Bhavagad Gita

Yesterday was an auspicious day - t'was the day I first read the Bhagavad Gita. I was so drawn to it that I couldn't put it down until I completed it. My mind is till blown away by it - I need time to digest & contemplate what I have just read.

Wow...

Stark naked!

Blogging and singing in public make me feel stark naked. It's as if I'm exposing my vulnerabilities, my private thoughts and all things secret. I hope my blogging and singing do not scare you away (akin to my naked state - haha).

South America

The last big trip that I took was to South America (well, just Argentina & Brazil). I came back from that trip happy - more than usual and for the longest time I couldn't figure out why. Looking at pictures that I took during the trip, the commonality in those pictures were my frizzy hair, melted make-up, basic clothes and yet a silly grin. I think what rocked my happy boat on that trip were the following:

1. Renewed faith in people
Despite being a total foreign looking person in Buenos Aires, a sweet old lady who spoke only Spanish came up to us to offer her help with directions. We were just standing around the corner - studying our maps and she came up to me to offer her help. I spoke no Spanish and she spoke no English but somehow I understood what she was trying to convey to me through lots of hand gesturing.

A lady in a small resort town, Paraty in Brazil, gave me & my folks a ride back to our hotel when we found ourselves lost in town. We were merely asking for directions and she offered to drive us back to the hotel because it was a hot day.

2) Nature

The lush green that welcomed us as we flew into Iguassus was simply breathtaking. It was so beautiful and lush - now I finally understand the importance of forest conservation.

The Iguassus Falls was simply majestic and I am still in awe. Beautiful pure natural art!

3) Family

I travelled with my parents. It was so reassuring to know that we worked so well as a team - we spoke no local languages and yet we got by with just a map along with an open heart & mind to absorb our surroundings.

4) Local delights

Of course, food was also a highlight as always. Local ingredients made such delicious local dishes. I love those coconut water (agua de coco) and passion fruit juice (suco maracuja). Mmm....

Cracking open

I had one of my headtrip, AHA moment, this morning. I think I may have what appeared (to me at least) the answer to the age-old question of "Who Am I? What is my purpose?" Well, (drumroll please), I am a spirit having a human experience and my purpose is to experience what human do and be fully present when experiencing a human moment. My purpose is to serve as a piece of the huge moving puzzle - the Universe.

For the longest time, my status single has been a huge part of what/who I identify myself as. Perhaps, I was grasping on to what feels safe and familiar - too scared to take the risk towards something that could promise more (or less - therefore a risk). I vow to strip away that "single" identity (or any other surface level identities) - leaving me naked (well, not literally) and allow my spirit the freedom to experience fully the human experiment. Come what may...

Another day - another mantra to live by

I share with you the Anusara invocation (the very mantra that I vow to put forth my best effort to live every moment by).

ॐ नमः शिवय गुरवे
Om Namah Shivaya Gurave
I offer myself to Lord Shiva, the Auspicious One, who is the True Teacher within and without,

सचिदनन्द मुतयै
Saccidananda Murtaye
Who assumes the forms of Reality, Consciousness, and Bliss,

निसपपचय शनतय
Nishprapanchaya Shantaya
Who is never absent and is full of peace,

निरलमबय तेजसे
Niralambaya Tejase
Independent in existence, the vital essence of Illumination.

ॐ
Om

Cross promotion or self-plug?

Dear Blog,

I am sorry for having been unfaithful to thee. Lately, I have been spending time and effort writing a separate blog (http://iloveburningloins.blogspot.com/). I promise to not neglect you in the new year and will continue to nourish you with fanciful stories. I hope you forgive me and let us continue our creative relationship.

Yours truly

Sweet ananda

This is why we need to care about our environment - to preserve the beauty of nature. {I feel incredibly lucky for the opportunity to visit the Iguassu Falls a month ago & sharing that moment with my parents}

Squeeze

According to Dr. Wayne Dyer (the spiritual guru behind the Power of Intentions), you get orange juice if you squeeze an orange.

If I am squeezed tight, I hope to ooze pure joy & lots of laughs.

C-span just got interesting...

To those who claim that Canadian politics is a snooze may wish to wake up to the possible political coup that is brewing. I must say I am quite impressed with those responsible of the "coalition" for thinking outside the box in the attempts of taking down the governing party. How about using that creative minds instead for boosting confidence in the current economic state?

Just a thought

Just a thought - instead of adding one year to my age when my next birthday rolls around, how about adding one year to the year that I was born. Brilliant?

One vote

I reserve my one vote for the political leader who can show me how he can serve the country best - not how much critism he can throw at his opponent. I am sick and tired of negative campaigning. Is this how we set an example for young children - the way to win is to make someone else look bad? Instead of focusing energy and resources in attacking each other, why not tell us what your strengths are and how best you can make our country one of the best places to live in the world? You tell me and maybe I'll give you my one vote.

Bourdain vs DiSprito

I enjoyed the past banters between Anthony Bourdain and Rocco DiSprito. I wonder what Bourdain has to say about DiSprito appearance on the next instalment of Dancing with the Stars...

The understatement of simplicity

How will London top Beijing's extravagant display of the Olympics? In my opinion, London (and Vancouver) should just have a minimalistic and simple Olympic event focusing on going "green". Instead of spending billions of dollars on a two week show, perhaps it may be beneficial to simplify the event and spend the money on different causes (i.e. feed the hungry, sponsor free education for children of the world). Simplicity could be the new direction of making a statement.

Vegan condom?

Who knew there is special condom for vegan? I didn't know that until I saw it on Tyra's show. Phew! Now I guess I can widen my dating pool to include vegans. :p

Why I fawn over JM....

I enjoy his musical talents, his boyish good looks (despite his often face contortions), but most of all I get a kick out of his point of view:

"I guarantee you [that] 20 percent of the people on this street right now who are in a relationship wish they could get out but they don't know how. And I'm going to be honest on the way in to my relationships, and I'm going to be honest on the way out of my relationships." - John Mayer

Note to JM - I can be your wonderland....

Zzzz

On my stroll back to the office on my lunch break today, I walked past a mattress store. Plastered on the window of the store was posters advertising "Back to School" sale. Since when do kids ask for new mattresses in preparation of the new school year?

Feast for my eyes

Let the games begin (and the feasting for my eyes start) - the Olympic games bring about the abundance of wonderfully athletic physiques. So far, I'm thankful for men beach volleyball, swimming and soccer. Hmm....what's next on the menu? (Note to IOC - can't you have the summer games more frequent than once every four years?)

Worth

Walking towards one of my favourite casual Italian restaurant, a homeless guy muttered to me as he jay-walked across the street "don't cross - I'm different, my life is worthless". He cautioned us as we tried to follow suit jay-walking across the street. This led me to ponder - what really is the worth of my life?

Shh......

Yoga does feel really good when done right - but moaning? I was at yoga class on Saturday afternoon and during class, this couple with mats lined up next to mine started to moan during class. It was not a couple's yoga class - it was individual practice and therefore, there was no need for moaning (although I doubt that moaning is ever appropriate at yoga). I must have had this puzzled and disturbed look on my face because the teacher came to my rescue and requested the class to "resist from vocalization" during postures. Phew, hot yoga teacher saved the day again.

Ogre riding the unicorn

This ogre still dreams the dream of riding the unicorn. Unicorns are for princesses but someday in a far far away land, this ogre will get meet a unicorn who will offer her a ride and together we will ride off into the sunset (& laughing all the way into the horizon).

Invisible or Ogre? Take your pick

In this beautiful city I live in where beautiful women outnumbered men, I have often been reduced to feeling as if I am an ogre or simply invisible by the hetero single men. Isn't it a man's job to make a woman feel beautiful and a woman's job to make a man feel strong? Apparently my expectation is old-fashion and out of style - either that or my mirror really is magical (because the last I check I don't look so bad).

I simply don't know

A little comforting quote that I came across:

"Those who think they know, don't! But those that acknowledge that they don't know always create space for greater knowing to come about"

Clean slate?

Having lost my authentic self - does it mean I get a clean slate?

Mirror

Do you see yourself through the reflections of others or do you see yourself from within?

Lost soul

Warning: Do not read any further if you don't want your world to be rocked a little.

This morning I woke up feeling sad, alone and terrified - I do not know who I am and what my purpose is. I know the basic facts about me (i.e. my name, lineage, address, date of birth, and so on) but facts only addressed what I am - not who I am. I know my roles - a daughter, a friend, and an employee in the financial industry - but roles explained my functions but not who I am. Constantly haunting me over the past few weeks have been this particular cold, empty, and alone feeling - which I can't quite shake off. The only times I feel somewhat comforted were times spent at the yoga studio, in the company of true friends, and with my parents.

Do you know who you are and what your purposes are? Or am I the only....

Let's hope that it's the full moon that's behind this whole feeling of being lost...

Old-fashion

True to my old-fashion style, I love receiving hand-written notes. Amongst my bills and statements, I was greeted by a lovely hand written note card from Speedy Granny. Speedy Granny is one of the dearist person I am so lucky to know - we call her Speedy Granny because she is very experienced and she drives fast. She is the queen of notecards - she sends them all the time and I love receiving them. I am supposed to visit her at the end of the month when I'm out in Toronto but unfortunately Speedy Granny will not be in town. She sent me a note just to let me know how disappointed that we couldn't have tea together.

In this age of technology whereby txt messages have replaced real phone conversation, and e-mails have replaced hand-written letters, it is so refreshing and sweet to receive a hand-written note.

Ctrl + Z

Don't you sometimes (or a lot of times) wish that Ctrl+Z work in real life? Undo, undo, undo - nope doesn't work.

Split second

A split second, I turn & I see a smile
A split second, I turn & I see a scowl
A split second, I listen & I hear laughter
A split second, I listen & I hear sobs
A split second, I breathe & I feel stinging chills
A split second, I breathe & I feel caressing warmth
A split second, a moment of joy or a moment of sadness
A split second, a moment neither too soon nor too late

Bubble bath?

I saw a notice in the elevator of my building today advising against the use of bubble bath products in the hot tub and pool. Hmm....I wonder what kind of people do live in my building? (Why wasn't I invited to the giant bubble bath party?)

Short shorts

Gasp!!! Yes, I said short shorts and I am taking back my words on what I had previously said about short shorts. If they are cuffed, they actually look fine. I bought two pair of short shorts today after many years of staying far far away from them. I tried them on and they look cute-ish; so I bought them. Next time you see me, I may be wearing them. Just wear shades so that I don't blind you with my pale legs.

I get sick too :(

A robot I am not but falling apart is never an option. Despite being weakened by a nasty cold, I masked my illness under some make-up and put on my best dress - and brave the scary cruel world alone (but with poise still intact).