Keep your cup!

Why not?
I'm designing my very own personalised cup right now. I know that at my uni I will save at least $0.50 per cup of coffee I buy, and I will be using one less paper cup in the process. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me: save money AND the environment!
If you want to know more, visit the KeepCup website and for those in Australia interested in ordering one online, this website is a little cheaper to do so: http://www.atomikgreen.com.au/products/Keep-Cup.html
So get on there and keep your cup!

Why I study what I study

A month into my Master's program (International Environmental Law), and I found a(nother) reason for doing what I do. In class today our lecturer told us about the Danish Island of Samsø which inhabits ~4,000 people. Why is this island so important? It is the first place that has been able to make itself energy self-sufficient. This is no mean feat and it took the dedication of many of the locals working along side the government to make this happen. It all began when the Danish government in 1997 ran a competition for a model renewable energy community, a competition that Samsø won. From here 10 off-shore wind turbines were built, locally funded, to harness the strong-blowing winds that engulf this area. This provides 100% of their electricity and 75% of their heat comes from solar power and biomass energy.

This is why I study what I study. 

This is what the world needs to see.

Being more environmentally sustainable IS possible 

& WILL be the future.

A report from CBS tells us that:
"The Samsø scheme has become so successful that the island has installed a string of turbines offshore to make surplus power to sell to the mainland."
To read the full article, click here
[I just wish I heard about this place while I was living in Denmark, so I could be talking about it first hand!]

Happy New Year! (including a message from Obama)

March 21st is Naw Ruz (New Day). For Baha'is this brings and end to the Month of Ala, also know as the Fasting period. I have talked about the Baha'i Fast in a previous post (click here for more information). Since ancient times it has been the great national holiday of Iran, the only holiday celebrated by more than one religious group.

Abdu'l-Baha explained the significance of Naw Ruz in terms of the symbolism of the new life of spring. The day coincides with the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere, signifying the bond of renewal taking place in the physical world with the spiritual reality of renewal pervading all of humanity in this unusual period of history and reflected in the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. It is "a day of joy, a time of happiness, a period of spiritual growth"

"Praise be Thou, O my God, that Thou has ordained Naw-Ruz as a festival unto those who have observed the Fast for love of Thee and abstained from all that is abhrrent unto Thee..."

Bahá'u'lláh, Prayer for Naw Ruz

On another note, Obama in his address to the Iranian people to wish them a Happy New Year, made mention of the suffering of the Baha'is, along with many others that have suffered under the hands of the Iranian government who has taken it in their hands to make life a living hell for those living within the borders of this once great nation. Here is a link to Obama's message:

And with that, I wish all those who celebrate this time of year, a Happy New Year!

"The whole world is born anew, resurrected. Gentle zephyrs are set in motion, wafting and fragrant; flowers bloom; the trees are in blossom, the air temperate and delightful; how pleasant and beautiful become the mountains, fields and meadows."

Satisfaction

There isn't much that could satisfy me more than discovering a new musical gem. An exception to this would be sharing it with others and seeing their mutual appreciation for such magnificence. And by appreciation, I mean comments like this:

"It's music like this that taught me how to listen, and do nothing else."

That, for me, is satisfaction.

Artist: B. Hemmati

For the moment

• First day of my Masters out of the way.
• Jet lag in full swing.
• Readings already piling up.
• Room is a disaster zone, lets not talk about my desk.
• Humidity is doing illegal things to my hair.
• Fasting starts tomorrow.
• My hard drive is too full to upload my photos from my trip.
• Happy Ayyami'ha!