Archive for November, 2009

On holiday

Well I didn't update here for quite a while, one was because I was preparing for the exam, which didn't go well at all (as usual), and I was preparing for the trip to China.

I'm planning to stay in the country for about 3 month.For most of the time I'll be staying in my hometown , however, I'm also planning to visit number of Chinese cities including Shanghai and Beijing.

I'll be arriving in Shanghai sometime tomorrow morning (2oth) and visiting  cities like Nanjing and Hangzhou in the surrouding area for two weeks before I get to my hometown, Chengdu. So, anyone who would like to buy me a meal, the time to contact me is now :)

I don't think I'll be able to access the Internet for quite a while, I don't have a laptop, and I heard that the Great Firewall of China is now more capable than any other internet censorship system existed in this world. However, I can assure you that this is not the last post of 2009, if I have time and access  then I may update while on the go.

If anyone wants to find me, just leave a message to my email or here, I'll get back to you as soon as possible, but do expect delays.

See you in China:)

Another free-rider

This time it's Maori Party MP Hone Harawira. He skipped a day of an EU meeing in Brussels but instead go sightseeing in Paris with his wife. When asked about the trip, the MP responded:

"How many times in my lifetime am I going to get to Europe? So I thought, 'F*** it, I'm off. I'm off to Paris"

There's a few issues that Harawira needs to know.

First, on his salary, I would imagine that he could afford a trip to European once a year ... or maybe every three years. Maximum. As long as he knows how to save money, he's pretty much fine.

Secondly, the trip was a taxpayer-funded travel for specific purposes ONLY. As a taxpayer, I asked him to go Brussles to represent the country, not to fund to his private travel. Although he paid for his own trip, however, it was at expense of not doing what he was suppose to do.

Thirdly, this MP really needs to learn how to express his feeling in a polite manner that represents the culture of this country.

You know,  I'm really shocked this time. Are those principles that hard to learn and grasp? I mean, even an elementary school student knows these:  don't steal parents' money, complete the school work before having candies, and don't swear.

What is even shocker, is that after reading the Herald's online forum, I realise there is no shortage of people who are actually arguing for these MPs' inappropriate actions.

This country got some serious thinking to do.