Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Outlet

I was asked recently asked just how do I get through, stay sane and alive even, without drinking/smoking(in more than one sense of the word) through this hectic, cruel and chaotic life.

A good question...

Got me asking myself "How am I dealing with the rather new circumstances of being back at home(in more than one sense of the word) after some time"? Since I am not working, yet, it is easy to assume, I must have all the time in the world. Yes and no, in a sense that I still have a lot of errands and family business (not in the monetary sense) to deal with, there still has not been a time I sat down and thought to myself "What do I do now?"

Which also means, I am still busy being amazed, sometimes shocked at even, by the changed circumstances here in Mongolia.

Regardless of where I am, when I need some outlet, relief

- The best way is to call home and get updated and let my family know I am fine, then
-- go shopping for some neither fattening nor junk, but easily-edible food
--look for (IF I don't have), ask around and find good books, movies to stick to
and then go offline on the social level (switch off my phone, disconnect from the internet altogether, or at least be in an invisible mode :p)

-When I have some things I can not seem to handle, in order to clear my head as a start over if not to find a solution go back to my diary and the all-time classics like The Teachings of Buddha (where it is written about the four noble truth)
--so in case I have not fully done my part, I get to realize it
--if the above part was taken care of, then I try to bring myself the peace of mind "I have done MY part"

If to quote a Mother Goose Rhyme:
For every pain under the sun,
There probably is an ailment,
If there is one, find it but
If there is none, don't mind it :)

-At times, when the matter is too overwhelming that my head is racing and almost aching but without much effect, I simply plug in my music component (for I am so picky about the quality of the sound of music) speakers and go to sleep while listening to Yanni.

And when you come to think of it even if all other outlets fail(drinking and smoking do not work for me) or are inaccessible (friends being busy or you do not want to trouble them), these simple things you can do without even have to leave home seem to work.

Again, point proved: Simple things can and do mean much more than we ever notice, acknowledge and appreciate. And life IS beautiful!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Only time ... Life is beautiful

As I have said in my first-ever-entry here, I have not been a loyal-blogger(?). However, by looking at others' blogs, I came to realize how it can help to express one's selves, share one's opinions and even discuss and learn.

Now, to the main entry.

Recently, I have been out-of-town having a home-stay at my Japanese friends' house, which was in a really nice place -countryside-. Their son is a member of a karate club and on the second day, we went to see the local(?) karate-event that was being held at a rather big sports center that is rather isolated. The three of them came up with this great idea that we could all get there cycling on mountain bikes, to which I obliged more than happily.

Being stuck in a monotonous and always-oh-so-busy city life and all, for me, that was the best idea they could come up with. The fresh air filled with the smell of green, the rice fields almost magically changing their color, the blue sky with birds flying that you could only dream of in a city with population as same as Mongolia... that is on top of the feeling of freedom, no worries about having to make it in time for whichever places you have to be, no need for playing the social nicety. What could be a better get-away?!

Now the main part,

Until that day, regardless of having an uncle with black belt in judo, cause of having had a very bitter, even tragic experience with marshal arts, I figured for myself, there is no way I would be able to get interested in, enjoy even, that play of raw and fearful force, to put it simply.

However,

When I got there it was already the middle of the first event - the kids were divided according to the different doujo(?) they belonged to and had to perform the basic techniques. At first having no idea whatsoever about what to expect except for what Kiichi said about his friends from the same doujo competing. Then there it was ... both girls and boys from different doujos, ages and belts(ranks). All so sincere, enthusiastic and devoted and soo cute. Even after the the flags by the referees(if that is the word) were raised against them, there was not too much disappointment, which I would expect could be normal, may be even expected from adults at least in otherwise similar situations. This partially showed me again the if-used-very-positive side to the whole marshal arts thing, control of emotions and patience. Also even if they did lost a few times, for the following rounds they still had the same determination. Just how many of us so-called adults give up trying after a few minor failures?

Seeing all those kids, with their trainers and parents, how the simple fact that they go to a karate club brought all of them at one place and how it connected them all so -even I was there, to my own surprise enjoying it very much and even reaffirming my thoughts about providing at least financially the opportunity for my child to be able to experience at least try different challenges- made me realize just how time really is the judge of all.

To put it short, how one can change one's rather strong ideas about certain things according to the circumstances and happenings life has to offer (or we create ourselves, depending on what you believe) to the almost opposite side is amazing!

Thus, life is beautiful!

The First Entry


Hi all,

Although I had had some experience with online social networking, if that is what you call them, - such as Yahoo360, vimo, mixi and stuff- never was that actively "dedicated" especially in the posting side. That owing to managing just enough time for browsing through others' blogs and posts, but not for making major posts myself.

In anyhow, this is it.

This will be my blog, which I am gladly sharing with you, cause it should represent or express me, myself (not "... and Irene") and the world around me.

Welcome!