecaps melt, the horizon sinks down as well, which makes the sun appear earlier over the horizon. According to Tim Dixon, a professor of geodesy, “It is well known that global warming is causing most of Greenland’s outlet glaciers to melt faster and draw down the inland ice.” That said, there is debate over whether the melting ice sheet would affect the sunrise, given the ice’s eastern location.
via Huffington Post.
Pres. Obama eases travel restrictions to Cuba – someday, we may all be able to travel there.
Whoah! I know that this would come as great news to many of my friends. We’ve always wanted to visit Cuba but due to the restrictions, we decided not to. We didn’t want to take any chances. Hold your horses though. Travel restrictions to Cuba have been eased but it would only make it easier for students, religious and cultural groups to visit Cuba.
Regular American tourists will still be unable to travel to Cuba for vacations but if you work for a religious institution or a student at a university, these institutions can grant you a permit. It used to be restricted to only allow Cuban Americans to travel to Cuba and a handful of people.
It gives us hope at least that someday, we as American citizens may be able to travel as a tourist to Cuba.
Here’s an excerpt from the article:
Under the new rules, any American — not just those with family on the island — will be able to send up to $500 to Cuba every three months. The measures will also allow more U.S. airports to set up charter flight services to the island (the flights are now limited to Miami, New York and Los Angeles).
“The President believes these actions, combined with the continuation of the embargo, are important steps in reaching the widely shared goal of a Cuba that respects the basic rights of all its citizens,” the statement from the White House read. “These steps build upon the President’s April 2009 actions to help reunite divided Cuban families; to facilitate greater telecommunications with the Cuban people; and to increase humanitarian flows to Cuba.”
US-Cuba Relations | Travel Restrictions | Embargo.
Travel Insurance: Does anyone need it?
I’ve traveled a lot most specially in the last four years. I’ve always wanted to travel ever since I was younger but I just had two issues back then.
- Didn’t have enough money to travel
- Didn’t have much time off to travel
Now that those two issues have been resolved, and that I have found better ways to travel on a bargain, I have been able to travel 18 per cent of the globe. Yes, at least that’s what one website tells me. Still a very low percentage but it’s a good percentage if you look at the length of when I started traveling extensively.
Most of the issues you run into when traveling is getting ill while away from home. Most of us don’t think that because if you travel mostly in Europe or Canada, you can pretty much say that getting ill may be unlikely. But if you travel in the most exotic parts of the globe, you may get ill very easily depending on how careful you are with diet and acclimation to the climate.
I’ve known many folks who traveled extensively while they were students and I envy them. They go to see the world earlier than I did but I have no regrets. One advice I would give students who travel a lot is to obtain extra health insurance that would cover you while you are traveling and way from home. There are student health insurances available out there. You can take chances but if you’re flying to a place to go sky diving or if you’re a thrill-seeker and love to do adventurous things while traveling, I would suggest you obtain one since you’ll never know what could happen.
Getting injured while you’re traveling could be a nightmare if you are not well-covered. You can opt to get health insurance for a minimal fee and these types of insurance can be valid from 6-12 months if you’re going to be away that long.
Chuva’s Travels: European Cruise 2010 – Next Stop – Split, Croatia
One of the most pleasant surprise destinations during this trip. If I hand’t gone on this trip, I probably would have never heard of Split and would even question what would be interesting in visiting Croatia. As the ship approached the port of Split, you could easily see the beauty of the city simply by the structure of the buildings, the nicely-lined palm trees across the pier similar to what we used to see at Roxas (Dewey) Boulevard. I didn’t even know palm trees grew in places other than tropical ones.
When we got tendered (this is when the passengers travel in groups in small boats to get to the shore) and headed off to walk around the city, we were amazed by the city’s cleanliness and beauty. Not only was it beautiful, it had a lot of history to it than you would have ever imagined. Ruins and structures dating back to the Roman empire are visible all throughout the city. One of them was the Temple of Jupiter. I couldn’t tell you much about it because we passed by the the temple so quickly we didn’t even get the chance to understand what it was. There were just too much to see in such short time.
And… Chuva’s Travel begins… First stop: Venice, Italy
Yes, my dear Chuvanians…. Chuva is traveling and will be sailing across the Mediterranean for a 9-day cruise. If you are a regular reader here, you may know that I have traveled for work a lot and have been to many cities in Europe and Asia. I have also traveled several times to my favorite country in the world next to the Philippines – Brazil.
More photos of Chuva’s Trip to Brazil…
The Princess of Marlton.. haha! Wearing Carnival Queen’s head piece.
I bet a lot of you are confused who Chuva Chienes really is? Ha! That’s the point!
Anyway, here are photos from our recent trip to Brazil. No international travel after this one. My next trip will be to Paris, France – next year. I have never been to Paris and would like to experience the Louvre , Arc de Triomphe, Avenue des Champs-Élysées an the like…that is God-willing.
Shot of Rio de Janeiro from the plane. Awesome isn’t it?
As we landed…
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro!!
Waiting for a cab.. parang traveler baga..
A shot of the Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar).
A close up shot. The cab driver stopped for us so we can take pictures.. How nice huh?
A shot with one of my “ka-ibigang lalake” Haha! A good friend.
Off to Ipanema Beach.. shempre… a must-see!
It was a little chilly (they are entering their Fall season… )…
My new boyfriend. Isn’t he cute?? Ang sarap talaga ng camera na may ZOOM!! haha!
With the Princess at Ipanema Beach… taraaayyy!
How nice is this?? Bathroom and showers right by the beach… underground… Cost? 1.25 Reais. (.60 cents) to use. Not bad ay?
O say… more pictures to come!!
Photos from my Trip to Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro
As Brazil prepares for major events to come in 2014 and 2016, here I am planning on my trip back to one of the warmest cities I’ve grown to know. Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have very warm people. Little did I know that another city known as Porto Alegre (Happy Port) would offer the same experience and more.
I’m sure you are aware that Brazil has lots and lots of beautiful people. Most of them, inside and out. I’ve met many of them during my first trip to Brazil and met more of them this time around.
The best food we had in Sao Paulo….
If you want to taste good food – - and cheap (I guess you know by now that I am very frugal when it comes to my travels) – - I would suggest that you try one at the Iguatemi Mall foodcourt… La Estancia.
The yellow flakes are like crushed chicharones that you mix with your mashed potatoes or rice. Yummmmm!
This is rice and egg I believe – was told that it was good as well.
The only complaint we received was from the Princess of Marlton who preferred to have a bigger portion of her steak… but it was still fabulous!
Sorry guys but I cannot remember all the names but the food was uhummmmmm good!!
I’m on my way!!! Wait for my posts about this trip..
You may all have guessed already where I’m headed. This is one of the trips I have anticipated in 2010.
Good friends, sun and surf, and best of all – - the male models!!
I will try to post an entry when I can while I am on this trip so you can share the adventure with me.
If Bryanboy gets to go around the world because of blogging… so can I…
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC
Living in Maryland, way back in the day – I used to go to the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s a grand event and if you haven’t been, I would definitely encourage you to do so.
The scenery in and around the Potomac River is beyond beautiful and you will experience the spirit of Spring like no other. Everything has come back to life and celebrating it in Washington D.C. couldn’t be any better.
TNS National TV Ratings (Oct. 21-22): TV Patrol World and May Bukas Pa lead primetime race
Here are the comparative ratings of ABS-CBN and GMA-7 programs from October 21 to 22, based on the overnight ratings of Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) among National households.
October 21, Wednesday
Non-Primetime:
Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 7.9%; Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 5.3%; Pokemon Master Quest (GMA-7) 6%
Mar Marchen Awakens Romance (ABS-CBN) 6.4%; Jackie Chan Adventures (GMA-7) 7%
Naruto (ABS-CBN) 7%; Bleach (GMA-7) 8.9%
Pedro Penduko (ABS-CBN) 5.5%; Hunter X Hunter (GMA-7) 11.9%
I’m so excited for Rio in 2016. Maybe I’ll pay a visit before then.
Going to Brazil last month was a dream come true. Little did I know that I will fall in love with the city and its people. Yes, Chuva Chienes is learning how to speak Portuguese. O meu nome Chuva. E moro em Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Muito fazer. Obrigada!
But the most exciting part of it was very timely when Rio won the bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics last week beating Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo. And this video shows you why I fell in love with the city.
Take a look:
Take a peek:
Sao Paulo Brazil – A trip I will never forget. Part II
Okay, so there I was… in a country where spoken English is very minimal. Thank goodness for my friend who speaks Portuguese fluently – otherwise, I would have been lost in everything.
Shempre, pagdating namin ng Penthouse, may mga nagdatingan ng mga boylets. Well, they are really not boylets.. mga billboard and magazine models lang at mga DJs ng mga clubs in and around Sao Paulo. Well-connected si ateng. I will tell you later kung ano ang connection.. unahin muna natin ang paglibot sa building…
Sao Paulo Brazil – A trip I will never forget.
I never dreamed a time in my life that I would one day travel to Brazil and fall in love with the people there. It’s a place where time doesn’t seem to matter. Kaya siguro voted ng Forbes ang Rio de Janeiro as the number one happiest city in the world according to a Barrio Siete write-up ng sister kong si Mel Beckham. Ang ditse ninyo, di malaman ang gagawin niya sa hinaba haba ng oras. It’s not the same as here in the United States where people are always rushing. Rushing to go to work, rushing to come home…rushing… rushing… rushing.
The trip was nine and a half hours long. I had to drive from my place to fly out of JFK International Airport. So, add another two and a half hours to that. Hindi ko akalaing dahil sa ka-cheapan ko at ayaw magbayad ng mahal na airfare… mas humaba pa ang trip ko. Seriously though, I was traveling with a friend from New York kaya we decided to fly out of JFK instead.
Here’s my view from 30,000 feet. This was before we landed in Sao Paulo.
Shempre, kontingdrama kaya shot-by-shot ang bigay ko sa inyo.
Ang ganda ng mga bundok dun. And it was a little hazy dahil umaga kami dumating.
Ayan, medyo kita na ang city of Sao Paulo.
Ayan – that’s the view bago mag-landing.
This is the elevator that opened up to the Penthouse.. may mga special codes chorva pa para makarating ka sa tuktok!
Through the courtesy of my friend, I got to stay at a Penthouse in the city of Moema.
Di ba sosyal ang friend ng kaibigan ko. At say ninyo, may katulong siya don.
Heto ang view from the balcony. Enclosed ng glass ang balcony niya.
Heto ang length ng balcony and it goes all the way around the Penthouse.
Ang ditse ninyo, afraid of heights – pero nilakasan ko na lang ang loob ko. Haha!
This is just the beginning of the trip… hintayin ninyo ang series ng postings ko about Brazil. Nakakaloka!!
The Butse Gang’s Camping Trip – August 14-16
Ay mali, di pala yan kasama sa camping. Personal collection ko pala yan!
Hindi ako sanay matulog sa sahig, pero the Butse Gang’s (used-to-be-yearly) Camping Trip is an exception. Friends plan this trip every year. Kahit maraming okrayan sa pag-paplano, we still manage. Kanya-kanyang toka ng mga dadalhin, food, camping gear etc.
This year, konti na lang kami. We used to go with the whole gang – siguro mga 20 people kami. It’s a campsite in Pennsylvania – All-Male lang ‘to…bawal ang babae. In the years past, kasama rin namin ang Reyna Elena sa gimik na ‘to but not this year. Ang lola ninyo, hindi marunong magplano ng flight… kaya ayun, di tuloy siya nakasama.
All-in-all, it was a success. There were 13 of us and we occupied a good amount of space at the camp site. Dahil nga galing pa ng New York ang ditse ninyo, gabi na ko nakarating sa camp site. Bongga naman ang naging resulta so I would like to share pictures with you.
Nandiyan si America’s Top Monay – ayun, nakasuot ng apron at nagluluto ng sausage and meatball sauce – di ba? Ang shoray. Sabi ko nga, “Monay, I like your hat pero distracting siya!“ Hahaha! Sabi ng Monay, “Inggitera!“
Each and every one pitched in. Tulong tulong sa set-up ng tents, sa cooking, washing pots and pans at kung ano ano pa. It was a tame and relaxing weekend. Di ko na kinunan yung mga pics ng mga lalaking naglalakad ng walang saplot, baka ma-bad tayo ni Gugul!
Thanks to everyone. It was lots of fun.
Southwest Airlines – Let the Air Fare Wars Begin
Southwest Airlines is giving all of us a gift this summer. Fares as low as $30 – $90 dollars – Round Trip (depending on distance). They claim that this is the biggest sale they’ve had in the company’s history.
To avail of this special, Travelers must book their flights by midnight (12:00 a.m.) tonight, July 8th 2009.
American Airlines was quick to follow suit by offering $200.00 RT ticket to anywhere in the US (plus taxes and fees). These types of promotions advertised by airlines including AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines are an early start in the industry’s efforts to fill their capacity when travel begins to slow after Labor Day.
According to the News:
Southwest structured its sale based on the distance flown – one-way fares of $30 for trips of up to 400 miles, $60 for 400 to 750 miles and $90 for more than 750 miles. That offers a significant discount from the usual nonsale tickets sold several weeks in advance.
From Dallas Love Field, for example, a ticket to such nearby cities as Oklahoma City, Austin, San Antonio and Houston would cost $30 one-way, compared with its usual deepest discount of $49 each way or $130 for a last-minute purchase.
In the second group with $60 fares were such cities as Nashville, Tenn.; Kansas City, Mo.; St. Louis; and Albuquerque, N.M. In the third group with $90 fares are the more distant cities, including Chicago and those along the East and West Coasts.
A Dallas-Boston round-trip ticket on Southwest, for example, would cost at least $359 before Sept. 9, but $209 including taxes and fees on Sept. 9 and afterward.
“For those who have been waiting for the cheapest fare sale of the year, I can’t think of anything better,” said Tom Parsons of BestFares.com.
So, what are you waiting for?! Go online and make your booking!
My surprise…. Tita Nega meets Tita Mega!!!
Hello peeps~! No personal posts lately dahil nagbakasyon po ang ditse ninyo. Nagpakasasa sa Pilipinas, and what a wonderful vacation it was! I couldn’t imagine a better place to spend my vacation. And to top it all off, my meetings with fellow bloggers was a blast.
Before anything else, I would like to plug our very own Sharon Cuneta’s Mega30TOUR since I’m already late… If you are in any one of these areas, please get your tickets now. I may be in New Jersey tomorrow to watch her show at the NJ PAC Prudential Hall.
| Date | City | Venue |
| May 23 | Las Vegas | Paris Hotel |
| May 24 | Reno, Nevada | Peppermill Tuscany Event Center |
| May 31 | New Jersey | NJ PAC Prudential Hall |
| June 7 | Toronto, Canada | Metro Toronto Convention Center |
| June 12 | Los Angeles | Shrine Auditorium |
| June 14 | Houston,Texas | Houston Center |
The best thing I can say from my vacation was the chance for me to meet Senator Francisco Pangilinan and the Megastar herself, Ms. Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan! Charing lang! Sino ba naman ako para i-meet ng power couple no?! Hahaha! Nananaginip lang ako..
But I will blog more about my vacation so please do come back…and check out the latest posts. Yes, I am not dead yet. I’m back!!!!!!
Actually – - follow this The Negastar (Chuva Chienes) and The Megastar (Sharon Cuneta) – Unplugged
Chuvahotness # 16 – Piolo Pascual
chuvachienes on Male Celebrities, Movies, Music, Showbiz Hollywood, Showbiz Philippines, Television, Travel, Videos
You are probably wondering why it took me so long to include Piolo Pascual on my list of “Chuva Hotness”. I was wondering as well. I realized that I haven’t featured the one and only, charming and sexy Piolo here on my blog. It was an oversight on my part. If I have to put my money where my mouth is (no pun intended! hehe), I would definitely put it all on Piolo. He is the most bankable artist-leading man in the Philippines. Hot and Sexy.
Read more about him and view the Gallery of over 30 photos after the JUMP
Birthday Boys – Charles Darwin and Abe Lincoln – Feb 12 1809 – Happy Birthday!
Charles Robert Darwin FRS (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist who realised and demonstrated that all species of life have evolved over time from common ancestors through the process he called natural selection. The fact that evolution occurs became accepted by the scientific community and much of the general public in his lifetime, while his theory of natural selection came to be widely seen as the primary explanation of the process of evolution in the 1930s, and now forms the basis of modern evolutionary theory. In modified form, Darwin’s scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, providing logical explanation for the diversity of life.
At Edinburgh University Darwin neglected medical studies to investigate marine invertebrates, then the University of Cambridge encouraged a passion for natural science. His five-year voyage on HMS Beagle established him as an eminent geologist whose observations and theories supported Charles Lyell’s uniformitarian ideas, and publication of his journal of the voyage made him famous as a popular author. Puzzled by the geographical distribution of wildlife and fossils he collected on the voyage, Darwin investigated the transmutation of species and conceived his theory of natural selection in 1838. Although he discussed his ideas with several naturalists, he needed time for extensive research and his geological work had priority. He was writing up his theory in 1858 when Alfred Russel Wallace sent him an essay which described the same idea, prompting immediate joint publication of both of their theories.
The best job in the world, you just can’t apply for it.
Mga ditseeeeeeee! I’m sure you’ve heard about this friggin island in Australia already by now. It has been all over the news and quite frankly, the job is fairly easy. You will be in charge of the upkeep of the island… monitor population of whales and turtles (to my understanding). ..
For six months, you could be paid $100,000 USD by relocating to Hamilton Island (Australia’s Great Barrier Reef) and you have to blog about your stay in the island (every week mind you! – oh like that is so friggin hard!) They will even pay for your airfare to and from the island and you will be staying at an ocean front villa na merong swimming pool! Apparently, this program (or publicity for that matter) is to boost Australia’s Tourism.
Read more
Plastic bag sculptures in NYC by Joshua Allen Harris – Very neat!
I saw this on Anderson Cooper podcast this morning and I thought it was pretty neat. Apparently, this street art is created by an Artist named Joshua Allen Harris. It’s made from trash bags and placed strategically on top of the subway vents all over the streets of New York City. Wouldn’t this just scare you to death if you didn’t know about it? I think it’s awesome! Haha!
