Mongolia...What A Beautiful Country!

It's Saturday and stayed on bed until 2:00 pm...First time to woke up this late! I knew it! This is jet lag effect from my trips to Hong Kong and Nepal last week. Jet lag always manifests in my body a week or so after my arrival, specially if I came from the other side of the world. I skipped the gym and pool today. I rested and tried to recuperated from my "sicked" feeling last night after work and swim. I feel better now, in fact, I did some cleaning at home today (vacuum, water the plants) and I did some finalizations of my trips to Israel and Mongolia this coming June and July 2011. I made a change in my summer trips...I skipped Tanzania and Madagascar in this trip due to unstable civil unrest (still) in the those two countries. There is still tomorrow to see these parts of the African continent.

I found some interesting You Tube videos about Mongolia. I feel like flying now. What a beautiful country Mongolia is? Mongolia....see you soon! July 1, 2011.


Click to see Mongolia..What A Beautiful Country

Just by watching this short video about Mongolia, my mind and soul had been driven by the feeling quietness, gentleness and serenity of this country. I've never been to Mongolia but I've been to the nearby country below it - China. I'm curious how much "Chinese" influence this country has - I want to see it myself when I get there there this coming July 1, 2010 from Israel.

Click here to watch the Old Ways of Mongolians

The Gobi Desert


Gobi Desert! Friendly nomads who are used to travelers...maybe a cup of tea with them! What a nice experience! I wish to reach the Gobbi desert in this travel. Now that I am still in the process of ironing my itinerary details in Mongolia, all seems to be flowing smoothly and will make it a planning without a pain similar to the previous travels I've done. In this trip, I will include cultural and ecotourism in my itinerary.



Click here to listen to local Mongolian song

Of course, sounds so "Greek" to me, but there is a deeper of each word. It's amazing to see there animals in the wild in their natural state and condition. Will I survive with the language, custom, and other differentiating factors as a tourist in this country? Indeed yes! As a matter of fact, I am eagerly expecting challenges that will add to the excitement of the journey to this country. I love going to places where I do not see the same "people" as I see here in the United States, people who speaks the different language, countries with entirely different culture from the western world, places with different religious and life principles and philosophies. I will feel like that I am in the US if I go the Amsterdam!

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

I will enter Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city, from Moscow. By that time, I've completed my trip to Israel. I have 10 days to explore the major areas of Ulaanbaatar other cities.

See you soon, Mongolia


Photo taken in Hong Kong, April 17, 2011

Very Influential...Conviction or Preference

Click here to see and listen to "Conviction of the Hearts" by Kenny Loggins



Other people's verbal thoughts and comments may be (very) influential to our own thoughts about the same situation or event. ..... Today, upon leaving 7/11 store in Santa Cruz, I turned so grateful that I followed my conviction instead of my preference. The store keeper said to me when I was about to pay for a bag of Dorito chips..."He always asked for money from customers." I am a regular customer of that store and I've spoken with Mina, the store clerk, many times. My thought at that time was trapped between to situations...follow my conviction (buy the Doritos for the "beggar" or preference (listen to the store clerk not to get something for the "beggar" who always ask for food). I believe that her point was the "begging" person (young man in his roller blade) has been taking advantage of customers. Decisions by preference satisfies other's thoughts and beliefs (oftentimes ways of being, too).

This was the situation in nutshell: I was leaving the store heading to my car with with a cup of coffee and cheese sticks in my hand when a young man "begging" outside the store asked for some spare change to add to what he has to buy food. I said to him, "Let's go inside the store and I'll buy you something to eat." He said, "I cannot get in line, I am in my roller blade." "What do you want,? I replied. "A bag of chips," he quickly replied.

My conviction was to buy him the chips. I felt that the "tiny small voice" told me to ignore what Mina said ("He always ask for money from customers.") Go on and do what you think is right according to you life principles. It may not be right if I gave him money. He was not an old, sicked beggars like the ones I've seen in Cairo in Egypt or in the Durbur square and Bhaktapur in Kathmandu, Nepal. I believe that it will not hurt if we spare a "piece of bread" to someone no matter what situation in life we are in. In my opinion, one way or the other, we have been so focused to our own self. We are dominated by the triad "me, myself, and I." Sometimes it is hard to give out the extra "tire" we have, specially in this "materialistic" and "individualistic" culture. In my recent trip to Nepal last month my heart was touched by the Nepalese people in general, specially the local people in Bhaktapur, the city of the devotees. The people I've seen in the at least 5 different cities in Nepal seemed to be not materialistic. The Hinduism and Buddhism religions could be part of the reason behind. They live their life simply. I remember the phrase from a declamation piece of writing from Patrick Henry..."Alms, alms, alms...spare me a piece of bread!" What a memory from the past...My mother helped me how to deliver this "declamation piece" that I presented in a declamation contest when I was in high school. I won! Jeah!

Should you follow your conviction or preference in making decisions?








Elephant ride in Thailand, November 2009

Oh Jeah! Traveling is Fun When...

Click here to watch "I Like To Move It-Madagascar 2 Escape To Africa

(I chose this link because traveling is "moving" in a chosen destination. My next choice is Africa, Jeah!)

Each time a trip comes to a conclusion is when I feel so accomplished with one of the goals. As for me, traveling is not just "packing" luggage and purchasing ticket (or using earned mileage from the previous travels), but it takes 4 other stages: Choosing, Planning, Execution, Analysis and Reflection.

Choosing is an essential stage to start the whole plan. What is the point without choices (as in our life which is full of choices)? What exciting is when are trapped between to tight options. Choosing includes whether you like it or dislike it for whatever reason, timing to go (weather-wise, weather-wise, safety-wise), resources (you can fully support yourself without borrowing, depending from others, and able to feel NOT regretful - i.e., enough resource to plan for the next travel).

Planning comes after Choosing. At this stage, you have made a decision what place to visit (whether domestic or international). Domestic travel is easier than international travel because the latter requires you to check with the embassy of the country you want to visit if visa is required or not with the (type) passport you have. Practically, majority of the countries have active websites which includes visa requirements. As you explore, you will encounter that there are countries that they freely let you stay for tourism purposes for a certain number of days with just a valid passport, return or outbound airline ticket, financial stability to support your stay in their country (not to be a burden on their part) and a verifiable place where you will stay (hotel, hostels, etc.). There will be countries that you can obtain visa-upon-arrival or there are countries that you many need to have visa before arriving into their countries. These are countries that have no reciprocity with the country of your nationality and/or country of origin of your current passport. China is a good example who requires most tourists from different countries to have tourist visa before arrival, otherwise you will be sanctioned under their laws and deported to your country. Planning also includes booking of hotel before leaving. It is always a peace of mind to have a known place to stay instead of looking for hotel upon arrival which can be chaotic and pricy to book on the spot. Of course, when I travel, I want to be relaxed upon arrival and start exploring the place and not to use several hours to look for a place to stay which may cause headache. Careful and intelligent choice are indeed imperative in choosing a place to stay before leaving. Other things to include in planning are the itinerary of each day during your vacation, but be mindful that you should be open for some adjustments in your plan, as need arises. There are circumstances that may be beyond your control (e.g. sudden change of weather, etc.). A piece of good advice: read current reviews about the activities you will choose to know the experience of other people about it (also reading reviews about the hotel of your choice before making decisions will also provide peace of mind to a certain degree). Who knows? You may end up deciding NOT to sign up for it since negative reviews outweigh positive comments. In addition to this, do not forget to have an airport pick (shuttle) that you pre-arranged before your arrival. This is quite pricy but safe. It's all about safety when traveling to make the entire trip positively memorable. Just hopping in a local taxi from arrival area is not a safety decision. This is just common sense to those travelers who do not exchange their money for their safety. In this matter, do not be stingy when it comes to your own personal safety. Last but the the least, plan out your daily expenses. Be sure that you will not "zero in" your budget all the way and make it a point you bring some of your budget back to your bank account at the conclusion of your trip. This will make you feel really good! Ops, not to forget to mention: If you plan to go to bars, beer houses and the like, you are just setting up yourself to danger. These places are the spots of many troubles and temptations, which could make your trip the worst experience you will have in traveling. To those who likes to the bar scene, excuse me for being impartial. In my opinion, it is the truth. All my travels have been safely executed because I do go to those places. Jeah!

Next to planning is Execution. This is when the reality comes in. This is what I call the "the event!" It simply means, making what you have planned into actuality. In the above discussion, I mentioned about flexibility. I want to reiterate it in the execution stage. Planning done on-line is all virtual. Virtual experience may be deceiving sometimes, therefore, be open to adjustment or changes as it may arise in trip unexpectedly.

Finally, the Analysis and Reflection of the trip. I do not have much things to say about these final stages. It is when you are in the comfort of your home from your, wherein you are looking at the pictures, souvenirs you bought (which I am not fond of souvenirs), and other memoirs related to the trip. This is when you can say...either "What a well time and resources spent!" or What a wasteful time and resources spent.!" Grrrr

But I suggest: "No" to regrets, experience is good! But to minimize or eradicate the feeling of regret in traveling, you must PLAN AHEAD and MAKE IT A SAFE TRIP!


The background in this photo taken in my recent trip (April 2011) to Kathmandu in Nepal are local "Nepalese in action" in their daily chores as well as local structures in the outskirts of the Kanthmandu Durbur Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This place is a big JEAH!

On the side of the coin: Today was a great time at work after the spring break vacation. No students around (jeah) but teachers and staff. We had a professional development and it was alright...boring in some areas since they were all repetitions.

I had a strong swim practice today...77 nonstop freestyle laps in 34 minutes...I broke my personal record again! I needed to stop my lap swim today otherwise I will keep on going swimming and swimming. Where did those energy come from? I must be sleeping that time to due to jet lag! Do I have a jet lag from my trips to Hong Kong and Nepal? Hmmm

Ciao!

Adventures In Nepal and Hong Kong - Spring Break 2011

Click here to see Nepal


Click here to see Hong Kong....it's all about color, costumes, harbors, clothes, technology, and people...Hong Kong!



Arrived in Nepal International Airport midnight April 17, 2011, I was bit surprised by the standard of the airport..I guess in was "pampered" by the advancement of Hong Kong International Airport where the plane left to Dhaka, Bangladesh (1 hour stopover) to Kathmandu. Plane landed safely in Kathmandu after a 45-min delay due to weather condition in Dhaka. Visa on arrival was fast but it took a bit extra for me due to couple of questions of the immigration officer about the several entry and exit stamps from 24 different countries in my passport, and I can see why. He affixed the visa sticker with multiple entry after a direct and smart answer...hehehehe. No secrets! It was all good! Jeah!

The airport started shutting it's light since it was the last arrival that day. Guess what? My hotel airport pick up service was not there and a dozen of taxi drivers speaking Nepalese came to me as I was the only one left outside the arrival area...dark! I always decline to take a taxi in going to the hotel each time I travel specially in late arrival for safety reason. I always have the hotel pick me up or reserve an airport transfer. The hotel pick up finally arrived after 15-min of "not worry-free" waiting. All went well after all. Adjustment with was pretty good despite of the long flight. I was greeted politely "Nemaste" and the check in was hassle-free, as always. I went directly to my huge hotel room and slept tight to regain energy for the next day's first tour of the city of Kathmandu and Thamel.

On my first full day, I took an extra slow phase in the hotel room, warm shower, tried to get to my workout routine with the stretch bands and 2-liter drinking water bottle as weights and good breakfast. Afternoon of that day when the "exploration" started. First trip was the drive in the city of Kathmandu. Traffic was like in Hanoi's motorcycle-filled streets and like Cairo's "no traffic" rule streets and highways as well as resembling Beijing's congested and packed public transportation. I was fortunate to have a private-air-conditioned transportation with a driver and a local tour guide. I did not inhale much of the pollution.

The adventure has began! On my first day I had a tour of Kathmandu Valley also called the "City of Glory". Visit includes Durbar Square, Kasthamandap - said to be constructed from a single piece wood, Kumari Ghar - Home to the world's only Living Goddess and Hanuman Dhoka Palace. Once a year, during Indra Jatra festival, the King of Nepal seeks the Kumari's blessing. I was fortunate to see the Kumari when she showed herself through the window. Pictures were nit allowed. A short visit to Kal Bhairab, the Gold of destruction andTaleju Temple, built in 1549 AD. That same day, with my private driver and private tour guide I visited the Swayanbunath stupa, said to be one of the oldest Buddhist Stupas in the world, which is majestically set high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. It is nicknamed as the monkey temple after the tribe of monkeys that look after the hill and often amuses the visitors. I was fortunate to see the "monkey festival" that day.

Below are photos taken in one of entrances of many temples dating back 16 th century in Kathmandu Durbur Square, A UNESCO World Heritage.
































Durbur Square, A UNESCO World Heritage. At the top of the temple are local Nepalese.

















Durbur Square in Kathmandu---On my way to return to the hotel after a half day exploring the square.
















Swayanbunath stupa. It was a time of "pilgrimage" among Hindus that day. Olderly, young adults, children were there to celebrate.


















Durbur Square in Kathmandu. This young Nepalese man kept on following my tour guide Rohini and I while I take photos. He was curious on how the iPhone camera works. I asked him if he wants to be part of picture and he just posed without hesitation. What a curious and nice young Nepalese person in the bazaar!


















Durbur Square in Kathmandu. Behind are two Nepalese women wearing their local costumes.

















In the early morning of April 19 I flew with a 19-seater plane Buhhda Air for a mountain flight to the the Himalayas mountain ranges and Mt. EVEREST. I was fortunate that day because the clouds started to clear up and I saw the majestic iced-caps Himalayas mountain ranges, including the Mount Everest, of course...the main reason I took the time to fly up in the sky. It's an amazing creation! I felt a different spirit as the plane passes eye level with the Mt. EVEREST. Nepalese consider this mountain as very holy!

The picture below was taken from the mountain flight (Buddha Air- B1900D - 19 seat aircraft) in the Himalayas mountain ranges in Nepal. Where in the photo? The Mt. EVEREST (29,029 ft) is the triangular-shaped top close to the left side of the photo. To the right of Mt. EVEREST is Mt. Lhotse (27,940 ft) and to the left of Mt. EVEREST is Mt.Nuptse (flat in appearance) (25,771 ft).

Mount Everest, also known as Mount Chomolungma or Sagarmatha, is the world's highest mountain above the mean sea level at 8,848 meters (29,029 ft). It is located in the Himalayas on the Nepal (Sagarmatha Zone)-China (Tibet) border.
















The 19-seater Buddha aircraft B1900D that took me to a mountain flight in the Himalayas mountain ranges to see Mt. EVEREST, the highest peak in the world.


















Next was a sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This massive temple complex sits alongside the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the courtyard of the temple, whereas tourists can see the temple from the eastern side of the Bagmati River. Afterwards, visit Boudhanath, a Buddhist Stupa said to be one of the largest in the world. This massive structure stands tall with four pairs of eyes each facing the four cardinal directions, watching for righteous behaviour mankind and for human prosperity.

Picture taken in the Pashupatinath. In front is the Bagmati River considered as "holy river" by Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. The ashes of cremated bodies (which was being done the day I visited and I smelled the smoke and gave me a slight headache) is being poured into the Bagmati river which is very polluted. This river connects to Ganges River in India. I cannot imagine how much pollution the great Ganges river gets from Nepal plus the pollution originating from India.

















Below was an open "courtyard" with tons of doves around and bull in the BOUDHANATH STUPA CITY.

















Hahahaha...Do I look like "afraid" to touch it? I was! Chicken! Hehehe
















A rare photo with the Indigenous "mountain" people in the
BOUDHANATH STUPA CITY. A small stupa in the background.


















Full Day TOUR OF BUNGAMATI AND KHOKANA
Tour of Bungamati Village which is an abode of Red Machendranath Bungamati is famous as the winter home of the Red Machindra of Patan. The temple dating back from 16 century. Shikhar style temple. Its spacious courtyard is often used for spreading grain to dry in the sun as this area is mainly covered up by farmers. On return from Bungamati visit another Newari farmers typical village called Khokana. This village is famous in the Kathmandu valley for its mustard oil, here one can see how the villagers extract oil from the mustard seeds in the age-old traditional style.



































































Sitting next to a typical old-fashioned Nepalese in Bhaktapur, UNESCO World Heritage















Getting water from well...my first time to get water from a real well!
















A Nepalese washing clothes by hand...I got a bucket of water from well for her. What an experience!
















The young Nepalese child looks like a walking doll.

















A Buddha poses in Bhaktapur


































Click here to see Nagarkot, Nepal


After a hike in Nagarkot.
















If not cloudy one can visibly see the Himalayan mountain ranges here in Nagarkot including the tip of Mt. EVEREST.

















A good Nepalese friend Krisna Pahari who served daily breakfast in the hotel in Thamel where I stayed. This was taken in the garden the Ambassador Garden Hotel..with wonderful staff and unparalleled service to tourists. Thumbs up! Thanks Krisna for the wonderful breakfast you served in the hotel.















With Bakash Gautam who works in the hotel who picked me up from the airport in Nepal in the middle of the night. Thanks Bakash!

















Namaste....Nepalese respectful greeting with hands together with a bow! I love Asian culture, very respectful and sophisticated!
















I could be a Nepalese, too!

















With very friendly Nepalese staffs in the hotel...I felt like home! Jeah!

















A Nepalese mandala in the background

















The plane that flew me to see Mt. EVEREST! Wonderful and once in a lifetime experience!

















A Nepalese cat. This cat was always in the garden breakfast area of the hotel!
















Portrait of the former ambassador of Nepal to China..."The Ambassador Garden Hotel"

















Like my other trips, Nepal is another country that I visited with the feeling of enthusiasm of coming back sometime. It was a very unforgettable and awesome experience! As I see it, Nepalese are happy people regardless of their status in the society and it looks like that they are not as materialistic as compared to other places, specially in the western world...of course! In my experience during the few days here, I believe, Nepal deserves a place in the world where people from other countries will look up to because of their "positive outlook" in life in the midst of their "struggles" to keep life goes on joyfully (Of course, there is always someone who I can describe as people with "full of inertia" - I mean lazy, similar to other countries), not to forget their "close family ties" that bonds them and preserves their heritage. Nepal, aside from Thailand, is one of the few countries in the United Nation that has not been colonized by other country.

Thank you Nepal for a wonderful experience! There is really a "magic" in you....as the welcome banner in one the roads leading to the Kathmandu International Airport says, NEPAL - "Magic of Mysticism," I will return! Nemaste!

A big "JEAH!"

Nepal: General Information (From Wikipedia)






In a chain of highest and the youngest mountain on earth, Nepal is a country of apparent diversity, amazingly rich culture with varied complex compassing a region of deep religion with subtle and spectacular traditional culture. What in now a Nepal was a collection of feudal principalities sandwiched between the Mogul India and Tibet. Land locked and with an area of only 800 km long and 200 km wide, the terrain changes from its highest altitude of 8848 meters and glaciers along the Tibetan border to the flat jungles of Terai, barely 150 meters above sea level in it. s 200 km longitude. The country does not ascend gradually from the plains. Rather, it raises from several chains of the hills that lie's in an east. west direction, finally terminating in the youngest and the highest range in the world . the HIMALAYAS.

Nepal, today offers much more than superb mountain scenery. It provides an opportunity to step back in time and meet people who like our ancestors many centuries ago lived free of complications, social economic and political which beset the developed world.

Facts

Population: 26.3 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Kathmandu
Area: 147,181 sq km (56,827 sq miles)
Major language: Nepali
Major religions: Hinduism & Buddhism
Monetary unit: 1 Nepalese rupee = 100 paisa
Main exports: Carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain
GNI per capita: US $260 (World Bank, 2005)
Internet domain: .np
International dialling code: +977









///////////////////////////////////////////. Hong Kong Trip ./////////////////////////////////////////////////

Click here to see Hong Kong...Live It, Love It!


Hong Kong trip.......

While waiting for my connecting flight in Hong Kong to Kathmandu, I took a short Hong Kong city tour and I got a "preview" of what Hong Kong is like. I like it!


Hong Kong skyline along the Hong Kong Harbor. It was cloudy that day.

















Hong Kong Performing Arts building


















Jeah! I love to pose! Hahahaha
















I love this boat cruising in Hong Kong Harbor
















Lantau Visitor Center, Hong Kong....a good spot to see Victoria Suspension Bridge

















Kowloon City Center, Hong Kong


















Hong Hong harbor (reclaimed) with high-high rise sky scrapers

















Longest suspension bridge in Asia, Hong Kong

















One of the temples I visited in Hong Kong

















One of the wide bridges in Hong Kong...very open and clean!





















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Time Will Fly By On Board

Click here to see Hong Kong


Wow! Time really flies even in this plane that has been traveling for 9 hours since it took off from San Francisco International Airport, and will be landing in the next 4 1/2. I tried to take a long sleep but it was just broken nap that i made. I do not sleep much on the plane, I guess who can. It was only when I flew from Beijing, China back to California when I squeezed by body in the seat and, bang, has fallen asleep. It was the longest flight delay i ever had due to engine trouble. It has been a smooth ride by far but nothing will been the service of Japan and Korean Airlines...hehehehe, overall, good so far and nice crew and they are all well-groomed!

My day yesterday was fully-packed with essentials...from home, to work, back home, packing luggage, securing the house and of course making sure plants were watered, drove to the airport, waiting, and finally on board. All went smoothly and transitioned as expected...one thing I forgot to bring. Was my Swimmer's magazine, but Its the movie and ebooks in my iPad kept has been keeping me occupied on the plane. I still have have of the film unwatched. I am not much of a movie-guy. I tend to watch and pause and do something else.

Ops, I lied, the estimated time of arrival is 5 hours more and 15 minutes and not 4 1/2 hours as i said previously...wrong math..hahahaha! i just saw it from the monitor. Oh well, time will fly by. As a matter of fact, I am here at the back of the plane and just did my active stretch, but limited movement of course, and I glad that this aircraft has a big back alley.

Soon I will be in Hong Kong and it's my first time there. I am excited with eagerness to see this small Asian country south of mainland China. I've met wonderful Hong Kong nationals from my previous trip in Peru and I have a colleague at work who is from Hong Kong too and they are well-educated and pleasant to converse with. I will be in transit in Hong Kong and will visit the City of HongKong and four major places before I return to the airport terminal to catch the plane to Kathmandu in Nepal (with a connecting flight to Bangladesh for an hour...refueling I guess. Bangladesh?...Yeah, Bangladesh!). I will add details about the places in Hong Kong I will visit in my next blog. It's all virtual at this time...the reality is coming up soon!

It's breakfast time and the crew has started serving. I am not hungry yet. The Promax protein bar and zucchini bread my mother made baked for me (Thanks mother!)kept me full. Just a cup of coffee for now. Brrr...it's getting cold in the plane. This down jacket will keep me warm.

Time to destination is now 4 hours 33 minutes....getting closer and closer and time flies by indeed. This is a 13 1/2 hours direct flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. Ops, a slight turbulence just flew by! That was part of the excitement...hehehe! Stretch time again...stay healthy even on the plane...a big Jeah! And ask for a low-fat meal...another big Jeah! I have been awake for more than 24 hours since 5:30 am now with intermittent short nap

Finally, time to destination .... 36 minutes left before arrival. I have the arrival card filled in and ready! As usual, all is good!

Life good because my God is good!




In the Panama Canal, Panama City, Panama...December 2010







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Not A Rat Race...Slow Down!

Click here to listen to Jack Mannequin's Swim

Wow! It's about time to leave and enjoy the one of the most awaited breaks of the year---the Spring Break! I planned the trips to Hong Kong and Nepal since January after Panama and Colombia trips in December! Now I am just counting few days and I will board in the plane again. In love planes and I love flying, of course. It was my ambition to be an airline pilot when in was in elementary but it has changed overtime into science-related career ane it was because of my high school science Biology teacher in high school Miss Martinez. I was impressed with her science knowledge and how she made science very interesting to me. My inclination to science became even more intense when I competed in the Safeguard science bee in one of the noon-time show Student Canteen way back in 1988. I lost few points but I felt good as candidate and representative of my high school, and being televised on TV, indeed! I was a school boy! Hehehehe

Back to the trip...I should start packing my luggage tonight, at least the toiletries. From work, after workout and swimming this Friday, will be drive to San Francisco International Airport to catch the early Saturday dawn flight to Hong Kong, then to Kathmandu in Nepal. It's will be a tight schedule but it's a matter of good timing and planning - the way i think about it...hoping to get this done. I guess I am good with this matter when it comes to planning my trips....it add excitement and thrills as well as expectations.

Time flies...and it has been 4 hours that I am waiting for my car to be ready from regular maintenance and it felt that I just took a quick nap here in the lounge area of Firestone in Santa Cruz...busy reading, on line surfing, listening to music, blogging, catching up with emails, and searching good restaurant for mother's birthday celebration on April 30....plus I had a small sun-tanning inside due to the sunlight entering the glass windows here....it felt so good! And all is good! Oops, my car is almost ready...now it's ready for another 10 to 20 grand miles. This will be another long wait time for another big maintenance....again, it's all good!

Waiting for turn and patience pay off! I take my time and take things slow. More often than not, taking things slow and being quiet are good combination to accomplish things successfully. For this matter, slowness needs attention to details not being sluggish and sloppy! As I look at life with all it's demands, it should not be a "rat race." It's like swimming for efficiency and energy efficiency. A swimmer should take time to carefully watch and refine techniques and refined techniques follow fast speed. Focusing on speed instead of techniques makes a swimmer not last long in the pool due to high energy consumption. Economizing energy is the key to longer and efficient swimming! It's all about waiting for write timing and patience! As for me, it's not a rat race! It's a matter of pacing and good timing.

Fast-paced life is stressful, and in effect, it one may become neglectful to many important aspects to pay a very detailed attention. Hurrying up in the morning to work sometimes end up keys left inside the car. No grocery list before shopping ends up returning back just go get the forgotten pack of sugar. And the list goes on and on and on...

Is your life like a "rat race?"


Photo taken in Times Square, New York City, New York. Spring Break 2007







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