Hiking to Mt Pilchuck

Hello,

I had been gone for a long time now, however I am back. I went on a hiking trip last week and here are some of the pictures.


Mount Pilchuck is 1628m high and the best time to visit it is during spring or summer.

Selfie

A group Selfie

Our Way to the top

Breathtaking (Literally) 

Our Amazing hiking Group

This was one of the most difficult hiking trip I have been on. It was cold, difficult to walk and lots of snow. I also had a mental breakdown on the way top, but with the support of my friends I could make it. At the top it was extremely foggy at the top and we did not have a nice view.  (After the trip I knew I had a sherpa inside of me somewhere :P ) 

This trip made me realize that it is the journey that we enjoy not the final destination. One of the most amazing memories I have made after coming back from Nepal. 

Stay Warm! 

Seattle

Hello

This fall I really enjoyed the rare sunny days of Seattle. Past two days has been amazing, yesterday I went to downtown with some of my friends. I will put some pictures of Seattle below.

Rain, and rain for two weeks! 

(From Left: Era, Me and Indira) 

Downtown 

(Photo by: Era) 

Seattle Ferris Wheel 

(From Left: Indira, Era and myself) 

After two weeks of study and work, it was so great to have a day off and respect to the veterans. 

The review of the " The Winner Stands alone" is coming up soon. 

:)

Economist in the words of Keynes

Hello,

In my first book of economics, there was a paragraph by John Maynard Keynes describing about what a good economist be like.

The study of economics does not seem to require any specialized gifts of an unusually high order. Is it not, intellectually regarded, a very easy subject compared with the higher branches of philosophy or pure science? An easy subject at which few excel! The paradox finds its explanation, perhaps, in that the master-economist must possess a rare combination of gifts. He must be mathematician, historian, statesman, philosopher—in some degree. He must understand symbols and speak in words. He must contemplate the particular in terms of the general and touch abstract and concrete in the same flight of thought. He must study the present in the light of the past for the purposes of the future. No part of man’s nature of his institutions must lie entirely outside his regard. He must be purposeful and disinterested in a simultaneous mood; as aloof and incorruptible as an artist, yet sometimes as near to earth as a politician.  (J. M. Keynes. 1924. "Alfred Marshall,  1842-1924" in The Economic Journal)

I find the above paragraph very inspiriting and read it often. I hope you find it useful too, it list some rare set of skills to work on. 

Adios! :D

Documentary for Weekend

Hello;

Today I am done with my mid terms. That is so much relief when you are taking three hard classes. This weekend, I wanted to treat myself with some movies.

I found, "Inside job". I am amazed by this movie. I would recommend this movie to everyone.

I watched it online, (LINK) and learned a lot about 2008 crisis.  It is like looking at both sides of coin.

I was so relaxed, after my test. I hoped into my bed and watched the movie. The fact that it has been pouring down the whole day helped a lot. 

:) 

Book Review

Hello,

I read the book "Game Theory in International Economics" by John McMillian. That book is not for me yet.

I read the introduction paragraph but I am still not aquatinted with the math part. I am still taking calculus and I was not able to comprehend most of it. So from next time, I will not chose a book by its cover.

I am so busy with mid terms (not complaining). However, I am now reading "The winner stands alone" by Paulo Coelho. I know it is not related to economics but I felt like I needed a break. I will also post a review about the book after I am done reading that.

(Photo credit: google image) 

What is your favorite book? The best book I have read so far is "A thousand splendid suns"

:) 

50th Post

Hello,

This is my 50th post and I realized I am an irregular writer.

Today I was thinking to write about time management, cause I have been struggling with it. Sometimes seems like I slip things out. Today I missed my french class as I woke up 5 minutes earlier than class.  (I will stop here, I did not create this blog for venting)

Now I have started to read "Game Theory in International Economics" by John McMillian. This book seemed a little advance for me, as there is lots of equations and maths. But at least I can read the first two chapters, "Strategy and trade" and "Basic Concepts of game theory".

I have not finished Thomas Piketty's book but thats' a whole different story. However, this years Nobel prize in economics was given to Jean Triole for his  "analysis of market power and regulation."  I will write more about him in my future posts.


Again, working very hard to manage time.

Photo credit: Kalibizzen.com 

:) 

Income tax

Hello,

I can't believe I have not posted anything on October. I was all caught up with school. Now,  I am back with some real economics talk.

Income tax, is the money collected by the government from an individual or a company on their income or profits. The government takes certain percent of the income earned and uses it for its work.

Different countries have different income tax rates. Belgium being the country with highest rate of income tax and USA being the least.

While US states have different rule. Washington State does not have an income tax while it has sales tax. I have to pay tax to the government for each item I but and not for my the amount of income I earn, while the states like New York, California have income tax.  (Lucky, my pay cheque does not get reduced :P )

What does the government do with those income tax?

The answer depends on the country but US uses 25.19% on health care, 24.79% on National defense. That was according to my income tax, but you can check your own by going through this Website. I played with it for a while inserting different amount.

(Photo Credit; World Monopoly)