Suomirokki

Suomirokki refers to rock produced in Finland, usually sung in Finnish but successful as of late in English as well.

As was the case in other countries, in the beginning in the 50's performers would sing covers or translations of international hits, but this later changed. In my experience, Finnish rock gravitates towards glam rock, blues, pop or variatos of heavy metal, which is the genre that might be most familiar to listeners abroad, with bands such as Apocalyptica, Nightwish, the 69 Eyes, Children of Bodom and others.

Currently however, the three most popular Finnish bands abroad are The Rasmus, HIM and Lordi.

I'll profile many of these bands in future posts.

Itämeri

Oletko huomannut että suomeksi Itämeri on väärällä puolella?

The last 10 metres

Tomorrow is my last school day at the master's degree. After that, we have two weeks of examinations and three months of internship (stage) including my thesis before graduation in July. Needless to be said, I have already resigned myself to not sleeping much (if at all), especially since besides exams we need to deliver quite a few projects.

God, this year's going fast!

Al menos aún no llego al grado Mafaldesco de "Párenle al mundo que me quiero bajar"... ;-)

Cross-cultural culinary cross-pollination

Salmon with ginger and Mexican rice, originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado.

We have come to the conclusion, my fiancée (Finnish) and I (Mexican), that she cooks better mole poblano with chicken, whereas my specialty is salmon with dill.

Believe me, Mexican rice and salmon with ginger and dill makes a powerful combination.

Sunny!

Sunny!, originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado.

Since last weekend we have had only sunny days here in Brussels. I had almost forgotten how that looked.

Pity it is so close to our exam period, so there is not really so much time to go out and enjoy it.

Consumer insights of the Chinese middle class

A very interesting article about the consumer behaviour of the middle class of the middle kingdom. Worth a read.

Belgian Beer Review: Hoegaarden Grand Cru

Sorry for the delay. This is a post in the Belgian beer review series.


Belgian Beer Review: Hoegaarden Grand Cru, originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado.

A beer with a nice golden colour, and somewhat complex taste: slightly bitter, with overtones of tropical fruits and cherries. Its taste somehow compelled me to drink it with a slice of good bread.

Los 10 secretos de Slim

El 3er hombre más rico del mundo, Carlos Slim, desvela sus más íntimos secretos... Nada que ver con los de Britney Spears, cuyas andanzas ya me tienen hasta el gorro.

1.- Tener estructuras simples y organizaciones con mínimos niveles jerárquicos, con desarrollo humano y formación interna de las funciones ejecutivas. Tener flexibilidad y rapidez en las decisiones. Operar con las ventajas de la empresa pequeña, que son las que hacen grandes a las grandes empresas.

2.- Mantener la austeridad en tiempos de vacas gordas. Esto fortalece, capitaliza y acelera el desarrollo de la empresa. Asimismo, evita los amargos ajustes dramáticos en las épocas de crisis.

3.- Estar siempre activos en la modernización, crecimiento, capacitación, calidad, simplificación y mejora incansable de los procesos productivos. Incrementar la productividad, competitividad, reducir gastos y costos guiados siempre por las más altas referencias mundiales.

4.- La empresa nunca debe limitarse a la medida del propietario o del administrador. No sentirnos grandes en nuestros pequeños corralitos. Mínima inversión en activos no productivos (por ejemplo, Grupo Carso siempre tuvo sus oficinas en las plantas de las empresas industriales; ahora que da un giro comercial, tendrá oficinas públicas).

5.- No hay reto que no podamos alcanzar trabajando unidos con claridad en los objetivos y con conocimiento de los instrumentos para lograrlos.

6.- El dinero que sale de la empresa se evapora. Por eso reinvertimos las utilidades.

7.- La creatividad empresarial no sólo es aplicable a los negocios. También es la solución de muchos de los problemas de nuestros países. Lo que hacemos a través de las fundaciones del grupo.

8.- El optimismo firme y paciente siempre rinde sus frutos. Esto es de mi padre.

9.- Todos los tiempos son buenos para quienes saben trabajar y tienen con qué hacerlo.

10.- Nuestra premisa es y siempre ha sido tener muy presente que nos vamos sin nada; que sólo podemos hacer las cosas en vida y que el empresario es un creador de riqueza que la administra temporalmente.

Publicado en CNNExpansión.

I believe in miracles

Yes I do. Oh I believe in miracles.

I believe in a better world for me and you...



I just love this Ramones cover by Pearl Jam. I guess my iPod's shuffle function is starting to recognise my mood.

Belgian Beer Review: Kasteel Bruin/Brune

This is a post in the Belgian beer review series.



Belgian Beer Review: Kasteen Bruine/Brune, originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado.

Deceptively fruity brown beer. Nice colour, great aroma, very comfortable taste, but quite a punch at 11% alcoholic volume. A very unexpected new favourite, after Chimay brune.

9th Matchday: Pumas 0-0 Chivas

My favourite team couldn't give me a better birthday gift, and tied with Pumas (the team from the National University in Mexico City) 0-0 at their stadium in Ciudad Universitaria. The match according to reports was very intense, and the goalkeepers saved the day for both teams.

Pumas used to be my second favourite team, until a fatidic day in summer 2004 when they beat Chivas at the final for that year's Clausura. The relationship between both teams had bittered considerably since, and their meetings have now being hyped by the media as a new "Clásico".

This time, however, the boards didn't warm up the game, the fans mixed without consequences in the stands and after a very good game players from both teams left the field in good spirits.

Today was a good day

Thanks to all my friends that made this a birthday to remember.

Gracias.
Dankuwel.
Obrigado.

Now, let's get all the projects and exams done. Yatta!

Belgian Beer Review: Leffe Radieuse

This is a post in the Belgian beer review series.


Belgian Beer Review: Leffe Radieuse, originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado.

This is the last of the Leffe abbey beers available at my local supermarket. A dark, creamy, bitter ale with a fruity aroma and one of my personal favourites. If you don't like strong tastes, avoid it.

Belgian Beer Review: Lindemans Pecheresse

This is a post in the Belgian beer review series.



Belgian Beer Review: Lindemans Pecheresse, originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado.

A fruity lambic beer with peach under and overtones. Interesting colour. Very sweet and not for those who don't like fruity beers. This one is a favourite of some girls I know.

Belgian Beer Review: Westmalle Tripel

This is a post in the Belgian beer review series.


Belgian Beer Review: Westmalle Tripel, originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado.

This Trappist beer has a strong honey colour and aroma. Its flavour is very strong, but initially deceptively light and with hints of nice caramel. At the end of the tasting provides a strong kick at 9%.

Belgian Beer Review: Brigand

As you might have gathered, the flu had seriously hampered my efforts in this project, but now we're back.

This is a post in the Belgian beer review series.





Belgian Beer Review: Brigand, originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado.

This beer has a very strong alcoholic taste (9%), too bitter for me, though. Nice colour, has been refermented in the bottle.

Sweet 16 (+10)!

Today's my 26th birthday. How am I going to celebrate? I frankly don't know.

Funnily enough, it seems it will be a sunny day, which might be a first since usually my birthday is cloudy.

What do you do to celebrate your birthday?