Food for thought..... on Beach Day ( Bali Sunday)

Beach day at Padang Padang is always delightful.
I remember coming here with Parta a few times before when I was living in Bali in 2007.
Last year, Padang Padang was the Bali backdrop for the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" (based on the book) filmed here, starring Julia Roberts.
During high tide, you can swim the clear blue waters and even rock climb with the locals.
The warung there serves nasi goreng, mee goreng, egg tomato and cheese toasties amongst other things. And to the right of the comfy beach, there are rock formations and hidden adventures that lurk behind the cracks.

During this time of the year, you can't watch the sunset from Padang Padang and
Dreamland has been destroyed by all the construction happening there.
So Eddie, Parta, Yulia, Aidan and I go for sun-downer Mexican just down the road.
Yulia and I have the fish tacos, which come with side salad, yellow rice and mexican beans.
Oh and yummy roasted potatoes.
Eddie, Parta and Aidan have the beef burritos which are well reputed.
The margaritas here are incredible too, but we all refrain ourselves since the drive back down to Nusa Dua and Seminyak is lengthy.
The deco is quaint with little reminder tablets, hung on the wall saying
"People in a rush, not allowed here."
There is a poster of Bob Marley, surfboards affixed on the ceilings and photographs of surfers, conquering massive waves.
Most of the pictures are of the owner himself, riding waves all over Uluwatu.

I forget to introduce myself and ask for his name but the whole 2 hrs we were there,
he watched over us with such genuineness and attentiveness.
The chefs even shared a 'recharge' moment with us by blasting Bobby McFarrin's
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" song in the midst of our meal. We all sing along loud and proud.

Earlier that day, Eddie and I had a gratifying breakfast at Gourmet cafe with some good friends.
The french toast there is exquisite and their Liver Detox juice is my ultimate favorite.
Their omelets are also delectable and you can even make your own sandwiches.
I usually have croissants with tuna and melted cheese.

For supper, I scoffed down the Nicoise salad from Soho. I love their anchovy dressing.
And indulged myself with the Vanilla milkshake. Slurp.

What a feast I was blessed with today. A healthy one too for that matter.

Stay tuned for more of my BALI FOOD ADVENTURES.

Student Power – Environmental Change Starts from a Young Age

Student Power – Environmental Change Starts from a Young Age

Such a powerful piece and so enlightening.
Yes children have the power and we should start from now, to educate them truthfully.
God gave us free will, we should give our youth, the future, the same...if not more.
Teach them, give them the info and let them decide for themselves.

Namaste

P.s Am reading a book now called "Eating Animals". Highly confronting but incredibly educational.
I suggest you give it a read.

Do u.... want more?

Last Sunday, I was accused of being selfish with my knowledge.
My photographer friend Olivier said,
"I've known you all this while and I only recently realized how spiritual you are."
He went on to tell me,
"If I knew this before, I would have seeked your cosmic advice way before."

My only defense was to reply...
"I believe spirituality is best shared through positive experiences and personalities.
If personal theories were preached and insisted upon, spirituality does not come by choice.
If by being a spiritual person, in touch with the cosmic, one is at peace with themselves, happy and joyful to be around... that is a good example of what the Universe can bring u, if u only believed.
People will then seek their own awareness and happiness since they see that THIS is what inner peace and compassion brings to me."

Well Olivier and I went on to have quite an indulgent Sunday...
with good food, groovy music, lots of drinks and great company
and through the day, we would catch each others eyes,
exchange a intuitive nod and went on bouncing through the party.

Monday morning came and I got to thinking....
He is right.
I know all these things...out of pure passion and personal achievement.
I know of angels and Goddesses and crystals and healing herbs...
and I have not shared it....enough.
I share it with my Loved ones and my best friends and strangers I encounter
but I have not seeked out another avenue to share more.

Since I was a little girl, I had been fascinated with the Mystical.
I was born Catholic but grew up reading philosophical novels, bibles and encyclopedias on ancient remedies.
Crystals were my type of 'candy', my eyes would always follow butterflies and birds,
insisting to know the name of every tree or plant and totally tamed by the sight of the Ocean.

During my early years of modeling and while I was still in school,
I use to get sarcastic remarks about the constant grin on my face or my airy fairy comments about the day and all things remarkable.
And I would read my Sybil Leek books,
hiding the covers and titles from their sights just to avoid scrutiny and judgement.

These days, as much as I look to the Angels and Goddesses for signs and guidance,
I follow Buddhism.
Which speaks of awareness, compassion and acceptance mainly.
I go to the temple whenever I can, and pray for my family and friends but more important,
I fuel my lifestyle by surrounding myself with good friends and clean fun.
Our indulgences are deserved and we hurt nobody else in the process so we give ourselves that permission to let loose. That's my type of Good Times.
The energies exchanged are genuine and clear of dishonesty and secrets and malice.
We laugh because we are happy we live.
Not out of bitchiness or jealously brought on by insecurities.
And we celebrate the Trust, within the circle and the depth of our histories together.
We share life mottos and helpful lessons to get through Life.
And we promise each other loyalty and love.

I know I am blessed. Because I have these friends, and I have this advice.
And I know of the Universe and how cycles are necessary in this world.
But I want to share it.
With you... yes You.
Just one bit at a time.
Spare me some of your brain space and see if my words resonate within you.
And if they work for you....
Or even if reading them entertains or lightens you.
Support me if I tell you my stories and my experiences.
Drink me when I am on a roll or off the beaten track.

Do u..... want more?

Dharma Cards

One mind

Our worlds are created in our mind
and we live as if these worlds are real.
Our thoughts and our actions
bring misery and complications
and we have no freedom.

In our mind we create the world
and we live as if this world is real.
To realize the truth
and free ourselves
we must pass through
the doors of awareness.

Six
Collecting Honey

As the bee collects nectar
without injuring the flower,
so should you move through life.

Watch your actions,
learn about yourself,
and don't compare
your ways with others.

The words of those who are unaware
are like withered flowers.
They are faded and have no scent.

The Dharma Cards

I am reminded once again of the importance of positive thought and speech.
I guess sometimes I mix it up in my head when I work.
When I put on my 'work mode', I am expected to be judgmental and curt with people.
The industry almost feeds off the snobbish aloofness shoveled around these circles.
But there again, I see this incredible emergence of highly aware people who are making good changes in their habits and lives and are setting a better example for the fashionistas of the future.
As always, as a cycle and as the way of the Universe, there is balance in all.
Namaste.

Get well.

Stuck at home with the flu. Arrrgh.
Although I am rather happy that I actually have a reason to sleep all day.
And I know my body needs it.
I still can't help but wonder if it would socially irresponsible if I went for yoga anyhow.
YES IT IS!
Gosh, I wish more people would stay at home when their ill.
Coming out, eating at a public food court, exercising in gyms, taking public transport all require you to interact with other people, share space and yes spread germs.
That is socially irresponsible behavior.
Especially when you are the height of your sickness. The first 2 days. And you are most infectious.

Ok, so maybe I am restless at home. After washing Gizmo and his bed, cleaning out the termite remains, folding some laundry and putting in somemore, checking my facebook's Cafe World every 20 mins and giving it a whole renovation, I should either try and sleep now or lie down and rest my body. I guess I couldn't help but put it out there to all you sick people...
stay in, drink juices, sit on balconies and get better.
Don't go out and share germs so there won't be more sick people at home out there.

Get better soon.

FEAR!

Fear fools us all.
No one of us completely eludes it and the weird thing is, the more we run from it, the more it comes to challenge us.
The moment we believe we have it under control, it stings us like a painful reminder to stay awake.
It feeds off all the anger we give it, and thrives on the paranoia lurking deep within.
We try to hide our fears only to realize how obviously we wear it, during all those ugly moments.
The power we give it stuns us and the control we so desperately want, slips away.

We always give excuses for fear. We are afraid to admit it controls us. What a paradox.

We cannot understand why it always gets the best of us. We are blinded by fear.

We need to be aware that we do not have to live in fear.
That we, as sentient beings, can be awakened to a happier, higher pattern of living.
But we must first break bad habits and self-sabotaging behavior, as well as develop awareness and compassion.
Trust our instincts.
"Worship the alter of our own intuition"
- quote from the book "The Gospel according to Coco Chanel".

What an awesome message.

So, as I write here... almost to myself.
As these lessons I talk about are my thoughts in words, in relation to an event in the day.
I would lie if I said my day was peaceful and meditative and joyous.
Today, I saw fear. I watched it rip away at two beings while they nurtured it with their pride.
A mirror and it's reflection.

Thus, my message to myself is...
Don't live with Fear, and Fear will not live with you.

It's not me, it's YOU.

I don't think it's about me.
It ain't about making me happy or doing the things I ask.
It's about you.
Being aware of your thoughts and your actions.

It isn't about what I say or what you think I am trying to tell you.
It's about your interpretations and your perceptions and how you judge yourself.

Kels bought me Dharma cards for Xmas and it's suppose to be a meditation kit filled with the teachings of Buddha but in the introduction, there are so many messages...
I find it vital to share some with you.

Buddha's wisdom is a powerful tool for inner discovery.
You don't have to subscribe to any change or faith for his sayings to be helpful, nor do you have to alter your beliefs.
You simply need to understand that the insights Buddha offered are based on a very human desire to seek answers to questions about who and what we really are.

There are many who have awakened, but few among them who have the gift of bringing clarity to the world.
A Master is one who can transmit a teaching, who can inspire others to reach for their own awakening.

What a disciple typically wanted to hear a Master say was, "Listen to me, and learn from me. Then you can be like me."
Buddha was different. He emphasized one simple point.
"Watch yourself. Then you will learn from yourself how things are."

"Such a person's words must be listened to with an open mind.
You must judge for yourself whether or not someone speaks of the Dharma through real understanding. You must learn to recognize someone whose words are in harmony with their own inner discipline. Only if this can be established with certainty should such a person's words be recognized."

Now go and seek your own enlightenment.
Appa deepo bhava.
Become a light onto yourself.

Words of Buddha shared with us by Priya Hemenway.

Namaste.