Visit China

Question:

  It contributes to sypfhilisation.   > Islam is a comprehensive religion; it touches all walks of life. In   > the past, it was a matter of fulfilling that which Islam asked of us,   > which is to go beyond belief to seek knowledge and conclusive proof of   > the laws of Islam, which are also the same laws that guide the   > universe. Yushidi Kusa, Director of Tokyo University, Japan, stated:   >   > "I say, I am very much impressed by finding true astronomical facts in   > the Qur’an, and for us modern astronomers have been studying very   > small piece of the universe. We have concentrated our efforts for   > understanding of very small part. Because by using telescopes, we can   > see only very few parts of the sky without thinking about the whole   > universe. So by reading the Qur’an and by answering to the questions,   > I think I can find my future way for investigation of the universe."   >   > Professor Tejatat Tejasen, Chairman of the Department of Anatomy at   > the University of Chiang Mai, Thailand, at the same conference said:   >   > "In the last three years, I became interested in the Qur’an… From my   > studies and what I have learned throughout this conference, I believe   > that everything that has been recorded in the Qur’an fourteen hundred   > years ago must be the truth, that can be proved by the scientific   > means. Since the Prophet Muhammad could neither read nor write,   > Muhammad must be a messenger who relayed this truth which was revealed   > to him as an enlightenment by the One Who is eligible Creator. This   > Creator must be God, or Allah. I think this is the time to say: ‘La   > ilaha illa Allah’ (there is no god to worship except Allah (God)),   > Muhammad Rasulu Allah (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah). The most   > precious thing I have gained from coming to this conference is ‘La   > ilaha illa Allah’, and to have become Muslim."   >   > From the dawn of Islam, there has always been exchange of a positive   > nature arising out of both god and bad circumstances. This, of course,   > has been strengthened by organized places of learning, madrasas, which   > offered and still offer deeper study at today’s college and university   > level in Arabic, religious studies, law, and many branches of science   > and the environment to both men and women long before Oxford and   > Cambridge.   >   > The Qur’an tells us what means:   > *{. Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change   > their own condition .}* (Ar-Ra`d 13:11)   >   > In religious terms, this can be highlighted during the Byzantine   > Empire. The Christian Church was divided, unaware of Islam and the   > Middle East until the seventh century. The Christian Church was split   > by theological disputes, part of which was the concept of the Trinity.   >   > Another element was the cult of religious icons, which grew out of   > control to the point whereby holy images were worshiped openly and   > even served as godparents at the baptism of newborn children.   > Perturbed by this, Emperor Leo of Byzantium sought guidance from   > Islam. Through a series of sermons he condemned this practice and in   > 726 CE he set an example and destroyed a huge golden icon of Christ   > known as the Chalke icon in Constantinople.   >   > In 730 CE, Leo issued an edict that all icons be destroyed. These for   > and against idol-worshiping changed from ruler to ruler and not always   > for religious reasons. With Emperor Theophilus, things were to change   > because, apart from the love of wealth and power, he had a love of   > theology as well as a love for the culture of Islam. As a prodigy of   > Caliph Harun Ar-Rashid, he would wander the streets of Constantinople   > listening to the grievances of the people and investigating the price   > of food.   >   > In China Muslims have contributed to the development of chi kung and   > kung fu as means of spiritual cultivation; the direction of the life   > force plays a different role-the inner jihad. You will find many try   > to develop this skill with troubled youths today to help them regain   > self-respect and control over their lives.   >   > With concerns about religious education, a British Catholic church has   > hired a Muslim head-teacher to run its school.   >   > The Roman Catholic Church has been meeting regularly for some years   > now over the issue of the family and its importance in today’s society   > as increasingly dysfunctional families contribute to the ills of   > society that lead to mental ill-health and rising crime and domestic   > forms of violence. Many interfaith dialogues are taking place around   > the world, not only to promote increased mutual understanding but also   > to look at ways to solve some of the social ills of modern life.   >   > In environmental terms, the naturalist, geographer and astronomer Abu   > Raihan Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Biruni (362 AH/973 CE) originated the   > concept of the "economy of nature," presented in his Alberunis India.   >   > "The bees kill those of their kind who only eat but do not work in   > their beehives. Nature proceeds in a similar way: however, it does not   > distinguish, for its action is under all circumstances one and the   > same. It allows the leaves and fruit of the trees to perish, thus   > preventing them from realizing that result [for] which they are   > intended in the economy of Nature. It removes them so as to make room   > for others."   >   > The age of biotechnology has borne witness to the economy of nature,   > though purely in modern scientific terms, in recycling the wastage of   > modern living and dealing with the many oil spills.   >   > For Chinese Muslim Zheng He, (ca. 1371 CE) it was his grandfather and   > father’s annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) that served to whet his   > appetite for knowledge. His navigation led to the invention of:   >   > * A central rudder that allowed for better steering   >   > * Water-tight compartments to prevent the ship from sinking   >   > * Multiple sails to increase wind power   >   > * Armor-plating for protection   >   > In the UN, the discovery of the Islamic concept of water management   > arose out of a workshop and culminated in the publication of Water   > Management in Islam by Nasser Faruqui, Asit Biswas and Murad Bino as a   > guide to solve the water crisis that the world is facing in the 21st   > century.   >   > In the UK, the National Association of Pure Water has taken up the   > Islamic argument on water propounded in the Qur’an for the purpose of   > water safety for the British population.   >   > So thus, it was with this eagerness that past Muslim scholars and   > scientists set out to learn and understand the world we live in.   > Because of this, Islam has affected many parts of our lives and,   > through contact and exchange with the West, Islam and its philosophy   > have directed Muslim scholars and scientists who have made valuable   > contributions too numerous to mention.   >   > The Prophetic traditions have stated:   >   > "Allah has sent down both the disease and the cure and He has   > appointed a cure for every disease, so treat yourselves medically, but   > use nothing unlawful." (Abu Dawud 28:3865.)   >   > The contribution to Western medicine continues up to this day. In the   > past, with the Mongol invasion of Iraq, many Muslim scholars escaped   > to India to settle and continue in their work. "Unani" or "Yunani" is   > Arabic for "Ionian," i.e., Greek. It is a formal medicine that has   > been practiced for 6,000 years. Also known as "hikmat," it was   > developed by the Greek physician Hippocrates (4th century BC) from the   > medicine and traditions of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.   >   > Ibn Sina (Avicenna) wrote of Tibb Al-Unani in his medical classic   > Al-Qanun that was translated into many European languages and formed   > the basis of Western medical teaching practice. This was furthered by   > Ishaq ibn `Ali Ar-Ruhawi, who wrote Adab At-Tibb (Medical Ethics), and   > Masih Al-Mulk Hakim Muhammad Ajmal Khan, friend of Mahatma Ghandi who   > founded the Unani Tibb and Ayurvedic College in Delhi in his fight   > against British colonialism. In India today there are 278,000   > practitioners and 16 training centers. The American Institute of Unani   > Medicine was founded in 1986.   >   > The much translated works of Ibn Sina and cross-fertilizations of   > other Islamic men of science and medicine gave birth to Samuel   > Hahnemann’s homeopathy (1755-1843).   >   > Abu Yakub ibn Sabbah Al-Kindi (837 CE) discovered the radiation of the   > force of rays and the influence of one object upon another (as in   > gravitational force), as well as the correct dosage for medicines.   > Jabir ibn Hayyan is the father of chemistry. Muhammad Al-Khawrizmi   > invented algorithms. Physician Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya Ar-Razi   > is the one who identified and developed the etiology of smallpox and   > chickenpox. Abu `Ali Hasan ibn Al-Haitham is the father of modern   > optics. Scientist-philosopher Muhammad ibn Al-Hasan Nasir Ad-Din   > At-Tusi invented the astrolabe. These are just a few!   >   > Today, Western doctors in Africa, Switzerland, and the US are studying   > the issue of fasting pregnant women to ascertain the use of blood   > sugar levels during fasting to determine a safe test to be used for   > women who suffer from gestational diabetes, which can lead to a larger   > than normal fetus, stillbirth or a caesarian section. Scientists from   > countries like Uzbekistan and Iran are researching into herbs to solve   > problematic diseases that cannot be solved by modern Western medicine.   >   > In social terms, especially in the US, many Americans who fear for   > their health prefer to buy meat raised and slaughtered in the Judaic   > and

… read more »

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> Islam is a comprehensive religion; it touches all walks of life. In > the past, it was a matter of fulfilling that which Islam asked of us, > which is to go beyond belief to seek knowledge and conclusive proof

<snip> Nothing more recent than the 16th Century then ?

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>Islam is a comprehensive religion; it touches all walks of life.

Islam is an ideology which want to rule every moment of the life of people. It contributed much more to barbarism than to civilisation. Logos Remove A B C

Response:

Islam is a comprehensive religion; it touches all walks of life. In the past, it was a matter of fulfilling that which Islam asked of us, which is to go beyond belief to seek knowledge and conclusive proof of the laws of Islam, which are also the same laws that guide the universe. Yushidi Kusa, Director of Tokyo University, Japan, stated: "I say, I am very much impressed by finding true astronomical facts in the Qur’an, and for us modern astronomers have been studying very small piece of the universe. We have concentrated our efforts for understanding of very small part. Because by using telescopes, we can see only very few parts of the sky without thinking about the whole universe. So by reading the Qur’an and by answering to the questions, I think I can find my future way for investigation of the universe." Professor Tejatat Tejasen, Chairman of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Chiang Mai, Thailand, at the same conference said: "In the last three years, I became interested in the Qur’an… From my studies and what I have learned throughout this conference, I believe that everything that has been recorded in the Qur’an fourteen hundred years ago must be the truth, that can be proved by the scientific means. Since the Prophet Muhammad could neither read nor write, Muhammad must be a messenger who relayed this truth which was revealed to him as an enlightenment by the One Who is eligible Creator. This Creator must be God, or Allah. I think this is the time to say:

Question:

>Islam in China

If muslims protest Chinese law, they will be summarily excuted. Muslims had better stay low to the ground. Even the typical ass-lifting behaviour could provide a target for the Great Leaders..  "Ah yes, we must mollify angry fanatics who seek our destruction because otherwise .. they might get mad and seek our destruction." – Ann Coulter 9/26/2002

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Islam in China Islam in the World (1) By Yusuf Abdul Rahman [The Ancient Record of the Tang Dynasty describes a landmark visit to China by Saad ibn Abi Waqqas (ra), one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (s) in 650 C.E. This event is considered to be the birth of Islam in China. The Chinese emperor Yung-Wei respected the teachings of Islam and considered it to be compatible with the teachings of Confucius. To show his admiration for Islam, the emperor approved the establishment of China's first mosque at Ch'ang-an. That mosque still stands today after fourteen centuries. Muslims virtually dominated the import/export business in China during Sung Dynasty (960 - 1279 CE). The office of Director General of Shipping was consistently held by a Muslim during this period. During the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 CE), a period considered to be the golden age of Islam in China, Muslims fully integrated into Han society by adopting their name and some customs while retaining their Islamic mode of dress and dietary restrictions. Anti-Muslim sentiments took root in China during the Ch'ing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 CE), which was established by Manchus who were a minority in China. Muslims in China number more than 35 million, according to unofficial counts. They represent ten distinct ethnic groups. The largest are the Chinese Hui, who comprise over half of China's Muslim population. The largest of Turkic groups are the Uygurs who are most populous in the province of Xinjiang, where they were once an overwhelming majority.] Although it may come as some surprise, Islam has survived in China for over 1300 [1400] years. It has done so despite such upheavals as the Cultural Revolution as well as regimes hostile to it. Even though there are only sparse records of the event in Arab history, a brief one in Chinese history, The Ancient Record of the Tang Dynasty describes a landmark visit to China by an emissary from Arabia in the seventh century. Saad ibn Abi Waqqas (ra), one of the companions of Prophet [Muhammad (s)], led the delegation [in 650 C.E.], which brought gifts as well as the belief system of Islam to China. According to the traditions of Chinese Muslims, this event is considered to be the birth of Islam in China. Although the emperor of the time, Yung-Wei, found Islam to be a bit too restrictive for his taste, he respected its teachings and considered it to be compatible with the teachings of Confucius. For this reason, he gave Saad complete freedom to propagate the faith among his people. To show his admiration for Islam, the emperor ordered the establishment of China’s first mosque at Ch’ang-an. The mosque still stands today, after thirteen [fourteen] centuries. As time passed, relations between the Chinese and the Muslim heartland continued to improve. Many Muslim businessmen, visitors, and traders began to come to China for commercial and religious reasons. [Arabs had already established trade in the area before Prophet Muhammad (s).] The Umayyads and Abbasids sent six delegations to China, all of which were warmly received by the Chinese. The Muslims who immigrated to China eventually began to have a great economic impact and influence on the country. They virtually dominated the import/export business by the time of the Sung Dynasty (960 – 1279 CE). Indeed, the office of Director General of Shipping was consistently held by a Muslim during this period. In spite of the economic successes the Muslims enjoyed during these and later times, they were recognized as being fair, law-abiding, and self-disciplined. Thus, there is no record of appreciable anti-Muslim sentiment on the part of the Han (Chinese) people. By the beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 CE) Islam had been nourishing in China for 700 years. Up to this time, the Muslims had maintained a separate, alien status which had its own customs, language, and traditions and was never totally integrated with the Han people. Under the Ming Dynasty, generally considered to be the golden age of Islam in China, Muslims gradually became fully integrated into Han society. An interesting example of this synthesis by Chinese Muslims was the process by which their names changed. Many Muslims who married Han women simply took on the name of the wife. Others took the Chinese surnames of Mo, Mai, and Mu – names adopted by Muslims who had the names Muhammad, Mustafa, and Masoud. Still others who could find no Chinese surname similar to their own adopted the Chinese character that most closely resembled their name – Ha for Hasan, Hu for Hussein, or Sai for Said, and so on. In addition to names, Muslim customs of dress and food also underwent a synthesis with Chinese culture. The Islamic mode of dress and dietary restrictions were consistently maintained, however, and not compromised. In time, the Muslims began to speak Han dialects and to read in Chinese. Well into the Ming era, the Muslims could not be distinguished from other Chinese other than by their unique religious customs. For this reason, once again, there was little friction between Muslim and non-Muslim Chinese. The rise of the Ch’ing Dynasty (1644 – 1911 CE), though, changed this. The Ch’ing were Manchu (not Han) and were a minority in China. They employed tactics of divide-and-conquer to keep the Muslims, Han, Tibetans, and Mongolians in struggles against one another. In particular, they were responsible for inciting anti-Muslim sentiment throughout China, and used Han soldiers to suppress the Muslim regions of the country. When the Manchu Dynasty fell in 1911, the Republic of China was established by Sun Yat Sen, who immediately proclaimed that the country belonged equally to the Han, Hui (Muslim), Man (Manchu), Meng (Mongol), and the Tsang (Tibetan) peoples. His policies led to some improvement in relations among these groups. After Mao Zedong’s revolution in 1948 and the beginning of communist rule in China, the Muslims, as well as other ethnic minorities found themselves once again oppressed. They actively struggled against communists before and after the revolution. In fact, in 1953, the Muslims revolted twice in an effort to establish an independent Islamic state [in regions where Muslims were an overwhelming majority]. These revolts were brutally suppressed by Chinese military force followed by the liberal use of anti-Muslim propaganda. Today, the Muslims of China number some 20 million, according to unofficial counts. The government census of 1982, however, put the number much lower, at 15 million. These Muslims represent ten distinct ethnic groups. The largest are the Chinese Hui, who comprise over half of China’s Muslim population and are scattered throughout all of China. There is also a high concentration of Hui in the province of Ningsha in the north. After the Hui, the remainder of the Muslim population belong to Turkic language groups and are racially Turks (except for the Mongol Salars and Aryan Tajiks). The Turkic group is further divided between the Uygurs, Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Kirgiz, Tatars and Dongshiang. Nearly all of the Turkic Muslims are found in the western provinces of Kansu and Xinjiang. The largest of these Muslim groups are the Uygurs. The Uygurs are most populous in the province of Xinjiang, where they make up some 60% of the total population. This relatively small percentage is due to the massive influx of non-Muslim Chinese into the province in recent times, a situation that has brought problems of assimilation and raised concerns about the de-Islamization of one of China’s predominantly Muslim regions. [Muslims in Central Asia, under the USSR, were subjected to a similar population management, Russification of Central Asia;Muslims, and the Uygur in particular, suffered tremendously under the regime of Mao Zedong and his "Cultural Revolution." During the communist reign of terror, there was a violent campaign to eradicate all traces of Islam and of the ethnic identity of all non-Chinese. The Uygur language, which had for centuries used Arabic script, was forced to adopt the Latin alphabet. The Uygurs, as with most believing Muslims, were subjected to forced labor in the some 30,000 communes set up in the predominantly Muslim provinces. The imams and akhunds were singled out for humiliating punishments and tortures....[and were forced to] tend to pig farms, which were sometimes kept in government-closed mosques. Under the pretext of unification of national education, Islamic schools were closed and their students transferred to other schools which taught only Marxism and Maoism. Other outrages included the closing of over 29,000 mosques, the widespread torture of imams, and executions of over 360,000 Muslims. Since the death of Mao and the end of his hard-line Marxist outlook nearly fifteen years ago, the communist government has greatly liberalized its policies toward Islam and Muslims. And despite the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, Islam has continued to thrive in China. Today the campaign for assimilation started during the Cultural Revolution has slowed somewhat and the Turkic Muslims have greater freedom to express their cultural identity. The government has, for instance, allowed the reinstatement of the Arabic alphabet for use with the Uygur language. There is, however, continued discrimination against the Turkic Muslims by the immigrant Chinese (favored by the government) who have settled in the far western province of Xinjiang. This immigration has posed a problem as Han Chinese are migrating to Muslim areas at the rate of 200,000 a year. In many places where Muslims once were a majority, they are now a minority. Since religious freedom was declared in 1978, the Chinese Muslims have not wasted time in expressing their convictions. There are now some 28,000 mosques in the entire People’s Republic of China, with 12,000 in the province of Xinjiang. In addition, there is a large number of imams available to lead the Muslim community (in Xinjiang alone … read more »

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Question:

> So why this big detour ?

Check out: > http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=cdg-mnl&PATH-UNITS=nm&SPEED-UNITS=kts

This will show you the shortest route between paris and manilla. If you do not understand the concept of great circle, take a globe and a string and put the string between the two cities to find the shortest distance.

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I also believe that it maybe to access certain favourable wind conditions.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> From Manila they first go northward, coz they prefer to go north of the > Himalaya mountains.  But instead of turning east at ca 50 degrees > lattitude > ( Northern China ), they continued nort east towards Moscow at 55 > degrees lattitude before turning south east towards Paris, which is at > 49 > degrees lattitude. > So why this big detour ? > Peftie

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From Manila they first go northward, coz they prefer to go north of the Himalaya mountains.  But instead of turning east at ca 50 degrees lattitude ( Northern China ), they continued nort east towards Moscow at 55 degrees lattitude before turning south east towards Paris, which is at 49 degrees lattitude. So why this big detour ? Peftie

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> From Manila they first go northward, coz they prefer to go north of the > Himalaya mountains.  But instead of turning east at ca 50 degrees > lattitude > ( Northern China ), they continued nort east towards Moscow at 55 > degrees lattitude before turning south east towards Paris, which is at > 49 > degrees lattitude. > So why this big detour ?

Are they turning, or is it an arc? The earth is curved. You might want to search on "great circle route" Then, of course, there are "highways" in the sky. For instance, you don’t always get to travel in a direct line from point a to point b

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Question:

Here’s a question… My mother is having a party for us next summer. It is for those people who weren’t invited to the wedding (We are having a small wedding, far away from my hometown. It isn’t possible for these people to attend). My family wants to throw a party in our honor for the friends who couldn’t make it.   For the invitations, my mother wants to use a monogram at the top  I’ve seen these done two ways. The first being the hosts monogram, which is what she wants to do. I know this is proper. When I was at the printers, I saw ones with the bride/groom monogram.(The last initial in the center, with the bride’s first initial on the left, grooms on the right). The stationer was trying to tell me that this would be the proper monogram to use. Who is right? (Or are they both acceptable?) Thanks for your help, Meg

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I was looking at stationary books at Papyrus the other day and was told they now have four letter monograms for couples where the woman is not changing her last  name. –So it’s her first and last initial and his first and last-combined somehow.

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Ah-ha!  I just got an invite with a monogram on it, and I could not figure out whose monogram it was!  Now I see that it is the last initial in the center and the bride and grooms first names on either side.  I expected it to be the host’s monogram.  But then again I don’t know anything about what is proper, and am having cartoon people on my invite.  So I’m not really the person to ask.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Here’s a question… >My mother is having a party for us next summer. It is for those people who >weren’t invited to the wedding (We are having a small wedding, far away from my >hometown. It isn’t possible for these people to attend). My family wants to >throw a party in our honor for the friends who couldn’t make it.   >For the invitations, my mother wants to use a monogram at the top  I’ve seen >these done two ways. The first being the hosts monogram, which is what she >wants to do. I know this is proper. When I was at the printers, I saw ones with >the bride/groom monogram.(The last initial in the center, with the bride’s >first initial on the left, grooms on the right). The stationer was trying to >tell me that this would be the proper monogram to use. Who is right? (Or are >they both acceptable?) Thanks for your help, Meg

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Josie — Treasure those inherited linens!  I think that having linens and silver that have come down in the family is wonderful.  The different monograms give a sense of history and  family, to my mind.  If you can use them, do it.  (Though there may be some that are too fragile or too precious to use for any but the most special occasions.)   As for monograms, there are different traditions and rules, I believe, depending on your background.  The rules my mother taught me said that the items that are acquired by the bride before the wedding (and that includes wedding gifts received by the bride even the minute before the ceremony) are monogrammed with the bride’s maiden initial or initials.  Later gifts can be engraved/embroidered with the initial of the bride’s new last name, but it is permissible to "round out" a set with the maiden monogram if only a few pieces are needed.  In my mother’s day (1940s) and socioeconomic stratum, almost all gifts were given before the wedding, resulting in a full set of flat silver monogrammed with the initial of the bride’s maiden name.  (I always thought this was a wise practice from the bride’s viewpoint, ensuring that the bride would keep the silver in case of divorce, and that she’d be able to use it in a subsequent marriage.  I doubt that this was the underlying rationale, though.)   In my grandmother’s day (1912) and socioeconomic stratum (and, I suppose, geographic area) the tradition also favored the bride’s maiden initial as a monogram before the wedding.  An interesting twist, however, was that apparently it was pretty common for people to give a dozen silver spoons, or a dozen silver forks, or a dozen knives or butter spreaders  or dessert forks or fish forks in a popular pattern of the day.  Not always the same pattern, mind you, but whatever they thought was most attractive.   Fortunately, people would tend to buy patterns that were enjoying the greatest  popularity at the time so the resulting sets of flatware weren’t always too mismatched.   By the way — check ebay for linens and china and silver.  You can find some good buys there.   (Especially stuff that is monogrammed with an initial that is appropriate for you.) Good luck, Sarah W.               – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> When are monograms generally used (these days)?  I have a lot of lovely > linens from the 1900-1940s with intricate cutwork and incredible > monograms.  Unfortunately, they are all "C"s — along with the > silverplate that I am trying to match.  I have searched for linens > with an M monogram which is a good news/bad news situation.  I > am grateful for the incredible workmanship and quality of the items > I have —  because there is no way I could afford to replace them simply > because they have the "wrong" monogram on them at the prices I’ve > seen throughout the southeast.  (Not replace = get rid of, but > replace = find similar items with the initial for our last name.) > Heaven knows, I don’t have the skill to create such a delicate > lacy item. > <snip>

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The first issue of the proper use of a monogram. They are generally not used when issuing invitations.  If you have a family crest it may be used on an invitation. But if we are insisting on using a monogram, then is should be that of the host. Your printer is incorrect as it is not proper to combine monograms as you described. A monogram (outside of the solo letter) belongs to a single person, not a couple or group of people. Hope this helps, Noe

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> A monogram (outside of the solo letter) belongs to a single person, >not a couple or group of people.

I don’t know much about this subject, but I just came across this recently on the website where I am ordering my invitations (www.ourbeginning.com): " Monograms add a special touch to informal cards and at home cards. The monogram uses the initial of the Groom’s first name, The initial of the Bride’s first name, and the initial of the Groom’s last name. The monogram provides the most elegant presentation to your guests." Anyone else see other definitions? laters, jen (to brandon) 10/2/99

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>The first issue of the proper use of a monogram. They are generally not used >when issuing invitations.  If you have a family crest it may be used on an >invitation.

When are monograms generally used (these days)?  I have a lot of lovely linens from the 1900-1940s with intricate cutwork and incredible monograms.  Unfortunately, they are all "C"s — along with the silverplate that I am trying to match.  I have searched for linens with an M monogram which is a good news/bad news situation.  I am grateful for the incredible workmanship and quality of the items I have —  because there is no way I could afford to replace them simply because they have the "wrong" monogram on them at the prices I’ve seen throughout the southeast.  (Not replace = get rid of, but replace = find similar items with the initial for our last name.) Heaven knows, I don’t have the skill to create such a delicate lacy item. >A monogram (outside of the solo letter) belongs to a single person, >not a couple or group of people.

General comments from the archives of my dusty book collection: There is an older tradition of a "couple’s monogram" when they shared a last name: smaller first name initials flank a larger inital for their common name with the woman’s initial on the left. My older books only reference this with "downstairs linens" and "flat silver", insisting that linens for the bedrooms and bathrooms be monogramed with (Wife’s First) (Wife’s BirthLast) (Wife’s MarriedLast).  Use of the couple’s monogram appears to be limited to decorative household items used in entertaining guests. Nothing is mentioned with regard to stationery, since it is a given that everyone has personal stationery and "house stationery" includes only the address and/or the estate name. Josie, collector of old cookbooks and etiquette guides since they  offer a rare look at how much a woman’s lifestyle has changed (Some day I will post the recommended trousseau for 1910, 1920, 1940 just for comparison to today’s bridal, um, .. HC registry.) — Josie

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Question:

Looking for price of one way ticket from Charleston, SC (CHS) to Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) around 13 Mar 99.  Thanks.

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> Looking for price of one way ticket from Charleston, SC (CHS) to Bangkok, > Thailand (BKK) around 13 Mar 99.  Thanks.

I feel for you on this one.  You might consider buying two tickets.  One domestic r/t ticket from CHS to a west coast city like LAX, SFO or SEA and throwing the second half away.  Buy a second one way ticket from that west coast city to BKK.  I found flight on the 13th from SEA to BKK on UA for $766 one way.  Asiana, China Air and others offer similar fares from LAX to BKK, but the SEA – BKK flight is a direct flight. Should you chose one itinerary, the fares for a one way flight were about $2,100 via UA from CHS to IAD to SEA…. Rich

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Question:

                    >most expensive cities I am VERY suprised that Moscow has not topped the list…Conde Nast Traveler did a survey of business travellers about 6 months ago and Moscow was #2 or 3 on the list, with an average cost of around $350-$400 per day. But like all cities, there are bargains especially in hotels if you know where to look that easily halves the above fugures. Maryanne,

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I’m quite surprised that Hong Kong tops the list – I was there a couple of months ago on business and it was a lot cheaper than Beijing, which I stayed in on the same trip, and also cheaper than Brasil and Buenos Aires where I was the last couple of weeks. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The Wall Street Journal reports: > Tokyo has dropped from the list of the 10 most expensive cities for > business travelers, according to U.S. travel consultancy Runzheimer > International. In its latest survey of 200 U.S. cities and 100 > international locations, Hong Kong tops the list with an estimated > daily cost of $452 for three meals and single lodging. New Delhi is > the fifth-most-expensive spot at $392 per day, with Manila and > Beijing creeping into the top 10 at $355 and $318, respectively. But > Bangkok and Jakarta remain bargains at $137 and $118 respectively. > — Craig

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Question:

Everyone is in your corner at least in this group-it appears.  I am new but see the support. Everyone has times when the problems trigger a real down time and hospital may be needed.  It is not forever and each time you learn something. I know that my toughest times have taught me the most. THe trick is to know you are worthwhile even when things fall apart and remember your experioence- it does get better again.  That may be the only advantage of this roller coaster-downs lead to ups.  DON"T EVER GIVE UP.     MIMA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >posted and e-mailed to chezizgod >Cheeze, >I was just released from an 8 day stay at the hospital last Tuesday.  I know >where you are at.  I too, am afraid that I will end up back in there.  I am >taking my meds religiously and hoping that I’m doing everything right… but >over the weekend I got in 8 fights (verbal) with my husband which is not normal >for me. >This NG has gotten a little better, I just choose to not read anything that >sounds like a flame.  I have gotten a lot of support from various members of >this NG both on the NG and by e-mail.  Please keep posting.  I for one would >like to hear from you. >I’m back once more, but i see tat really nothing has changed.  ths group >is as it was before i got locked up again ( for those of you keeping >track, that’s two in Aug/ Sept.) I really think that i’m deteriorating. >I don’t know who to reach out to anymore. >ch. >Heidi S.

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posted and e-mailed to chezizgod Cheeze, I was just released from an 8 day stay at the hospital last Tuesday.  I know where you are at.  I too, am afraid that I will end up back in there.  I am taking my meds religiously and hoping that I’m doing everything right… but over the weekend I got in 8 fights (verbal) with my husband which is not normal for me.   This NG has gotten a little better, I just choose to not read anything that sounds like a flame.  I have gotten a lot of support from various members of this NG both on the NG and by e-mail.  Please keep posting.  I for one would like to hear from you. >I’m back once more, but i see tat really nothing has changed.  ths group >is as it was before i got locked up again ( for those of you keeping >track, that’s two in Aug/ Sept.) I really think that i’m deteriorating. >I don’t know who to reach out to anymore. >ch.

Heidi S.

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Hang with it china. Regards, John     I’m back once more, but i see tat really nothing has changed.  ths group     is as it was before i got locked up again ( for those of you keeping     track, that’s two in Aug/ Sept.) I really think that i’m deteriorating.     I don’t know who to reach out to anymore.     ch.

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Hey Cheez: You know you can always talk to me. And Aurora, if she would have said something, I would write her too. I know how you both feel. I am very depressed right now myself. I am always here. Anyone that knows me, knows I always say that. Write to me ladies! Luv, thebonniemonster.

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> I’m back once more, but i see tat really nothing has changed.  ths group > is as it was before i got locked up again ( for those of you keeping > track, that’s two in Aug/ Sept.) I really think that i’m deteriorating. > I don’t know who to reach out to anymore. > ch. > [Image]

You can email me to chat anytime, weekdays that is.  I am hear to listen.  I am feeling kind of isolated from the world, like noone wants to hear from me so I know what that is like. Aurora

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I’m back once more, but i see tat really nothing has changed.  ths group is as it was before i got locked up again ( for those of you keeping track, that’s two in Aug/ Sept.) I really think that i’m deteriorating. I don’t know who to reach out to anymore. ch.

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Question:

I need to visit Hong Kong on business in the next few months, and recall hearing about a special around the world fare. I don’t know the specifics, and would appreciate any input. Ie. Is it avail. in business or first class? What restrictions? Blackout dates? Who offers? Etc. Thanks very much. John

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>I need to visit Hong Kong on business in the next few months, and recall >hearing about a special around the world fare. I don’t know the specifics, >and would appreciate any input. Ie. Is it avail. in business or first >class? What restrictions? Blackout dates? Who offers? Etc. >Thanks very much. >John

I wasn’t able to go for a couple of reasons, but there are a number of Around the World fares – Delta-Swissair-Singapore offer one, United-British Airways or Lufthansa (your choice) offer another.  Also KLM/Northwest and several others.  Depending on where you live and where you want to go, the fares are good deals.  I especially recommend the Business Class or First Class fares which are quite good. Generally you’re permitted 3 stops in North America and at least two stopovers elsewhere, but no backtracking.  If you want to include Africa or Australia, the fare goes up somewhat. I suggest a good travel agency that specializes in RTW fares. Jeff

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Jeffrey,    I can offer 20 – 40% off of round the world fares in first, business   or economy classes.                       -Andy Bragen (The Nomad Travel Bazaar)

: > : >I need to visit Hong Kong on business in the next few months, and : recall : >hearing about a special around the world fare. I don’t know the : specifics, : >and would appreciate any input. Ie. Is it avail. in business or first : >class? What restrictions? Blackout dates? Who offers? Etc. : >Thanks very much. : >John : I wasn’t able to go for a couple of reasons, but there are a number of : Around the World fares – Delta-Swissair-Singapore offer one, : United-British Airways or Lufthansa (your choice) offer another.  Also : KLM/Northwest and several others.  Depending on where you live and : where you want to go, the fares are good deals.  I especially recommend : the Business Class or First Class fares which are quite good. : Generally you’re permitted 3 stops in North America and at least two : stopovers elsewhere, but no backtracking.  If you want to include : Africa or Australia, the fare goes up somewhat. I suggest a good travel : agency that specializes in RTW fares. : Jeff

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> I need to visit Hong Kong on business in the next few months, and recall > hearing about a special around the world fare.

Round the world fares (RTW) are available from most major airlines. And they are available in coach and business class too. (Not sure about first class since many airlines no longer have first class). Depending on where you live, you’ll probably end up paying a lot more for a RTW ticket than a simple round-trip to Hong Kong. RTW fares for one airline will usually give you a menu of airlines from which you can choose one or two to combine with your main airline. The choice depends on where you want to go and which airlines serve the segments you need. Date and itinerary changes are fairly flexible. However, most RTW fares have one big restriction: travel must always be in the same direction (no backtracking). Some routes allow side trips for free, other give you a break on such side trips.

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Round the world fares do offer savings. But you omitted one very important detail. What country you would start from. If you’re in Taipei for example, a round the world fare would probably not be useful Craig – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I need to visit Hong Kong on business in the next few months, and recall >hearing about a special around the world fare. I don’t know the specifics, >and would appreciate any input. Ie. Is it avail. in business or first >class? What restrictions? Blackout dates? Who offers? Etc. >Thanks very much. >John

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>Round the world fares (RTW) are available from most major airlines. And >they are available in coach and business class too. (Not sure about >first class since many airlines no longer have first class).

Certainly available in first class. Jean-Francois, don’t you mean to say "since many *Canadian* airlines no longer have first class:? Cheers, Craig

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Question:

What happened the first time?  To be quite honest, I am a little bit surprised by Cathay’s behavior.  I really find it difficult to believe that as a general policy, the airline discriminates against the elderly and the handicapped.  In any event, if  if it did what you mentioned, you have every right to complain.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >For the comfort of my 85 year old mother, I had paid RM2,838 extra >(RM1,419 x 2 persons) for 2 business class tickets to take my mother >for a holiday back to our home village in China <snipped> >On our return journey from Hong Kong to KL on 6 November 1994, despite >the "special care" attention and a "wheel chair" request  were input >on the reservation screen, my mother was downgraded from >business-class to economy class, after having waited in line for 40 >minutes for our check-in. <snipped> Cathay Pacific denied their >responsibilities. Instead, putting the blame on us that we were 3 >mins. behind the 40 mins. last check-in allowable for a business class >passenger, eventhough they had kept us waiting in line at the check- >in counter for 40 mins because of their inability to cope with the >heavy check-ins despite the many business class counters they had >set-up at the Kai Tak Airport. <snipped> >I might add that, this was the 2nd time they had done this to me and

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->my mother. The first incident was in 1989.

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For the comfort of my 85 year old mother, I had paid RM2,838 extra (RM1,419 x 2 persons) for 2 business class tickets to take my mother for a holiday back to our home village in China, while other members of the family flew on economy class. On our return journey from Hong Kong to KL on 6 November 1994, despite the "special care" attention and a "wheel chair" request  were input on the reservation screen, my mother was downgraded from business-class to economy class, after having waited in line for 40 minutes for our check-in. Wanting justice on principle ground, I initiated a claim for refund from Cathay Pacific for the difference of fare I had paid for the business class and economy tickets since 25 November, 1994; giving a very detailed account to substantiate my claims. After 16 months back and forth exchange of correspondence, Cathay Pacific denied their responsibilities. Instead, putting the blame on us that we were 3 mins. behind the 40 mins. last check-in allowable for a business class passenger, eventhough they had kept us waiting in line at the check- in counter for 40 mins because of their inability to cope with the heavy check-ins despite the many business class counters they had set-up at the Kai Tak Airport. IS THIS FAIR ? …. Why penalise us for a delay through no fault of ours (we had actually been waiting there for 40 mins) ? MOREOVER ….. Don’t you think they should give extra consideration to the special care request on the screen before even consider giving away my mother’s business class seat to a wait listed passenger ?? Their actions leads me to think that Cathay Pacific certainly do not want an aged and wheel chair bound person amongst their "businessman" passengers in the business class; eventhough she was a full paying fare passenger. I might add that, this was the 2nd time they had done this to me and my mother. The first incident was in 1989. If you have any suggestions as to how I should pursue this case, in the name of justice, I would love to hear from you. It is time that we should fight for our rights and not be intimidated by corporations like Cathay Pacific, especially in a caring society that we are trying to promote. Molly Goh.

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>Wanting justice on principle ground, I initiated a claim for refund >from Cathay Pacific for the difference of fare I had paid for the >business class and economy tickets since 25 November, 1994; giving a >very detailed account to substantiate my claims. After 16 months back >and forth exchange of correspondence, Cathay Pacific denied their >responsibilities. Instead, putting the blame on us that we were 3 >mins. behind the 40 mins. last check-in allowable for a business class >passenger, eventhough they had kept us waiting in line at the check- >in counter for 40 mins because of their inability to cope with the >heavy check-ins despite the many business class counters they had >set-up at the Kai Tak Airport. >IS THIS FAIR ? ….

No, I don’t think it is.  This is a legitimate complaint against the airline (assuming you have accurately reported the facts).  However, I think your conclusion that "Cathy Pacific is an evil corporation that hates the aged" is exaggerating things. — Chris Stone "Isolationism must become a thing of the past."  – Harry S. Truman

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Question:

Can someone tell me how much it would cost to fly HK – India one way? I understand that it is cheaper to buy the ticket in HK than in Canada. Does anyone know of a reliable travel agent I could contact? I hope to have my HK- India flight arranged before leaving Canada. Thank you,

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>Can someone tell me how much it would cost to fly HK – India one way? I >understand that it is cheaper to buy the ticket in HK than in Canada. Does >anyone know of a reliable travel agent I could contact? I hope to have my >HK- India flight arranged before leaving Canada. Thank you,

 I am also interested in similar information. I would like to use my frequent flyer miles to get a ticket to hong-kong or singapore or bangkok and than buy a RT ticket to India. For 80,000 miles one can get two free tickets to one of those three places on northwest and there are no blackout dates in december. Any info. on travel from HK, singapore or bangkok with names of some travel agents will be appretiated. Bhavin Mehta

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