Language Skill Test

Although I took very few hours in learning Icelandic but being around with native Icelanders and my own effort to talk in Icelandic I realized that my language skills has also improved. So, I decided to take a test if I am really acquiring at least minimum knowledge on this. Today I went to place called FJÖLMENNING to measure my language skills. Initially they said it will take more than an hour and off course I was very scared because I only had very basic knowledge. I was confident that I will fail the test. On top it has a three series of test Listening, writing and speaking. But surprisingly I finished all the test in less than half an hour and got "PASSED". I was so happy to get at least pass. In the past I had given up many times to learn this language but having sitting in this test has alerted me that my languague skills has progressed unknowingly. Now I can actually say "I can speak Icelandic", not like native Icelanders however.

Shiva Ratri - Smoke Free

Today - a day to remember in hindu countries "Shiva Ratri" and public holiday in Nepal. Shiva - the name of God, Ratri means evening. So, it refers to God´s Evening. A hindu festival celebrated widely in Nepal & India every year. On this day smoking marijuana is almost acceptable. Here is the link for more

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri

"Jai Sambhoo Kailash Pati" - a phrase uses for this God

University Student Again

I have been exploring all the possibilities to do some kind of degree program that will help in my further studies particularly in research. Choices in Iceland are very limited and sometimes barrier to take such programme due to language skills. Recently I visited my old university in London and meet all my lectures, professors and co-workers. It is always nice to meet them. As I spoke to one of my professor about my interest in research. Interestingly LSBU is starting a new degree programme from this summer which fulfill my desire and help in my other circumstances for example travel etc. Entry requirements is Master degree and several years experience in the area you will be doing research. Professor confirmed for the entry this summer and am very excited to start. This will be collaboration between my work and LSBU. Beginning of May I will be writing research proposal and begin my field of interest. If everything goes well end of the programme I will be awarded Msc in Research. This will off course open door for me if I ever wants to do PhD.

A Computer

I found this machine at my work´s library room. Was playing with this small computer, I actually liked it. Introduced in 1984, weight 3.8Lbs, CPU 80c85, 2.4 MHZ with 32K, 64 Max, bar code reader, 300 Baud Modem and 40X8 Character display. OS Microsoft Basic v1.1 in ROM. It works perfectly fine and perhaps it was the great device at the time. Imagine today with 2 GB RAM, 200 GB storage, 2.5 GHz with L2 cache with extensive audio video, how fast things can be done - shall I say this is technology revolution ? Yes it is. Application require more memory, cpu speed and storage so normal configuration like this is beyond the scope today. Faster faster - don´t know how fast it will be in next 5 to 10 years time. old stuff can be found here .

http://oldcomputers.net

American Pie - The song I always fan of

Not long ago, Valberg used to tease me because I always pick up this song when we used to Karaoke. Not only him perhaps some of my other friends are also irritated when I sing this song but whatever they feel, I just love this song since I was at school.

Many song writers inspired by something as Don MacLean inspired by memories of the death of Buddy Holly in 1959. This song is one of the best ever and still played in many many pubs, clubs and parties.

Not much choice

I have been interested in doing some management degree from long time. Soon after my 2nd degree I had thought about this too but put on hold for couple of years. Couple of weeks ago I started to explore the possibilities around Icelandic academic institutions. They all offer the courses such as MBA, MPM however neither of the program offers in English. But, yet international Universities such as the University of Iceland should offer more choices and flexible time table for students. Sadly they do not have range of choices for those who like to study as part-time basis. Next the University of Reykjavik - a private institution, who offer course i.e MBA in English but their tuition fees are ridiculously expensive. It cost 650.000 KR(5150 British pound) per semester and they haven´t mentioned how many semester it involves. here is what they said about the fees.

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Tution fees for MBA Class of 2009 Tuition fees are 650.000 IKR per semester. This covers the cost of all seminars, books, and other teaching materials.
For the international seminars the tuition fees are 3000 Euros each. This covers the cost of teaching, materials, travel and accommodation.
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Not even that the year I came to Iceland I was interested doing Master degree in communication in the University of Iceland. It was not available either. It is sometime disappointing and discouraging not having such choice and flexibility for those who wanted to do something they are interested in. On the other hand perhaps I should blame myself not adopting local language quickly - well in two years. The University of Iceland is a international university and should offer range of courses in various degree and diverse manner. That will enable students stop forced to go to sky rocketing tuition fees university and even aboard. It seems I will have to find some alternatives to fulfill my interest somewhere else or perhaps distance learning - which I don´t really prefer.

Quite & Snow

Haven´t been updating much as you all know the obvious reason - Christmas time. Right in the Christmas Reykjavik been covered by full of snow. City seemed very quite, people celebrating Christmas with their families. Heavy snow fall at the Christmas time added extra joyful too - as people often called white Christmas. Since the Christmas eve the strong wind and freezing cold has also followed. Today, it was -8 degree outside - Very cold "not very nice" !

We also went to park other day with Helgi to play in the snow. Playing in snow is something different and with family makes even more joyful. However, to be honest in -8 cold moving snow off from my car this morning was not enjoyable.