So today I've been emailing a couple of hotels in Laos since we have decided to extend our holidays to include Vientiane and Luang Prabang in 03/08. I am almost there with 3 responses so far.
Hopefully I will have job in April 08 to go to and it will be the icing on the cake...a job upon my return from vacation! Sounds like a dream come true but if all else fails, then back to the resume and interviewing process again.
Alas.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Dinner with the President...A documentary!
I caught a documentary on SBS last night, ( a multicultural TV station that caters for other non-white Australians). It was a very interesting concept dealing with politics/life in Pakistan, religious factionalism, poverty, education, women and more importantly Islam and the Quran in modern times.
The interviewer or Narrator is a Pakistani woman - no headscarf, highly well-educated I presume with her rather astute questions and also brave. At one point she addressed the religious mullahs of Northern Pakistan on the interpretation of the role of women in Islam and challenged them to show her exactly where in the Quran dictated that women should have a passive role in Islamic life.
The most controversial question I suppose was when she asked them whether which one of them can dictate that her God and her Islam was any different from theirs being a modern muslim. The exact word was reiterated out loud- Modern! And the group instantly disbanded; walked away from the meeting with a hint of illiterate curses under their breath.
For me I guess the biggest flaw with any religion is how it fails so disastrously when transposing religion with modernity and evolution. Progress calls for new strategy, new interpretation and new application to a rather moralistic yet divine universal truth - good vs bad.
It seems that Northern Pakistan is a law to themselves - it has a hierarchy that is trying to impose age-old laws defined not only by its long affiliation to tradition but customs carried down through generations, hardened by war, poverty and lack of intervention by a government that is in constant fear of Jiihad fuelled further by really low literacy rates among the masses; the minority has little choice but to turn to their religious leaders for guidance.
And because the borders are highly sensitive, it becomes difficult for any intervention to take place without the risks of loosing support from these individuals in curbing the Taliban from slipping through the cracks.
If you have a chance to catch it where you are you should... the filming is also very candid.
The only thing that really struck me is that a lot of modern Pakistanis believe that Musharraf is good for the country because he brings about modernity and secularism where Muslims can make their own choices while others have always thought about themselves rather than the people.
The younger generation especially those living abroad seems to have survived the brunt of all the turmoil. In a sad way, they've isolated themselves almost to the point of elitism which is another negative result of affluence which makes their stance rather questionable! It is just another form of the caste system (semantics)!
The interviewer or Narrator is a Pakistani woman - no headscarf, highly well-educated I presume with her rather astute questions and also brave. At one point she addressed the religious mullahs of Northern Pakistan on the interpretation of the role of women in Islam and challenged them to show her exactly where in the Quran dictated that women should have a passive role in Islamic life.
The most controversial question I suppose was when she asked them whether which one of them can dictate that her God and her Islam was any different from theirs being a modern muslim. The exact word was reiterated out loud- Modern! And the group instantly disbanded; walked away from the meeting with a hint of illiterate curses under their breath.
For me I guess the biggest flaw with any religion is how it fails so disastrously when transposing religion with modernity and evolution. Progress calls for new strategy, new interpretation and new application to a rather moralistic yet divine universal truth - good vs bad.
It seems that Northern Pakistan is a law to themselves - it has a hierarchy that is trying to impose age-old laws defined not only by its long affiliation to tradition but customs carried down through generations, hardened by war, poverty and lack of intervention by a government that is in constant fear of Jiihad fuelled further by really low literacy rates among the masses; the minority has little choice but to turn to their religious leaders for guidance.
And because the borders are highly sensitive, it becomes difficult for any intervention to take place without the risks of loosing support from these individuals in curbing the Taliban from slipping through the cracks.
If you have a chance to catch it where you are you should... the filming is also very candid.
The only thing that really struck me is that a lot of modern Pakistanis believe that Musharraf is good for the country because he brings about modernity and secularism where Muslims can make their own choices while others have always thought about themselves rather than the people.
The younger generation especially those living abroad seems to have survived the brunt of all the turmoil. In a sad way, they've isolated themselves almost to the point of elitism which is another negative result of affluence which makes their stance rather questionable! It is just another form of the caste system (semantics)!
Personal best II
I have to say this one is brilliant...a shot that I am quite proud of really. It took such a long time to find a pilgrim to come my way but eventually he did! And it was just right.
Wanna buy some bad luck?
Tsutaya is a chain store much like Borders. They have an entire floor of Japanese Manga and Anime on DVD but none of them had English subtitles or English Dubbed Versions. There were so many new seasons that I nearly flipped.
The lavatories are not so flash though - the ones at Loft are 10 times better. The ones at the airport had bum massagers! Not the sort you're thinking of! But way cool with LCD screens and all. You can even press a button for a deodoriser!
With Starbucks sharing the same space, it was hard to complain....have you tasted Japanese coffee?! Give me International Roast anytime...actually give me Japanese coffee. International Roast is crap!
Personal best I
I particularly like this shot. The lanterns where everywhere and it is more brilliant when they're lighted up. In the old days, there would have been candles instead- the reason why fires at shrines, temples or castles were not uncommon. These days the wonders of electricity provides for a safer alternative.
I love old trees
One of the many interesting fact is that the meandering lines on the surface of trees are usually caused by the natural weathering process eg. rain
It is a very long process but can you imagine how long it took to carve this one out?
Todaiji Daibutsuden (Nara) - One of the biggest buddha ever!
This place was massive and the structure that housed the buddha was well lets just say - can you see small people...I see small people.
Gion...Cedar and Geishas.
Gion is very famous for its authentic Japanese rural houses and excessively overpriced restaurants. It is in the middle of a city though it doesn't look like it but surprisingly you get little pockets of areas like these...
l
These two were one of those make believe Geisha for the day I spoke of. Great on pics but a real Giesha wouldn't be caught dead in those colours!
l
Kiyomizu Dera - Where you can pray for Love!
There is a shrine section that you can go to and they have these two boulders that faces each other. They say that if you are able to walk blindfolded from one boulder to another, you will find your true love. Without trying to break your neck of course with the massive crowd all trying at the same time!
A view of Kiyomizu Dera itself. It is more spectacular at night. This is another must see - it was magnificent and you get to make a wish at the bottom where a natural spring flows through into a man-made pool. Brilliant...I made a wish too! How silly I thought.
Insipid - Anglo saxons are a norm in Japan!
Insipid Anglo Saxon...I asked my other half why do they all looked the same - stringy and lean like the Japanese? Its just that they look all brittle and fragile if you get what I mean. Most of the beefy and tough ones seems to steer far far away from Japan. Maybe it is just my observation?
Try this experiment - if you google or flickr people who either worked, are working or have a Japanese girlfriend or partner....they have that look! There is a very bizarre trend trust me - very prepubescent.
It also seems that there are a lot more Americans than I expected and most of them are between the age range of 22-25 i.e. teaching English. Oh well I guess the good ones are back home! But I suppose you need to be a certain kind of person to make Japan your home...and these guys are usually not there to study! I wonder.....?
Try this experiment - if you google or flickr people who either worked, are working or have a Japanese girlfriend or partner....they have that look! There is a very bizarre trend trust me - very prepubescent.
It also seems that there are a lot more Americans than I expected and most of them are between the age range of 22-25 i.e. teaching English. Oh well I guess the good ones are back home! But I suppose you need to be a certain kind of person to make Japan your home...and these guys are usually not there to study! I wonder.....?
Miso in a Vat...
Miso base...this store specialises in various Miso bases. Good bases are like chutney - you can eat them as they are. They have them in jars outside the store for tasting too. The good thing about Japan is that you can taste most of the local delicacies before buying and people won't frown at you because they're basically saying my stuff is too good to be ignored - I fear not my critics!
More of the old Japan & Sake Houses.
Among these old houses are family-run sake making/drinking houses. You know that they are sake houses when you see these...
Or these...which symbolises where sake comes from....rice.
You can even see the drizzle....not the best picture but you get an idea of what the establishment feels like.
The Japanese are like everyone else.
The entrance to the Shrine....
And what it hid! They were so cute together...I think they're in love.
Locking myself out of the car....
What a morning...with my routine broken when I got to the office i.e. someone volunteered to open the garage door for me, I had inadvertently left the keys in the car and slammed it shut to infact thank the lady from Payroll. This is the first time I've done that and I feel like a major himbo. The spare key is at home...it will take me an hour and half to and fro while a taxi was going to cost me at least $100.
Everyone tried to help - the workshop guys next door whom apparently didn't know what they were doing. So it looks like I have to replace my locks after all the screwdriver attempts that did not do what it was suppose to. I should thank them for at least making an effort to come around and give me a hand.
I called the RAA and it was going to cost me $165 to join on the spot and another $75 for the callout and $67 annually until someone in the office, with the miracle of a coat-hanger, came over and pop the lock. It was that simple .... I couldn't believe it and am now more paranoid than ever that my car is not the secure machine I thought it was. So no more leaving any valuables in the car anymore and I've learnt my lesson.
What a way to start the day eh? Bugger!
Everyone tried to help - the workshop guys next door whom apparently didn't know what they were doing. So it looks like I have to replace my locks after all the screwdriver attempts that did not do what it was suppose to. I should thank them for at least making an effort to come around and give me a hand.
I called the RAA and it was going to cost me $165 to join on the spot and another $75 for the callout and $67 annually until someone in the office, with the miracle of a coat-hanger, came over and pop the lock. It was that simple .... I couldn't believe it and am now more paranoid than ever that my car is not the secure machine I thought it was. So no more leaving any valuables in the car anymore and I've learnt my lesson.
What a way to start the day eh? Bugger!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Family Pictures are always the best...
Sweet as....it was their son's 7th birthday and they were at the temple for a blessing by the local monk. They get those tiny bags when its over... tradition has its advantage - it brings people together.
2008 - What am I looking forward to...
So it is obvious that I will be jobless by Feb 2008. I should be upset but I am trying to put the thought away till Christmas is over. The good thing is that the business have been sending us to various prep courses so that we are preparing ourselves for interviews etc.
I have to say that on their part they are trying. I guess it is only human to be a little worried about the future but it is no use panicking about something that you have no control over.
The agenda therefore is to find a job that will keep me focused and enthused. The money has to be comparable and maybe something that is Arts related or something in Marketing. The safe bet is to work in another project role but I need to get off this laziness that has taken over me since being in this current job can no longer be my excuse. Who knows... 2008 could be it - I will find my dream job in Adelaide.
Till then... I am focusing on cleaning up my resume in its entirety and giving it a fresh new look.
Wish me luck!
I have to say that on their part they are trying. I guess it is only human to be a little worried about the future but it is no use panicking about something that you have no control over.
The agenda therefore is to find a job that will keep me focused and enthused. The money has to be comparable and maybe something that is Arts related or something in Marketing. The safe bet is to work in another project role but I need to get off this laziness that has taken over me since being in this current job can no longer be my excuse. Who knows... 2008 could be it - I will find my dream job in Adelaide.
Till then... I am focusing on cleaning up my resume in its entirety and giving it a fresh new look.
Wish me luck!
A 'Damien' moment at the cemetery Mt. Koyasan...
Odd but this Crow was pretty adamant in hanging around people and knew it was being photographed.
Kyoto Tower ...
The other half could not understand why I was always taking pictures of the Kyoto Tower...neither did I but I really like towers and how they look at night. This was taken on the 11th floor restaurant level walkway in a mall across the street.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Another pic before I sign off...
How can you not be affected by the ordinary...Japan is just that - a juxtaposition of the ordinary beautiful.
For Bentley...I thought of you when I saw these!
I saw so many interesting designs - Japan is really into their hybrid cars and pushing the Toyota Prius like mad but I thought these Daihatsus are just too cute. Seen at a car yard!
The new Northface Fleecy thingo on a hot guy!
This guy had testosterone written all over him. I tried looking for it, the jacket I mean but ended up with a Japanesque Duffle jacket from GAP. The trouble with Japanese design is that all the shoulders are really narrow so if you're broad shouldered then you're in trouble. I agree with Pinoyboy that Green is the new Black.
The guys at most of the clothing stores told me that it is how italian/american designs are shipped; they're tailored for the Japanese Market.
Louis Vuitton is just too 90s in Japan though. I saw two grandads with LVs and they were over 60 years old in the middle of nowhere. Gucci is in - I saw a young couple buying a his/hers ring at the store (so sweet) and apparently Coach has not lost its customer base in Tokyo...I wonder why.
So Pinoyboy!
Just the structure and how the building is tucked away in Shibuya reminded me of Pinoyboy and so did the colours of these pans! They're too cute!
Yasukuni Jinja...The War Memorial.
It is quite a pretty place...albeit all the hoohah. Sometimes a place is just a place - you appreciate it for what it is and not what warmongers consider it to be!
Tokyo Station Skyline...
I thought I'd drop these so you can get an idea of what it was like looking up and how short I am. All my photos are always taken from a certain angle...you can tell alot about the height of the person from the pictures he/she takes.
Make a wish...I love what people wrote!
I recommend double-clicking on the image and reading the scribbles...
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