Just grumble

Pillar of Protection

2016-06-25T11:03:00.001-07:00

The city of Chiang Mai in Thailand celebrates the Inthakin Festival each year, an event dedicated to the city's central pillar.The veneration and offerings to the pillar are said to appease the city's guardian spirits, ensuring the safety and prosperity of the residents. Held from June 1 to 8, the lnthakin Festival also includes fun games, tasty local fare and cultural performances.

INGREATFASHIUN A total of 487 potential designers signed up for the Malaysian leg of the AirAsia Runway Ready Designer Search 2016, which was held at JW Marriot Kuala Lumpur on April 30. After two rounds of judging - based on creativity, originality, adherence to the Asean theme, practicality, and stage presentation 10 designers were shortlisted from the pool of aspirants.The top 10 will further be narrowed down to three finalists in the grand finale at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready to Wear this August.

AirAsia won the Catering Innovation of the Year at the 2016 Onboard Hospitality Awards held in Hamburg Germany on April 13, proving the airline's commitment to innovating travel experience. AirAsia took home the award for its Barista in the Skies service, making it the only low-cost carrier that won an award in any of the 10 categories of the competition. The service features freshly brewed T8¢Co coffees served by cabin crew who have been trained as professional barista. Uflboard Hospitality readers voted for their favorite linafists, and the . Her was selected by a panel

CENTRE FOR MALAYSIAN CULTURE, HERITAGE, ART & CRAFT

2016-06-25T10:52:00.001-07:00

Built in 1888, Central Market started off Qs a bustling wet l Jmorket It has now tran.sformed into. charming lanes mimicking traditional shop houses where visitors can enjoy conducive shopping ambience displaying .the best of l l Malaysian culture, heritage, art and craft.. with more than 350 shops and kiosks in a bazaar-like concept, shoppers can relish Malaysian handicraft, batik, ,souvenirs, antiques and collectables. They can also enjoy craft-making demonstrations, art paintings by local artists, n the dancers during cultural shows and savour I joy tea ditional cuisine and snacks. As a must-visit destination, th ere is always something to indulge and experience at antral Market!

Sun for Health

2016-06-25T10:49:00.001-07:00

Certified halal and organic, GMOand gluten-free SW ' Spoon Health Organic Chia Seed i go contains heart-3- healthy Omega-3, mg protein, Fibre, antioxidants and essential nutrients ..i wav such as calcium, magnesium and vitamin B3 in 'Up Eu every spoonful. A staple of the ancient Mayans (chip is the Mayan word for'strength') and Aztecs, chip seeds are considered the complete protein. Combined with its high fire content (10g per two tablespoons), just a tablespoon added to food or drink provides a lower-packed boost. Spoon Health Organic Ch la Seed is available in convenient 150g, 450g and 1. 9009 Packs.spoonhmkhxom

The Goddess of Grains

2016-06-24T01:57:00.001-07:00

Health food supplement makers, GoodMorning Global, introduces Vplus 18 Grains, formulated with a variety of grains and seeds including red rice, barley, beans, millet, flaxseed and wheat.

The nutritious powdered drink is supplemented with Fibersol° -2, a patented soluble corn fibro that helps lower bad cholesterol. A cup ofVplus 18 Grains contains the nutrients of whole grains and 29 of soluble fibre, ingredients necessary for a healthy diet.The all-natural formula is lactose-free and suitable for all ages.

LIP + Cheek Colour Clinique oil and pop

2016-06-21T08:05:00.001-07:00

Cheek Glow is nourishing. Lip and cheek color Formulated with safflower Jojoba and sunflower Oil from the seeds. Sweet and juicy This lightweight liquid gel The glow And easy to use Thanks for your convenience applicator wand easily And on the cheekbones The center of the lip, Blend with fingertips.

SUNSCREEN + BARRIER PROTECTION

With natural zinc oxide and titanium, Origins' Mega- Defense SPF 45 Advanced DailyUv Defender is a 100 per cent. ln Non-chemical formula that protects skin against UVA and UVB rays. Extracts from the Opuntia cactus prevent moisture loss and help create a physics' barrier against polluticfi.

No More Spots!!

2016-06-21T07:52:00.001-07:00

Dream Dots is an overnight spot treatment that calms and treats breakouts while you sleep. Upon contact with blemishes, these waterproof and breathable patches absorb spot fluid, and visibly reduce redness and inflammation. Simply cleanse the affected area, secure the 'dot' in place and enjoy the results. Dream Dots is paraben- and latex-free, and contains no harsh in g red Le pts.

Invest in these handy helpers that do double duty, offering dual benefits in just one product. HAND CARE + I SUNSCREEN Enriched with almond .protein that helps with cell tivfn=> regeneration, L'Occitane's i Velvet Hands 385/83 SPF 15 keeps hands moisturized and looking w youthful, while omg the addition of sunscreen 33 prevents the . Appearance of sun-induc€d dark spots.

WAS COMEDY YOUR FIRST CHOICE? Not

2016-06-21T07:43:00.001-07:00

Really, I didn't have a choice when I started out. My projects were assigned to me by the TV station. I began as a variety show host, but later progressed to comedy, drama and hosting my own talk show.

There were times when I had to multi- task and work on several projects simultaneously! Phua Chu Kang T . He father of three talks to travel 3Sixty° about his new alter ego, Hero Singh, in Laugh Die You - The Karaoke, a comedic battle of wits that takes to the stage in Singapore next month.

How DID YOU GET YOUR BREAK IN ENTERTAINMENT?

2016-06-21T07:24:00.001-07:00

I was performing in a

musical at a theme park in Sin-

gapore when I was spotted by a

TV producer who later asked me

to audition for a television show.

The role was as co-host for a live

variety show on Singapore

How DID YOU GET YOUR BREAK IN ENTERTAINMENT?

After several screen tests, I was

selected as the sole host for the

show, Live on 5. The show aired

in 1994 and was my television

debut, as well as my big break in

the entertainment industry.

GURMII SINGH

2016-06-21T06:56:00.001-07:00

One of the region's beloved

comedians, award-winning

actor Gurmit Singh, became

a household name in his

home country and Malaysia

when he played the title

character in the long-

running Singapore TV series,

Phua Chu Kang. The father of

three talks to

travel 3Sixty°

about his new alter ego, Hero

Singh, in Laugh Die You - The

Karaoke, a comedic battle of

wits that takes to the stage

in Singapore next month.

North Hua Hin

2016-03-08T07:35:00.001-08:00

This large impressive golf course home is located in Palm Hills, approximately fifteen minutes from Hua Hin center. From its commanding position you have great gall course and mountain views. This large home has four bedrooms, all ensuite, and alice, two covered terraces, a large swimming pool, covered parking for two cars, electric gate and mature topical gardens. This home comes with a lifetime membership to bath the golf course and the separate lioness.

Say 'I DO' On SAMUI

2014-09-09T05:50:00.001-07:00

Inter Continental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort offers romantic options to couples wanting to do things differently. The 22-acre resort has recently opened following a 10 month multimillion dollar renovation and specializes in celebrations of every size and shape from elaborate Thai gatherings to private téte-a-tétes for two, with a personal wedding planner for every couple. Options for the ceremony itself include the resorts own 150-metre private pier for a romantic over-water ceremony and party beach-side, soirees in a luxury beachfront villa with an adjacent sprawling lawn. Or at the resorts signature Air bar with 360-degree views over the Gulf of Thailand in a relaxed alfresco lounge setting. Its 79 guest residences can be hired in their entirety. Or as a small cluster of accommodations with a range of tailored and off-the-peg wedding packages.

TEA-INFUSED Serenity

2014-09-09T05:36:00.001-07:00

Fuchun Resort. Hangzhou China has launched Tea Retreat packages that include picking Longjing Tea and Tea spa treatments Set in over 150 acres of Tea plantations. The 4 award-winning resort. In the shadow of the Fuyang Mountain is combining picking the famous Longjing Tea that is local to the area Tea-based massage treatments and Tea sets overlooking the Resorts peaceful if a lake, from April onwards The one and two-night stay packages encourage guests to spend over an hour in the plantations collecting the Tea leaves. You then get to join the Tea Master in pan-frying the leaves to halt the oxidization process so that the leaves maintain their natural flavor. The Tea Master then creates a packaged Fuchun Resort branded bag of Tea leaves for you to take home. Also on offer is a 60-minute Himalayan yoga session with Indian yoga master Yogacharya Gireesananda or the Dragon Well Foot Treatment at the award-winning Fuchun Spa using the Longjing Tea picked from within the vast resort.

Spiceroads Cycle Tours @BURMA

2014-09-09T05:27:00.002-07:00

This leading bicycle tour operator in Asia, has launched new bicycle tours that highlight the best scenery, historic sites art and culture that distinguish Burma, Bhutan and Cambodia. By cycling short distances at a relaxed pace Over seven days there is time to leisurely take in UNESCO World Heritage sites, meet the locals, enjoy excellent food and soak up the atmosphere.

Burma

Bhutan - Paro to Punakha: The Bhutanese are proud of their heritage and Work hard to maintain it and this bicycle tour introduces an isolated country where Tibetan Buddhism is integral to the culture. The stunning mountains with dense forests teeming with birds compete with the historic dzongs (fortresses). Monasteries and temples and the charming locals vie for your attention on this tour. The April 22nd tour is set to go. Also scheduled are departures in June. 1 August September and October. Cost is US$2,100

Burma - Mandalay to Bayan: Burmas legacy of a proud and powerful former kingdom dates back 1,000 years and the temples that remain throughout the country are a testament to that era. From Kiplings Mandalay you will travel via the Irrawaddy River. To the temples at Bayan and end with a visit to the Shwedagon Pays in Yangon. Scheduled tours are set for July. October and November Tour cost is US$1,950.

Cambodia - Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: Cycling is the perfect Way to absorb the rich history left behind by the Khmers of Cambodia between the 9th and 14th century From the capital of Phnom Penh. A modern city that has retained its colonial charm. You will visit the ancient capital of Oudong and a complex of temples that are the oldest in Cambodia. In Siem Reap we explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat while also taking the in local lifestyles. Tours depart in May July September October November and December. Tour cost is US$1,250.

more : http://muka-1.weebly.com/about-us.html

GADGET WATCH

2014-09-09T04:43:00.000-07:00

Imagine that half-way through the flight your iPad, iPod, BB dies.. There are no outlets on the plane. But if you get yourself an Inflight Power USB unit. You could save yourself from inflight boredom. The inflight Power USB Unit charges electronics via the headphone jack in the airline seat. The standard USB-capable version costs around US$34.99. But the $44.99 version comes with an iPod tip that supports the nano. The mini 4G SG And the iPhone There's even a bundle with mini USB chargers for BlackBerry. Motorola and Windows Mobile phones for the same price.

HK DINING Scene

2014-07-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

Mario Batali sets up shop: Mario Batali one of the most recognized and respected chefs and his business partner Joe Bastianich have launched their initial foray into Hong Kong with the opening of LUPA. Celebrated for their excellence in Italian cuisine and hospitality, Mario and Joe will introduce a sensational new level of Italian dining to the restaurant landscape and diners in Central, Hong Kong. LUPA promises superb Italian dining in exquisite surroundings in over 5,500 square feet of spacious dining for 130 guests indoors. The restaurant also features a 2,500 square foot terrace that can accommodate an additional 80 guests for al fresco dining. Making a total guest capacity of 210. Leading the kitchen team at LUPA is Executive Chef Zach Allen, a protégé of Mario who has been working with the company for over 10 years. 3/F, LHT Tower 31 Queen Road, Central, Hong Kong. For reservations: +852 2796 6500

Bib Gourmand for La Marmite: Aqua Restaurant Group's modern take on the traditional Parisian bistros, La Marmite has been awarded a 'Bib Gourmand' in the latest Michelin guide. The "Bib Gourmand" is awarded to the Michelin critics' favorite restaurants with great cuisine. At affordable prices. These restaurant are often neighborhood favorites.

La Marmite

La Marmite is the only French bistros to receive a Michelin award in this years Hong Kong guide. Guests to La Marmite, located an Staunton Street in the heart of Soho, can expect a host of brand-new delectable dishes to celebrate the awards: Coq de Bressc au vin de Bordeaux a coq au vin dish prepared with a specially selected, seasonal wine and St Pierre poché dans sa sauce aux moules, servi avec. seiches et pommel vapeurs a la moutarde` (John Dory poached in a mussel sauce, cuttlefish, roasted pistachio and Steamed mustard potatoes).

The brain behind the menu at La Marmite is Executive Philippine Orrico a Michelin-star chef in his own right. (Soho at 46 Staunton Street, Central. Hong Kong)

Cannes Film Festival

2014-06-14T21:57:00.001-07:00

The annual Cannes Film Festival scheduled from May 16-27 Will once again transform this charming town on the French Riviera into a bustling hot-spot of celebrities collecting to celebrate cinema. Ever since its creation, the Festival de Cannes has remained faithful to its founding purpose: to draw attention to and raise the profile of films with the aim of contributing towards the development of cinema, boosting the film industry worldwide and celebrating cinema at an international level. The official poster of the feats 65th edition features the iconic actress Marilyn Monroe in tribute to the 50th anniversary of her death. The poster captures the glamour and magic of Cannes perfectly.

Moonrise Kingdom, the new film by American Wes Anderson, will open the 65th Festival de Cannes on Wednesday, 16 May in the Grand theatre Lumiere of the Palais des Festivals, with the Jury presided over by Italian filmmaker Nanni Moretti in attendance. Moonrise Kingdom was filmed on an island in New England and recounts a tormented and surprising story of
children and adults during the stormy days of the summer of 1965.

The entire town gets into the act with bistros, restaurants and bars keeping the party going. The atmosphere is heady and the great thing is that the star-parade is not off-limits to the average tourist. If you plan to head to Cannes for some celluloid magic, we urge you to make your bookings now.

AFTERNOON TEA

2014-06-11T04:46:00.001-07:00

The UK is celebrating 60 years of Queen Elizabeth is reign this year. The Berkeley a luxury London hotel located in fashionable Knightsbridge, is paying homage to the Diamond Jubilee in true majestic style With the launch of `Prét-a-Portea - The Royal Collection. From 29th May to 9th June 2012, biscuits, fancies and choux buns Will be transformed to resemble the most memorable hats worn by the Royal Family, marking The Queens 60th anniversary on the throne. The Royal Collection includes praline profiterole inspired by the much-talked-about Philip Treacy fascinator worn by Princess Beatrice at the Royal Wedding, as Well as Queen Elizabeths legendary crown, Worn for her coronation in 1953, recreated as a vanilla biscuit with intricate icing and sugar diamonds.

Afternoon Tea

Angela Kellys Canadian maple leaf hat, Worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, during her visit to Canada, has been carefully prepared in the form of a bright red strawbeny panda cotta macaroon, whilst a stately blueberry hat cake with sugar roses and green leaves is inspired by a Rachel Trevor-Morgan design, one of Queen Elizabeths favourite British milliners.

Other royal show-Stoppers making an appearance on The Berkeleys tea stand include: Gina Fosters memorable fascinator Worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at Zara Phillips wedding, a light pink floral hat, recently worn by Queen Elizabeth in Canada, and of course a Launer London handbag cake, as carried by Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Wedding.

Ancient Buddha Picture Exhibition

2014-04-27T10:17:00.001-07:00

The Tourism Authority of Thailand in cooperation with the Buddha Art Gallery hosted an exhibition of old pictures of Buddha throughout the month of February and March. For more information, check out call Coffee World in summer Coltee World serves the very special menu this summer.Young Coconut Cake, the soft and sweet sponge cake feature fresh flavorof the young coconut layers and coconut mouse for only 95 bath, and CocaMocha Frappe with the coconut jelly and whip cream on top, only 140 bath. Enjoy this coco-combo today - April 30 at every branches.

Capo Capo Capo Tuner Tuner Tuner

2014-04-27T09:45:00.001-07:00

As its name suggests, it has a good collection of replicas of important places - historical sites, old temples and old palaces from around the country, such as Panom Roong Sanctuary, Phra Viharn Sanctuary, Chaiya Temple, Phra Buddha Bat Saraburl Temple, and Wag Maya That Sukhothai Temple. Tram service is very convenient and you can get on or oft anywhere you wi.sh capo. Taw Some of the new attractions are villages of the people in the north, south, northeast and central regions, which all tells stories of daily lives of people around the nation as well as unique culture. If we have a bird-eye view of the place, the Ancient City may looks like the map of Thailand with the main entrance at the southern most point of the country capo.

After a good look, lets refresh yourself at one of many food shops. This is to let visitors explore Thailand starting from the Srivijaya Empire and then move up to the central region, northeastern region and the northern region.

Coming here, visitors will see major attractions all around the country. Today, the Ancient City is slightly more than 50 years old. One may take a bicycle and ride around the place or get into the tram if you wish to experience the old way of life capo. Donlt forget to check our souvenir shops in a village by the canal that is decorated in an anciml stye Take a short rest and eat boat noodles, grilled chicken and somtam or papaya salad, you will find this a real pleasure, a simple happinesscapo. New attractions have been added to the original ancient building replicas capo.

33 The Ancient City is an ideal attraction for visitors who have limited time. Lt You can take a bus No capo. On your left hand side on the Pak Nam - Bangpu Road or the old Sukhumvit Road at k.m. Turuu Lilnvlwiu 08.00 - 17.00 u. Up to you If you want to have an enjoyable excursion and see more, why not try the AncientCity capo. The Ancient City opens daily from 08.00 - 17.00.

Capo
How to use The place.
NS Capo Tuner
was first built in 1963 and completed in 1972. The Ancient City is located at Bangpu Subdistrict, Muaeng District, Samut Prakarn. When your stomas is full, pool breeze from the canal can easily make you sleep. This has earlier served as the shooting location for many movies and television commercials, including Tourism Authority of Thailand's W commercials.

Watch out! la's very easy to travel to the Ancient City. You can drive a car throughout the Ancient City or hire a golf cart to travel around. These buildings were constructed in smaller scales with the same look as the original buildings. 25 or 102 or 145 to Pak Nam and take minibus from Pk Nam Market to the Ancient City which is 8 kilometres away capo.

Monfai

2014-04-27T08:18:00.001-07:00

On Paton Road in the city of Chiang Mai, mere is a modern Linna style house in the post and pier style. The beauty oi this house comes from the age of the wood and the lush decoration. These days, it is both a resident and also a venue where events can be held auspiciously and so it has become very famous among both Thais and foreigners. monfai House - or Ban monfai - welcomes all visitors who first climb the stairs t0 the three detached houses. The front house is used to display historical items.

monfai

Some of which are still in use. Walk past the spacious lobby and you will come to the biggest three-stored house, which is the home of Adam Rumpat Gotkaew. L came from the suburbs to study in Chiang Mai City. When i visited my home town. I found that children spent their time grasping and learning new technology buf had no chance do discover old traditions.

monfai

L felt Sorry when I saw so many local people demolishing their old houses. L decided that /would make a serious effort to study Lanna tradition and how do conserve if. Her good will enabled her to bring the house to life from her own savings.

She has also organized classes for students to learn about Linna art, handicrafts, music and Derformance so as to maintain those traditions. L. Is not just about wearing Thai classical costumes every Friday buf teaching the children do wear sarongs in their daily foufine, For those who have never worn it before, it can be difhcult to start with. Buf once they fry if, they love it and feel that if is cool.

Lc lc you would like to learn more about al fabrics and Lanny traditions, then Ban Monfar is an excellent resource that also acts as a fashion house that provides many different outfits to be purchased or borrowed for different occasions.

In particular, these days many foreigners have become fond of coming to arrange their wedding ceremonies in Thailand and they like to come to Ban monfai to have an opportunity to wear traditional Thai clothes along with their families and friends. Some people even fly to Chiang Mai in a big group just to arrange their wedding ceremony in Thai tradition and that is how they have opportunity to dress these outfits. As pard of the Lanny wedding atmosphere, he bride and groom have the chance to have the feeling that they are really princess and prince, while family members can also be dressed like royalty and guests like millionaires. Meanwhile, our staff dress like ordinary villagers and take care of the ceremony, and provide northern style catering and cultural performances so that everything runs smoothly. " Organizing auspicious ceremonies like this according to Lanna traditions is part of the local wisdom that Ajarn Rumpat is carefully passing on to younger generations.

L. Is teaching this wisdom that gives her the most pride. The children who study with her do not just learn knowledge but they stay with her as part of a family. They follow the Linna lifestyle from when they were young to when they become adults. The young girls are happy to dress in the traditional style and live the Thai way of life.

They do not think of it just as a fashion. As a result, Ban monfai is always filled with the atmosphere of Lanny because of the determination of its owner. T

Phang Nga Mu Ko Surin

2014-04-27T05:51:00.001-07:00

On this fine day, above was the clear blue sky, the.sun was bright. Cool breeze blow to welcome us. It's 9 o'clock sharp when we left Kuraburi Pier in Phang Nga While the boat cut through the waves big and small, for 60 kilometres from the shore we saw clear turquoise sea meeting with bright blue sky at the horizon. That was the very best impression when the boat finally took us to Mu Ko Surin National Park.

This group of islands remains rich of natural resources, especially the mysterious world under the water. Mu Ko Sarin National Park is one of the best shallow water diving places in Thailand that has attracted thousands of Thai and foreign visitors to explore and appreciate corals, fishes and marine lives.

corals, fishes

Mu Ko Sarin National Park comprises five islands - Koh Sarin Nua, Koh Surin Tai, Koh Kwai, Koh Klang and Koh Ree or Koh Stock. There are 9 diving spots, each with different corals, fishes and animals. Ao Suthep, for example, is the place that one can find sea fans of different colors, parrotfish and clownfish while at Ao Mai Ngam one may have more opportunity to see blacktop reef sharks.

Apart from the beauty of the unexplored world underwater and tranquility that charm visitors, Ao Bon Yai is a Morgan Village. Morgans are sea people who have lived by the sea for hundreds of years, their village is open to welcome visitors who wish to learn more about Morgan way of life. Visitors can also buy little art and craft made by Morgans, such as postcards, woven ware made from hibiscus leaves, or small models of "rue ka bang" or traditional boats that sea people have been using in travelling in the sea and it is symbol of the sea people.

It would be great to have a chance to sit down, relax, and watch the sun going down the horizon at Ao Krating. As the bright orange sun lowering down, the last light changes the turquoise color of the sea into Golden orange with glittering reflection on the surface, making this a memorable scene that one would hardly forget.

Watching how animal lives is quite interesting too.

As the dark blanketed the earth, its the time to have a sneak view of hairy leg mountain crab or locally called Pu Kai.

The crabs usually go out in the evening afterdark falls. Pu means crab and Kai means chicken. The crabs got this name because they made chick-like sounds in the mating season. The animal is one of the rare species and can be found only in a few locations in Thailand.

For anyone interested in exploring this place or learn more about the unspoiled eco-system here, they can stay overnight on the islands. The Mu Ko Surin National Park has arranged accommodations, bungalows and tents, for visitors at Ao Mai Ngarm and Chong Khao Khat. Electricity is available only from 18.00-22.00 hrs. If you still have no other plan for summer vacation, why not coming here to explore more of the Thai seas. Of course You will love Thailand more.

http://youtu.be/bk2U5NvHOgY

CULTIVATING Certain HABITS 0F MIND

2014-03-24T13:33:00.001-07:00

Asher than weigh students down with disjointed, highly theoretical and passively conveyed ideas, teachers ought instead to lead them on adventures of discovery with real-lice examples and practical applications for newly learned knowledge, Whitehead argues. knowledge should be acquired and disseminated with a utilitarian purpose in mind. To be sure, an insistence on empiricism, logical coherence and intellectual consistency goes against a lot of faddish "postmodern" thegn/, much of which concerns itself with hopelessly self» referential, highly selective and subjective Welds of inquiry viewed through particular ideological prisms (militant feminism, critical race theory and the like).

And in the wrong hands - like those of out~and~out ideologues - education can be positively harmful, as history has amply proved. Instead of broadening young minds, demagogically inclined educators seal them shut, exposing yet another generation to the perils of thought-policed uniformity by marinating students in e stew of prejudicial nonsense. And this En pe lust es true in autocratic regimes as at bastions of radically "progressive" academia in the West.

But lets not digress The point is that ones intellectual habits of mind can wield great influence, for better or worse, on ones thoughts. Let Whitehead explain it:All practical teachers know thateducation is a patient process of the mastery of details, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. There is no royal road to learning through an airy path of generalizations" or of brilliantly constructed yet ultimately fallacious theories, one might add.

The sort of education that experts like Whitehead champion is a lively collegial examination, jointly embarked upon by teacher and student, of the world around them, now sketching out the whole picture with bold sweeping brushstrokes like fresco painters, now squinting and leaning up close like miniaturists to fill in smaller yet essential details. While e comprenenslve education bas muon to recommend it, there is nothing wrong with tne modem drive for specialization.

Owing to the vast amount of specialized knowledge required tor tne mastery of any given subject under the sun, the era of plausible Renaissance Men is long gone. Ultimately, it is not so muon about what subjects a curriculum teaches but about what habits of mind it cultivates in students. That is why the goal of nurturing a versatility of tnougltt should always be at pride of place in any curriculum. Tat way, whatever fields ot inquiry or intellectual pursuits students eventually decide to pursue for a career, they will likely be armed with a nealtby arsenal of mental attitudes.

They ought to be equally capable of employing the cold nard empiricism of scientists, of reasoning witri logical consistency like pnilosopners, of entertaining literary lights of fancy like novelists, and of appreciating lutes wonderful palette of experiences through tne eyes and ears of painters and musicians.pp

An education that counts

2014-03-24T13:19:00.001-07:00

SCHOOLING SHOULD ENTAIL MORE

THAN JUST EQUIPPING STUDENTS WITH A PARTICULAR SET OF CAREER SKILLS; IT SHOULD SEEK TO HELP THEM LEARN TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES, TO STRIVE FOR

EXCELLENCE AND TO SEE

THE WORLD ANEW

In his didactic work Phaedrus, Piano, who bounded what is believed to be the .world's first university in the tom of his Academy in classical Athens, laid out his ideals for education it should, the ancient Greek philosopher opined, bequeath on pupilsam acquired conviction that causes [them] to strive for excellence" in intetlectuai vitality and ethical behaviour alike. In other words, sohooiing should aim to improve our nature, transforming us into smarter, letter and more socially responsible people.

The very word "education" derives from the Latin educere, which meant "to raise up" and "to bead forth." education in Pianos view, isn't oust a process to equip us with certain skills, but rather a prolonged rite of passage that must bring the best out of each of us. Both cerebrally and morally. The lnfiuential French l9enalssance philosopher Michel de Montaigne echoed such sentiments by insisting that educationmust change us for the better," and a good education bas long been seen as a mark of ciyllized refinement. These days, in an era oi mess education with rather mixed results, such lofty aims often seem to or neglected if not outright ignored.

Many schools and teachers, both in Thailand and abroad, aim simply for the lowest common denominator oi their students, happily settling on rather mediocre results as acceptable outcomes of tutoring. They seek to help students pass standardized exams so they can complete ill-taught courses and often leave it at that. Students are expected to learn to read and write passably Weil, to do some calculations with a degree of proficiency and learn some basic facts about the world in which they live, and out the door they can go with some paps' certificates in hand Meanwhile, with an intensive focus on specialization, especially inmer years.

Many key subjects simply icii DV the wayside. Newly graduated so' may knOW nothing about history, literature or ind arts, grille literature, riistory and arts majors may have little clue about even basil soienoe. Neither science nor liberal arts majors in tun Way know trio first thing about bbilosobhy biology or bolitloal soienoe - im sllort anything outside their barrow field of academic interests.

And that should surely matter and or a cause for concern. Rigrlt from the start, many students receive little instruction in the protocols of learning (olden labelledstudy SkillS oy educators) and lass tnrougn long years of ostensibly tnorougn tutoring without ever learning to tnink for themselves or even so muon as understanding the need for doing do. As a result, many students remain unable to solace nevvly learned information into their proper contexts, evaluate claims on their empirical merits, or weigh tne pros and cons of various claims, conjectures and Drooositions.

in Thailand, the problem is turtler Compounded by cultural factors. Traditionally, Thai culture places less of a premium on learning than on wealth and status. Unlike, say, China, e country that nee historically valued education as per the ethos ot Confucian teachings, Thailand, or the Kingdom of Siam before l.., nas been less famous as a nation of intellectual pursuits and creative ambitions. Whats done is done, noweyer. Lts tne future towards wnicn we must turn our gaze. As Tnalland seeks to take on a leading role in the newly formed ASEAN Economic Community as of next year, the country will increasingly need a growing cadre of well-educated intellectuals who can halo not only lead it out of its current Dolitioai morass and but also assist the Kingdom in securing a place in the V@Qion not only as an economic but as a newly minted creative powerhouse.

LITERACY THROUGH Comics

2014-03-23T04:14:00.002-07:00

History Ethics Art Science That's quite a wealth of subjects with which comic books can help teachers out. And then there is of course another: literature. By reading comics religiously, many youngsters, as they mature, naturally gravitate towards more serious literary fare.

"l started reading comics [as a child], and then I got into other types of fiction and literature." John Lowe, chair of the Sequential Art Department at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, US, said in an interview. "I stopped reading comics a little later, but i don't think I would have made the leap [to literature] if it weren't for comics." Lowe helps cultivate his colleague students' love of cartoons, graphic novels and Japanese manga to help them master a variety of narrative techniques.

Jim Shooter. A onetime editor-in-chief at Marvel comics, famously instructed all his writers and artists to adhere to several clear rules in creating a coherent narrative along a pleasing arch from conflict to resolution in each and every story

1) introduce the characters properly;
2) Establish their situation;
3) introduce the conflict;
4) Build the suspense;
5) Reach the climax of the story;
6) Achieve a resolution. In effect,

These rules are simply a watered-down variation on Aristotle's Poetics, the worlds first dramatic theory, and reconstitute timeless advice on effective storytelling.

Another Marvel stalwart, Roy Thomas, who took over from Stan Lee as editor in chief, injected superhero adventures with knowing references to classical history and playful winks to pop culture, helping create a veritable smorgasbord of literary allusions for fans and scholars alike to mine muzu.

"Thomas even ended one story [of Avengers] with an extended sequence that paced out the lines or Percy Shelley's 'Ozymandias' across artist John Buschema's panels," writes Momson, himself a prolific and cerebrated book writer, in Super-gods. "For many of us [children], this was our first introduction to romantic poetry, [as a teacher Thomas] was far more effective than any of my own teachers when it came to turning me on to the literature and culture of late-eighteenth-century Europe."

This does not of course mean that comics, however cerebrally conceived and artistically executed, belong on the same shelves as the works of Jonathan Swift, Daniel Defoe, Voltaire or Edmund Burke. "We are not saying that the canon of Superman comic books is equivalent to Homer and Dante and you can study them for their own sake," Observes William Irwin, a professor of philosophy at King's College in Pennsylvania who has edited books with titles like Batman and Philosophy. "We're not suggesting that comic books replace Plato and Descartes - not at all. The goal is always To get [young] people interested in philosophy, [in the first place] by speaking first in terms that they are familiar with".

STUDYING THE ART of DRAWING with JACK KIRBY

2014-03-21T23:09:00.001-07:00

For long decades, comic book artists languished on the periphery of the artistic world, ignored at best, derided as Work-for-hire hacks at Worst. The legendarily prolific and creative Iate and great Jack "King" Kirby, who is idolized by aficionados of comic book art as the genres undisiouted Michelangelo, toiled away for much of his career on endless series of Captain America, Fantastic Four Hulk, Thor and X-Men adventures in relative obscurity. Today, he is nailed as a master of artistic invention whose dynamic artworks have been cooled, imitated and emulated by legions of established artists and Wannabe artistes alike.

Jack Kirby

Kirby's drawings, and triode of other celebrated comic book artists like SpiderMan co-creator Steve Ditko, are displayed in museums as masterpieces of Pop art and are sought by collectors worldwide. Original artworks by these masters can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars a pop. in 2011, a copy of Action Comics #1, which saw Superman appear on its cover for the first time ever in a drawing by Joe Shunter, sold for a record $2,161,000.

"Each issue of [Kirby's] Captain America," notes British comic book author Grant Morrison in his excellent of the genre Supergods. Our World in the Age history of of the Superbero,was kinetic, brutally overwrougrit and sensationalistic. Each cover featured a new tableau of imminent superatrooity [including one on wnioh] Captain America launones himself tnrougb a wall on a motoroyole, destroying a portrait of Hitler on the way and simultaneously repelling a bail of bullets with hie Stars and Stripes shield..." Kirbys drawings did not just invite the eye, they left off the page, grabbed you by the lapel, and engrossed you instantly in a kinetio adventure of flying oversize fists, entangled limbs, sinevvy muscles and a flurry of frenzied yet clearly delineated action. Bing! Bang! Pooow!

To the uninitiated, comic books may look dime a dozen. To the well-trained eye, however, no two artists of any talent ever appear the same. For instance, Carmine lnfantino, the artist behind the lightning-fast superhero The Flash and his equally nimble sidekick, Kid Flash, rendered the characters with inventive zest and inspired artistic flourish. He drew them with a jazzy, expressive brushstroke and a battery of new visual effects to suggest the strobing blur of a superfast man in motion," explains Morrison. "Taking tips from Marcel Duchamps Nude Descending a Staircase and the Futurist canvases of Umberto Boccioni, lnfantinos Flash could become a multilimbed composite image of a body in motion through time." The work of such masters has much to teach students and aspiring young artists: about perspective and depth, about Symbolism, about using gestures and facial expressions to convey subtle and not so subtle emotions, about building suspense in a single image or in a series of images. On art classes from primary school all the way up to college, teachers can draw on a wealth of comic book art to illustrate drawing techniques and to help their students hone their creative skills in illustration - skills that may serve them well one day by proving invaluable in several professions like graphic design and advertising. On Thailand, where many youngsters both adore comics and seem to have a natural knack for drawing and illustrating, comic books can become important tools of instruction.

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STUDYING THE ART of DRAWING with JACK KIRBY