Blue

It was Christmas, the season to be merry and jolly. So I was away on my own, totally feeling the blue. Immersed in it, engulfed by it, plunged into it, succumbed to it, overwhelmed by it, amazed by it. But this blue was different, magical almost. It was soothing and relaxing. It made me light, happy, very happy.

It was the blue of the Indian Ocean and the blue Zanzibari sky. Now that's my kinda' blue. Love it!

Overheard #25

"Our loss is our gain." King Bhumibol.

There's always a lesson to be learnt and opportunity to grow in failure, while success, it is only the icing on the cake. 

And the more I read about King Bhumibol, the more I admire and love the King. 

May the King be well.

Chaotic Charm of Zanzibar

ZANZIBAR! 

The name that automatically evokes the scents and scenes of yester-years on the beautiful archipelago off coast of Tanzania in east Africa with the adventure of a seafaring voyage, the exotic Swahili cultures, the ancient Islamic heritage and her glorious, the spice trade and the not-so-glorious, the slave trade, past. The Zanzibar archipelago is actually consists of several small islands and two big islands, namely Unguja, the main island, which popularly called Zanzibar today and Pemba. 

Centuries ago, the traders from Persia, Arab and India came to Zanzibar to trade with the east African coastal towns and settled at what became Stonetown today. Later there were the Portuguese explorers arriving and ruling the island, followed by the Arabs and the British, all of which leaving behind their legacy to the island and her people, making Stonetown an eclectic and amazing place as she is toda, full of characters. The ancient maze of Stonetown can seem dark, creepy and dilapidated but there are always bursts of colors and textures that turn the chaos into charm.

Moo...

In the already lawless and dangerous traffic in Juba, where boda-bodas (the local motorcycle taxis) zipping along like Bollywood stunt riders, SUVs zooming around a corner almost hugging the asphalt and mindless pedestrians jaywalking as they please, here came a herd of cattle trudging along the main drag in town. 

Perhaps we should be taking a lead from these placidly content (for now, before them ending up on our dinner table) creatures, by slowing down our pace of our days, our lives. After all here in Juba, what's the rush?

Moo..

Lost and Found

2012 is a year of lost and found.

Now let's see...

I lost my drive for work. Well don't we all? Work was like a dead puddle under the hot African sun, it's going nowhere and worse, evaporating fast.

I lost, or I think I lost, actually I'm pretty sure I lost a friendship I treasure very dearly. Things will not be the same anymore. It hurts.

I lost my sense of adventures too. I hardly explore the unbeaten path. I did not travel to the countries I planned earlier this year. More so, I dread traveling, nervous and anxious (not in a good way) on heading to a new place.

I lost my passion to write. Look at my dwindling post entries here. Pathetic isn't it?

I lost my touch for photography. I haven't been taking a lot of pictures throughout the year. Going around with a DSLR is like hanging a block of brick around my neck. And don't you think taking pictures can be very intrusive and disrespectful sometimes? I shoot with my iPhone more and more, sadly.

Then...

I found some old friends, some that I had not kept in touch for almost 20 years. One reunion and Facebook, we are all back together yakking away like the good ol' days.

I found new friendships in Juba, as well as across the 4 corners of the globe. I found them in the least likely places too. But I'm confident we'll be friends forever, those that you don't see for years but you can pick up where you left off when you meet again.

I found my love for baking, and the business of baking. I feel all excited and edgy (in a good way) talking to my baker friend about her venture. I'm giving her a lot of ideas and found myself constantly looking for new ideas for her too.

I found some good books. One particular pleasant surprise was The Revolutionary King, very engrossing. Although I'm yet to finish the book, I begin to appreciate the undying love of the Thai to their King. Oh gosh, I think I'm falling in love for the King too! Head over heels!

I found some charity projects to work on, though the idea came to me pretty late in the game. There were plans for 2012 but they did not come through, mostly because I did not follow through. Projects for 2013 then.

Lost 5 and found 5, that's even steven 2012.

Now 2013, bring it on!

Gone 2012

Another year gone by so swiftly, what did I do?

Honestly, not much.

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. I know that. So 2012 started off pretty well. I was pacing myself, breathing deep and striding forward fluidly while keeping focus and saving that last push for the finishing dash. Somewhere in the middle I lost it, without realizing it.

What to do then? There's no point crying over spilled milk. Or the year gone past. Let's buckle up and chin up going into 2013 without (or with just some minor) fuck up and definitely nothing tits up.

Happy new year!

Simple is Good!

Majority of my vacation time, I spent at home, doing nothing. Sleeping in in the morning, reading, swimming, cooking, all the very simple stuff. The familiarity of the surrounding and the routine of the mundane and of course the no-work part have the hypnotic appeal. Literally life is easy. Possibly, the most challenging question of the day would be what's for lunch. Sticking to my championed philosophy of simplicity, I made sandwich. 

Ham and cheese (melted) on wholegrain bread.

Egg sandwich with melted cheese and sweet basil.

Simple is goooood...