June 27, 2011
April 17, 2011
Colonial Traces
Just like my home town Penang(Malaysia), Popayan is a city of ex-colony. The common traits for all victims of Spanish conquistador era were slave trading and massive torturing, then leftover of some colonial buildings. I do not know if all of these happened in Popayan but I doubt it could escape the fate. That made me wonder if such madness happened in Penang as well when the Brits ruled the place.
There is lack of awareness from myself and my generation to understand the history and its influence on society. I tried and I failed. "Does it matter?" People generally think then shrug of the idea of learning about their past. In reflection on countries that cannot stop dwelling on what the colonist has done unto their countries, I'm glad my country has way moved on from that golden era and created an identity of its own. Despite the need, as long as the approach gives value to development ( money) and social identity (money), there goes the public opinion.
Anyway, in comparison to many other ex-colonial cities in Colombia, Popayan stood out to me as the most authentic one since the old colonial quarter has integrated to the civilian's daily life. Business activities took place here - commercial buildings in properly maintained old buildings, tonnes of universities in a small town, occasionally you would bump into eccentric looking hostel but they are not many ( surprisingly).
So no Cartagena, but Popayan.
December 27, 2010
Go Viral
Then my favourite band OKGo's one of the many viral vids
OK Go - This Too Shall Pass from OK Go on Vimeo.
December 26, 2010
Christmas, Season of Love
I look back at the past 12 months and 3 weeks of my life, these quotes seem to resonate to me very much. Lucille Ball says, love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world. Self-love and appreciation exudes confidence that transforms into charm and this magnet that attracts everything in the world to me. I cannot explain to my friend why you cannot crush my self esteem. Maybe it's as simple as I am in control of what I allow others to make me feel. No matter what, people around me make me proud of them and myself. Got to say that my Christmas dinner with the family was inspiring for sure :)
Joseph Addison (whoever he is) also thinks that three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. And hey, I have all these in my life, so full and so rich and I don't really cling on the the joyous days in the past. Something to do, check. Something to love, more than just something for sure, check. Something to hope for, yes check, I'm counting down to D-Day.
At the end of the day, life is but a brief moment. The years go by quickly and old age arrives suddenly before we have an inkling. People desire so many things and waste their days in vain. Some yearn for gold, others for power, yet others for glory and a higher station. But when death's moment nears and they look back at their lives they've lived, they realise they've been happy only during those moments when they've loved. I didn't write that, Borje Vahamaki did.
Even CS Lewis says, love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.
The more vulnerable I am, the stronger I will become. Nicely said that all I want is love and let loved. The rest will fall into place eventually. Yes, call me cheesy but love is my addiction and hobby.
And this is my belief,
A post from a woman in love.