The rise of the gas prices seemed to be uncontrollable.  I could still remember when I first got here that a gallon of gas is only $2.47 and that was last year.  Today, the national average of gas prices now is almost double.  Undoubtedly, we can feel the effect of it.

Let’s take for an instance airline prices.  In a country as big as the USA, one needs to drive long distance to get to another state if not take a flight to be there sooner.  With the current situation, both doesn’t seem to an alternative over the other.  If you choose to drive, it will not only take you days to get to your destination but it will also make you spend a lot for the tank.  The alternative of taking a flight to your destination no longer seems to be a good alternative.  Airline prices have soared high.  And not only that, just this month, US Airways and other airlines have gotten rid of their complimentary sodas and pretzels or peanuts on board.  And are you aware that checking in bags now will cost you an additional fee?

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Yesterday, after a bitter lost against Russia during the Quarterfinals of Euro 2008 (Football Tournament), the most capped Dutch player of all-time took his sad final bow. The 37-year old Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar made his final appearance on the International Football League after the Russians took away Van der Sar’s chances of ending his career gracefully by winning the finals. He made a number of vital saves at St. Jakob-Park on yesterday’s game but was powerless to keep Russia at bay as Dmitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin scored in the last eight minutes of extra time.

The announcement of his retirement was made before the game. Many fans including myself was sad to hear about it and many of us will surely miss that beautiful face by the goal. Although Van der Sar ended his international career, he will continue to play one more season with the Manchester United until March of 2009. So, it won’t be a long farewell ‘coz we will continue to see that talent and beauty of course until he will make his final wave.

What’s on the buzz today?  I opened CNN first thing in the morning after I splashed some water on my face and brushed my teeth. After weeks of usual headlines that includes the Oil Price and Politics, finally there is something new on the news.

Today was the first full day of the state of California to allow same-sex marriage.  The courthouse seemed to have a party atmosphere instead of the typical solemn scene.  Both gays and lesbians couples from all over the country rushed to California to finally make their dream moment to come true.
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The Netherlands has faced a lot of challenges in the past. This time, its challenge came from a film called Fitna The Movie. It was produced by a right-wing Dutch politician Geert Wilders who wanted to provoke an international scandal using such film. The film’s title comes from the Arabic word fitna which is used to describe “disagreement and division among people”, or a “test of faith in times of trial”. Fitna was released to the Internet on March 27, 2008.
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