I was thinking of a lot of New Year's RESOLUTION, however due to normal promises that are meant to be broken, I find it stupid to impose something to myself which I know will not happen in the end. So, I'll only have some the least resolution as possible. I don't know if this will be a resolution, but I'll pray and I hope My-Friend(Jesus Christ) will help me.
>Reduce reliance on things which are not that important/not that needed. Mostly material things.
>Don't waste time minding people which don't mind you. This is already done, I'm successful with this but I wanna implement this more and MORE. The adverse effects are bad but the peace of mind it gives is highly rewarding.
>The computer is not a friend. Well in general sense, as for ME, I don't get anything good in spending so much time in front of the computer.
>Be civilized, understand people even though sometimes they're so stupid/dumb/idiot you just can't understand and stand it. There's no wrong in being silent, pretend you accept theirs and pretend as if you're such an ever understanding plastic friend. It's better to pretend-pretend-pretend-pretend, plastic-synthetic-plastic-synthetic than find pathetic arguments and worse--trouble.T.T
>It's their loss, not yours. The thought is simple.
>Be firm with your decisions, in the end it's still your decision. Your decision and how you decide is the most integral part of you which makes you YOU. It reflects how strong your personality is and how invulnerable you are to depressions and unlikely effects due to misdirection.
>Be good(at least for Him), My-Friend is always there to talk to you. When you don't understand(obviously emotionally and socially), just talk to him its his plans so he knows everything.
>Don't talk too much, you're not a talkshow host. My-Friend always reminded me to do so. I always forgot.
Anyways that's all, 2009 has been bad and good. Overall, I can't say. Past is past, ROCK FOR 2010.!!!
The Party
I wasn't able to post anything last Tuesday. I had so much fun on Twitter, "twitter" is a micro-blogging society/tool which allows you to post status-like messages called "tweets" in which your reader/followers can read and in return you can read theirs too. Anyways twitter has nothing to do with what has transpired, I was so tired at that time to do some blogging.
Last December 29, Tuesday as far as I can recall it, we had our reunion-like Christmas Party. Although, of the 36 batch-mates that were probably invited, only around 22+ attended. I don't know if they were invited properly or not, but on my experience I think they were not invited-for some reason. In my case I only knew that there will be a party right at the day itself. Our teacher before, which didn't came, PMed me at FB chat asking me if I could go to the "party". At the chat, I reacted like WTF! what party? and what preparation? Good that my batch-mate NSA cadet D/C Manayon informed me properly right after the PM, someone might have asked him to do so.XD
In a hurry I went to the nearest mall, it was 9 in the morning. I bought a gift, it was a cap worth 99 pesos which is well above the average worth of gifts given at the party at 5o pesos minimum. I know that I always receive not-so-good gifts compared to what I give, but I don't mind it(it's better to give than to receive). I arrived at the venue at around 1 in the afternoon, I was so happy at that moment!
In my surprise the 1 o'clock party didn't start directly, from 1 to 3 in the afternoon all I was doing right at that moment was sit and kill the time. My high school classmates mentioned "you're so silent!". I didn't reply, in my mind I'm so confused... am I that naughty or annoying before? I don't think I've changed, deep in my mind I know that I'm still the same. I may have my limitations, but I certainly know how to weigh and prioritize things in right order. Should I call myself "mature" now?
My fellow scholar-cadets arrived later, we had a lot of talking done(the four of us) and soon to be done. One hour is not enough to talk everything that we experienced in hell and surprisingly it all fitted! We have the same complains and opinions! Oh, I just love to talk to them more. hahahaha.
The party started fun and all the way it was so good. I just can't imagine that I'll see again the faces which was an integral part of my high school life. Though I don't know if they value me, it may not be obvious but I really value them to the highest point. It's like YEARS since I last saw them. Although only a few changed, I didn't know that I'll see them again and within the four plus months that we we're in inclusion I just can't imagine if I'll see them again and if I will what will their reaction be and what's mine too.
It ended good, with a kiss of vodka on my throat! I really love VODKA! if only it's not a beverage, I'll drink vodka everyday!
Anyways, I wont expect but I hope there will be next time.XD
Last December 29, Tuesday as far as I can recall it, we had our reunion-like Christmas Party. Although, of the 36 batch-mates that were probably invited, only around 22+ attended. I don't know if they were invited properly or not, but on my experience I think they were not invited-for some reason. In my case I only knew that there will be a party right at the day itself. Our teacher before, which didn't came, PMed me at FB chat asking me if I could go to the "party". At the chat, I reacted like WTF! what party? and what preparation? Good that my batch-mate NSA cadet D/C Manayon informed me properly right after the PM, someone might have asked him to do so.XD
In a hurry I went to the nearest mall, it was 9 in the morning. I bought a gift, it was a cap worth 99 pesos which is well above the average worth of gifts given at the party at 5o pesos minimum. I know that I always receive not-so-good gifts compared to what I give, but I don't mind it(it's better to give than to receive). I arrived at the venue at around 1 in the afternoon, I was so happy at that moment!
In my surprise the 1 o'clock party didn't start directly, from 1 to 3 in the afternoon all I was doing right at that moment was sit and kill the time. My high school classmates mentioned "you're so silent!". I didn't reply, in my mind I'm so confused... am I that naughty or annoying before? I don't think I've changed, deep in my mind I know that I'm still the same. I may have my limitations, but I certainly know how to weigh and prioritize things in right order. Should I call myself "mature" now?
My fellow scholar-cadets arrived later, we had a lot of talking done(the four of us) and soon to be done. One hour is not enough to talk everything that we experienced in hell and surprisingly it all fitted! We have the same complains and opinions! Oh, I just love to talk to them more. hahahaha.
The party started fun and all the way it was so good. I just can't imagine that I'll see again the faces which was an integral part of my high school life. Though I don't know if they value me, it may not be obvious but I really value them to the highest point. It's like YEARS since I last saw them. Although only a few changed, I didn't know that I'll see them again and within the four plus months that we we're in inclusion I just can't imagine if I'll see them again and if I will what will their reaction be and what's mine too.
It ended good, with a kiss of vodka on my throat! I really love VODKA! if only it's not a beverage, I'll drink vodka everyday!
Anyways, I wont expect but I hope there will be next time.XD
Picture Perfect XD
Our BS-T Seminar
Last week we had our BS-T seminar, the reason why we were not out earlier.XD
The orange stuff are life jackets. I know it looks ugly and the color itself needs immediate help, but for future seafarers like us it is very important and our life at dangerous situations depends on the knowledge we have about personal safety on-board.
We jumped into the pool with our jeans, casual T-shirt, and shoes!
I know my drawing is ugly
----------------------------------------------------------
The RESOURCE CENTER!
built for resource
utilized by DOTA, Farmville, Y8, & etc!.XD
The RESOURCE CENTER!
built for resource
utilized by DOTA, Farmville, Y8, & etc!.XD
We're challenged to make like this. hahaha
The valedictorians, from left to right Coyoca from Daan Bantayan, Cadungog from Consolacion, Guillermo from Badian, Zamora from CIT, the last... nevermind.x)hahhahaha
Long live 404ians!!!
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The mes shall, who fed us from start until now. We owed a lot. THANKS:D
A very nice view of downtown Cebu's skyline featuring Colon in the foreground and squatters beyond the SRP road.
Christmas in the HEART:)
Just yesterday I realized, wtf! it's Christmas time! and honestly time is so slow. I feel like it's been years since I started counting down before Christmas, until I forgot that it's actually so so near. When December started all I was looking forward was the vacation itself, not the thrill, the food, the church, the gifts, and the reunions for Christmas. God made me realize that I was looking forward too much that I already forgot the "now" that is more important.
I wanna greet happy birthday to my BEST of all best friends, Jesus Christ(is there any best friend I can call?). Well, I guess he's the only one and I know that like her(this blog) they're the only one who listens to me the whole time.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Contrary to what people observed on me, to be honest I'm a strong Christian who follows none other than Jesus and his teachings. I don't read bible that much and I'm not an acolyte to know everything related to inherited traditions from church. I don't know where does those traditions came from, but as a respect of my sector in Christianity I try to understand it fully. I regard myself as a full "Christian" rather than a Catholic or Protestant. I go to Protestant churches sometimes and I don't see any differences on the two. Well, the Catholic mass is a bit more boring and the Protestant churches are normally lively or what. It actually depends on how the people perceive on that. However, people are regarded more religious when they put God in their heart rather than going to church as a sort of compliance and a "need to do task" on Sundays.
Anyways, before we dig more on religion... let me change the topic. The past days I was feeling bad(emotionally) and physically. I feel like I need more exercise or what. At first I try to give distance to 'emotional allergens' that might only worsen my situation. However, I find the conservative approach rather discouraging. Why do I need to hurt myself by avoiding someone when I can be me and live right?
The previous mistake was already checked. I feel that I'm not making anymore efforts for something-I'm tired and I'm used to it, my Best2x Friend knows what is it and though I wanna share it to you it needs a lot of explanation and I know that people just wont understand so no need to waste effort. The direct message is that, I just wanna be me and not someone, I just wanna be there loved probably or if not it's still okay, I just wanna be stable. Is it that hard?
GOD HELP! anyways I may sound emotional right now but honestly I don't feel any emotions as of this time. I feel normal and I'm tired of thinking of a lot of things lately, the point is why do I make effort right? It's still my decisions that affects me in the end:)
I wanna greet happy birthday to my BEST of all best friends, Jesus Christ(is there any best friend I can call?). Well, I guess he's the only one and I know that like her(this blog) they're the only one who listens to me the whole time.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Contrary to what people observed on me, to be honest I'm a strong Christian who follows none other than Jesus and his teachings. I don't read bible that much and I'm not an acolyte to know everything related to inherited traditions from church. I don't know where does those traditions came from, but as a respect of my sector in Christianity I try to understand it fully. I regard myself as a full "Christian" rather than a Catholic or Protestant. I go to Protestant churches sometimes and I don't see any differences on the two. Well, the Catholic mass is a bit more boring and the Protestant churches are normally lively or what. It actually depends on how the people perceive on that. However, people are regarded more religious when they put God in their heart rather than going to church as a sort of compliance and a "need to do task" on Sundays.
Anyways, before we dig more on religion... let me change the topic. The past days I was feeling bad(emotionally) and physically. I feel like I need more exercise or what. At first I try to give distance to 'emotional allergens' that might only worsen my situation. However, I find the conservative approach rather discouraging. Why do I need to hurt myself by avoiding someone when I can be me and live right?
The previous mistake was already checked. I feel that I'm not making anymore efforts for something-I'm tired and I'm used to it, my Best2x Friend knows what is it and though I wanna share it to you it needs a lot of explanation and I know that people just wont understand so no need to waste effort. The direct message is that, I just wanna be me and not someone, I just wanna be there loved probably or if not it's still okay, I just wanna be stable. Is it that hard?
GOD HELP! anyways I may sound emotional right now but honestly I don't feel any emotions as of this time. I feel normal and I'm tired of thinking of a lot of things lately, the point is why do I make effort right? It's still my decisions that affects me in the end:)
put title:what do you think?
note: I know there are no readers of this blog, but since this is a personal blog. I wanna address a sorry message to her(I refer to my blog).
Dear High:
Yours HIGHRISE101
-It's still me:) I sound stupid, so? this is my blog.
Dear High:
Sorry I was not able to write anything to you for the last few days, weeks, months, years... century? I was having a hard time doing so. My schedule was not that tough but finding my place in front of a good PC or a laptop maybe is crazy, I feel like kilometers away when it's just in front of me-you know what I mean. My birthday had passed and now it's been two weeks since I scheduled myself to be with you on that special day. You just don't know how excited I am to report to you what happened on that day, It was awesome and though I spent it partly away from my family my friends showed me the real essence of birthdays with them.
When I first created you, I want you to be the listener to what I always say to people. I criticize, I cuss, and I say 'shit' things about them to you. You're the witness to how I change my belief from a predominantly racist and radical to a more mature, industrial and liberal person. You've been my colleague in rationalizing my mind and an obvious evidence of that is on how I write to you. I realized how things really matter in this world, from a blog like you to real applications which show how you deal with situations-bad ones.
I made you out of my imagination of a perfect person. I was jealous and I envy that person very much. Then, I realized... should I suppress myself? and if I would, will it do any good? My dorm mate told me that "If you see me that and not what is now, then it wouldn't be me anymore". I confess I was trying to be the good boy when the real me coincides. Until I realized I can never be the good person that I wished for. However, one friend said to me "you can always be you for as long as people see the real you not the fake one, no matter how bad you are for as long as you're not fake and you respect other people and not hurt them".
Somehow you can say that I forgot about you during those long months without posts. That was July, I was longing to much to write everything to you. No matter how many people read or care to everything I write to you, it doesn't matter. I don't care and somehow I already realized a lot. I'm longing to be your friend 'forever'.
When I first created you, I want you to be the listener to what I always say to people. I criticize, I cuss, and I say 'shit' things about them to you. You're the witness to how I change my belief from a predominantly racist and radical to a more mature, industrial and liberal person. You've been my colleague in rationalizing my mind and an obvious evidence of that is on how I write to you. I realized how things really matter in this world, from a blog like you to real applications which show how you deal with situations-bad ones.
I made you out of my imagination of a perfect person. I was jealous and I envy that person very much. Then, I realized... should I suppress myself? and if I would, will it do any good? My dorm mate told me that "If you see me that and not what is now, then it wouldn't be me anymore". I confess I was trying to be the good boy when the real me coincides. Until I realized I can never be the good person that I wished for. However, one friend said to me "you can always be you for as long as people see the real you not the fake one, no matter how bad you are for as long as you're not fake and you respect other people and not hurt them".
Somehow you can say that I forgot about you during those long months without posts. That was July, I was longing to much to write everything to you. No matter how many people read or care to everything I write to you, it doesn't matter. I don't care and somehow I already realized a lot. I'm longing to be your friend 'forever'.
Yours HIGHRISE101
-It's still me:) I sound stupid, so? this is my blog.
All about "Culture"
Last day, last last day, or the other last day, I'm not that sure enough but we had a cultural awareness seminar. I was sleepy and feverish the whole time and I was not able to catch the message of the diluted tone of the speaker. However, I clearly knew the objectives of the seminar even before it was started. I'm already aware though not "official" until I have the certificate. Whatever it is surely it's not integral for what is important is that I fully understand what the speaker is trying to tell us.
What the speaker has been talking about the whole time has been my question for already almost two or more years. I was wondering how my culture differs or even laggs from others' distinct and prominent culture. I know Filipino culture, all the dance, the tribal wars, the colorful dresses and everything that represent "Pilipino" during the "buwan ng Wika" days. Schools teach young minds how to dance by preventing their feet from being swollen by constant closing and opening of the two huge bamboo sticks, how to dance with candles on their hands, how to play tribal customs, and many other traditional upbringings developed by old Filipinos.
However, sorry to tell all of you but I as a concerned citizen of this modern Philippines doesn't look only only on the glorious colonial past of the Philippines but I dig deeper on what is currently happening right now. I prefer past as past and we only open it in a "book" when we have time. That book is better kept there until the present is stable and fixed enough.
Books teach about cultural dances, eating habits, respect, religion, and etc. However, they forgot and even until now they hide the fact to the more literate generation right now the "unusual" culture of our country. Philippines' varied mix of people with different ideas made our country a very diverse one with varying rich heritages inherited from different colonial leaders of the past. Some follow the Spanish living, some follow the Japanese Asian mix, some idolize the more prominent Americanized culture, and some still follow the pre-traditional past or the indigenous way of living.
The present situation of the country still relies and may have been caused by these varying mixes, which obviously didn't get any good result. I wonder how repressed Philippines' culture is when it comes to self-identity nowadays, people don't follow and are not proud of most Filipino cultures. The younger generation right now no longer patronize Filipinos but rather Koreans, Americans, and for some... Europeans.
There are two main and distinct cultures of the world, the white(western) and the Asian(eastern). However, due to differences in the industrialized Asia and the developing Asia, dominant cultures of some prosperous Asian countries are sometimes classed on the "white" mix. Of course the more dominant culture is the white one. It shines its power and influence all over the world and almost all rich countries in the world have a distinct white heritage.
White culture is characterized by more self-identity and spirit of individuality than most other cultures. In white culture, individuality is greatly represented by a person living in this world and has its own decisions on how to live his life, earn money, and sometimes prosper. Whereas, the Asian culture or the "eastern" culture focus more on how a person fits in a society and how he's being a good citizen and help his fellowmen.
I call my self-culture as "white". Me myself is aware on the differences of both and I don't see it as a compulsory to stick on what is being believed by many. I see myself as an individual and I demand more freedom. Basic freedom on what I know as right and what I know as wrong.
I think that's all.:D
What the speaker has been talking about the whole time has been my question for already almost two or more years. I was wondering how my culture differs or even laggs from others' distinct and prominent culture. I know Filipino culture, all the dance, the tribal wars, the colorful dresses and everything that represent "Pilipino" during the "buwan ng Wika" days. Schools teach young minds how to dance by preventing their feet from being swollen by constant closing and opening of the two huge bamboo sticks, how to dance with candles on their hands, how to play tribal customs, and many other traditional upbringings developed by old Filipinos.
However, sorry to tell all of you but I as a concerned citizen of this modern Philippines doesn't look only only on the glorious colonial past of the Philippines but I dig deeper on what is currently happening right now. I prefer past as past and we only open it in a "book" when we have time. That book is better kept there until the present is stable and fixed enough.
Books teach about cultural dances, eating habits, respect, religion, and etc. However, they forgot and even until now they hide the fact to the more literate generation right now the "unusual" culture of our country. Philippines' varied mix of people with different ideas made our country a very diverse one with varying rich heritages inherited from different colonial leaders of the past. Some follow the Spanish living, some follow the Japanese Asian mix, some idolize the more prominent Americanized culture, and some still follow the pre-traditional past or the indigenous way of living.
The present situation of the country still relies and may have been caused by these varying mixes, which obviously didn't get any good result. I wonder how repressed Philippines' culture is when it comes to self-identity nowadays, people don't follow and are not proud of most Filipino cultures. The younger generation right now no longer patronize Filipinos but rather Koreans, Americans, and for some... Europeans.
There are two main and distinct cultures of the world, the white(western) and the Asian(eastern). However, due to differences in the industrialized Asia and the developing Asia, dominant cultures of some prosperous Asian countries are sometimes classed on the "white" mix. Of course the more dominant culture is the white one. It shines its power and influence all over the world and almost all rich countries in the world have a distinct white heritage.
White culture is characterized by more self-identity and spirit of individuality than most other cultures. In white culture, individuality is greatly represented by a person living in this world and has its own decisions on how to live his life, earn money, and sometimes prosper. Whereas, the Asian culture or the "eastern" culture focus more on how a person fits in a society and how he's being a good citizen and help his fellowmen.
I call my self-culture as "white". Me myself is aware on the differences of both and I don't see it as a compulsory to stick on what is being believed by many. I see myself as an individual and I demand more freedom. Basic freedom on what I know as right and what I know as wrong.
I think that's all.:D
"Outstanding List"
"Outstading List"-how I wish Philippines(my country) is part of it.
So, here it goes. . .
So, here it goes. . .
1. Denmark
Location: Scandinavia (Northern Europe)
Pop: 5.5 million
Languages: Danish
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 37,304
GDP (PPP): $ 204.3 Billion
Currency: Danish Krone
HDI: 0.955 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
Located in the northern portion of Europe, this small nation stood as one of the leading European countries in terms of economic competitiveness, living standards, education environment, and welfare state. It is ranked number one as the freest social communities in the world with the world’s highest level of income equality. It is ranked as the second “happiest place in the world” based on standards of health, welfare, education. It is also ranked as the second most peaceful country in the world, after New Zealand by the 2009 Global Peace Index survey. It boasts to have the best business climate in the world according to the US business magazine Forbes and shares top positions with its northern European neighbors in terms of Corruption Perceptions Index having the lowest in the world.
Denmark trades chiefly with its EU neighbors and northern European non-EU neighbors. Its currency, the Danish Krone, is one of the most stable currencies throughout Europe outside the Euro zone. Its prosperity may be contributed by its highly productive work-force and a highly industrialized service-oriented economic atmosphere. Despite the lack of natural resources, Danish people have made their economy one of the most productive in Europe relative to the size of its population, land area, and availability of natural resources.
2. Australia
Location: Oceania
Pop: 22 million
Languages: English
GDP (PPP): $ 36,918
GDP (PPP): $ 799 billion
Currency: Australian Dollar
HDI: 0.970 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
Uniquely located in the Southern Hemisphere, as most prosperous countries anchor in the north (North-South Inequality), this sparsely populated continental nation is one of the richest in the world in terms of natural and high-skilled human resources. It ranks high in terms of national performance in health care, life expectancy, quality of life, human development, public education, economic freedom, and protection of civil liberties and political rights. Historically an immigrant nation or a nation formed by immigrants mostly from the British Isles, immigrants have been the main pillar of the unique multicultural Australian identity.
Australian Cities are constantly growing with expanding job opportunities and continues to attract thousands of immigrants each year. Like its close cultural neighbor in North America, Canada shares almost the same economic and cultural build-up with its physically far continental nation neighbor. Australia joins numerous trade organizations and aims to continually expand its capability in global competitiveness with its global economy anchored in its abundant natural resources.
3. Japan
Location: East Asia
Pop: 127.6 million
Languages: Japanese
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 34,115
GDP (PPP): $ 4.4 Trillion
Currency: Yen
HDI: 0.960 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
A major economic power, Japan today has the world’s second largest economy by nominal GDP and the third in purchasing power parity. Largely contributed by the skillful and hardworking Japanese, Japan today boasts as one of the world’s most industrialized countries with excellent and high-technology welfare services. It has one of the most up-to-date medical services, a highly competitive educational system, business friendly economy, and one of the most globally competitive multinational businesses. It has the world’s highest life expectancy and third lowest infant mortality rate than any other country in the world according to the WHO and UN.
One of the most successful Asian countries, Japan leads other Asian Tigers in economic productivity. It is the fourth largest exporter and the sixth largest importer of goods and services in the world. Japan is one of the most productive countries of all the industrialized countries in the world in proportion to its natural resources and available land of use. The Japanese are also one of the most innovative people in terms of the production in its knowledge sector. Most Japanese companies invested heavily in high technology and contribute largely in worldwide production of hi-tech consumer products and machineries.
Rising from the ashes of several wars that greatly damage the former glory of the former imperial Japan, it is now one of one of the biggest capitalist in the world. Rapid industrialization right after the World War II brought this archipelago in the global economic community. Japan’s rise in the global economic balance brought great changes in the global economic exchange. Japan’s tight economic and Japan-in-favor policies greatly affect other nations in the world. It’s fast economic recovery surprised the world and is given as an example to developing countries of its time. Several countries that followed Japan that have been successful in their fields include the Asian Economic Tigers (South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore) that are today the main trading partners of Japan.
4. France
Location: Western Europe
Pop: 65 million
Languages: French
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 34,205
GDP (PPP): $ 2.1 Trillion
Currency: Euro
HDI: 0.961 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
This Western European nation has the fifth largest economy by nominal GDP and the eight largest economy by purchasing power parity. A developed country with high living standards, this country is also the most visited in the world and scores relatively high in global living standard surveys. Its economy is one of the most diversified in the European Union. Located near its most trading partners in the heart of one of the most industrialized regions in the world, France is one of the most globalized countries in the world with excellent transportation facilities and infrastructures. With the highest volume of nuclear power use in the EU, it has one of the cleanest air in the world relative to its level of industrialization. It has one of the most business friendly economic atmosphere in the world largely contributed by its cheap power generated by nuclear power plants scattered throughout the country.
France today continues to be one of the fast expanding economies in the world investing heavily in developing countries. French companies manufacture more products than any other country in Europe other than Germany and United Kingdom. France maintains close economic ties to its neighbors and an extensive network of roads crossing boundaries to other countries throughout Europe.
5. Belgium
Location: Western Europe
Pop: 10.6 million
Languages: Dutch, French, German
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 36,415
GDP (PPP): $ 389.7 Billion
Currency: Euro
HDI: 0.953 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
Belgium's strongly globalized economy and its transportation infrastructure are integrated with the rest of Europe. Its location at the heart of a highly industrialized region helps made it 2007 the world's 15th largest trading nation. The economy is characterized by a highly productive work force, high GNP and high exports per capita. Belgium's main imports are food products, machinery, rough diamonds, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, clothing and accessories, and textiles. Its main exports are automobiles, food products, iron and steel, finished diamonds, textiles, plastics, petroleum products and nonferrous metals. The Belgian economy is heavily service-oriented and shows a dual nature: a dynamic Flemish economy and a Walloon economy that lags behind.
One of the most dynamic nations in the world which is made up of different centers of cultural heritage, Belgians (Flemish or Walloons) both have contributed much to the development of Belgium into a major global power and importance despite its small land area and small consumer economy.
6. Sweden
Location: Scandinavia (Northern Europe)
Pop: 9.2 million
Languages: Swedish
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 37,333
GDP (PPP): $ 342.6 Billion
Currency: Swedish Krona
HDI: 0.963 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
Sweden is northern European nation ranking high in terms of economic power and services featuring a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron are the main pillars of the Swedish economy ever since. It constitutes the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Sweden’s engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Telecommunications, the automotive industry and the pharmaceutical industries are also of great importance. Agriculture accounts for 2 percent of GDP and employment.
Like its close neighbors, Sweden’s economy is highly developed and even richer than the rest of Europe. Its system is highly integrated to the rest of the world and its people experience one of the highest standard of living. Sweden shares the same cultural heritage to its Scandinavian neighbors and maintains close ties with them.
7. Switzerland
Location: Western Europe
Pop: 7.7 million
Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 43,195
GDP (PPP): $ 315.7 Billion
Currency: Swiss Franc
HDI: 0.960 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
Switzerland has a stable, modern and one of the most capitalist economies in the world. It has the 2nd highest European rating after Ireland in the Index of Economic Freedom 2008, while also providing large coverage through public services. The nominal per capita GDP is higher than those of the larger western European economies and Japan, ranking 6th behind Luxembourg, Norway, Qatar, Iceland and Ireland.
This alpine country maintains close neutral ties to the rest of the world. Its banking sector is one of the most diverse and holds one of the biggest reserves in the world. Despite its neutrality, Switzerland’s prosperity compares to powerful developed countries in the rest of Europe and North America. It exports different technology products and luxury goods accounting more than half its GDP and generates most of the country’s jobs.
8. Singapore
Location: South East Asia
Pop: 4.9 million
Languages: English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 56,226
GDP (PPP): $ 239.1 Billion
Currency: Singapore Dollar
HDI: 0.944 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
A small island country in the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula is one of the most successful countries in the world. Its outstanding policies are both strict and highly implemented. With high levels of state interaction to the economy, this island country industrialized and prospered despite its very limited natural resources and land area. Its key resource is its hardworking disciplined society closely anchored to Western ties but uniquely Asia.
Since independence, Singapore's standard of living has risen dramatically. Foreign Direct Investment and a state-led drive to industrialization based on plans drawn up by the Dutch economist Albert Winsemius have created a modern economy focused on industry, education and urban planning. Singapore is the 5th wealthiest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita(PPP). In December 2008, the foreign exchange reserves of this small island nation stood at around US$174.2billion.
Because of its limited land area, Singapore highly utilized its land and used it properly. Land reclamations were ubiquitous using every land available of use for different improvement projects. High rises were built in residential areas and in the Central Business District to cope up with the need of space. Singapore today resembles a highly developed country focusing on Industry, Education, and Urban Planning. Despite its limited resources, it maintained a high standard of living through global trade. Since its forced separation to Malaysia, Singapore’s GDP expanded and almost leveled to that of Malaysia.
9. Norway
Location: Scandinavia (Northern Europe)
Pop: 4.8 million
Languages: Norwegian
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 53,737
GDP (PPP): $ 257.2 Billion
Currency: Norwegian Krone
HDI: 0.971 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
Norwegians enjoy the second highest GDP per capita (after Luxembourg) and third highest GDP (PPP) per-capita in the world. Norway maintained first place in the world in the UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) for six consecutive years (2001–2006).
A Scandinavian nation, this northern European nation shares close ties to its neighbors. It shares the same cultural heritage to its Scandinavian and Nordic neighbors. Because of its small population and a very high income due to its mixed economy and a large share of natural resources in northern Europe, Its people are one of the well fed in the world. Its standard of living is relatively high compared to its developed neighbors and its engagement to technology is higher than ever.
10. South Korea
Location: East Asia
Pop: 48.4 million
Languages: Korean
GDP per capita (PPP): $ 27,692
GDP (PPP): $ 1.3 Trillion
Currency: South Korean Won
HDI: 0.937 (Very High)
Status: High-Income Developed Country
One of the four Asian Tigers, this country is a late comer in developed status but has been one of the most successful industrial nations in history. Hard work and determination has been the key role in South Korea’s transformation to a developed high-income OECD member. Its people are highly oriented westernly and have developed a high standard of living throughout South Korea’s transformation from a poor developing nation to a developed one. Its government has made successful efforts in policy-making to continue its economic expansion internationally due to the country’s limited national resources.
Despite its limited national resources, its war laden historical background, and its large population to feed, South Korea was able to raise its GDP per capita almost equal to the lower ranks in the developed countries of the world. Focusing in labor intensive production in the first stages of its economic transformation, South Korea now has one of the biggest technology and knowledge economy in the world. Its Chaebols (conglomerates) are known worldwide and has one of the biggest reserves in the world and ranks high in terms of investment for improvement.
