Help Haiti in Different Ways

Since 7.0 earthquake hits Haiti, people around the world have been pouring concerns, time, efforts, aids, and others into this poor country. Poor not only financially, but also historically. Its 200-year history after independence is, to say the least, turbulent. Continuous international interference doesn’t lead to positive results, judging from the status quo.

Global Voices contributors have been trying to help, in our own ways. Our remote time and efforts do not equal to even 0.1% of suffering of population on the ground, but we hope these words, images and videos will help people organize their help. On our Special Coverage page, we not only include our reports in different parts of the world, but also other sources you can click to know more about situation in Haiti. See what Russian bloggers say, see what the situation is outside the Haitian capital, see how Japanese reflects on their (lack of) relief efforts so far in Haiti, how Senegal extends their hands to Haiti survivors, etc. etc.

GV has a group of wonderful authors and editors. Our Caribbean editor Janine has spent her whole birthday, working around the clock to provide us latest information. Her team has been trying to offer different perspectives and spread the words as far as possible. Our Lingua Exchange Director Marc has also made his debut.

Our huge pool of translators are also working in different time zones, aiming to bring huge amount of information to their linguistic communities, without linguistic barriers. We apprciate their extraordinary contributions. Regarding traffic, readers appreciate as well.

Global Voices, in the past few years, has been working to collect what local bloggers respond to domestic and international incidents, but this time we are trying something different. We will soon send one of our people to Haiti, not only recording the situation with her own pen/cell phone/laptop, but also utilizing citizen media among local people to empower themselves.

From the mainstream media sources, we already know people should not expect their governments for help. In the meantime, huge coverage about nasty local elections in local news channels only gives me headache. Ending this post, turning off my TV and focus on my GV translations, I believe, will be a good decision.

New Year Has Begun

A new year has begun. Everyone, unsurprisingly, has celebrated with lots of people. In retrospect, I was taking a shower at the moment when everyone made their first step (or shout) into 2010. I didn’t realize it’s already there until I heard the sound of fireworks outside, stepping out of bathroom. I made myself a cup of good milk tea, and picked up The White Tiger, trying to finish the book that I should have done a long time ago. It’s always the best to spend some time alone, and talk to yourself, intimately.

A new year has begun. While Burj Dubai breaks the skyline amid economic low pressure on the ground, everyone, unsurprisingly, has been asking about new year resolutions. “What do I still want?”, I wondered. It’s been a great year to me, and I heard some great news among friends.

My career has been a positive motivation in my life so far. I am fortunate enough to do what I want. One of my friends may be the most popular in the industry, but if you read though his blog, you just feel sorry for him. Unhappy, pressured, frustrated, exhausted. People probably don’t even know how to talk to him now.

Last year, I finally had heard enough of hollow promises, and got rid of some unpleasant clients. Life has got better for that reason. Sometimes we think life can’t work without somethings, but it turns out to be just fine after we lose them.

With friends online, family besides, places to stay around the world, jobs in email box, I am soon to work with my best friend in his project. If there is someone above, he/she/it has been very, very nice to me. More love is almost a luxury.

Happy New Year to you all.

Avatar a Must?

Recently during Christmas and New Year season, everyone around me seems to be in the same conspiracy. Whenever I go, whoever I meet, they are all surprised I haven’t watched the movie Avatar.

“You should watch it!” (Is that a suggestion or what?)

“Watch it in the movie theater!” (God knows when is the last time I walk into theaters?)

“I don’t mind watching again if you need someone to go with you.” (Really? Twice in a week?)

“It’s long, but you won’t fall asleep!” (Hey, where’s that assumption from?)

“The story is nothing, but special effects are cool!” (Hmmm?)

Based on the rebellion attitude, I haven’t watched it, partly also because theaters are always packed on holidays.

Seeing the trailer, though, I have to agree with my friend Lokman on one thing:

 

“While watching the movie, I keep thinking since when David plays Jake Sully without telling us. It’s funny.”

If you know David, my friends, you should not be surprised wherever he shows up. He’s pretty much everywhere, as far as I understand.