29 Sep

At 10:00 AM, we were at the Space Center (http://www.spacecenter.org/) and started exploring our Tour. Although we got one and half hour, I felt satisfy.














In my programs, I’ve focused on the U.S Histories, Arts and Civil Life but I’ve totally forgotten the Space Technologies of U.S. It might be another big difference between U.S and others. With this Space Technology, U.S would be a representative of earth to the other aliens and strangers of the Universe 














Here some questions for myself, what is U.S financing plan for Space Programs, what is Texas Economy and Space Programs. I’ve to take more time to understand these things. This is a Great achievement not only for U.S but a proud for all who staying on the earth.

Without knowing these things, it will never be a perfect study about U.S. I think I’m so lucky for getting there. I’ve watched a 15 minutes movie of Starship Gallery. Thanks much Paul and Alan for arranging and reaching me to there.














This Space Center is not only a place to study the Space Technologies but also very good for children to familiar sciences with funs. A must place for a children.














The time is so limited so that I started my lunch on the Car. Don't you think I’m gradually becoming an American. Listening and taking lunch on the car would be a reflection of today American businesses’ fashions. But this is very good and practical. I really enjoyed it. This is my American Lunch.

And in the Houston, I can not stop is making lots of Photos form the car seats. Do you think it is easy to get a good and meaningful photos from the car seat while the car is moving on the road, especially on the roads like Houstons’ high way ? Have you ever take photos from the car ? It’ feel very good. I’d make a private photo album for the cities that I passed in the U.S. But all the photos will be taken by on the road photos. I’d approach and show a city from the point of view of flat roads, spaghetti roads, post modern buildings, trucks, SUVs and grasses.

Houston' Photos























































On the way to next appointment, Robert requested Alan to tune some Spanish Radio Channel, this is a kindness of Robert to me that he want me to feel the some Spanish music. The soft Spanish music came out and Alan explained that this is a romance channel. Anyway I loved it. And I requested to tune Rock Channels since I understand that Texas is very famous for Rock. We, Burmese people very familiar with Rocks and Rocks Band such as Queen, Bon Jovi, Guns & Roses, Aero Smith. Sooner, we got the Classical Rock in the car. Very pleasant for me.

Then I asked to them that is there any Music and Sound Museum in the United States, recordings of the sound of nature, people, important radio broadcasting, tire squeezing noises of Houston’ Car and etc. Robert answered there are some places of Musical Museum in Cincinnati and Seattle.

On the way, I saw and all the Truck Drivers were very willing to greet and smile when I waved my hands and made smiles to them. It seems they are working with funs. Is this also an American Style?

Then we met Mr. Nick Cooper at the office of Institute of International Education. We shared some philosophies about histories, economics and environments. He’s very cool and friendly.

Mr. Nick Cooper
Houston Independent Media Center














He’s also an artist. The office of IIE very much look like a small museum. I do not have any idea how do they got the fine arts and historic drawings such as Picasso’s painting from the Museum. Amazing. We would go outside for dinner and Radio Show tonight. A great chance to explore more about the city ?

With Christopher in his office














Texas is so broad so that we have to have a map and directions to our destinations. Sometime it seems we got lost. I do not know much about Alan and Robert for these kinds of experiences, for me this make me fun and thoughtful idea.

Houston' Traffic Point














You see, I always try to taste new cuisine, try to get new places, experiences while I’m in the U.S and I try to meet the brand new friends. Everything what I’m doing all the day is meeting Unseen and managing the Unseen Things.

Again you can imagine that we get only 30,000 days for 80 years on this big diversified earth. There are lots of things that can not finish to learn with our limited life span. And consequently I’ve to think myself that “Is it the right way to get the knowledge by reading unlimited books or taking lots of time for internet knowledge surfing or attending endless classes or listening news and people voices ?”. No I do not see the right answer. What is the way that I should do to get the knowledge before the end of my life. Till now, I do not have perfect answers but I’ve an answer that might be a part of answer.

Try to solve the Unseen things and expert in the Management of Unforeseen Things. Do not entertainment the things that we always see or face. Do not take much time on those things but try always on the new things. Love the one that you never done before. The way we consider and think on the way for New Things will be the way we have to focus.

This is my idea only. Please kindly add your idea here for me and others as your comment.

At 3:00 PM, Mr. Lawrance Hillburn, New Horizons Computer Learning Systems welcomed us. First we looked around the Class Rooms. In Houston, Businesses really understand in the investing in knowledge and skills of their staffs. NHCLS is providing such needs in the city and also provide the tailor made programs. This is not only a help to understand a typical Houston Computer Training Center but also give me more idea for Burmese Computer Training Center. Thanks Lawrence.














Mr. Lawrance Hillburn
New Horizons Computer Learning Systems
www.newhorizons.com

Then we got back to the Hotel and I blogged about today till 6:30 PM. Then Nick and me gone out to the city hall and a café. Nick is very good in drumming. He gave me music CDs including his drumming. Thanks Nick.

28 Sep

Would you go to HCC, Houston Campus directly or Would you get an on-line course from HCC from your home with lots of savings ?

The way people learning things have been changed by the internet. It’s convergence and communication power of Internet.

First appointment is at the HCC, Houston Community College(www.hccs.edu)

http://distance.hccs.edu


















Houston Community College
Stephen Levey, Ed.D.
Executive Director
Instructional Resources and Technology

Lorah Gough
Director
Instructional Media Center

Gigi Do, M.A
Executive Director
International Initiatives














After discussion, I got a job for myself that I’ve to brainstorm about today Distance Education, On-Line Education, Internet Education and their impact to the business, economics and other communities. Is there any new concepts between Career and Academic ? How do the businesses choose the employee they are holding on-line degree and offline degree ? (Some online students have more talent since they have been experienced not only as student but also lots of job experiences. And how about MIT open courseware ? Could third world countries get the advantages from this kind of new educations. If it is, how do they approach in the shortest time to achieve the best result ? I think Asian and African countries are getting more new chances to develop their countries today than ever.

As far as I know, according to HCC, there’s are many advantages when provide the some courses as on-line; Some of them are

1) Offline students have more chances to study their works from home and from anywhere. Shortens the distances and time make them more time for other activities and cost saving.
2) Houstonian who stay abroad temporarily can continue their study.
3) Less cost than Campus teaching.

More about on-line learning
Phoenix University
http://www.phoenix.edu/online_learning/

This will also be an article to Burmese Journals when I get back to the home.

Then we are in the Museum of Fine Art, Houston. We got 2 hours to explore the Museum. After taking lunch at Cafe Express, we started our journey. Alan F. Fernandes, Robert and Me. Alan drove and make logistic for us while we were in Houston. Without him we will not be so productive.














Before MFAH, I never think before that there are no such things that I can not share to my friends and others of my journeys. Because I’ve camera and photos, I’ve seen them and I could retold that what I’ve seen. But that was true before entering to MFHA concourse tunnel between the Audrey Jones Beck Building and Caroline Wiess Law Building.

This might be the Best Art of Light Illumination in the world. Sorry friends, I can tell you about this but you could not understand it, you could not feel like me unless you are getting there.

Generally MFAH is a should place in Houston,

Then we went to the Buddha Lounge(http://houston.citysearch.com/profile/41927230/houston_tx/buddha_lounge_galleria_conference_center.html)
For Robert and Erica, Houston Web and Internet Techies.

Robert Nagle
Writing, Multimedia &
Content Management
http://www.imaginaryplanet.net/weblogs/idiotprogrammer/

Erica L.O’Grady
Project Manager
Creativerse

We become very friendly after a while since they are very warm. BarCamp(http://barcamp.org/), Jambo(www.jambo.com), Opensource became our topics. These guys are filling idea and strengths to the Houston IT communities. I’ll make introductions letters to these guys with Burmese qualified techies.



























Then we went to the Water Fall of Houston. See the photos, you will see the Earth dresses in here with two color. One is Green and one is ground. Here again, I got an experience that I could not share to you without you are getting there. This trip is quick but very fantastic. Thanks for Robert and Erica. According to my experiences, whether the visits or trips or experiences is short or long, beautiful or not, it doesn’t matter. The matter is how they change your feelings, emotions and beliefs. Water Fall trip is quick but I think this will last forever.

Here Robert share me a thing that we Burmese people have to develop our own educations course and system of our cultures to market internationally. This is very meaningful I think, this is important not only for me but for all Burmese. Thanks Robert, this might be your great gifts to me. And I’d love the your MP3 of Houston.

Erica, thanks for BarCamp idea, you will see very soon there will be Burmese BarCamp. 































Houston' Street














Then our last destination of the day is NewComer Charter High School. ESCUELA PARA RECIEN LLEGADOS

Morica Rivas
Principal
Houston Independent School District
Newcomer Charter High School
mrivas@houstonisd.org




























I met educators and teachers.
Here I wanted to be a listener, not the speaker. I could get more from them.

Here we saw Definitions of Educations on the Wall



























Here teaching system is very Flexible and Adjustable, they listened the comments and feedbacks from the Community, Parents and Students. Then adjust the system as necessary. Sometime teachers visit to the studnets and parents' home.

I've asked some questions to the Principal;

1)What is his most impressive thing that he is doing today ?
2)What is the most challenging tasks for him ?
3) What would be the Idol school he think ?
His ansewer are
1)Need More personl contact 1-1 between teachers and students.
2)Need Clear Instructions and presentations and The Goals must know, parents, teachers, students.
3) School should provide both Acadimadically and professionally standards to the students.
4)Good transition for higer education also important.

4) How do you measure the Quality of the class
He answered;
Graduate Rate
Attendance Rate


The Difference Between Burmese Schools and Newcomer Charter High School(NCHS), Houston, Texas.

First of all, I noticed that most students were allowed for coffee on all teaching times in NCHS. In Myanmar, the school do not allow the coffee while teaching. Have you ever think Teaching with Cuppachino is how nice ? :)

There are many arts and symbols of students on Wall. I saw lots of feelings and expressions of the students via wax painting on the every outside walls of classrooms.

Here a gril with her kid also attending the class. When we look at the tables, coffee and the non-uniform dresses in the room, but all the students attentions were focusing to their learning.

Most Myanmar Public and Private Schools are very teacher Dependent. Teachers have to choose the topic, initiate the topics, deliver the course, then examin the studnents. I mean there are more teacher and student contancts than Students to students contacts in Myanmar Class Room. They are also very obidience to the teacher. No coffee or no talking is required in the class. But it seems that the students attentions and thoughs are diversifying. No questions and memorizing is a common knowledge journey culture of most south east asian nations.

27 Sep to Houston, Texas

We left the Cincinnati by Continental Airline to Houston, Texas. There’s time zone difference. Robert questioned me about Cincinnati at the airport. I’ve read history of Houston, Texas on the airplane.

Cincinnati Airport



























At the Houston Airport














On the Way to the Hotel from Airport


























We reached the Holiday Inn Select, Huston, Texas (hiselect.com) at 2:30 PM local time. A nice hotel with high speed internet wireless access.

Internet Access in the Room



























Then we met Paul Cummings and were discussing about the Texas Appointments and Tours at the lobby. He’ very smiley and the programs he prepared look very systematic, even there’s a map in the document. 

Now we are ready for tomorrows.

Paul Cummings
Manager
International Visitor Program
www.iie.org/gilman














Then Robert and me gone for supper, a place recommended by Paul. That’s amazing, I ordered Chez Sausage and Pecans Pie(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan_pie). Tomorrow will be Blue berries Pie.



























Texas Armadilo














There are more rich people in Huston I think, but this is not also my final comment.

26 Sep

Beautiful Morning Cincinnati
I took some pictures from the car before we arrived to the Freedom Center.


























Everyone in the Cincinnati advise me to go FreeDom Center.

Freedom center show lots of History and Memory about Civil War, Slavery, Slave Trading in United States.
www.Freedomcenter.org














Good settings, presentations and effective explanations of all the exhibits pull the visitors heart and soul. Even the presentations carried the visitors back to the time of slavery. Amazing. This is not only my first experience to Freedom Center, but also for Robert.




























Ohoi River is a History














Not like other visitors, we got more chances than others when we met Naomi Nelson. Thank Jeanne for arranging us to met Naomi. She’s working all her strengths and very eager to explain. Naomi introduced us to Spencer R.Crew, Ph.D, president of the Center. He is very warm can cheerful.














When these nice and active people come to work here, the Freedom Center become more active and more live. They are working with their hearts. Naomi took us to her desk for a 5 minutes and video about slavery and www.freedomcenter.org. It’s very impressive.

Spencer R.Crew, Ph.D
President
National Underground Railroad
Freedom Center

Naomi Nelson
Vice President of Programs
National Underground Railroad
Freedom Center

Even I’m afraid that without her helps, I might not understand these stuffs within this hour. Thanks Naomi, I’ll deliver what you delivered to the others who could not come to you.

Who are they ?














Changing history is not an easy tasks, we can easy to understand the civil war and slavery from the point of view of a citizen. But if we are looking that case from the side of Government and President, this become big challenges.

Lincoln have to think the some of the followings;
1) How do we approach to the goal for protecting slavery with the easiest possible ways?
2) How do we negotiate the tensions between North and South?
3) Although if we free the slaves, what will be their tomorrow ? What will they do? Freeing slave would also become another problems, if there are no well plans for them such as their career, education, jobs. Those may take some time, how could we implement these things for all slaves in a shortest possible time?
4) How do we go-on slaves based industries? Everybody love their jobs and works. I’ve to make respect to all whether they are Northerners or Southerners. How can we change to another industries for the Southerners other than slave based industries?
5) If we lost the War, what will be going on? How should I prepared for us and slaves for the best if we lose?
6) How do we make more legislation for slavery after the civil war?
7) How do we end the war in very short time, to less death numbers ? How do we conquer the enemies in a short time?
8) Lincoln would definitely understand and see the difficulties of the developing processes of slaves. These would not be finish at once. Civil War would be just a short moment, but developing these non-educated and poor slaves would become the big issue in the ling run. But he took risks. He might think like that “Who gonna would take these responsibilities after him, it’s not sure, uncertain. He would understood that his life span would be a small time frame for this big changing process. But he took the chances. Here we can find out “What’s inside in the absolute leader?” They never follow others but they understand the world than other else. Since they understand the world, they can dare to make change or take risks. They do not care the future or past but they would care the TRUTH.
You see, Lincoln and governors are really fighting for the world, not only for United States, not only solving problems of salve, not only for the tensions of north and south.

By the way, the relations between Douglass, Frederick (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass)and Lincoln is very important in this history, I think.

Then we were in the Xaier University, dialog talking between Dr. Elaine Crable, Dr. Mark Sena and Dr. Gerald Braun lead me to understand more and more in Internet and E-commerce. Thanks you Professors.

Xavier University
Management Information Systems University
Williams College of Business
Hailstones Hall, Second Floor

Dr. Elaine Crable
Chair of the Management Information System Department
Dr. Mark Sena
Specializes in E-Commerce and Enterprise Systems
Dr. Gerald Braun
Specializes in the Internet







































Next hour, we ware in the office of Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, (http://www.ijpc-cincinnati.org/)Sister Alice Gerdeman’s warmth welcome and smiles make us some peace I think. Here we talked about peace and quality of life, to oppose the death penalties.

If I’m not wrong, I felt that it looks like I was with my Aunt and my little sisters. This place is very difference than other places. As long as I enter into the office, I felt peace around me. This might be come from the Sister, every day when she do only good things to this us, the god might gave more peaceful things to her. They and I have very same common ground. I love and proud for their works. Whether organization of big or small, profit much or not, many staffs or not doesn’t mean anything to me. But what is their ideology and what they are doing for this earth before they leave is very very much important to me.

It was the best Three pieces of Chocolate Cakes topped with kindness that I ever eaten I think.

Sister Alice Gerdeman
Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center
215 East 14th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Julia Przybysz
Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center
215 East 14th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202















Before home visits, we met Garlinn of Global Center of Greater Cincinnati. He also very smiley and wonderful persons. He asked my experiences of United States and Cincinnati. Of course, United States is very difference than other country because of their educated and responsive people. This is the biggest gap between US and other countries. Others can build buildings and roads and system like US, but they couldn’t easily attain educated people like US.














Why?

There is a very important thing for this case, US respect the people and idea. US is very clever in managing knowledge and soft things than other else. US understand the soft things because they are opening minds and eyes.

Garlinn Story
Director of Education of the Global Center of Greater Cincinnati

She is Jeanne from IVC















Michale K.Story and Garlinn invite me for a dinner at their home. You know, now I get a chance to dine in a formal American Dinner. All cuisines and desserts are home-made. Their home is so beautiful and environmental even the night could not hide its’ prettiness. And the home something look like a small Asian museum since there are lots of Asian paintings, status and crafts. India, China, Vietnam, you could see all those stuffs in the home.

Michael, Garlinn and Me


























Michale' Cuisine















Apple Pie after Dinner















Garlinn' Applie Pie


















This is my first dinner for this kind. There’s no words to equalize for their time, cooking, their kindness.

Michal got very good partner in his life since Garlinn is a very smiley and look always happy. In addition she was really a very good in cooking.

If you do not believe in what I’m saying, please look at the Apple Pie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_pie) she done for our dinner.

If you have more interests in American Cuisine, why don’t you wait for ? Go to (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuisine_of_the_United_States)


Education is

- Sharing and distributing skills, knowledge and experiences from one to one, one to many, many to many and many to one during a certain (short) period in high rate, high volume only means the great achievement of education.
- Among these 4 types of knowledge flows, many to many is the best most successful one since many to one might be the less benefited one..