Understanding Cultures

Most of the time, I expect others to think, act and live like me. But I often forget, it's our individual background that forms who we are. So, on this journey, I realized that to understand cultures around the world, we must understand their background, their history. No doubt everybody is an individual, distinctly unique from the rest. But it is also important to learn to see people as a group of people, a family of people who are linked genetically to form an intricate DNA web. 

Just like how some nationalities have curly hair, brown hair, blue eyes or green eyes, each possess its own unique personalities too! Some are louder than others; some are more gentle than others; some are just more happy than others. Therefore, as we work in the international arena, it is essential for us to see the events that occured in history to mould each of us into who we are today. This will unlock more doors, more than we will ever imagine! 

Emerging out of the Coconut Shell

It's been a long time since I travelled seriously and on my own accord. This time, it was born entirely out of my own free will. Naturally, I learnt a few things. 

First, I thought European Union and Schengen countries were the same thing until I travelled to Switzerland last week and found out that the local Swiss currency was Franc, Czech used Slovania, Hungarian used Forint. Countries in the Schengen region do not necessarily have to use the Euro. 

Of course! How silly of me! If the concept of Schengen and EU were the same, why would they require two different names? It was only then I found out that one was used mainly for travelling, while the latter was for currency stability and strengthening. Unity is after all present in numbers. So, on my first day of my trip to Central - Eastern Europe, I discovered that Switzerland, Czech and Hungary are part of Schengen but not part of EU. 

As if living in the 20th Century, I happily imagined my passport to be filled with immigration stamps as I weaved in and out of each European country. But once again, I stand to be corrected. Under the Schengen law, once one has entered one Schengen member country, the passport doesn't have to be stamped anymore, as long as it remains within the Schengen member country. Wow! How convenient! 

And I found out that tap water was drinkable from most of the European countries, especially water from Switzerland and Sweden. And for the first time, I learnt how to distinguish between Switzerland and Sweden. 

I also thought that all European citizens spoke English, were Christians and each country possessed their own language. For example: Spain - Spanish, Germany - German, France - French, Amsterdam - Dutch. But Swiss spoke Italian, German and French. There is no Swiss language. And most Europeans aren't very religious. 

Oh wow... There is still much more for me to learn every day! 

Life - as I see it

I do not know why I am fascinated with life. I am curious as to what defines it, about the elements of combination that come together to form what we call life. 

In life, there are many paths. None of which are absolutely right, wrong or destined. The fact that we have the freedom of choice means that we - can choose. And so, here's what I figured out for the past few days while travelling around Eastern Europe. 

You don't have to walk the path of every person, the path that other people have chosen for you, or the path that you think you should tread on, or a path that you're lured to walk on. Dismiss all the noise : the people, the temptation, the things Walk on the path that your heart feels is right, is best and most comfortable. Follow your instinct. 

As I interact with more people, here are some of the 'should-s' that society tries to impress upon me: 

1. You should settle down and get married by thirty. Otherwise nobody will marry you anymore. 

    (This is a belief. Not a fact). 

There are an increasing number of women who get married in their mid-30s, 40s or even 50s, and they remain happily married. That doesn't mean I want to delay marriage as late as possible. But somehow, I haven't found the prince on the white horse! 

2. You should not get a masters or pursue too high a career ladder. The more educated you are, the higher the position you hold in your company, it will diminish your chances of getting married. 

    (This, too, is a belief. Not a fact). 

The head of the national bank of Malaysia is a woman, so is the Chancellor of Germany, Prime Minister of Thailand and heads of several companies. And they're all happily married with fully functional families. Note that all these positions require logical and practical thinking too. There is no such thing as suitability of a position depending on one's genes. It's all in the mind. A matter of inner desire and passion. If you think you can do it, you can. The fuel of passion and inner desire is more powerful tan any other forces of coercion. 

3. You should not travel alone because it's risky and dangerous. 

    (This, too, is a belief. Not a fact). 

If you plan well, know and decided where you are going to stay, visit, how you are going to travel etc, you will be fine. Stay calm. Keep your head on your shoulders. Be vigilant at all times. Don't let your guard down. thousands have done it and they're still safe. Be on your toes. and of course, remember to bring your prayers with you. (",) 

4. You should consume alcoholic drinks because you are in Europe! France is famous for its wine and champagne, Germany for its beer and vodka in Russia. And not to forget - the poppy seed cake and smoke weed in Amsterdam. You should go out and party and dance on Friday nights because that's what we do in Paris and on Friday nights. 

    (This,is definitely a belief). 

There are too many 'should-s' in this world. 

If I followed each and every 'should', I'd be so worn out from having too many strings tugging at my neck. I need to breathe. I need to be myself. The freedom to be who I am is my utmost right that belongs exclusively to me and myself. The freedom to write, to think, to day-dream and to turn my vision into reality. So is freedom of choice. The only time that I get to decie and act on what I want to do - is now. There is no other time. Life is too short to walk along the path of excruciating and equally uncertain path of 'should-s'. The only should is determined by God, not men. Follow your heart. It knows best. 

Something I Discovered about Myself...

I am impulsive, impatient. I need to do something all the time, be it thinking, reading, writing or watching tv. So I usually need to have a busy schedule to keep myself occupied. I do not like to be idle, even though I've read the book on "How to be Idle" (Maybe I need to read it again). 

Pens and papers are my best friends. Without them, I'd feel as if I am losing part of my limb. They help me to think, to express myself, to know myself, to know others, to think, to count, to play, to develop, to grow, to share, to laugh, to love, to play and to love. 

I need to write because I have short term memory loss. Things that I do not record, will end up missing from my memory bank. Well, most things anyway. Especially things which I consider petty and trivial. 

I love fun, excitement, challenges, explaining, and venturing out to new territories. 

Speak up. That's what I really, really want to do. Not just swallow everything down. 

I need to do the right thing. Because I feel impelled to do the right thing all the time. Every time I deviate from the path that I'm supposed to walk on, I'd be eaten up by guilt. 

I know God loves me. But, I need somebody to protect me and love me. I wish ... I find that somebody soon... (or vice-versa). 

Glaciers!

Oh! It's a lovely winter! 'coz finally,  I get to visit glaciers!

 

I didn't even know it was a glacier until I arrived and asked at the reception, "Is there anything here apart from skiing and snowboarding?" hehe!

 

And boy, snowboarding is tiring! It's fun and requires a lot of stamina and legs in the heels, the toes and the calf! Mmm.. enough of snowboarding and kickboxing for now. I'll stick with jogging and walking...

 

In the meantime, here are some photos of the glaciers and mountains of Les Deux Alps!

 

C'est superb, c'est magnifique, c'est sympa, c'est jolie, c'est beau!

 

 

Village in the Valleys

 

Icicles on the roofs!

Snow, snow, snow, everywhere!

 

Snow caps on the mountains!

Fog in the valleys!

Glaciers!

Oh wow!

Path for skiing and snowboarding!

 

 

Sunrise!

Icicles!

Ahh. wooden houses! Pine trees for the wooden panels ...