Keep you friends close...

There is a saying, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." I understand the notion of this proverb. However, nowadays, people been preaching me that I should keep my enemies close, but my friends closer, as they are the most dangerous enemies you create yourself. Is it true? Does really backstabbing comes from close friends? I guess, the answer is YES and NO. 

Yes, because you are most vulnerable to your friends, especially close friends. They know all about you, your vulnerabilities are most revealed to your close friends, so you are easy target to them. All your life secrets are told to your friends voluntarily by you. Your success and failures are on their palm like an open book. So, opportunity to do harm is within them.

No, because simply they are your friends, your best friends. You trust your life and death with them, so the relationship is assumed reciprocated. Thus, even if they have the opportunity to backstabbing, most and true friends will never do so. This is common virtue, common expectation.

After all, friendship bases on trust, without it there is no true friendship. If you trust, then you trust 100%. There is no 50% or 80% trust in friendships. True friendships should be distinguished from common acquaintances. I believe in my friends, so I hope (my fingers crossed) that I will never have to say "Keep your enemies close, but your friends closer." 

Thanks to all my good friends for being there for me and always supporting me!

Exemplar of family life

By this piece, I don't want to send hollow praises, I'm just sincerely expressing my opinion and views about my friends.

I plainly think and truly believe that he is perfect exemplar of  good Mongolian man. Obviously, I do know that he has his flaws, but in general focus, he is good man, great husband, excellent friend. He is young, ambitious character, but deep down a humble "servant" to his family and friends. 

I should note that his family is a model of perfect family that almost everyone dreams, and if "society permits", one should hand their family photo on their living room wall, just to remind how family life could be. I'm truly honored to know this family and this man as my good friend. 

Throughout my life I have known many good friends, good men. He is one of the few good ones, that stayed loyal to his roots, beliefs, and inspirations. Here is a veneration to my good friend Ots!

Nevertheless, I should say, Tsomo, his wife, is truly great woman too, who have blended beauty and intelligence, which is very rare gift from God. In success stories of Ots, she should be praised as well, as she have guarded their family worth as a knight would his castle.

Kudos to my friends Ots and Tsomo! I wish all families in Mongolia would be like their family.

Sincerely your fan,

MT

Watch

Blogs, anyone?

Does anyone read blogs anymore? My space for blogging gone to famous Facebook. There, I don't have to think, write in logical way. It is like chatting all the time. Perhaps, it is making us more lazy, unorganized. Blogging is one way of journalism. But, I'm being lazy...

Friday

Freaking tired. Brain gone numb. Too much work. Too much information. Dude.


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Tears from heaven

Misty & rainy morning welcomed me today. These were tears from heaven. Cooled the heat & suppressed the dust. Also, sentimentally warmed my heart. Somehow, it felt so familiar, warm, cool, lovely. Happy.


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Suffering

It's so hard when your friend is suffering & you can't help. Trying to do my best to help, but still it seems not enough. Puzzled. Mental suffering is most difficult and complex problems people encounter. There is nothing a third person can do, inless he or she decides on its solution. I believe human beings are makers of their happiness. So one has to decide to be happy & not to suffer, otherwise it seems there is no solution. Wish i could help more!


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Super hot

Today is one of belated summer days when its hot & dry, just like regular Mongolian summer. Otherwise its been raining & cool for past 2 summer months. We've forgot how dry summer can be & paying off our dues today ;)

Cool-aid ;)


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Discrimination of LGBTs in Mongolia

Warm Saturday evening at my summer house was stirred into volcano of thoughts by Nandia's Talk Show, which merely imitates well known western shows like Oprah & Ellen shows. However, this is not about the show itself, but it's today's content that boggled my mind.
This time, lite was lit on issue of LGBTs of Mongolia.
No matter how deep it maybe hidden in the far dark corners of our society and minds of heterosexual people, this issue is and will be one of most complex & controversial issues faced by modern Mongolians in near future.
Show involved two guests, Ms. Anaraa, Consultative member of Mongolian LGBT NGO & Mr. Otgoo, manager of the NGO. These two prominent activists answered questions from participants & shed the light on real life of LGBTs. Also, some excerpts from documentary was shown, which potrayed situations in Mongolia involving LGBTs.
This episode trailed many thoughts in my hollow brain & stirred many emotions within my big boned body.
How can one live in constant fear of being beaten up or killed, just for being themselves, or whoever they'd like to be? How can one overcome pressure from every human being including their beloved family?
I usually try to imagine hardships people go through, especially unfortunate, underprivilaged & minorities, whenever I'm faced with related issues.
This time, being gay doesn't seem all flowers & birds, as often it is potrayed in Hollywood movies. Now, it is real life, where majority feels being LGBT is sick, wrong & "punishible crime."
People in current society, if they don't wish ill to LGBTs, they want them to be 'underground,' or at least they'd like to be segregated from them.
This is how strong Mongolian society feels about sexual minorities these days. Worse, some gatherings like Great Mongol Movement explicitly expressed their aggression against LGBTs by threatning to rape, beat, & kill them if they become publicly known.
Only, heterosexual minorities like us, who have either been living or educated abroad, been exposed to LGBT- friendly societies, or have open mind, or expats/local foreigners support LGBTs & fulfillment of at least their basic human rights in our democratic Mongolia. Everybody is afraid being involved with sexual minority. They think it'll damage their name & reputation. "It may imply that they themselves are LGBTs." I agree, that LGBTs are very sensitive issue given our vast land, low population, two big neighbors, and culture. However, like it or not these minorities do exist and will keep existing within us, our brothers & sisters. So, we just cannot shut the door on it & say it can't exist. There has to be right awareness, understanding & respect to constitutional rights of LGBTs given to them by Constitution, by Mongolian public who empowered the Constitution.
What can we do to better our society & enlighten our comrades on such issues?
At least, what I can do is to try to shed light on LGBT issue to my friends & families, tell people that they are normal people like us & deserve to be treated as such, and would like to call you, the reader, to do the same.



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Anyone?!

If anyone is interested in moderating this blog, welcome. Just let me know. Thanks!


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Hell, no

Eel, no! It took me almost 35 mins to get to from Khan Uul district to Seoul street, which is like 1.5 km!

When I used to go to Seoul street everyday bout a year ago, I took my kid to her school and started my journey to work around 8.20-8.25 am and got at work around 8.35-8.40 am. Now it seems impossible, even if I leave the school at 8.25, I will get to old office barely at 9. Wow! Traffic seem to worsen with each year... Probably it'll take me an hour next year. Hell, no! Where is heaven God?

Dictionary of Road Design and Construction Terms

Related to what I've been doing lately, I found this small terminology booklet for those who are in Road Construction Sector. Hope it's helpful, as it has been to me :)
Cheers!

Download here:
Dictionary of Road Design and Construction Terms

Monica Bing

Few days ago, while re-watching Friends series, realized that I'm closer to or resemblance to Monica Geller/Bing. Control freak, obsessive and competitive in my own way. Don't know about clean freakishness, but could be in my mind though :)

Its been a hard journey for me to find a right man. As Monica did, I had experienced variety of men characters, be it just friends, BFs or husband. Thinking hard...

So, the conclusion is I'm seeking "Chandler Bing" now, who uses sarcasm and humor as defense mechanism. Any gay looking Bings out there?! :)

Mongolian Investment Outlook 2011

Mongolian Investment Outlook for 2011 was released by US Embassy last month. While browsing through, I found horror storied that would scare most of foreigners even coming to this country, not to mention making investments. How come, Mongolian government, which is so keen in attracting FDI is allowing such situations to exist?
Are we that barbaric and hatred filled that we would hate any foreigner that comes into our soil? Since when we are so keen to keep things to ourselves, whereas whole world is moving towards globalization, be it good or bad? It was strange to read this report as this one warns investors that even though at the policy level Mongolia wants and needs FDI, actual trickery is emphasized within daily routines, small formalities that hinder anyone wanting to come to this country.
Furthermore, within this time period, when we have discovered our mineral wealth and continuing to discover more, we need foreigners, especially those with good governance and best practices. Not those who are willing to do anything to get the "gold." We are like a middle school bully who tries to solve its problems with force only. No intelligence is needed. What a shame!
I had no idea that if someone was involved in small dispute somewhere in administrative court, they cannot get exit visa and cannot leave the country! Well, I have not been around a lot, but seen countries, seen cultures. None of them required me to obtain exit visa. What a dumb idea, to require a visa to exit the country?! Wow?! Story of "Dumb and dumber...."

If you want to read this report, please download it from below link, or you can Google it.


http://share.gogo.mn/Ex31n3iEeF17501301969966/2011-mongolia-investment-climate-statement.pdf

Sony Ericsson Play and Arc

New handset/game-console is on the way by Sony Ericsson, named Play and Arc. Fascinating! Now, you don't need to lift your butt off the couch to reach your phone or game console. Its just 1 item. What a convenience! Is SE trying to compensate its Xperia to iPhone? Perhaps...

Expired eggs are sold on the market?

Few weeks ago, while shopping at one of the biggest supermarkets in UB, i have stumbled upon dozen eggs, packaged in plastic packaging, as usual. We Mongolians usually look for date of expiry on food items, as we have had bad experience in the past, consuming expired food and getting into the food poisoning. I'm no exception to that "rule." The eggs that i was buying were dated as produced on Jan 25th, and to be stored in fridge for about two weeks. Well, the thing was that i was buying that egg on evening of Jan 24th. So, somehow that egg travelled through time and was placed right before me. And right then it shawned on me. It was egg stamped before the actual date. Plus, this egg was imported from Russia. Even if its imported via air cargo, the fastest way currently known to humanity, it camnot get on the store shelfs on the same date as it is produced. So, the eggs are stamped in Mongolia, by importing company, was my conclusion. How can we know the real production date, if the date is stamped by the importer. Is it expired product, just with new date stamped? How can we be sure that the product is safe to use?

My conclusion, it is better to by domestics products for easily perishible goods. Secondly, even if the production & expiry dates of the product is up to date, it is better to think twice before buying imported goods. However, the last statement is "Food Safety is in its lowest point in Mongolia." Beware!!!




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Traffic Rules of Mongolia

If you going to drive on Mongolian roads, or if you are required to do so, I believe this handbook will help you a lot to adjust to the traffic system of Mongolia, especially of UB. Please visit site: http://www.traffic-institute.mn/ and on the right hand column, you will see handbooks, please press below third book (as illustrated) and it will take you to the English versions of Mongolian Road Rules (this includes signs too).

I believe it is justifiable that I should warn whoever starting to drive on Mongolian roads. We are warriors, be it in history, in military on even on the roads :)
It is like small battle to be on the roads of UB, with its heavy traffic and unobservant drivers. Thus, for a while, please try to hire some Mongolian driver who is already accustomed to the battle field.

It seems life ...

It seems that the life that we have hoped for and how we perceived it was all wrong after all, doesn't it?

Well, at least i hoped this life to be more fun and happy. With each year it is proving to be misleading belief. Of course now and then i feel extremely happy and overall i would rate it OK, but still there is something missing or at least stability of happiness and satisfaction seems to almost impossible to achieve.

I have been raised on belief that life depended on loving, caring, friendship, sincerity etc. but definitely not on money or material possessions. However, after 30 years of living, i think i got it all wrong. Definitely above definition is true in family surroundings, but beyond that, even at close relative level like uncle, niece etc., it just doesn't matter anymore. "Everyone for themselves". That us the golden rule. Why would people misguide their children and teach and raise them on empty hopes and beliefs? I'm not saying that all people are bad or liars, or its so hard to find love and care, but we have to admit loving, caring, true friendships are hard to maintain and gruesome experience to keep them at high level. "True love exists only between parents and children". I have read something like this somewhere, and i was wondering if it was true. Now i can say that 90% of this statement is definitely true. Myself, haven't found true romantic love yet, so leaving out that 10% just in case ;)

My personal experience dictates to my brain that my parents definitely love me. My child loves me. I have only few good friends, with half of which i don't really share my personal life. It is hard for me to define true and best friendship. Do my colleagues care for me? Do many friends truly love me? Does someone like "a cute guy" will love me?

Bottom line from my recent events shows that people do not remember nice things you have done for them. How you supported them, how you made them happy, how you been through happiness and sadness together. One remembers the last mischief, how you hurt them, or how you said or done something that made them mad. How you acted, etc. Just try to remember the last time you have argued, or broken up, or simply had a fight. Have they remembered before or during the quarrel, how you were nice or done something for them? If not, how can they love me or you?

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Certificate to love

One day two friends were talking..

One said, "I don't know what to get my wife for her birthday. She has everything, and besides, she can afford to buy anything she wants. So, I'm stumped."

His buddy said, "I have an idea. Why don't you make up a certificate that says she can have two hours of great sex, any way she wants it. She'll probably be thrilled!"

So the first fella did just that.

The next day his buddy asked, "Well, did you take my suggestion? How did it turn out?"

"She loved it. She jumped up, thanked me, kissed me on the mouth, and ran out the door yelling, 'I'll see you in two hours'."

Evolution: Mongolia

There is a concept of evolution drawn by Charles Darwin. It is universally accepted view that via evolution "species" evolve, based on the environment, needs, etc. It is a change results from interactions between processes that introduce variation into a population, and other processes that remove it. Despite organic evolution, this concept is applied throughout different spheres, be it technical, mental, or economic.
Mongolia is not an exclusion from concept of evolution. It has been evolving over many thousand years since its inception. Mongolians were evolving as earliest nomads, weird shamans, barbaric warriors, imitators of Soviet empire, inexperienced democrats, and crazy capitalists. My minuscule knowledge wouldn't be enough to summarize true and all evolutionary steps of Mongolia and its citizens. However, I'm trying to summarize evolution of Mongolia and its people for the last 20 years through my eyes.

I was born in 1980 in Moscow. Don't remember anything from that period, where my parents were students for 4 years. I guess, number of "comrades" of our age would tell the similar story, as it was popular for Mongolians to study in Russia. It was "almost West, most developed economy" for us. From tales told by our parents and grandparents, it was best period to live within Soviet empire. If you had education, your job would be ready for you when you graduate. After working 3-5 years for State, you would "earn" free apartment with 1 or 2 bedrooms, depending on the size of the family. Child education was free, safe, and best possible. Health sector was booming with help from Soviet brothers and it was free to everyone. One had constant salary, provided housing, free education, health treatment. What could you ask more?

I was lucky to finish one of the best schools in that period, No. 23, which was Russian school up until early 1990's. Russian was taught from the preparatory grade and Mongolian was introduced only in 3rd grade. Even now, I understand some concepts better in Russian or English than in Mongolian. Many people from our generation was raised on the leftovers of Russian influence. Language, culture, views... I can still remember a part from old Russian hymn, whereas I don't know any words to hymn of Mongolia. Regrettable.

"Wind of Change" have been blowing to Mongolia since 1990. At that time, we were 4th grade student. All our subjects were now taught in Mongolian. Many Russian teachers were evacuated from UB. I remember our classmates used to make fun of our new Mongolian teachers, over their weird accents, as they tried to teach in Russian. We were cruel kids. We are the generation fortunate enough to see and experience both regimes: socialism and capitalism, and unfortunate enough to be ripped apart by sudden changes in everything that surrounded us. We are byproduct of unexpected evolution.

It has been 20 years since that dramatic change and people say Mongolia is still in transition period. No one knows how long will be this transition and when it will end. Are we transiting now?

In the 1990s, Mongolia looked up to economies, other than Russia, as it was left in ruins. We copied and pasted our Constitution from US, other laws and regulations from Western societies. Nothing was left from old regime, except old houses, closed factories, and Russian cars. Odd mix of new Western identity with old Mongolian tradition was flourishing.

We have seen many good and bad outcomes from the last "democratic evolution." People's minds were not prepared to loose their free and provided livelihood. Sudden change from Utopian state to complete chaotic and capitalist society was not easy on many people. Many have become alcoholics, unemployed, and simply poor. We were not used to working like asses and getting paid for what we have accomplished. It was odd having to pay for education and health treatments. Even now, many want that social benefits to exist like in socialism era.

Capitalism have brought to Mongolia Hollywood movies, Western cars, idea of private property, cellular phones, internet, poverty vs wealth, English language, new technologies, etc. 15 years ago it was almost unimaginable for ordinary one to have a car and a cellular phone, such that I made a wish to have all that when I grow up. Nowadays, almost every family, if not everyone, have mobile phone. Most households in UB are hooked up to internet. Almost, no one drive Russian cars anymore. English is so popular that ordinary people swear using f... and sh.. words.

You might say that UB (more than 1.5 mln people out of whole population of 2.7 mln live in capital city) is not the whole country and I'm omitting people in the countryside. Things have changed in the countryside too. Now, they have TVs, satellite dish, some have wireless internet, but lifestyle haven't changed that much. Most of the nomads as they were 20 years ago. However, livestock is now owned by herders not State.

All in all, evolution was kicking in Mongolia many times throughout its history. When in 13th century, when we were conquering half of the planet, in late 19th century, where we defeated the Chinese (Manju) army and declared our independence. It once more kicked our butts in late 20th century, where we embraced democracy and welcomed capitalism. Now, I feel that it will do its trick again very soon, making Mongolia either Saudi Arabia or Africa of Asia, depending on steps we take further on with our rich natural resources.