Category: life

crisis management, life

An Indecent Taxi Proposal

chicpencil

Working as an expat in different countries, there are a lot of advantages and privileges at hand. However, these advantages are also reciprocated with challenges which can occur in a pattern or sometimes it can occur abrupt.

One area that expats need to look into is to handle crisis management. Though most of us knows the value of crisis management, implementing it in real life isn’t that easy. Foreigners and immigrants by nature always possess the thinking of being prepared for the worst. There’s always the back up plan when any disaster happens in the location they are currently residing or visiting with.

Though crisis management is often referred and talked about in large corporations, however it too can happen in an individual experience.

The applicability of crisis management can happen frequently or the opposite.

However there are two events that happened where I cannot forget and learned the usage of crisis management.

Being an expat for years and having been relocated couple of times, I have learned to adopt crisis management in everyday living. Here’s the two particular events where I wouldn’t forget as I believe it had involved my own life if I didn’t make a right decision in a short time.

Disclaimer:

The aim of sharing the stories below is to portray the importance of crisis management and is not insinuating racial and country discrimination. Thank you.

An Indecent Taxi Proposal: 

I had a meeting with the technical team of one of our business partners. The partner’s office location is approximately 30 mins. (excluding traffic time) outside of Kuala Lumpur. The meetings and discussions dragged until night time. I wasn’t driving so my only recourse is to get a cab from a taxi stand in a nearby mall – One Utama. The business partner is gracious enough to drop me to One Utama since calling a cab wasn’t easy as well.

Around 8:30PM I managed to get a cab after a long queue. I told the driver of my destination and off we drove. From Bandar Utama, we took the highway approach as it is faster.

While inside the cab I was quiet as I noticed the cab driver was glancing from the rear mirror. I felt uncomfortable.

In the middle of the highway the cab driver started the conversation:

Driver: Hi Miss. You don’t sound from here. Where are you from?

Me: (Hesitant) I’m from Philippines.

Suddenly he gave me the grin which me and my friends call it ‘the dog smile’. It’s that kind of smile which makes you very uncomfortable that you just want to leave.

Driver: So you know how to speak Malay? You cantik cantik yah. (Translation: You’re pretty pretty yah.)

Me: (Still pretend to be gracious) Thank you. I only know few Malay phrases.

Driver: You know I have a lot of Filipino girlfriends from bars, pubs, helpers. I love and support them all.

Me: On my mind -> (Oh crap. Here’s the downgraded outlook to Filipino women. Grrrr… I just remained silent.)

The driver then suddenly talked to himself in the local Malay dialect and I just pretend I didn’t hear or understand what he says. I keep on looking at my watch and is praying that we reached my destination sooner than I expected. In the middle of the highway and without any buildings at sight he suddenly blurted out:

Driver: Can you be my girlfriend? I give you 3000 Ringgits tonight and we go to hotel. Can?

Me: On my mind -> Darn. Never in my life had I been looked in this manner! Damn you!

And my heart suddenly skipped. I couldn’t breathe well. It’s a combination of changed in emotions due to anger yet my brain has to be calm. If I make a wrong move, he can just do anything to me and just dumped me out of nowhere. During that time I was reading a lot of rape cases in the local newspaper headlines. I’m still a foreigner in the country. As I couldn’t breathe I was about to faint and I was fighting. I was fighting for my life. All I can think of is to pray to the God that I know that He will protect me that night. Everything is happening in a matter of seconds.

My will was strong enough.

Me: Uncle, can I drop my things first at my destination?

Driver: Okay. Can.

And he was giving the happy look while my mind was creating the plot to get out of the situation. If I reacted nasty to him, it will be negative and who knows what can happen. I have to think wisely. I’m not in the driver’s seat.

I just close my eyes and think. I leave everything to fate. When I opened my eyes again I saw that we were already in the city of Kuala Lumpur. Now I have hopes.

Almost reaching the condominium, the driver again confirmed:

Driver: So I wait for you downstairs okay?

Me: Sorry uncle I changed my mind. I don’t want to go with you to hotel.

Driver: (Disappointed). How about makan? (Translation: How about we go for dinner?)

We were already entering the condominium gate and there were few security guards on duty that time. 

Me: Sudah makan Uncle. (Translation: Already had my dinner.)

Me: Uncle, my boyfriend is waiting upstairs ( I totally have to lie!!!). It is not good if he hears your offer. Do you want me to call him now? (And another lie!!!)

The driver just accepted my payment and left. Grumpy and disappointed.

I was still trembling when I alighted from the cab. I was still fearful and my legs were shaking.

Good thing is my friends were there to listen and comfort me on what happened.

After that incident I decided to call the taxi companies in Kuala Lumpur during night time and avoid getting a cab from taxi queues or even getting it from the streets. Sometimes even when I get a cab I call my friends and tell them the taxi number where I’m in.

The moral of the story is that crisis happens anytime. Fighting crisis in a head to head basis (an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth) wouldn’t be a good idea. In situations where you only have seconds to think and react, you have to carefully weigh the options as sometimes it can cause you your life.

The second crisis management story continues in the next article titled ‘Political Unrest’.

Til next time. Au revoir.

culture, health, life, psychology, relationship

Sexaholics – Are You One Of Them?

chicpencil

Some of us has already come across the word “Sexaholic or Sexaholics”, a term that correlates to sexual fixation. A fix to addiction via sexual activities.

Like any other addiction, a sexaholic behaves the same; when the urge starts to kick in, the sexual fix needs to be satisfied.

Though the sexaholic statistics still remains a mystery, most of the known sexaholics are from the male gender. Yes. Men. I believe it boils down on how the male species are genetically wired and how men and women are being perceived by the society. Famous names who were rumored to be under the treatment of sex addictions were: Tiger Woods, David Duchovny, Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, among others.

How can a person become a sexaholic? 

The difference between sex addiction and the other variations of addictions (drugs and alcohols) is the method of acquisition. Drug and alcohol addiction would involve a certain threshold and a dependency to an object. It all starts with small amounts of drugs (cough syrup, heroin, etc) until the tolerance increases and addiction kicks in.

Sexual addiction on the other hand does not involve tolerance and no dependency either. Sexual desires emanates from the brain. A desire can lead to a strong sexual fantasy and the search for sexual partners kicks in. Sexual partners can be anyone, it can even lead to paying dominatrices. There is no object dependencies in this manner; for sexual addiction, it is all in the a person’s mind.

In this sense, there is a fine line between sexual addiction and the regular sexual desires. Sexual desires become sexaholism will all depend on the reasons why sexual activities satisfy the cravings or the fix. For a sexaholic, when the sexual cravings are satisfied, he/she becomes a better person, accepted, everything becomes a better world. The same cravings will happen again and the same satisfaction is justified.

Most common cause of sexaholism is depression, a struggle within a person’s internal self when a person feels rejection. Like any other addiction, the basic need of approval and acceptance is still the core of a sexaholic’s wants, needs, and desires.

Sexaholism is all about the person and the society. Unfortunately, there are norms, culture, and tradition that is being shaped by society and the judgement to sexaholics can become a downside to a sexaholic’s acceptance of the problem and the acceptance to undergo therapy or medication.

How can you tell if you’re a sexual addict?

There are various societal groups that are willing to help for sexaholics recovery. An alternative and probably the best way is to speak to a psychologist or your shrink.

Online quizzes are also available in order for a person to recognize if there’s a hint of sexual addiction:

http://www.addicted.com/addiction-resources/self-tests/sex-addiction-quiz

Everyone deserves second chances. Recovering from sexaholism is more challenging as it requires a mind and self control. However, it still begins with acceptance of the problem and moving on to recovery with a healthy and happy support system.

While most of us lives in accordance and acceptance by society, we must understand, accept and support those loved ones whom undergone a cop-out, or even a Freudian cop-out.

Til next time. Au revoir.

Citations:

– Various citations. Please contact the author.

charity, life

Meal From The Heart

chicpencil

In the spirit of giving, a project was created to provide food to the needy.

A free lunch a day from Monday to Saturday is going to be conducted by the Blessed Sacrament Church. The said lunch a day is freely offered to all the needy regardless of race and religion.

As an act of charity, it would be appreciated for volunteers who will support this Meal From the Heart Project from the Blessed Sacrament Church.

For more information on how you can help, please visit this site:

http://www.bsc.org.sg/event_details.asp?event_id=314

It’s always better to give than to receive.

Til next time. Au revoir.

life, relationship

With U

chicpencil

Chill start and it was good

Slowly unfolding each individuality

Heavy schedule yet thoughts present

Didn’t hinder communications

As what does matter is the gestures

And the ponders inevitable.

With u means a lot,

With u is smile & soothing,

With u is warmth,

With u is comfort,

With u is life,

With u is home.

~ The Kid

Til next time. Au revoir.

australia, life, relationship, travelblog

A Chilly Melbourne, Australia

chicpencil

Working as presales consultant supporting the Asian region can be a tiring job… However, one of it perks is to get the chance to travel to various parts of the globe.

Though travel involves ample amount of energy, patience, and courage (to not to feel homesickness after a certain point in time), I guess it’s the opportunity to discover the wonders of other countries especially those where you never set your foot yet…

This month of June 2011, I had the opportunity to visit Melbourne, Australia to attend a Sybase mobility training.

When I requested to attend the training, it didn’t occur in my mind about Australia’s climate condition, I just shoot out the request and applied for Australia visa. It was a hectic schedule.

A week before my travel, that’s when I realized it’s winter season in the land down under. And so, I set foot and experienced Melbourne’s winter season.

St. Kilda Parkview Hotel is where I stayed. A very good hotel for travellers to stay.

A warm welcome from St. Kilda Parkview Hotel. 

Just beside St. Kilda Parkview Hotel is Albert Cricket Ground where cricket games and practices happen every morning.

Their morning practice.

View from the top. Albert Cricket Ground.

A closer look of their game.

Tram is almost everywhere in Melbourne. This is the scenic St. Kilda Road Melbourne.

Melbourne’s Tram Network.

A Sunday Saver card is available which allows you to travel to trams and buses in Melbourne for a day with a fix amount of AUD 3.50.

Federation Square is one of the busiest district in the city.

Yarra Trams – Federation Square.

Though I stayed in Melbourne for a week, it was a wonderful experience to mingle with the people and to witness the calm and suburb living of Melbourne.

Flinders Street Station is the busiest hub in Melbourne. This is the central station for Metro Network Railway across Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

 

The traditional horse carriage ride in Melbourne central business district. Amazing scene! Very Old English!

Though my stay is considerably short, I managed to made friends and one of them is the sweet gal Elaine and her cute daughter Amy…

My friend Elaine and her bubbly daughter Amy…

This is Amy. Or Aimee. Or Eimee… I prefer calling her ‘Ang Mo Kid’ due to her Irish mix. Very bubbly toddler.

Don’t disturb! She’s busy with her BABYCCINO!

Due to work, studies, and exam, I wasn’t able to visit Melbourne’s historical landmarks. This gives me another reason to come back and experience Melbourne in another season…

In retrospect, I must say Melbourne is an epitome of the ‘Anglo-Saxon’ suburb embracing modernity…

Melbourne Central Business District.

Going to Chapel Street with Elaine and Amy.

Known shopping district in Melbourne. This is Chapel Street. And Chapelli’s resto is where we had lunch and shopping on a Saturday afternoon.

My travel to Melbourne made me realized the soothing and simplicity of life. It was a week of experience and I wouldn’t forget the place and faces that I met along the journey.

Til next time. Au revoir.

life, relationship

Angels Amongst Us

chicpencil

In generic terms, Angels are messengers of God. They are usually found in the Hebrew and Christian bibles. In Quran, the term Malakh gives the similar context while in Hinduism Angels are coined as Deva.

Angels are also referred to metaphors, a representation of people who appeared to helped others, an instrument of God to rescue people in times of needs.

Angels are people… whom you know… or moreover strangers who does not know you and yet offered their hands during your trouble times.

I was very busy with work today, a typical Monday at the office where everyone is scrambling to their weekly activities and schedules. Meetings, reports, and reviews are but the usual Monday blues (“Monday blues” and the context here is borrowed from a very good person in my life – wink).

I completely forgot about the time only to realized that it was past 9PM and I’m still at the office. When I was packing my things I decided to go to the ladies room. Usually my access card is inside its leather holder to ensure that I won’t misplaced my card inside my bag. And so I went to the ladies room. It’s only when I’m returning back to office that I realized I don’t have access card in its leather holder. I have the leather holder but the access card is not in it. When I looked outside the office door, the reality sunk in. It is then I realized I was the last person in the office. In short, I was standing outside the office door without anything with me. My handbag, mobile phones, wallet, everything is inside the office. I couldn’t call as I don’t have my mobile… I couldn’t get a cab and ride a bus as I don’t have my wallet with me.

Without thinking I went down to go to the security desk and check if I can use their desk phone so I can call and seek help.

Two challenges faced me:

  1. I don’t recall any numbers except for a vague memory of my boss mobile number
  2. The security desk phone can’t call mobile number and the security guard is fairly new at his post and his mate was on roving time. He also doesn’t have mobile phone with him.

While talking to the security desk we noticed a young woman who was sitting outside and was probably waiting for her ride. The security ask me to talk to the lady and seek help on my situation.

I told myself “Seeking help to a complete stranger… this is my first time. Courage, courage, and God please help!”

While I was approaching the young lady, an On-call taxi came. It was her ride, I was already loosing hope when the security came out and have asked the young woman by himself. They were speaking Mandarin so I wouldn’t able to understand. However, the young woman needed to go and my mind left blank.

I was again discussing with the security for possible options when suddenly the young woman came back to us. The taxi driver agreed to wait for her. She allowed me to borrow her mobile phone so I can call my boss. Vaguely, I dialed a number (I was anxious and hoping that I dialed the correct number of my boss) and I was stunned that I’m hearing my boss’ voice on the other end. Gladly my boss picked up the call and I was able to explain the trouble that I was in.

Thank God!

I asked for the numbers of my colleagues who are living nearby our office. Unfortunately, my colleagues were not able to picked up my calls. I was left with no choice but to go to my boss’ place to borrow his access card. The only problem is, I didn’t have any money for cab fare.

Again without realizing it, I again asked the young woman if I can share her cab. She gladly agreed. I asked her if I can drop her to her place and with the same taxi I’m going to my boss place. I picked up the tab of taxi fare – it is the least I can do for all the help that she offered me. While in the cab we were chatting and talking like we knew each other for sometime. She was an auditor and she’s not working in the building. She’s auditing one of the companies in the building just for the week. As we were chatting, we didn’t realized were near her place.

I gave her the biggest thanks…

After the young woman alight from the cab, I shared to the taxi driver the things that have happened. The taxi driver couldn’t believe it. He thought me and young lady knew each other pretty well. When I reached my boss’ place, my boss together with his lovely daughters were there to hand me the access card. My boss was gracious enough to lend me SGD 60 in case anything happens. I couldn’t be thankful enough for all that has happened.

The taxi driver gladly waited for me and took me back again to the office. The security was there and was also smiling; he knew I somehow managed to get things resolved. I thanked the security and rushed to office to pick up my things and head home. I realized I didn’t have proper dinner yet and it was already 10:45PM.

After picking up my things and taking the same taxi I managed to get home. The taxi driver was gracious enough to recommend me a place to get my dinner – it was in the marketplace within my neighborhood.

Finally I reached home at 11PM. With a big smile in my face and a very thankful heart and a warm noodles I bought from the marketplace following the recommendation of the taxi driver.

I wouldn’t forget today as I had the privileged to witness strangers and people – the ANGELS – willing to help you in times when you’re in deep.. shit… (“,)

Angel # 1: The security desk who willingly helped me and even talked to the young woman to help.

Angel # 2: The beautiful young woman who lend me her mobile phone and shared her cab with me.

Angel # 3: My boss for picking up my call and lending me his access card. His daughters were cute and lovable.

Angle # 4: The taxi driver who has been there to drove to different destinations. He was a careful driver and a patient one.

Above all, I owe God the gratitude for giving me these wonderful people just when I need them the most.

It all happened in Singapore. The cab fare may have costed me approximately SGD 50 but the entire experience is priceless…

Portrait of an Angel. Taken at Cologne, Germany. July 2009.

Til next time. Au revoir.

Reference:

Angel, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel

culture, life, relationship, society

Singles Galore

chicpencil

The Asian continent holds the largest set of population compared to the rest of the world attributing to China and India.

It is indeed perceived that Asians in general will get marry otherwise singles will be pressured by society, family, and friends. This statement holds true with respect to ethnicity and religion. Few Asian races still follow the ‘arrange marriage’ protocol no matter how modern the society is. The value of family life is still being followed – a typical Asian characteristics of having to belong to a group or population rather than being individualist.

However, Asians like any other fast moving cosmopolitan residents are affected by the same trend that people choses to be single. A fast moving economy affects the psychology of residents where competition is likely to be sky rocket high. Residents would rather focus on career and personal achievements rather than creating a family which entails responsibilities and life balance.

Why do people chose to be single?

A question that is very hard to answer especially when you’re still single and you belong to the demographics of 30 – 40 years of age.

Is it hard to give up independence when compromise is needed in a relationship?

Singapore though the country population is still considered low is an example of singles galore.

In 2010 Singapore census, the single population has raised to 32% as compared to 30% in year 2000.

Reference: singstat.gov.sg

Needless to mention that the single population is increasing in Singapore. Though dating is common within the diverse races composition, still a third of the residents prefer to be single.

Is education a contributing factor to a person’s singlehood?

Reference: singstat.gov.sg

It is interesting that in Singapore, based on the census statistics study last 2010, that men belonging to the population of 30 – 34 years tend to stay single with the follow qualifications:

  • below secondary
  • diploma and professional
  • university

While women within the population of 30 – 34 tend to stay single within the following qualifications:

  • diploma and professional
  • university

Could it be that magic of love is dying?

I do not believe such. The single population of 30 – 34 are most likely busy building their career as the workplace competition is high due to the multicultural populace of Singapore.

Another reason is that singles sometimes choose to be in such status due to the fear of commitments and responsibilities of marriage and family life.

When singles see their friends’ marriages are breaking up or have broke up, it impacts a silent trauma and fear to dwell to a married life.

Singlehood can be an art and singles are artists. Oftentimes, singles have a diverse range of activities, career, social life, and dating. Such activities can be stimulating to mind, body, and soul.

I often asked on the question of ‘How long do you still want to stay single?’

I just smiled and reply…

When I know then I know, when its time then its time, and when its the right person then he will be…      ~ Chic Pencil


Hold my hand please.

Til next time. Au revoir.

Reference:

Click to access findings.pdf

christianity, culture, faith, germany, history, india, life, love, oman, photoblog, photography, relationship, salalah, singapore, society, travelblog

Expressions

chicpencil

Different faces.
Different places.
Different representations.

People I met.
People I treasured.
People I cared for.
People I found.

Some left.
Some stayed.
Some returned.

One thing I won’t forget is they allowed me to see them in the lens of my camera.

Memories.

Expressions.

In my journey in life.

~ Chic Pencil

Few of my snaps from different places, faces, travels and art.

Exposure: 1/3200 sec. F/4.0. Focal 34 mm. ISO 640. Nikon D200. Title: Jawohl! My cousin on his dunk moves. Gutersloh, Germany. 2009.

Exposure: 1/25 sec. F/4.5. Focal 70 mm. ISO 800. Nikon D200. Title: ONE. My best buddy and his wife on their wedding ceremony. New Delhi, India. 2009.

Exposure: 1/80 sec. F/4.5. Focal 24mm. ISO 640. Nikon D200. Title: Growl. He was playing with me during our road trip to Hamburg, Germany. 2009.

Exposure: 1/60 sec. F/3.0. Focal 19 mm. ISO 800. Nikon D200. Title: Mood! One of my bestfriends in life. In his dancing mood. New Delhi, India. 2009.

Exposure: 1/60 sec. F/3.8. Focal 38 mm. ISO 800. Nikon D200. Title: Graceful. I called her my baby sis in India. She dances gracefully. New Delhi, India. 2009.

Exposure: 1/60 sec. F/4.0. Focal 38 mm. ISO 640. Nikon D200. Title: Dad & Son. Gutersloh, Germany. 2009.

Exposure: 1/90 sec. F/4.5. Focal 70 mm. ISO 640. Nikon D200. Title: Stunt! Taken at Movie Park, Bottrop Germany. 2009.

Exposure: 1/20 sec. F/4.0. Focal 45 mm. ISO 800. Nikon D200. Title: Nasi Goreng. Singapore, 2009.

Exposure: 1/45 sec. F/8.0. Focal 27.9 mm. ISO 400. Fujifilm FinePix S5500. Title: Two-gether. Taken at New Jersey, USA. 2005.

Exposure: 1/680 sec. F/5.6. Focal 5.7 mm. ISO 64. Fujifilm FinePix S5500. Title: Nation’s Pride, The Petronas Twin Towers. Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, 2006.

Exposure: 1/800. F/4.5. Focal 34 mm. ISO 640. Nikon D200. Title: Melanie. My baby sis in Germany. Taken at Cologne, Germany. 2009.

Exposure: 1/60. F/4.5. Focal 50 mm. ISO 640. Title: Innocent Grin. New Delhi, India. 2009.

Exposure: 1/60 sec. F/4.5. Focal 17 mm. ISO 640. Nikon D200. Title: 1001 Meaning. New Delhi, India. 2009.

Exposure: 1/60 sec. F/3.8. Focal 38 mm. ISO 400. Nikon D200. Title: Lovely smiles. Gutersloh, Germany. 2010.

F/3.2. Focal 4.9 mm. Nokia E71. Title: Comprende? Taken at Movie Park, Bottrop Germany. 2009.

X-res 72 dpi. Y-res 72 dpi. Rim Blackberry 9700. Title: Windy at Jebel Samhan. Salalah Oman. 2010.

Exposure: 1/60 sec. F/5.6. Focal 78 mm. ISO 400. Nikon D200. Title: Confidence. My eldest brother. Salalah Oman. 2010.

Exposure: 1/60 sec. F/4.5. Focal 40 mm. ISO 400. Nikon D200. Title: Mother & Son. Gutersloh, Germany. 2009.

 

Exposure: 1/20 sec. F/4.5. Focal 55mm. ISO 640. Nikon D200. Title: Her Eyes. New Delhi India. 2009.

Exposure: 1/100sec. F/4.0. Focal 50mm. ISO 800. Nikon D200. Title: Simply happy. A wedding made in India. New Delhi. 2009.

Exposure: 1/4 sec. F/5.6. Focal 120mm. ISO 500. Nikon D200. Title: The Bride’s Makeup. Singapore. 2013.

Exposure: 1/45 sec. F/4.5. Focal 33mm. ISO 1600. Nikon D200. Title: The Bride’s Hair. Singapore. 2013.

Exposure: 1/13 sec. F/5.3. Focal 50mm. ISO 1600. Nikon D200. Title: Surprises. Singapore. 2013.

Exposure: 1/20 sec. F/3.2. Focal 4.9mm. ISO 800. Nikon Coolpix S3000. Title: Attention. Philippines. 2014.

Exposure: 1/8 sec. F/5.6. Focal 12mm. ISO 500. Nikon D200. Title: Gnex & Harini. Singapore. 2013.

Exposure: 1/8 sec. F/5.6. Focal 11mm. ISO 500. Nikon D200. Title: Dad in-law’s birthday gift. Dad in-law’s 65th. Singapore 2013.

Exposure: 1/60 sec. F/3.8. Focal 38mm. ISO 320. Nikon D200. Title: The Innocent Cry. Gutersloh, Germany. 2010.

Exposure: 1/125 sec. F/5.6. Focal 70mm. ISO 400. Nikon D200. Title: Me and the gracious ladies. Salalah, Oman. 2010.

Exposure: 1/8 sec. F/3.0. Focal 21mm. ISO 800. Nikon D200. Title: Sultan Al Qaboos Mosque. Salalah, Oman. 2010.

Exposure: 1/750sec. F/5.0. Focal 50mm. ISO 640. Nikon D200. Title: Here they come! A unique brewery! Hamburg, Germany. 2009.

Exposure: 1/15 sec. F/4.5. Focal 17mm. ISO 640. Nikon D200. Title: The Cathedral. Cologne, Germany. 2009.

Exposure: 1/500 sec. F/11. Focal 62mm. ISO 400. Nikon D200. Title: Let’s finish the job. Workers at the ruins of Queen Sheba’s palace (Remember King Solomon in the Bible?). Salalah, Oman. 2010.

Exposure: 1/40 sec. F/3.3. Focal 26mm. ISO 1600. Nikon D200. Title: Family party @ Germany. 2010.

Til next time. Au revoir.

health, life, psychology

Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

chicpencil

We can’t manage the outside world if we don’t manage our inside self.

~ Chic Pencil

Dance has always been a part of human society. It’s a form of expression, a communication, aesthetics, and an art. To some, it is a form and part of religion, a ritual, and a healing process. The movement of the body in tune to the rhythm of the song constitutes the graceful effect of the dancer conveying the message of the performance.

Dancing as an expression has been portrayed since the earliest human civilizations. Archeologists already found traces of dance since the prehistoric times such as the 9000 year old Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka paintings of India and Egyptian tomb showing dancing figures from 3300 BC.

Different continents and countries have different dance movements, they are called their own ethnic or traditional dance. All dance movement portrays a story, a message that needs to be conveyed to the audience or the receiver.

Widely known as it is, dance is an art.

However, dance or dancing can also be a therapy, an outlet of an individual.

All of us suffered from stress and pressures which can be from work and even family. And as such, all of us need an outlet to regain focus and energy from what has been drained from mundane work and responsibilities.

Dance releases endorphins, the mood enhancer, which gives an individual the natural euphoria and good feeling after the physical movement of more than 20 minutes.

Nancy Cassman, a dance/movement therapist from Boulder Colorado believes that when you start moving your body you’ll start moving the energy in your life too. In dance movement therapy, especially the sensual, rhythmic response aroused by dance and music is used as a way of bypassing the conscious mind and making contact with the inner emotional world. Through dance, hidden emotions can be expressed in a nonverbal way and accepted by the conscious self.

Since I was a child one of my passions is dancing. After our afternoon siesta my dad would usually asked us to dance or to sing. I prefer dancing and I love dancing with my dad in the tune of salsa and cha-cha with the old Spanish tunes. Needless to say, dancing is but a part of Spanish culture.

I stopped dancing when I suffered from hypothyroidism last 2001. Such condition made me succumb to weight gain and water retention that I reached 100+ kilograms, twice the value from my original weight. Though my height is 163cm, having such weight made my body structure suffer from health problems not to mention the low morale and inferiority complex that I’ve been through.

After years of medication, I became free from my hypothyroidism. My doctor decided to put me in weight management program in early 2010. After one year of weight management, I reduced my weight to 65 – 67kgs. It’s very challenging but one’s motivation and faith is always the key to achieving results.

As part of my weight management, I went back to dancing and using it as part of therapy. Dancing not only as one of my passions but it also become my outlet, a stress reliever from the outside pressures.

Here’s an excerpt from Step Up Movie. The dance finale, a fusion of ballet and hip hop.

Here’s the ancient and ever popular belly dancing. My favorite of all dance routine.

We cannot escape the pressures and stress of the outside world. If we don’t take care of our internal self, no else will do it on our behalf.

So let’s dance.. like nobody’s watching… It always feels good.

After my belly dancing workout. 🙂

 

Here’s one wish that I will dance  as what Shakira (my fave artist) did in this video. 🙂

 

Til next time. Au revoir.

 

References:

  1. Wikipedia Online – Dance
  2. Laurel Kallenbach, Dance For Your Health, http://www.thrivingnow.com/dance-for-your-health/

 

life, oman, relationship, salalah, travelblog

The Iconic Figure Of The Queen of Sheba

chicpencil

When King Solomon received the wisdom that God has bestowed upon him, he became famous and so does his kingdom. The thirst of wisdom led him to discoveries of variety of things including his desire for women. He was known to have marriages to different women of royal bloodlines from different kingdoms but not neglecting his leadership to his people.

Such popularity reached the kingdom of the Queen of Sheba who is in her own possesses such wit and intelligence as a ruler of her kingdom that is rich in gold, incense due to trades. Magnetized by King Solomon’s wisdom she and her servants went to King Solomon. She offered the king all the rich gifts in exchange of wisdom from the king.

However, human as they are, there were beliefs that it is very possible that the two had an affair. I guess having such intelligence and wit, a person can have such charisma and magnetism. There are still debates pertaining to the topic of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba of whether they had such an affair and whether it was the Queen of Sheba who is referred by Solomon in the book of Song of songs from the Old Testament.

However, the Queen of Sheba is already a ruler in her own right. The wisdom of King Solomon as a leader is an attraction for the queen. It is also possible that the King and the Queen were merely discussing affairs of their states. However, such intelligence and wit can be the basis of admiration and probably infatuation.

In the end the two leaders separated ways. For reality still is, they have different kingdoms that they have to rule and lead. Different lives they are bound to live. The Queen of Sheba together with her servants went back to her kingdom.

The Queen of Sheba has been very popular though very little is known about her. There are still debates of her origins and bloodlines. Her kingdom was believed to have been very strategic with respect to location. Though there are discussions of where her kingdom is, archeological findings of the Queen of Sheba’s palace were discovered in the Dhofar region of Oman. It is called Sumhuram.

Sumhuram was known as the greatest city of Southeast Arabia during 1000BC. The port was strategically built and its location paved the success of frankincense trade route from Arabia to Jerusalem to Alexandria and even to Rome. Having such powerful kingdom and the frankincense route, the kings and queens of Sheba protect and control their incense together with Yemen who controlled myrrh of Yemen. The frankincense routes were watered from places with zigzagging approach  across Arabia as implemented by the Queen of Sheba due to the advise of King Solomon. This is to protect the frankincense routes and trades. Powerful as these trades as the bags of frankincense can reach India and even China.

All such discoveries were uncovered by archeologists and the site was first excavated by Wendell Philipps, the American who first dig the site in Dhofar region.

Could it be that wisdom of King Solomon helped the Queen of Sheba protect her trades and kingdom?

As the helping of kingdoms and affairs of states, were the two leaders actually had such affection for each other?

Leaders as they are, they are still humans with feelings and emotions. They have kingdoms to rule, lives to live, culture and religion to follow. Such amount of responsibilities entails sacrifices and compromises.

I salute the Queen of Sheba as the ruler of her kingdom and the successful trades and frankincense routes. She’s a powerful figure yet remained unnoticed and hidden.

I was privileged to visit the place of Khor Rori, the archeological place which is known the be the palace of the Queen of Sheba. Together with my brother and his buddy, we drove towards the excavation site which is located between Wadi Attair and Wadi Dirbat during my Salalah visit last December 2010. The place is preserved and until today birds such as flamingos, herons and gulls can be seen.

The strategic port location of Sumhuram. Salalah Oman. December 2010.

Nikon D200. Exposure 1/640. F/13.0. Focal 17 mm. ISO 400.

 

 

Birds of Sumhuram. Salalah Oman. December 2010.

Nikon D200. Exposure 1/640. F/13.0. Focal 300 mm. ISO 400.

 

 

Birds of Sumhuram. Using telefoto lens. Salalah Oman. December 2010.

Nikon D200. 1/400. F/10.0. Focal 300 mm. ISO 400.

 


Overlooking the sea. The Port opening and location. Sumhuram Salalah Oman. December 2010.

Nikon D200. 1/640. F/13.0. Focal 17mm. ISO 400.

 

 

Khor Rori archeological site. Sumhuram. Salalah Oman. December 2010.

 

The storehouses and gate. Sumhuram. Salalh Oman. December 2010.

 

The storehouses and gate. Sumhuram. Salalh Oman. December 2010.

 

The ruins of monumental building. Sumhuram. Salalah Oman. December 2010.

 

The residential area of Sumhuram. Salalah Oman. December 2010.

 

My brother Pat and his buddy Kuya Bong at Khor Rori archeological site. Salalah Oman. December 2010.

 

Me with my brother at Sumhuram. Salalah Oman. December 2010.

 


Enjoying my archeological visit to Sumhuram. Salalah Oman. December 2010.

The story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba have always been famous and I have constantly listens to it even when I was still a child.

I wonder sometimes if the two leaders had an affection for each other, letting go must have caused some pains.

I guess saying goodbye to the person that you care about has always never been easy.

 

 

Til next time. Au revoir.

 

References:

– Bradt Travel Guides – Oman

– The Queen of Sheba by Michael Wood – BBC History UK