Bali Dreams I

The visit to Bali for a couple of birthdays turned out to be a trip with a difference. The long trek up to Tembok, on the northern coast of the island took more than five hours through scenic villages, terraced padi fields and local culture. The roads were surprisingly roadworthy and although narrow, traffic flowed smoothly enough. I compared this to our drive to Agra from Delhi in a jaunty white Ambassador four-seater, where being stuck behind a bullock cart pregnant with dried grass was a test of patience for the passengers more than the driver.
Tembok was like a diamond in the rough. The peaceful ambiance was a trademark of YLT resorts. Peaceful being the operative word - no children, no TV and no computers. An IPod docket is provided in the rooms for the trendy. Perfect for honeymooners, of which there several pairs from India, Europe and China, the new profile of today's travellers who seek a different experience. Beach-front cabana's draped in white linen would be the perfect setting for an intimate cuddle for lovers. The spiritual merges with the physical and then becomes one with nature on black sanded beaches - idyllic personified. Dusk brings on a different mood . . . the golden glow spreading from the skies on to the sand and pebbles in one fluid sweep, like an artist executing a water-colour wash. . . . one merging into the other. . . hand in glove. As if by magic the 'kechak' monkeys make their appearance, and beckon the spirits to be kind to lovers and protect them from ogres and demons.

While the night is still young, a gentle man, is already in slumber mode oblivious of cosy cabanas or starry skies. The return journey, through the central spine of the island, led us to an imposing view of an active volcano, Mount Batur.
Back to urban culture, the local flavour melts into international pop themes . . . But it is all good, and all things are relative - so it is said . . .

USM admissions bungle 2009

After the elation of having been selected as the first Apex University in the country (accelerated programme for excellence), USM's bungle in the 2009 admissions is really like falling face down on the apex of a turd!

Surely, this being the first opportunity for direct intake by a University, rather than by Big Brother UPU, some sort of effort should have been made to ensure no fouls ups?

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/2511523/Article/index_html

Statements from the Deputy Vice Chancellor of USM saying "they will get to the bottom of this", "technical error" and "sorry" doesn't really cut it.

The resposibilty lies solidly on the shoulders of the Vice Chancellor as this admissions exercise is a major milestone in higher education autonomy. The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs comes in as a close second, and the Registrar, the third in line, for the administrative execution, or in this case mis-execution.

How does an Apex university mix-up the figures 3,599 and 8,173 ? Close supervision and stringent SOP were obviously not instituted. Discovery of the error only some 24 hours later is nothing short of incompetence! Did none of the afore-mentioned executives bother to check the uploaded list? Obviously not.

In ISO terms this is a major non-compliance or NC of the biggest kind. I wonder if this resonates with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)?

Of course it is human error! Its not an act of God, turbulence or a Tsunami!! It is plain old sloppy work which is becoming the norm...

And what of the 4574 students and concerned parents?

Hey Malaysia, wake up lah! Get with the program man!

This May with Baby Mei

Baby Mei came to visit in May......with mummy...
...and Daddy...and his videocam. ...Drank lots of water 'cos it was hot... ...Played "where's it gone?"...(English et French accent?!?) ...the ball, that is, with a new found friend Hanie... ...swam in the pool with lots of sunblock (plethhh!) for that peaches and cream complexion...
...even in the rain.
...Played 'monkey on my back'... ...and 'how long can his hands stretch' for about 2 minutes!... ...Concentrating on the job at hand...Its hard work being cute you know... "Here's looking at you kid"... I said enough already!

~The End~

Wildcat with a Tiger's Eye

'Wildcat with a Tiger’s Eye' is the testament to Karin O'Bannon by a peer on being the first recipient of the Manouso Manos Leadership Award. The award honored the lifetime of service, teaching and influence O’Bannon has contributed to the Iyengar yoga community. “While people told a lot of nice stories tonight…some people will tell you I also have some sharp claws.” It takes 'sharp claws' to lead.

This gentle but feisty lady is as humble as she is devoted to empowering people to the Iyengar practice as a holistic way of life.

“Karin’s astute eye for detail penetrates a canvas or a person.” Having attended two of her workshops, this is very true of the Yogi. Her clarity is hard to match. Instructions are precise; so are descriptions of awareness and effects on the anatomy. Her characterisation of attendant sensations are frighteningly accurate. She describes "the feeling of space in the pelvis" in certain poses as cause and effect on pelvic organs like the uterus and ovaries. In short, Karin brings life to the practice by her skill, attention and love.

Her descriptions are priceless; "feel the weight in the centre of your heel, feel the pressure on the metatarsals of the toes, your toes should not curl but should be as light as the antennae of a butterfly...

An interview with Karin O'Bannon... http://www.iyase.org/KOB_intervw.htm

Also a painter, Karin’s astute eye for detail penetrates a canvas or a person. She has said that she doesn’t remember names very well; she remembers bodies.

At the end of the seven-day (28-hour) workshop, participants were singing her praises and wishing they could teach like her. With a gentle knowing smile, this humble yogi's parting words were: "You should teach the way YOU teach". "Praises and criticism are like water falling off a ducks back". Namaste.

Matsumoto Castle

The two and a half hour train ride on the Super Azusa express from Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station in Nagano Prefecture was a particularly scenic ride as we were fortunate enough to see a snow capped Fuji-san devoid of any cloud cover. The Northern Alps were visible before reaching our destination. Impressive indeed. Most of the countryside is agricultural with rice being the mainstay crop and vegetables a close second. Japanese rice is a short-grain variety called japonica. The Japanese government enforces quotas and high tariffs on foreign rice. As a result, virtually all the rice consumed in Japan is domestically produced. I am told rice is relatively expensive in Japan, and is another way the Tokyo Grain Exchange compensates farmers for their efforts. At the Earth Day Fair in Harajuku in mid April, where this guy was giving out free hugs, a simple banner said it all, "Rice is Life". As you leave the station, you come across the statue of a monk, deemed to have been the first to climb the Northern Alps in his quest for enlightenment. The fox is the protector of rice fields to ensure an abundant harvest every year and this Shinto shrine with two foxes enables prayers to be offered. Matsumoto exudes a peaceful warmth, proud of its heritage and history.

Even the pigeons are chilling... The town's mascot is the frog and these samurai frogs are battling it out on Nawate shopping street.If this reminds you of a European mansion, you are half right. It is an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) clinic! Not much information about the building is given by the doctors except that it was built in 1914 in Japano-European style.And finally the prize of our sojourn, Matsumoto Castle. Also known as the Black or Crow Castle as the black walls and roofs look like spreading wings.This 16th century castle is a National Treasure complete with original wooden interiors, walls and moat. The architectural layout of the castle complex has been carefully delineated showing the extent of the grounds.
Enjoy these images taken on a gorgeous day.

Once inside, you appreciate the vantage point of this castle. And if you close your eyes, you may see a samurai moving deftly along these wooden corridors... or behind bamboo screens. We leave the castle in search of yet another gem in this historical town.

The former Kaichi Primary School, built in 1876, represents an important milestone in the education system of Japan. Before this school was opened, only the children of samurai where given the opportunity of higher education. Kaichi means "opening people's intelligence." In 1872 the national education system was reformed with the intention of creating community education modeled after western education systems.
One could imagine this being the headmasters house just around the corner from the school.A fish-eye view of some happy students sitting at their wooden desks and chairs. Intricate facade of the main entrance.

With barely half an hour before our departure time, a couple of satisfied tourists jumped into a taxi for a quick dash to the station. The taxi driver was very disappointed that we would not be "staying at least for one more day at one of the 3000 hotels in Matsumoto". Now was he exaggerating, surely it should be more like 300? He proudly pointed out the IRS building, a former department store that had closed down, the hospital where he recieved treatment as a senior citizen and the fire station. He did the Japan Tourist Board proud.