MASSIVE CRACK IN THE ARCTIC? RESULTS OF GLOBAL WARMING?

MASSIVE CRACKING IN THE ARCTIC
According to NASA scientists, a massive crack is now growing wider and wider in the Arctic's ice sheet, and for many, this could break apart in the coming days or months, forming a huge iceberg the size of New York City.
The crack is in the western part of Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier stretching
for at least 30 kilometers and it runs 165 feet deep.
Observers say that the rift is widening at a rate of 6.5 feet (two meters) a day, according to NASA project scientist Michael Studinger.

A SCIENTIST'S PROGNOSIS
When this thing happen (the ice breaks apart), it will then produce an iceberg more than 340 square miles (880 square kilometers, but the process is not a result of global warming, he said.
Adding that later this year or early next year there will be a pretty large iceberg forming as part of a natural cycle," he added.
"These are but cyclical events that occur every few years. The last big carving event occurred in 2001, so in general people have been expecting something to happen like that sooner or later.

A LITTLE HISTORICAL GLIMPSE
This rift was first glimpsed in late September by scientists monitoring changes in the ice shelf via an airplane flyovers in order to fill in the gaps left between a pair of satellites, 1st satellite ended in 2009, and the 2nd satellite to be launched in 2016.

EXCITING OR NOT?
"A lot of times when you're in science, you don't get a chance to catch the big stories as they happen because you're not there at the right place at the right time," said John Sonntag, instrument team lead for Operation IceBridge, based at Goddard Space Flight Center.
"For us it is very exciting to actually see this while it is happening."

MY POINT OF VIEW
To many, especially now that we see calamities happen, rising sea levels, flooding everywhere, I myself should say that this thing has something to do with global warming. Melting ice sheets due to the increasing heat and the rising levels of green house gases, will lead us to more catastrophic events in the near future. It is deemed necessary for us to be focused, and try our very best and help one another in saving what is left.

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BRAND NEW OR USED CARS?

USED CARS TRADERS MEANS BUSINESS
Used-car importation business is booming once more in the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZF) just two months after a 2008 ban on car importation was lifted by the Court of Appeals. Very timely, now that brand new cars are so expensive and not that manageable.
According to some informants, seven shipments of at least 1,479 vehicles have arrived since the ban on the importation of used cars was lifted in late July.

TRADERS ALIVE AGAIN
"We were told [by traders] that business has been going back to normal. We hope that more people would be coming over to have a look at the new stocks here," a CSEZF officer in charge, once said.
The CSEZF personnel assured buyers of secondhand vehicles that the vehicles are "tsunami-free" in reference to the March 2011 disaster that swept through Japan's eastern shore and damaged cars and buildings.
Among the vehicles being sold in the freeport zone are Hummers, Porsches, Mercedes-Benzes and BMWs. The top sellers, though, are the vans and minivans, including older models of the Hyundai Starex, which sell for around P450,000 per unit.

BANNED YESTERDAY, BUT NOT TODAY
Remember that selling of used imported cars was once banned in July 2008 when the Supreme Court affirmed the legality of Executive Order No. 156 issued by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in December 2002.

ON ROAD SAFETY
While the prospect of owning a secondhand European sports car for half its current market value is enticing, the safety aspect of the conversion required to change it from right- to left-hand drive does make one pause on that idea--not to mention the fact that it affects the local car industry, more so the safety and welfare of it's buyers, thinking that there are accidents involving the so-called "converted" vehicles.

What can you say on the issue? are you in favor of selling second hand converted cars? or are you in favor of imposing another ban on car traders alike?

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MOTORCYCLE HANDLING: NOT THAT SO EASY TASK

Everyday we see many road accidents involving motorcycles, sad thing, many undisciplined driver and back riders, mostly those who are drunk traversing the streets and main roads die - they don't even reach the hospital alive.
Now, as we face the ever rising prices of gasoline and oil products, many Filipinos now are facing the reality of tightening our belts to enable us to survive. One thing is to provide ourselves with one means of transportation that is not too costly, easy to drive and fell in love with, and most especially fuel efficient, and we call that as the ever popular motorcycle.

Here are some safety precaution and steps in riding and driving the motorcycle,

DRIVING EQUALS BIG RESPONSIBILITY
A motorcycle rider carries a big responsibility for himself and for the public, for they become hazard to the people around them, pedestrians, and to themselves as well. With the rising number of vehicular accidents in the country involving motorcycles, a big percent of this can be attributed to irresponsible and undisciplined driving, reckless driving, and not wearing of safety gears and crash
helmets. These are just some of the reasons why many people makes bad impression about motorcycle riders. Their mentality is motorcycles cause accidents, because some don't follow traffic rules and regulations. For some they are not just nuisances, but hazards. However, responsible driving will help in breaking this stereotypes, change the way people perceive motorcycle riders and gain more acceptance and respect from the public and fellow motorists.

SAFETY TIPS:
1. Whenever having an extra load, adjust your bike's rear suspension and check tire's gauge.
2. Make sure that the passenger has proper riding gear. A helmet, gloves,and a protective jacket.
3. Educate your back rider about the bike - where to hold, what parts are hot, where to put the feet and how to mount.
4. Before going on the bike, tell how to hold on, for a safety long or short drive.
5. Try to devise a system of communication before riding the bike.
6. Anticipate that your bike will be handled differently. Always be cautious.
7. Know that the bike will drag more readily with the added weight.
8. Plan to stop every so often to check the bike and the back rider.
9. Drive defensively, not offensive.
10. Strictly follow traffic rules and regulations.

Riding can be more fun especially if having someone along with. Luckily, a rider should always take into consideration of the one at back of the motorcycle, considering it a gift in trust. Remember, even an experienced driver has so much to know about carrying a passenger. Every driver has so much to learn, there's no such thing as a perfect driver. As we understand the passion and fun that others have for motorcycle riding, not only does motorcycle riding gives convenience, it also gives a sense of freedom, not only as means of transportation, but also for leisure. Others say, it is the closest thing to horse back riding, a big time saver, and not heavy in the pocket. For many, it is the ideal means of transport, whether in the city, or in the province.
Considering these, afterwards, you can now tag a back rider and enjoy every minute of it. Safety driving.

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Travel Tips: Beautiful Sceneries / Places in the Philippines

PHILIPPINES BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

Tired of living in crowded places in the city? why not try living in the rural areas in the country? try checking beautiful places like Baguio, Benguet Province, Pampanga, and Laguna as shown in the pictures. With the rising prices of  house rentals, the rising prices of oil products, and the continuous scarce in prime commodities, we should learn to live the old way, like returning to the basic way of living. Like what our ancestors did. As what the old saying says, There's no place like home. Indeed it's one of the many reasons why many Filipinos still chose to stay here in the country as Proud and Loving Filipinos.....   

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