Welcome Over Chaa ...Indian Expat in Manila

2016-10-31T04:43:00.005-07:00

Over Chaa today...

In Memoriam Year 1984 - 4 dreadful nights and Dark days of 'Halloween' in New Delhi, India's capital city.

My neighborhood Didi was just one of the numerous young brides. And her husband of two years ( a turbaned Sikh) never returned home after the Nov 1- 4 massacre days immediately following Indian PM's assassination in1984.
Didi was returned to her maternal home- with a year old son, preganant with another. Transfixed eyes, and not talking at all. the Family and neighbors searched for her husband or his body or any clue everywhere. In police stations, on abandoned roads and ditches, refugee camps, mental asylums, even gazed into Crystal balls and black stone rings given by a new breed of holy men (that crop up each time there is human tragedy of this magnitude). Mom was telling me to not bother Didi. Hushed tones around her charpoy made even the mild October air as biting as peak December- January. Schools and businesses owned by Sikh people were burnt down. Even official records admit to 3000 sikhs killed in Delhi alone, and 8000 in 40 cities of India. This- for a population of mere 2 percent of the whole of India! Many hacked their long hair just to survive the mobs outside pounding at their doors.

That was the first time I understood that a person s religion is more than a personal belief. That it defines to others a collective identity, even if you yourself are just another man or woman on a midweek morning, just another child at school.
Later on, when we first moved countries- I felt another collective identity- Nationalism/ Indian.
Guess it will take a trip to Moon, Mars or Venus to 'feel' our collective identity as Earthlings....and so, perhaps, stop these state- silent- and watching-or state sponsored- pogroms of violence against one another.

And so it goes... Anti-Sikh Riots of November 1984 ....or Riots anywhere...targeting anyone at all... for what-so-ever-the reason- are THE NO NO.

Quoting:
'Despite their greater vigilance, however, both of these players seems unable or unwilling to connect the dots and insist on basic legal reform that would end the political abuse of state power that lies at the heart of the worst massacres.'

When a big tree fell: Thirty years since 1984 anti-Sikh riots, we still need to learn lessons on...

Today marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most infamous dates in modern Indian history, the day…

BLOGS.TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM

A similar first person story of 1984 victim is in these blogs and links-

http://qz.com/289671/i-lived-through-the-sikh-riots-and-30-years-later-im-not-ready-to-forgive-or-forget/

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/1984-anti-sikh-riot-first-person-accounts-of-some-survivors-show-victims-are-losing-faith/1/192992.html

So many things have remained unsaid.... but that is no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

Indian Cities Revisited- Bengaluru, Amritsar, Jaipur, Kerala

2016-07-06T11:16:00.000-07:00

Over Chaa today...

INDIAN CITIES REVISITED

BANGALORE, SUMMER 2015- cool and green urban jungle where heart has its home.

JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN, AUGUST 2015- Pink and Green Heart Chakra - refreshingly elegant.

JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN COSTUMES

KUMARAKOM, KERALA, DEC 2015- Muslim, Hindu and Christian amalgam in South of India. Nature rules.

AMRITSAR, PUNJAB, JUNE 2016
for the brave of heart, against all odds.

So many things have remained unsaid...but thats no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

House/ Domestic Helpers- Our Better- Halves

2015-10-09T03:36:00.000-07:00

Over Chaa today...

House maids, Domestic helpers- the house-owners' Better Halves.

Two most prominent news items today are about house maids in Saudi.
The first news is of the wife of a Saudi man videotaping her husband making advances to their domestic help and thus, shaming him on social media. the second and more immediate news is an i indian maid's hand being chopped off by her Saudi employer for reasons best known to both. her parents in I ndia have sought State Government's help in bringing her back to India.

Meanwhile Neelamma - my "GUUDDA MARNING! cooing local kannadiga house helper is late today. Just as i thought that i was going to have a pleasant Friday to myself before the busy weekend of a housewife ahead- it dawned that Neelamma might ve been taken sick and not come to do her cleaning chores for me today! my brain said- she was coughing yesterday- why didn't i give her medicine... But then, I am no doctor... But then.... How will she afford a doctor..... Ufff ....
There they were- a pile of clothes to sort, the clutter in the kitchen post breakfast and tiffin packing - - distinct crumbs from random snacks in a pet dominated home- do I want to surrender my Venusian Friday at the altar of these chores - encore- day after day..... NOOOOOOO!

MaiMai where art Thou- O beauteous slim n sly Filipina maid of Mine ?
Do I missest Thou - though I was wont to sayeth this Then
When You were mine
To lord over, boss over?
To dismiss and depreciate as you chop d the vegetables - Onion upon onion
I cry as I peel what yours to cut n peel!
I miss you most
When my dog pee- eth on the floor and I hate to mop the nose- defying nauseating mess.
When my chums visit and I wish the cramps away- I miss how you alone got it- and got me hot water bottle in bed. Sometimes even a cup of tea - if I yelled loud enough for it- and you had the mood to reciprocate!

O Neelamma- you may not be no suzbstitute for Mai Mai - who was - for a reason - in name also - two of you- Mai + Mai . But Neelamma- come and work the primary chores that await you and prevent my Friday from utter unnamed unsung ruin!

Bangalore maids come in all shapes n sizes- and I chose you- or you chose me- for a reason. Basic math it is called. Bartan, safari, bathroom clean madi, hath ka kapda wash madi. That s a house owner's gain of her precious time. Time that I can value-add- say to write my blog on maids than do the chores that I feel over qualified for.

And your gain? The ' Fulla 3500 rupees a month your monetary blissa!' You are a domestic diva- my better half. part time helper that you are- you promptly in 1hr accomplish more than a witch's wand with that broom, mop and your saree pallu. when we moved to Bangalore and maid- lookout began- a neighbour advised me well : 'there are the locals who work only part time and don't know Hindi language, then there are the Bangladeshi immigrants who can speak more Hindi, but can be unreliable (?); there are Manipuris who understand more English than Hindi and you might like them - but they come with a lot of attitude and no reference check. Also there are muslim maids -good at understanding all instruction but usually not upto the mark on hygiene.
But I am looking for someone who can stay in our house and be part of the family! I explained. My neighbour looked at me as if I was making an unreasonable demand-
Oh well. I had one, and I left my kid in her care. Then she just went away one day and the agency I got her from has made a police complain against us for her disappearance. You might want to consider the risk. You pick.
Neelamma - it was lucky for me that u landed on my rolls from the first day back in this house. You saved me all discriminatory choices by choosing to work for me, naming your price - and consistently doing what you were hired for. You as if came with the house. First you worked for our tenant and now you have incorporated my wishes to the work you did for your ex employer, my ex tenant. You tactfully leave undone what is in excess of your desire for the day (without confronting me). You are a beauty who does not understand one word of what you do not wish to understand. But can break into eloquent vernacular Kannada when you want money or day off. When I am in sad mood- you have some Hindi in you to show concern with hand gestures as eloquent as a Bharatnatyam dancer's. The other day as I walked into the balcony in hurry- and the floor was wet but us mopped- rather muddy- and I was going to reprimand you for it- you stopped me in my tracks by traffic policeman like - STOP signalling of your henna dyed palms! Then you frantically tried to explain- AMMMA- NAI- Slipppa - Neera- JARRRRRRRRRR..... Gesturing that I d slip (slipa) and fall if I didn't take heed of the water (Neera).

You might not know my Indian language because we are from opposite ends of India, and you only know 20 words of English- but you know me in subtle ways that Indian women know each other. You might never call, me 'Sexy' like my westernised Filipina MaiMai but you too gaze at our photo on the wall- and winka - 'Amma SSUUPER!' - small things that ensure pleasant interaction between employer employee. You break endless number of glasses and say-' AMMA - JARRRRRRRRRR-
slipa- FINISH! ' but I am not likely to fire you coz another could nt be better. You re the chosen one, you see! Perhaps, when an Indian or filipino does tic helper is in a Saudi home or any foreign national's the disconnect is too wide for a human and so Humane commune between them. What we do not understand- perhaps becomes de human used and objectified. Some will advance a helper to kiss her, others to kill her.
As much as we loved having a full time willing house helper in Manila, I am not too unhappy losing calories finishing the unfinished chores of a stay- out part time helper from within the city.

As a Kannada helper you wont care if I offer you 10000 and ask you to be my stay-in maid- because you are as much a householder in your home as I am in mine. You d much rather to go back home with a modest monthly salary and your Victory smile intact- than live single and not so happy in an employer's back room.

Filipina maids- more cleaner, wearing neatly paired tops and trousers or piping adorned uniforms- more presentable by far are famed the world over for nursing, nanny, and assistant duties . Their cleaner wear is different from their commute and go out wear. On their day off- they go to spa and church in addition to meeting family n friends . Some of them even donate part of their salary to poorer cousins! An Indian maid typically wears the same bedraggled saree several days- she just hitches it up or smoothness it down between stepping in and out of the door. If I offer her another clean saree- she ll save it for personal wear at her home than waste it on a commute to domestic duty. Well - both a Neelamma/Shantamma / Ratna in Bangalore neighborhood, and the Manila maids are a pleasant study in comparability and contrast these six years of our stay in Manila. They were also more dog friendly. Here, I am my own dog's dog walker and I miss you Aileen, Anna, Mai Mai - for your being less prototypical Filipina maids by adapting to my typical indian ways of rolling a cook, cleaner, dog walker into an all purpose maid format.

Many things have remained unsaid...but thats no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

I am your Channel

2014-09-19T00:07:00.003-07:00

Over Chaa today...

Since I had some very interesting experiences that finally seemed to fill me with understanding...that I am just a medium. Through me a lot can happen. That makes me like pipe, a conduit-- no expectation, no need to ask- what now or next... just be , and pass on what Universe wanrs done through you. just remain a worthy enough usable conduit.

Poem- this form of writing is just probably the best avilable conduit fr what i am tryng to convey...Poetry.

Somethings today- are falling in place.

Channels and spaces- Emptiness and space.

Layers of make up

Attempting flawless nude grace;

Beauty from within - in moment of

Obvious disgrace!

'Cracking open

And the light getting in'

Instant healing

Of demolished building.

Repetition- Of goblins sneaking back in.

Repetition- Of wars, curse blood rage.

They cry again- Dierdre of Sorrows--

Undeserved suffering, over n over again.

Yet the Voice- hearers persist

- like goblins persistent...

In time - we ll know and fight the battle.

Pick up the weapon, farmer shall wield the sword.

In time- he ll till and sow another crop- with pick- axe.

Demolishing the make up - false ego upon false ego--

Every habit that has failed its term.

And for each time- when medium shall be the message

God move through me.

Through me - children begotten, held, caressed

Through me a lover's whole- ness channeled

God shall grow in every child, day by day.

Through me the rules, time outs, discipline and penance

Through me the Grace, pardon and chance.

And when I feel joy- it will seem of my making-

But really it ll just be all about

Somethings falling into the place

... through my emptiness, and emptying into your Space.

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

RELATIONSHIPS

2014-09-05T19:25:00.001-07:00

Over Chaa today...

Relationships

Office Corridors

Activity Clubs

Lunches.

Parties

Dinner

Dances

Fests.

Quieter one-on-one Coffees and teas

Maybe a lunch
a Walk,

Retreat, ... some therapy.

Smiles contemplative

Smiles Hollow.

Competitive dressing

Or suddenly- careless.

Workouts with a vengeance

Fad dieting attempts

Sagging circled eyes

Rarely red

Art of concealment mastered.

Then with a last minute non-challance--

One or the other

walks away.

They return sometimes.

There are unfinished tasks-

Projects of office, assignments,

Projects of Home and kids.

Beautifully rounding off the jagged edges

Inevitable in the quietest breaking up regimes.

Some stay glued together

Maybe loving each other to the extremity their of pains.

Projects, kids, housework are done

Yet they

Renew the lease

In surrendered acrimony

That goes almost for success and matrimony.

Then something flashes by--

Fresh loves, Fresh moves.

Abiding Love, tagging photos.

Sexting, Selfies and Groupies

They stalk innocently.

Interesting mores of our living

In midst of breakups, tie ups and costs of being lucky.

Are there tests, rigours and rewards?

is Hope more than just a chance...

'They also serve who stand and wait.'

So many things have remained unsaid...but thats no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

When It Gets Dark Within a Night

2014-09-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

Over Chaa today... Manila Moods. Some rain, some tea.

When It Gets Dark Within a Night

When it gets dark within a night

I see cloud and rain all arrived outside

When someone is yet to step out and will start a workday--

I recall the wet leaves under which

We both stood.

Your spontaneous shaking of that branch

A whole tuft of sleeping raindrops fall.

My surprised head

under it, now wet!

And your happy big laughter--

... makes up for today....

As you don't look at the rain

And must drive away.

On a quiet night.

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again.
Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE by MMQ on SEPTEMBER 6th and SEPTEMBER 13th 2014

2014-08-21T00:54:00.000-07:00

Over Chaa today...

Hi All! Long time...

Have you guys heard of this music orchestra ANG MISYON in Manila?

When I returned from my expat run-back to Delhi (my home city), I found two charity events lined up back to back in Manila for September. Both of them are by my favorite artists here- MMQ theatre group and Roma Pradhan - and both of them are in support of Ang Misyon !

It is a group that identifies the musical talent amidst the underprivileged youth and children in the city; then coaches, disciplines and showcases their skills.. Luckily I got to meet these freshman musicians- who play with ambition and panache - at MMQ's Press party.

Pls support the upcoming BIG theatre Event--

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE by MMQ

SEPTEMBER 6th and SEPTEMBER 13th at DUSIT THANI HOTEL, MAKATI.

: MURDER MYSTERY Cast Sponsors and MISYON with the Founding Directors

The MMQ Theatre and Events Group in the Philippines is best known for its annual classy Cabaret event and for its 'Four Fridays of Love' every year .

This year they are presenting a new format - a Murder Mystery interactive Dinner theater for the first time !

I am curious and so is the expat community in Manila! All are particularly looking forward to this new flavor of the season. I met with the MMQ Divas and asked them What Now...

: Executive Director MIMI CARTER at the Press party for Murder Mystery

' We got to partner with the lovely children of MISYON orchestra, and we had a wonderful script! PLUS....the audience will dine on the fine and extensive French Cuisine at Dusit Thani during the course of their amazing night of theater ,orchestra and More...' one of the Directors elaborated.

MMQ, in its signature style, also offers free flowing champagne all evening! It is going to be fun, class and charity combined with Drama ... and great company!

: MMQ's Founder Michelle Washington and her Ardent Supporters in every Event

The Murder Mystery cast is a seasoned multinational mix of actors that have been groomed by MMQ over the years.

No this is not musical theater, but pure Gore and a Man loving maiden, a diva and more !

Judging from the past performances of MMQ, this is risque theater- naughty, intense and capable of a certain grip that leaves the audience feel as if they were not in theater but a 5D experience.

: Director MIMI CARTER in Blue with cast and colleagues

Overchaa-- I would say- Do go out and experience an MMQ play-- even if just to challenge yourself, and come out teased out of your ease - adults only affair. They are over the top, passionate and completely crazy-- all for a cause, and also pack some serious notes on human condition right within that humor, murder and sex. Not at all your everyday evening....

The ticket collections contribute generously to the beneficiaries ORCHESTRA OF FILIPINO YOUTH- MISYON.

: MISYON 'S Talent- Beneficiary of MMQ Ticket Sales

This is a well known charity and it nurtures musical talent among underprivileged FILIPINO children who cannot afford private music lessons.

Strings, bass, guitar, piano are taught to the MISYON scholars. And they go on to perform at various platforms within Manila and its outskirts. Some of these performers are now all set to get their very first air travel experience. They will soon showcase their orchestrated notes in other regions of the Philippines.

Your ticket puchases for MMQ s Murder Mystery will directly benefit these young Pinoy musicians build on their dreams.

: MYSON, MMQ and Sponsors! Bravo!

There are prizes to be raffled and won all through both the event nights - the 6th Sept ( DUSIT THANI MAKATI) and 13th Sept. 2014 (RJ s BISTO- DUSIT THANI HOTEL BASEMENT) 7 pm onwards.

The sponsors are as vintage as MMQ itself-- Jewelmer, Dusit Thani Manila, RJs Bistro,The Farm at San Benito, Le Cellier Wines to name a few. Win exciting prizes and you may also donate any musical instruments to MISYON students if you have a spare one not being used.

: MMQ 's PATRONS

For Tickets to MMQs MURDER MYSTERY

DINNER THEATRE

CONTACT

BEKA @ +63.927.383.9517

mmqtheatre@gmail.com

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again.

Be well until we meet again
Over Chaa ... Harveen

Theater Festival SHORT + SWEET MANILA 2014 UP DILMAN- New Plays Actors Directors Scripts

2014-03-02T23:00:00.001-08:00

Over Chaa today...

Theater Festival SHORT + SWEET MANILA 2014 UP DILIMAN till MARCH 9

WATCH WORTHY FOR all real time performance lovers- SPECIALLY DRAMA STUDENTS n TEACHERS in MANILA

Theater Festival for Fresh Ideas Youthful maturity and Variety

All Genre repertoire of 13 One Act Plays- 10 min each.

It is More Fun in The Philippines if you got an evening to own and want to carry it in your pocket.

Theater Festival SHORT + SWEET MANILA 2014 UP DILiMAN- New Plays Actors Directors Scripts

Come back full - reminiscing the comic, the existential and the romantic and sometimes even absurd, often awesome-ly bold quests of contemporary Filipinos!

When we finished watching the S+S plays and performers-- how I wished I were even half as sorted as these participants when in the University's testing waters myself ! I was still in the crib as compared to them here. So much focus, yet so much adventure and fun!

I am sure many would secretly agree to the sentiment :)

UNIVERSITY FUN

No problem-- at any age n stage we can make-up and play catch now... what do you think? Maybe we can go watch SHORT SWEET MANILA plays together and decide then....Just tune into the frequency of Manila's twenty somethings! Its good fun and deep reflection. S+S plays talk about the staple preoccupations-- sex, money, love, grief, birth n death.

Super animated, well rehearsed mode. But good acting apart-- some scripts stand out for their astute social commentary as in 'UNVEILED' and GLTB ( Gay Lesbian Transgender Bisexual ) issues in ANKLE despite their theatrical novice.

It is wonderful how theater and fine arts allow the marginalized, the new fangled or a minority position to come onstage and speak their truth. Its simple. Its relevant. It can be entertaining and skilfully rendered.

And that is when Short + Sweet Manila or any producer gets a wider audience to endorse their truth ! I can't help loving this kind of enterprise. Bravo Divya Rajan Sriram, Vaishali Ray, UP Diliman and even Michelle Washington , Mimi Carter, and so many others who work in these off beat fields of Self Expression. Theater is Therapy. Aristotle knew this when he talked of 'Katharsis'.

Being a householder with ten chores pending on my to do list -- I never thought I d like to watch 13 plays in one evening sitting with University students of Philippines. I 'd better watch Broadway's Wicked, I thought uppitishly.

Obviously ... I wasn't prepared for the 'know thyself-ness' of these youngsters!

"What freedom of expression!" Michelle Washington exclaimed as she saw some of her own UP students perform 'Size Does matter'.

What Michelle probably meant was -- Freedom has to be taught young. And you can only instill it by example. The very word 'Play' as my acting Guru Bill Atwood reminded me -- is 'to play'. There is no right or wrong. Just go Do it. PLAY-- A verb that allows for tactile, moving, word forming, caressing, rejecting, flirting , endorsing, identifying, upholding, mixing syncing...... you know the playful freedom that we allow sometimes to kids! Sometimes. I personally am a prude. These plays just help me cope better with the world all around me . Lol :) I ll be okay.

S+S participants had it. Michelle Washington could not help shouting -- BRAVO! BRAVOOOO! These very fledgeling theatre persons will someday soon get standing ovations if they keep at it n not lose their freedom to the routine demands of their adult life.

MICHELLE WASHINGTON of MMQ Theater and Events

Overchaa I 'd say S+S is simple sets, complete freedom to dramatize the chosen scripts and good fun. At a platform internationally dubbed as 'the biggest short plays festival in the world'. What more is needed to encourage aspiring script writers, directors, actors, theater managers and marketing graduates!

For the audience-- the reward is -- you can instantly tune into the pulse of the nation. The plays showcase some issues that can be staged anywhere in the world and be found universal appeal. The best instance was the play 'Spaceman and the Executioner'.
Then there are ones with distinct Tagalog flavor. Such enrich this platform at a local level. Social documentary was there, gender issues in a new perspective, Existential quest, GLTB issues without farcical undermining- yet aware of the embarrassment at one s predicament because it is not understood by people involved themselves.

As a Writer personally, as a Blogger Overchaa in relation to my readership, and as a Healer in my possible relevance to a wider social context-- I can applaud all these features in SHORT+SWEET MANILA as well. To Have a good idea, to script it, give it a body n appeal, and to present it to the public as an offering. Skill comes by and by. But the First Short+Sweet Manila has that too . Already!
Everyone in the audience can hope to watch at least 3 different plays they can directly identify with, find an affirmation in. And the rest will be eye-openers to understanding experiences that are not ours, yet around us.
Lovely! I love Universities -- and for the first S +S in Manila-- me thinks that the purpose and the venue UP DILIMAN are also in sync.

Michelle Washington, Judge S+S

Feeling centered in UP DILIMAN

DIVYA RAJAN SRIRAM ( Festival Director) on HOW DIFFICULT or EASY it was to bring S+S to MANILA:

"Honestly, Harveen S+S happened by chance. I had participated in S+S three years ago in Chennai, and was looking forward to it in Manila; since S+S was already happening in Malaysia and Singapore. With regards to this, when I spoke to Mark Cleary, the founder and owner of the brand S+S, he suggested that I take it up and start S+S in Manila.
Vaish was also wanting to do something on similar lines and we got together working on this.
The idea of S+S has been well accepted to whoever we have spoken to and approached so far - starting with the University to our Sponsors and Media Partners. It's perhaps because the concept is new at the same time it's an established brand.
Our apprehensions were about participation initially, but we have been overwhelmed by the response!
The only one thing I would say to EXPATs - students/adults alike - wanting to find a foothold here is "BE PATIENT" :-D"

VAISHALI RAY (Festival Producer) on her association with S+S

"I second Divya, we have always been welcomed by various institutions and organizations with keenness to participate.

We have had an amazing response right from the beginning stages of calls for playwrights, directors and actors. Infact we had one playwright submit 5 plays! Another interesting fact is that when directors were choosing their plays, many confessed that they wanted to work on a script by an international writer for the experience. However when they were choosing plays they could not distinguish between an international and local writer!. This shows the quality of work that we can expect from Philippines. There is talent in abundance here and Philippines has a huge amount of potential as far as arts and culture is concerned.

How I got involved- Divya introduced me to this lovely, exciting 10 min concept of S+S as she was a part of it in India. Myself being an actor and theater enthusiast and also being away from our home grounds, I was looking for opportunities to be involved in performing arts. And meeting Divya and Mark, it just clicked!

Our sponsors such as Resorts World, SM Corp, Bellevue hotels and resorts, Sunlife, Skin Sanctuary,San Mig, Manny O Wines and media partners were very enthusiastic to be a part of this.

UP being our collaborator, at the very first meeting wanted to host this festival. Short + Sweet theater is also a celebration of Australia day by the Australian Embassy. The Australian Embassy has been a huge supporter as well."

2 ND WEEK OF SHORT+SWEET BEGINS NOW. yOU WATCH. YOU VOTE. YOU ENJOY.

FOR TICKETS AND GROUP BOOKINGS PLS CONTACT SHORT+SWEET MANILA 2014 through--

YSH- 09173924017

VAISH- 09188770011

Show message history

Messages From Trees - A Morning Walk

2014-02-10T22:10:00.000-08:00

Over Chaa today...

Messages from Morning Walk

Speaking Trees

Thick and Strong. Home to All.

Green Brown gnarled Around

Or Standing Small A Gift for all.

Standing so Tall -- Sky SKYWARDS!

with Rooting Art

Fruiting berries Broken Bark

Twisting Dangling roots or stark

Pressing the Cement, Thriving Still

Long long trunk n then a burst

Close to ground and floating arms

Each different

Without a strife

Being itself

Perfect Tree.

Some Spideys like Monkeys Bridge the Trees

Disappear and walk Silently

Camoufaged carefully at Will

With play at Dawn of Sunbeams

I didn't like them much before my walks

Now we are Friends Toleratingly :)

I met a tree A Giving Tree

Lavender Bouquet

Beside a House

Abandoned

Hope

Standing Guard

I do wish no one would come pluck it.

So many things have remained unsaid...but thats no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

MMQ'S Dying 4 Love - Friday Night Theater Dates this February

2014-01-31T21:23:00.004-08:00

Over Chaa with Harveen in Manila today...

MMQ salon theater presents DYING 4 LOVE 2014

Four short plays in one Evening

4 Fridays of February -about Experiment, Obsession and Revenge and Love.

Foreign and Filipino crew and cast - in support of 4 different charities for children and women.

My date with MMQ Powerhouse Performers

Has it happened to you that you feel something quite strongly, yet choose to look away from your instinct?
Watch the male lead of 'Four WAlls", Manuel Tinio's incredibly great chemistry with both his co-actresses Vaishali Ray and Lesley Leveriza-Lina.
'Four Walls' is a superb choice that makes MMQ's plays this February a MUST WATCH. And Vaishali Ray could win an Oscar for this!

Scene-from FOUR WALLS

Have you fantasized about someone/something so consistently, that the Illusion-Reality boundaries seem to blur? Well, alternate sexual orientation, gender stereotypes and human-ness of it all are celebrated and also thoroughly showcased by the happy-go-lucky cast of 'Carmen Dicks'. The 'female private investigative eye' is funny as well as fatal. An overwhelming visual treat of a comedy, this one! Go watch!

Scene from CARMEN DICK

How often do we get annoyed by our partners' irritating habits, yet remain so forgiving-ly oblivious to our own obsessions....like licking a blob of KETCHUP straight from the bottle !! Ketchup is sooo much fun to watch with its light-hearted witticisms and theatrics.

Scene from KETCHUP

Dramadies of Love--- so hilarious-- they can make you Cry! Sometimes pretty painful-- so you laugh at Love instead! Human hearts can be so bizarre in their patience, weirdness and insecurities that they can pretty much silently break -- both on their own and what they love! For that reason, just seeing a staged act of everyday emotions can be cathartic and liberating. I love catching up with friends and bonding with family over such theater dates.

WELCOME to MMQ's Dying 4 Love in Manila! Brought to you by MMQ Theater and Events Group. This is MMQ's 7 th year performing theater in the living rooms of Manila's elite. The MMQ Plays' format is modeled on the Parisian theaters with small intimate audience patronizing the arts and artistes in their city. Michelle Washington and Mimi Carter-- both Expat ladies with a lifetime's worth of experience in Dramatic Arts and even Music-- have been nurturing local and foreign talent in the city and perfecting their unique offering to Manila.

When in Manila in February do not miss Dying 4 Love coming up every Friday Night of February in the posh villas of MMQ Patrons and supporters. For the repeat audiences from previous Salon Series-- DYING 4 LOVE is not all Four Comedies-- but Drama and discourse, as well . The proverbial 'fourth wall' between the stage and the audience is broken as some characters would show you how.... as you are sipping wine and enjoying the acts.

As a Sneak-Previewer, I was left drained-- what with all my senses being so involved in the DYING 4 LOVE of MMQ!

Most of us in the test audience were unable to clap n hoot, or even get up from our spot in the audience. As for me- my hands were shaking as I reminded myself to take pictures for this review. The actors taking the bow also looked in need of debriefing. And the Directors were really proud of the outcome. Some earlier acts did shock me with their overt sexual content, but that could be my subjective response to the intimate content in a limited public space of living room theater. Some of us might prefer it played down. However, Alma A. Carpio mentioned-- 'this factor too would make MMQ's Februaries different from most of theater scene in the Philippines today'.

The overall intensity was over the top. I really wished that MMQ's multi-talented Mimi Carter would sing and lull the emotions that her team is going to stoke. MMQ is clearly taking calculated steps to go farther, I must say. The audience response this year will be a good indicator of what Manila wants from its Dramatic arts,beyond the Musical Theater already so popular in the country, that is.

When asked about their choice of this year's plays, this was the response:

"MMQ's DYING 4 LOVE pushes the envelope this year (2014 Salon Series). We like to be NAUGHTY. Also... it is time-- we challenged MMQ's audience. I want them to go home-- not just clapping and you know- wine cheese and canapes-- but have something on their minds as they leave from here." - Mimi Carter

THE DIRECTORS --

The founder of MMQ Mimi Carter's very American Let's do More vision and enterprise, her founding partner Michelle Washington's vivacious Give it your all Performance expectations, and the debut MMQ director Nic Campos's young Filipino ' Yes, let us do it' hunger to take his cast's and his own natural talents to a peak --makes MMQ super hot in Manila's Theater and Arts scene. MMQ is a consistent multi-national multi-cultural nonprofit Arts for Charity organisation in the Philippines. I cannot but applaud their contribution to Manila's gradually growing population of Dramatic Art Lovers.

MMQ DIRECTORS- Mimi Carter, Michelle Washington, Nic Campos

The venue is private villas of theater lovers who want to support the charity benefactors associated with MMQ. Its commendable when people offer their spaces to accommodate and nurture the microcosm of right brained sensibilities in their environment. I see it as a salient expression of social responsibility that Corporates can well take their cue from, and sponsor more generously!

FOR Information, Reservations, Tickets & Sponsorship

+63.927.383.9517

or email

mmqtheatre@gmail.com

Cocktail, Buffet and Raffles between the 4 Plays.

Munch on great canapes and vegetarian food by Sexy Chef, and sip the bubbly and wine sponsored by LeCellier. Food n Beverages included in the Ticket price. A great Valentine's treat! The 4 Feb Friday evenings with MMQ will leave every one pretty full -- every which way.

CHIT CHAT Time

Me to Nic Campos-- How was it- making your debut as Director with MMQ this year? You have been their male lead in last year's Salon. This season you are a male Director--directing 2 women characters in TRACES?

Nic (a gifted stage personality in Manila)- It was an interesting experience. We kind of did it together. I looked for actors for my play's cast. And asked the ladies what they got from their play's characters. As Women-- different from how a Man would feel. We are in a society where certain subjects have an inherent gender bias-- like say 'Cheating". And then I reflected their perceptions back in the direction, and also added mine as I directed the act. It has evolved to a point where both of them are beginning to own their characters. I feel good!

Unlikely strangers on HIghway in TRACES

Some of us in the audience felt that Lesley Leveriza- Lina shines versatile in both her roles. While Geraldine Tan did better in the over the top play 'Carmen Dick'. These are experienced artistes with recognition from Filipino TV shows and Indies. I like that they- as performers- continue to challenge their selves in theater. A theater artiste definitely subjects her/himself to another level of vulnerability altogether as he faces the response of a live audience. Each performance, each show-- sees them playing a little more, evolving and growing , or retracting....much like Jazz Musicians. So Really REally REally ALL THE BEST MMQ ! I have personally had the privilege of seeing how MIMI CARTER and MICHELLE WASHINGTON have groomed so many of these actors and many more all the year round.

MMQ"S CHARITY BENEFACTORS THIS YEAR:

SHIPHRAH BIRTHING HOME

ENTERPRENEUR VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE

SPRINGBOARD FOUNDATION

BERDE BAGS

Cocktail, Buffet and Raffles between the 4 Plays.

Non- Vegetarian and HEALTHY vegetarian food by Sexy Chef, Wines sponsored by Le Cellier.

Food n Beverages included in the Ticket price.

A great Valentine's treat!

Judging from the preview - MMQ night is going to be a night to remember. When In Manila MMQ FEBRUARY dates rock the Valentine's season. Mature content and audience for this show, right!

Over the Top yet Fun to Watch

For Information, Reservations, Tickets & Sponsorships

+63.927.383.9517

or email

mmqtheatre@gmail.com

MMQ'S Dying 4 Love - Friday Night Theater Dates this February for Valentines and Aching Hearts

MMQ's past Events Review

le cabaret and MMQ SALON's REVIEW- Last year 2013.

http://overchaa.blogspot.com/2013/01/salon-theatre-puts-roof-over-aetas.htm

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again.

Be well until we meet again Over Chaa in Manila ... Harveen

KUNDALINI YOGA IN MANILA BY DHARAM GIAN KAUR

2014-01-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

Over Chaa with Harveen in Manila today...

KUNDALINI YOGA in MANILA

It was a mesmerizing morning. We were invited to a birthday celebration prayers for a teenager. Time given in the invite was anywhere between 7 am to 11 am. We stepped in a little late at 10 am. And we did not know we were stepping into our first ever experience of Kundalini Yoga practitionersIn Manila.

All White affair it was! White turbaned heads, accented Gurmukhi Kirtan, English Translation of Gurbani. Words spoken in a manner- where life became simple and so pure.

I just don't feel like judging my experience that morning. It belonged to another realm. Yet connected all present to this realm. What a wonderful way to bring in a child's birthday! Another reason for me to be thankful for migrating to the Philippines.

And I made acquaintance of the Beautiful Kundalini yogis-- Dharam Gian Kaur, Lisa Sat Deva Jennings, Rickhe Jennings, and others.

Dharam Gian Kaur

'Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!'- Dharam says with so much spiritual honesty that my ears melt with their warmth.

Dharam (alias for Ines Marti from Mexico) works at the Urban Ashram in Manila. She also conducts pre-natal yoga exercises to expecting moms. Dharam is modest to the core, yet her words vibrate with a gentle rocking rhythm when she explains the wonder of a woman's body; the miracle of natural birthing reminders.

I asked her-- " do you have any post- natal exercises also? for women like me who delivered children almost a decade ago?'

Dharam's response was -- " why don't you come for our early morning Kundalini yoga session tomorrow?"

It was 4 am. We drove to a beautiful villa volunteered by another Kundalini teacher.
Sounds of Japji Sahib Gurbani were held sacred in the hall.
My second experience of Kundalini Yoga was like a gateway to wellbeing.
Before me sat some 5 to 6 yogis -- still as marble statues!
I couldn't believe that I too was expected to silence my excited mind and just BE.

Postures changed as the Japji Sahib bani came to its last few 'pauris'.

It was a prayer so akin to the moment when Guru Nanak Dev Ji must have recited the Gurbani-- it felt.

I was hyper-aware of an ache that I had never detected before in my body. It was dull but speaking to me as if. I got an ultra sound scan done-- and sure enough the point of pain corresponded to a medical finding. Also the issue is self-correcting, without invasive intervention :) Reason enough to try out Dharam's Post-natal yoga for women!

So often we dismiss a spiritual practice just because we are in a comfort zone, and do not want it challenged. I googled Yogi Bhajan's credentials, the Miri-Piri school run by his followers in Amritsar , Punjab.

The Kundalini Yoga school of Yogi Bhajan is certainly different from the Sikhism of the Ten gurus that I was brought up to follow. Yet there was something about the sincerity and contemporary appeal of the Yogi Bhajan school that tugged at me.Also when something indigenous to our own tribe and culture comes nicely and differently packaged by a foreign endorser, it pops right up to our nose and says -- 'Hi!!' and makes ( atleast me) feel guilty of neglect by the home tribe.

That explains my reason for sharing KUNDALINI YOGA IN MANILA.

If interested, you may write in here in the COMMENTS section below, and I ll get you connected to Lisa and Rhicke Jennings.
Or you may call these numbers--
09175855888.
Dharam Gian Kaur-
09163160644.

They run a weekly yoga schedule that even a hesitant beginner can easily blend into. Lisa also maintains a group for updates, and offers workshops for Self- Empowerment from time to time.

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again
OverChaa ... Harveen

GURUDWARA in Manila, Philippines. Khalsa Diwan

2014-01-19T23:04:00.000-08:00

Over Chaa with Harveen today

GURUDWARA in Manila, Philippines, Khalsa Diwan.
Paco, UN Avenue, opposite UNILEVER.

Manila has two Gurudwaras
Sindhi Gurudwara
Khalsa Diwan Indian Sikh Temple in Paco, UN Avenue.

Both are situated a little away from Makati and bonifacio Global City business or residential districts. Khalsa Diwan has a massive footfall from the older, pioneer generations of Indian immigrants in the Philippines. Many of whom are the informal money-lenders called the FIVE SIKHS in Philippines.

The Congregation- SANGAT

Going to the Khalsa Diwan is like entering a time-capsule through a geography warp-- ladies dressed in Patiala style balloon pants and glittering veils, gentlemen with mostly short hair and looking very provincial, speaking a heavily accented Punjabi of their villages, yet equally fluent in the Philippines Tagalog language.
However, with the influx of a new wave of immigrants, now you can see several in the sangat who are associated with multinational jobs also.

LIVE Singing- KIRTAN

A new Huzoori Ragi Jattha (resident Bani Singers' Trio) has arrived at the Khalsa Diwan gurudwara from ........ Their 'Kirtan' singing is really a crowd puller. Like a live concert where the audience sings along and it's like one divine chorus. Audio visual screens give the lyrics translated as well as trans-literated from the Gurmukhi script to English. This really helps the modern congregation 'Sangat' connect to the Gurbani being recited and sung at the Sikh Temple.

Community Kitchen and Floor Dining- PANGAT

Many Indians of all religious inclinations, several Filipinos and a sprinkling of foreign tourists have all loved and savored the modest yet yummy menu at the Manila Gurudwara Khalsa Diwan's community kitchen, called 'Langar'.

Anyone entering a Gurudwara is welcomed to a free Vegetarian Meal of Dal (lentils cooked on slow fire), Sabji (seasonal vegetables spiced and stir fried) and Roti (whole wheat Flatbread). Also to Tea and Buttermilk. The best days to go are Saturday and Sunday afternoons and nights.

On special occasions -- like the Sikh Gurus' Birth anniversaries; Diwali and the New Year -- this menu gets quite extensive. Cakes, sweets, fritters, nuts and a variety of North Indian dishes are offered at the 'Langar' by generous devotees of the Gurus.

The Gurudwara ETIQUETTE

And everyone is welcomed as long as hands are clean, heads covered by scarf or turban, and food not wasted. People usually get up from the floor dining concept, to wash their own dishes by the side.

The whole atmosphere is a parallel experience to the urban Manila experience of westernized Asianity.

I wish that the
Khalsa Diwan had an elevator for its Second Level Sangat Hall. This would allow the elderly and physically unwell Sangat members to reach the sanctum sanctorum.

Also there is a visible need for more hygiene.Wish that the renovated toilets for men and women were better maintained. Looks like they need donations of rubberized footmats that blot the moisture well. Toilet rolls, hand dryers and liquid soap will be welcome additions too.

That shortcoming aside... The Khalsa Diwan is a place I and many Indians, even Filipinos are grateful for in Manila city.

So many things have remained unsaid...but thats no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

Bill Atwood Shakespeare In Manila Season 2.

2014-01-17T23:00:00.000-08:00

Over Chaa in Manila today...

Bill Atwood's Shakespearean Drama Classes Manila: Season 2.

MASTERING SHAKESPEARE- ADULTS CLASSES
SHAKESPEARE FOR KIDS- AGES 8-13 ( WITH EXCEPTIONS)

Overchaa in Manila, Bill Atwood and Carolyn Atwood are offering another season of Shakespeare Drama Workshops. They had a very successful Season 1 at Fully Booked Store in FORT BGC last November- December.

This NEW season of Shakespeare in Manila for adults is designed to create an atmosphere of ' No Fear Shakespeare' for THE TWELFTH NIGHT.

It is justified to move to this exclusive focus on one play-The Twelfth Night.
Bill Atwood has a way of letting students themselves see all the important Shakespearean lines that have become commonplace phrases now--

'All the World's a stage
And all the men and women merely players.'

'O Brave New World that has such wondrous creatures in it!'

In the last season we went over some of the most memorable monologues from various Shakespearean plays.
Bill consistently respected his students enough to give them a passage from Shakespeare that he felt they might identify with.
it was indeed heartwarming to see my Korean, Indian and Chinese
class mates make an effort and memorize the lines!
Even if English was not even their third language in some cases!
Six classes and enough dough to feel familiar with the bard of Avon. To at least know who Shakespeare was and why people never tire quoting from his 400 year old work.... its an achievement for which I really really appreciate all the people who gave 1 hr per week soon as they got a chance of learning from Bill Atwood's 20 years experience teaching Shakespeare in the New York City.

The Stage Night at the end of Season 1 showcased the students of Bill Atwood take on various small roles from Shakespeare Plays-- and perform in front of a warm 100 something gathering of their friends, families and other audience. Some of his children and adult class students even got a valuable TV experience at the popular show EXPAT INSIGHTS by Raju Mandhyan, a people's Development Consultant and an entrepreneur

Atwood's Shakespearean Students on Philippines TV Show

Speaking of my experience-- I more than loved being a participant in the 'Mastering Shakespeare for Adults' classes. I had to face my demons as I got a hold on the script and then performed. My ever watchful well-wisher and my staunchest critic , my daughter saw me play Miranda's part from The Tempest and pointed out that I needed to get a grip on my being all-over-the-stage-ness. Just six classes with Bill got me this special moment.

'When we are being criticized,
We must have done something worthwhile'

So now I have re-enrolled for the January February Series of workshops.

NEED FOR MORE GROUPS in Bill's Shakespeare Classes: Call and ASK Carolyn Atwood.

It is true that several actors and acting students are also a part of Bill Atwood's new set of students. Shakespeare in Manila is a unique offering and the word has got out. That's great!

I am told that last season's adult students are a little bit intimidated by the acting expertise of this newer set of professionals in the same class. No Names!

Shakespeare for Kids is also facing a hiccup this season-- not all kids are able to attend the time slot 4.45 to 5.45 pm. But this is such a popular group as Bill is a fantastic Drama Teacher who never ever discourages his students!

Suggestion-- Please tailor your group timing as long as you have a group of 4-5. Then Call or email the Atwoods and try nudging your proposal through. Its worth it!
watwood37@yahoo.com.ph

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again

Over Chaa in Manila ...
Harveen

FAVORITE FIVE INSPIRATIONS for 2014

2014-01-06T05:33:00.002-08:00

Over Chaa today...

FAVORITE FIVE INSPIRATIONS for 2014

Happy Happy 2014 everyone!!

Even though highs and lows will be inevitable :)

Christmas lights of 2013 are off most streets and homes all over the world, and the trees will be packed up soon with a kiss n promise.

But this is the time of a golden glow.
People wanting to live by resolutions.
And if we let them-- the
Silver and Gold stars from christmas trees will cling on to our hearts.

Here are my Favorite FIVE inspiring pictures and thoughts from the year gone by. I would like to share them with you. Let me know if your heart chimed as you read any of them, just as mine did.

1. The Empowered Woman

The Empowered Woman

The Empowered Woman, she moves through the world

With a sense of confidence and Grace.

Her once reckless Spirit now tempered by Wisdom.

Quietly, yet firmly, she speaks her Truth without doubt or hesitation

And the life she leads is of her own creation.

She now understands what it means to live and let live.

How much to ask for herself and how much to give.

She has a strong, yet generous heart...

And the inner beauty she emanates truly sets her apart.

Like the mythical Phoenix, she has risen from the ashes and soared to a new plane of existence,

Unfettered by the things that once that posed such resistance.

Her senses now heightened, she sees everything so clearly.

She hears the wind rustling through the trees;

beckoning her to live the dreams she holds so dearly.

She feels the softness of her hands and muses at the strength that they possess.

Her needs and desires she has learned to express.

She has tasted the bitter and savored the sweet fruits of life,

Overcome adversity and pushed past heartache and strife.

And the one thing she never understood, she now knows to be true,

It all begins and ends with You.

-Sonny Carroll

2. My Body, Health and Disease

"Many who would like to heal themselves want to know how to go about things like “trusting in your own healing,” “letting go and allowing healing,” and “accessing your place of healing.” Are these platitudes of any use to the average person? People who want to heal their bodies need to know how to put such things into practice.

A: I don’t like to advocate a set methodology, instructions, or anything like that, because if I do, I’m only creating more dogma, and the whole point is to be free of that. I do suggest, however, not viewing illness or symptoms as “something to be gotten rid of,” like an enemy. This a fear based reaction. For me, the appearance of these symptoms is my body’s way of trying to heal me. I know that if I try to eliminate the illness with an adversarial attitude, I end up doing the opposite, antagonizing it and embedding myself deeper into the illness mind-set.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t go and see a doctor. I’m purely referring to how I view disease or physical manifestations of the body. The idea is not to obsess about it and have your days revolve around doing things for the sole purpose of getting rid of the illness. It’s actually far more productive to distract yourself and stay occupied with activities that stimulate you in a positive, creative way.

As far as I could, I’d try to free myself from needing my health to be a certain way in order to find happiness and just create joy in the moment, as though I were already healthy. Living in the present means not carrying any emotional baggage from one segment of time into the next. Every instant is unique and can’t be replicated. It’s our choice whether to carry our fears with us, keeping us stuck in illness.

You don’t have to be a spiritual guru or anything. Just make the most of every minute, living it to the fullest and doing things that make you happy, whether you have a month to live or 100 years."

~ Anita Moorjani, Dying to Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing

3. CREATIVE LIFE

Creative life can a be some people's excuse for tardiness. I have done some regular office work in my adult years as well as a lot of freelance creative assignments. Also wasted many an hour between sleeping and waking, not at all happy with myself, because of undefined karma. Two oppposite things rang true for me-- embodied in this picture below--

A Social Media Entrepreneur and a travel mag Editor NIna Terol Zialcita. and her message.

CHANGEMAKER NINA TEROL ZIALCITA

Nina and most other successfully creative people seem to be forever on a mode of Active doing. They work doubly hard to be consistent and reliable freelancers.

They are very creative, often wrong secretly, but heads up publicly. And it is inspiring to read them and to go for their seminars and workshops!

On the other hand, haven't we also met the babbling bards and foul-smelling freelancers? They charm on one occasion,but repel on another.

And of course-- many of us come in between--dressing the part, but not delivering, or not sure who we are or want to be. We are the ones who read every sign. so here is another --

http://www.entrepreneur.com/dbimages/article/h1/1388438356-forget-pjs-dress-brand-even-home-office.jpg

"If you work from home, it's still important to wear clothes that reflect who you are and what you do for a living."

AND

DO MORE OF WHAT YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL AT.

4. ENLIGHTENMENT

Enlightenment, wisdom, commonsense, budhahood, higher-self-- these are big words that stop us from doing small mis-deeds; belittling self or others.

I found this rather unnerving quote on 'enlightenment' one day (on an acquaintance's wall). I was drawn to some Buddhist, some Sikh religion's, as well as to Yogi Parmahansa Yoganand's philosophy. And had been seriously researching for every day clues to happiness and grief.

Also for a steady heart despite changing circumstances from one day to another.

Trying to be forgiving, and trying hard to move-on, move ahead. You know-- the things people often begin wondering about as they near forties....

I am not sure why-- but the sting in this quote freed me from the desire to be wiser, or even happier.

It stopped me from telling myself or anyone that if we practice/pray/exercise in a certain way, we'll get closer to our desires. I wonder if it makes sense to you--

5. Oneness of Self and Environment

"A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of all humankind." ~ SGI President Daisaku Ikeda.

This I do believe and intuited from childhood on. One person is never insignificant. Never weak. One person CAN change by subtly influencing her/his geography and the pyramid grows to include the world!

Using less polythene bags, throwing a candy wrapper only in a dustbin and not littering, refusing to bribe a government official. It all begins with Me.

Recently, this December in New Delhi, when India's Capital went out in huge numbers and voted anti-establishment-- power of a every single person in Delhi was made visible. Before this event, a skepticism( a 'nothing can be done of this nation') mentality prevailed.

However, a critical mass had been reached that wanted to reject the hard-core politics of the long time players. They brought in a clear desire for new party of common taxpayers who might have little political experience, but a strong passion to cleanse the national politics. Even If AAP governance in Delhi fails or proves a hoax-- this event will be a landmark example of POWER OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS.

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again.

Be well until we meet again
Over Chaa
... Harveen

HAPPY GURU NANAK BIRTHDAY -- BUT WHO IS NANAK

2013-11-16T05:35:00.000-08:00

Over Chaa today...

Sharp morning air was in her face. Deep sleepy eyes were surprised that who had wrapped her head in a woolen shawl!

Nonu tried to think but her head sank right back into the thick syrup of sleep. Someone shook her awake yet again...

Nonu! Nonu!

What? Why do you drag me out of bed in the middle of night?

Beta uttho! (wake up kid !)

The 'Prabhat Pheri' will pass if you keep sleeping!

Papa was afraid that his seven year old daughter would miss casting her eyes on the purest, on the most energizing spectacle of the year. One that kept you blessed and capable of facing come what may all the year through...all life...Maybe life-times, they said! It was Guru Nanak's Birthday--

'Nanak Shah Fakir,Hindu Ka Guru, Mussalman ka Peer'.
(Nanak the 'Fakir'-- guru To Hindus and to Muslims a Pir).

Their Punjabi neighborhood in Delhi celebrated that month every year by a series of early morning kirtans in small processions from the Sikh temple to certain volunteering devotees' houses and back.

On the mornings of these 'Prabhat Pheris' ( the dawn-time circumambulations of the entire neighborhood) her parents and Grandmother used to wake up even earlier than their usual early mornings. As if that wasn't enough-- the children were also rudely shaken by shoulders and hauled from their baby sleeps to get the blessings of the Guru!

Guru Nanak-- who traveled in all four directions around the Indian peninsula in Emperor Babur's times-- and came back with the beej- mantra of -'EK OMKAR'-- cleverly fusing the One GOD of Jews, Christians and Muslims with the Hindu advait GOD FORCE-- the Universal, the Primordial OM.

How Nonu wished the Kirtan singing cluster of cymbals and dholak players -- their faces unidentifiable in the pre-dawn velvet darkness - would pass their street quickly --- so that she could run back to her bed! But the group took its time.

The bright saffron flag --and Sikh disciples of Guru Nanak huddled around it in cold wintry air --heads covered bodies wrapped-- was like a portable grey Lego block . It moved slowly like a snail in no hurry at all.
(Just 2 percent of India's massive population she would read the stats much later growing up,.... and wonder why so few? Yet why so obvious in their long unshorn hair and turbans?)

Nonu could still sleep while standing, and she did. In her itsy bitsy dream-- she saw another procession-- Princess Diana's white bridal trail as she got down her horse-drawn carriage. People were clapping, looking eagerly with eyes pushing out of the sockets. There were so many.

Then the clapping sounds turned into the 'thaap' of 'dholak' -- a twin membraned, the fat spindle-shaped drum. Nonu was surprised.

Singing was close to her and warmed the cold night.

"Mitteya Hanera, Chann Chadeya. Satguru Nanak Pargateya. Mitti Dhund Jag Chaanan Hoa. Mitti Dhund Jag Chaanan Hoaaaaa....a. Mitti Dhund Jag Chaanan Hoa! "

Years later she might try to preserve the dying script and its metaphysical poetry thus---

'Erased was the Dark, the Full Moon Shone bright.

The True Guru Nanak Appeared...

The Fog ( of ignorance/Hindu-Muslim mutual distrust) lifted, The World Lit up.

The Fog Lifted, The World Lit up.

The Fog lifted, The World Lit up."

Papa was once again shaking her gently but urgently--

Beta 'Prabhaat-pheri is here! See!
Bow your head!

She was summarily lifted up in his big left arm and her head quickly bend down by Papas's big right hand.

The blessing for which she was plucked out of her cozy bed had been successfully administered. Guru would take care of her.
Beeji the grandma-- put some warm parshad in her mouth.
Taste it at least. We should never say No to parshaad.

Now on it was Nonu's choice...to run right back in her bed , or .......

Aargh....how could she sleep now! The prabhat pheri was moving on. Mummy was wearing her nice 'spun' salwar kameez. Dadi was wearing her best winter scarf under the muted colors of 'pure chiffon' chunni. Papa's turban was starched and indeed the darkness was lifting. It must be 5 am now. the lego block was turning brighter. Googla Didi hollered to her before disappearing into the procession--

Nonu...we are going to stop next at Bunty's house!Are you not coming too?

Googla Didi must like Bunty Bhiya-- because she certainly cannot like the 'parshaad' they serve to Prabhat phreri people every year-- the almond-cardamom milk-- straight off the gas stove! How it glistened with -- yuck- layer of fat that plastifies as soon as poured into a glass! Who drinks that! Yet people did. Except her and Googla dIdi in the last year's prabhat pheri. Then Bunty Bhiya came up to them-- and offered her the other-- snackier, spicy add on to the main parshaad.

'I'll also go! Wait!-- Nonu shouted back. The sleep gone.

As she quickly changed out of her pajamas -- she knew that by now people called her Papa, Mummy and Beeji would have melted into the lego block. Familiar neighborhood faces, their cold pink noses, running a bit from their autonomous sleeps meeting the community chill, discreetly wiped with hand-embroidered 'ladies hankies' that the Sikhs , the Hindus and Muslims could all buy at the local market.

Guru Nanak was right-- 'Na koi Hindu, na mussalman. Na ko bairee, nahin begaana, Sagal sang hum ko ban aayee.'

Singing these couplets and simple verses from Nanak's Baani, the pheri would reach the Gurudwara. The sikh sangat would say their special morning prayers that day, and disperse to take on their routines. Not many people would congratulate them, not many knew who the socio-historic Nanak really was, or why the secular India marked their calendars on Kartik full moon night a government Holiday.

Today almost a generation older than her 7 year old self--Nonu looked up at the bright almost- full Moon. It wasn't cold winter where she lived an ocean away from those prabhaat pheris-- but it was the kartik Poornima here also-- it was Guru Nanak's Birthday.

Nonu called out to her children -

Come out of your rooms Gobind, Aasma!

' But Mom..there's so much homework to finish'!

Yes, but COME OUT to the balcony anyway!

' Mom the internet connection sucks!'

'That always does....what's new? Come on... COME OUT!'

The unnecessarily hassled children came out to the moon- gazing balcony.

Nonu had a bag of tea lights in her hand. Both kids from very early childhood always wanted to get their chance to light any candles. They charged at it this time too. Then ran right back into the kitchen-- Mom where's the lighter?

I have the match box here! Nonu 's eyes twinkled in the dark as she enticed them back to the balcony with arm extending the box of matches...

Why Mom? Why in the balcony? Why tonight?

Its Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Birthday Eve. Like the X-mas Eve. She offered.

They understood.

Happy Guru Nanak Birthday Mom!

Happy Guru Nanak Birthday my dear!

" You know Mom-- how I have Guru Nanak Ji's Picture on my wall?

Yes , beta.

"Once MunJong asked me if he was my grandfather!"

They laughed a hearty, insiders laugh.

So what did you tell him?

I laughed then also so much... but did not know how to tell him who Nanak Ji was."

Well Maybe not grand- father, but fore-father he was to you. We are the descendents of a man who was well travelled, well -informed, yet chose to be a farmer, a store-keeper even-- who sang of Same GOD for all people .So next time anyone asks you can tell them...

Was he a good man? As special as Jesus?

Yes. He was maybe Jesus himself, or Rama, Or Prophet Mohammed, or what is MunJong's God's name? Who knows they are all the same Godman in different life-times?

Rebirth you mean?

Yes Reborn Good Men.

Or women? Nonu's daughter chimed in...

Yes Good women-- GOD WOMEN, GODMEN :)

Like in Durga of Bengalis? Lakshmi of Hindus?

Yes. Like Mother Mary also.

So many years later-- sitting by her laptop in a foreign country that was gearing up for Xmas lights-- Nonu would finally understand why her Papa insisted that she wake up to see the 'prabhaat pheris' on cold Delhi mornings still dark before a winter's dawn.

HAPPY GURU NANAK BIRTHDAY TO ONE N ALL!

So many things have remained unsaid...but that's no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

SHAKESPEARE for ADULTS with William Atwood in Manila !

2013-10-16T09:12:00.002-07:00

Over Chaa today...

Shakespeare for Adults with William Atwood in Manila!

Hellooooo Shakespeare fans and followers!
Overchaa I was musing-- Manila has got this rainy - cloudy, n suddenly scorchy-sunny... n the thunder rumbles yet again kind of weather ever since August 2013!
Way too many whirlwinds, typhoons and now even the earthquakes in Cebu Bohol areas... It was getting sad :(

But good things have been happening too. Many hybrid and foreign or indigenous but well-traveled souls have been in Manila this pre-christmas season. They are dong their bits to bring sunshine n smiles through art activity in the metropolis.

WILLIAM ATWOOD is here with his beautiful half -Filipino, half British wife. And they are running a 6 week season of SHAKESPEARE CLASSES for ADULTS in Taguig, Manila.
They are on currently. In fact, the Wednesday classes will start coming week.

THE NEXT WORKSHOP IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 2014 :) So you still have a chance to Sign Up if you haven't already. I got hold of this flyer and brought along for you to see--

Bill Atwood is well-known among the faculty and the parents at Manila's International School Manila (ISM) as their Theater Consultant. Kids are excited to learn from him. But from what I saw during Atwood's first class-- the Moms and Dads even more excited than the kids can ever be!

WHO CAN JOIN? WHERE TO GO?

I know many of my friends have the intellectual curiosity would love to explore such a workshop.
Beginners who wish to familiarize themselves better with Shakespeare Teachers of Art and Drama or Literature, Shakespeare lovers like me who had incidentally lost touch-- or anyone with their own unique reasons is welcome to join Shakespeare with Atwood on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings at the dapper book- store
Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig, MANILA.

Talking to a friend overchaa I decided to walk into the first session for my not-so- clear reasons. My best hope was to jog the rusted dials of my brain where awesome William used to live 16 years ago when I was researching his 'Plays within Plays'. However, now I can barely recall the lines on the Bard's face--much less a consistent string of lines from his drama!

Iambic Pentameter In Action !

At the Tuesday class-- there were many like me me who had come to pay their homage :)
Many Merry Wives of Manila-sor and a few Gentlemen of V(m)anila !

After Class with Bill Atwood - Merry Wives and Gentlemen of M/Vanila

Mr Atwood wasted no time but tossed quick bite-sized Shakespeare details at his multinational audience instead. I felt William Shakespeare dust his coat- tails and enact another part-- that of of himself, his life and times, his USP, his lucky timing in history. Atwood's 1 hr lecture was easy to digest and assimilate.

THE ACTION

Our names were not asked, nor what brought us there. Best of all-- none of us were asked to get up and show off our acting skill, or prove our love of the S by reciting a monologue. So was I going to sit in for the remaining sessions-- I wondered. I hadn't paid yet. Will we listen on to Mr Atwood and renew our acquaintance with Mr Shakespeare over the coming weeks? Was it going to be a nerdy twist on ladies who do lunch-- though that's quite fabulous right?

With these questions forming and ebbing in our minds, we saw Mr Atwood end the class. He approached our chairs. Looked at us briefly -- then chose a sheet of paper from his wad of A4s and handed out a different print to each student.

Contemplating with his quilted brows
Eyes picking up traces in faces of
Students to speak lines of Miranda, Hamlet
Horatio, Cleopatra, Beatrice.

It was a moment -- when someone sees through you like that! (Wasn't it, Krishna? You were there with me and gave that expressive chuckle when you saw him do that.)

Wasn't it a little bit like practiced soul recognition. A common undercurrent of certain human traits in the whole of humanity. Wasn't that the reason why Shakespeare is still valid in every date and age-- is interpreted and enacted in every school and stage all over the world!

I felt I was hooked -- when I looked at the part he had chosen for me to memorize and enact on the scene night at the end of the session.

Cannot wait for the rest of the Shakespeare for Adults classes in Manila!

For more information on the upcoming classes, seat availability and theater classes for children or adults you can Contact Bill
watwood37@yahoo.com.ph

BREWING... :)
Over Chaa ... Harveen :D

COPING WITH GRIEF AND LOSS

2013-10-04T08:13:00.001-07:00

Over Chaa today...

COPING WITH GRIEF AND LOSS

What is Grief? What does it do to you? Do children experience grief, and do they express it differently from the way adults do? Can you protect them from grief? How much should you tell them? What is Hope? Why hope at all in the face of losses that cannot be recovered?

Thanks to a workshop held a couple of years back in my children's school in Manila and to InTouch Community Services in this city -- the closeted topic of COPING WITH GRIEF AND LOSS came out in the open.

Thanks to them for acknowledging the existence of something so universal, yet so personal to each that it is usually not discussed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GRIEF~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘It ROCKS our world.’

It challenges everything we ‘know’ and makes us vulnerable.

Our Responses to Grief can be:

Emotional~ Tears, Insecurity

Cognitive~ Why? What? How?

Social~ Community support or Empathy (eg Japan after the tsunami)

Behavioural~ Misbehavior/Anger/Withdrawal/Mistrust (more pronounced in children)/ Acting out

Physical~ Headache/Upset stomach/loss or excess of sleep/forgetfulness

Philosophical~ Question our religion, our beliefs, our world-view.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When the world around us, as we know it, shatters -- for the first time we have to make some transformational choices.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's seminal work ON DEATH AND DYING has now been extended to understand Human responses to other serious kinds of losses also. She outlines 5 STAGES OF GRIEVING--

Denial and Isolation
Anger
Bargaining
Depression (sadness)
Acceptance

Of course hey need not be in the same order in all people, but sometime or the other we feel this way during our individual journeys of healing.

I remember that an oncologist once asked the patient I was accompanying --

"Do you hang out with people who do Yoga or meditation?"
She was perhaps planting a seed of hope in the most discreet way possible.

We cannot indefinitely pull covers o’er our heads and not get up from our bed. Clinical depression needs to be addressed through counselling sessions as well as constant support from family and friends.

We have to and so we evolve.

At the end of this range of responses, grief asks us to accept what we can not retrieve, transform what we can, and move on, rather than get immobilized by it.

Losses can be many and varied but each is quite unsettling for the person involved--

While women are most affected by breakdown of an intimate relationship like Marriage, Men and many young people feel devastated by loss of job. They are so closely identified by their workplace, that status, capability, self esteem are all adversely affected. Intouch receives several crisis calls that bespeak intense agony and clinical depression in such cases.

It is helpful to remember, however, that

‘Hope is the feeling that you have, that the feeling that you have, is not permanent.’

‘Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.’ ~ Helen Keller

‘Grief is a journey, often perilous and without clear direction, that must be taken. The expression of grief cannot be ordered or categorized,hurried or controlled, pushed aside or ignored indefinitely. It is as inevitable as breathing, as change, as love. It may be postponed but it will not be denied.’ ~ Molly Fumia

Supporting our children through GRIEF and LOSS

Supporting kids/minors during the times of shared or individual grieving has to begin, like all things, WITH US FIRST.

Kids can really regret death of a pet or a (grand)parent, relocation and change of peer group/friend.

Tell them what’s the truth (in developmentally appropriate measure)–simple and direct.

Allow them and yourselves expression of Grief: Early and Often.

Create more than usual space for talking about it, talk more than just once, allow creative, private expressions like painting/journals/watching movies/music.

Neither deny it, nor wallow in it: you are teaching them by your example.

Hope and support in the face of fear and loss DOES HAVE TRANSFORMING POTENTIAL. It sends out collective positive energy that helps us get out and cross the road even after we have seen a bad accident happen just there before our eyes.

We will attract what we focus more on. Choice is ours–Despair or HOPE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IN TOUCH COMMUNITY SERVICES - 48 A McKINLEY ROAD, NORTH FORBES PARK
CRISIS LINE NUMBER:893-1893 or 810-6233
email: intouch@i-manila.com.ph
website: www.in-touch.org

In the upcoming post-- Wellness and Healing Tryouts While in Manila. A strategy to cope with come what may :)

2 comments

# Anil Sethi on 05.17.11 at 6:10 pm

Grief should be counseled by demonstrating through personal and other experiences that grief is just part of a cycle of life. Just a phase.
‘This too shall pass.’
# harveensinghs on 05.18.11 at 12:42 am

Yes, Mr. Sethi. I feel that grief needs an outlet before a person is counseled to look at positive side and advised to move forward. Suppressed grief, creates energy blocks (those blobs in the throat @slightest provocation). Children’s grief for loss of friends/even of a hamster needs acknowledgement.
And in adults, even when we do not know how to support someone grieving, it is needed that we do not pretend that nothing has happened. That we are stand by: even if in silence. Grief needs closure.

HOUSING IN MANILA, SALCEDO, MAKATI

2013-06-26T17:56:00.001-07:00

Over Chaa today...

HOUSING IN MANILA-- SALCEDO, MAKATI

Well this is a rather intimidating topic and a tiring process. The city is full of housing ops, but you need to have deep pockets if considering family living and comfortable office commute. So many apartments to choose from, so many realtors ready to help for a fat fee- but the best tip i can give anyone is-- Go It alone.
Walk into ant apartment complex you fancy, meet up with the Admin Managers, and ask whats the going rent. Ask which units are to let and what is the contact person's name and number. ^0 percent of the time- this information is easy to get. And you can be your own broker.

Endless options for 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, and even several penthouse condos. Service Apartments are also there. Rentals in Salcedo are nearly down 40 % from what you ll pay for the same space in FORT BGC, the upmarket frsh from the mint township in MANILA. So SALCEDO is a reasonably good place to look at if your office is not footing the rental bills.

1. Along HV Dela Costa Streeet
2. Along Valero Street

Of the Good Buildings that I have personally visited so far, my vote goes to-

Paseo De Park : Largish pool, Good well equipped gyms and Units with balconies. Great kitchen and back room space. Balconies. High rise building with Two Towers and Drop off Foyer.

Classica Tower

Salcedo Place 1, 2, and 3.

Le Triumphe

Positive Attributes of Paseo de Park: The building is right along the coffee shops and small eats restaurants, so if you like busy busy quick pick ups, this is a good place.

Not such a nice thing : Salcedo housing in general is close to the city's busy roads-- so the lower floors attract a lot of noise from traffic. But then that is the general drawback of residing anywhere in Salcedo.

Common GOOD!

The SALCEDO PARK nearby hosts a Farmer's market every Saturday, so that fresh produce, pickles and cookies and even some hand-crafted pasalubong can be bought on your saturday. I ve been enjoying the plants for my balcony bought here. some really cute and usable gift ideas emerge as you walk down this Salcedo Market.

Parents of younger kids prefer Salcedo housing also because kids can be taken down to play there with their yayahs.

Relatively easy access to hiring domestic helpers/yayahs fr babies in the Salcedo Park.

USEFUL NUMBERS:

Real Estate Agent SHIKHA Goenka:

Domestic Help Procurer BING: +63 9089096502

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again.

Be well until we meet again Over Chaa ... Harveen

Housing In Manila, Ortigas

2013-06-17T20:40:00.002-07:00

Over Chaa today...

We went and saw several places in Ortigas area to rent for Housing.

Brokers in the area are mostly Filipina- Indians. They are mostly of Sindhi origins- closer to the Mumbai trading communities than to any other section of India. They know fluent Tagalog, English and just enough Hindi to be the best brokers/realtors for Indian immigrants moving to Manila for short or long hauls. Dina,

Buildings we viewed were at least 12-15 year old clusters.

We were primarily looking for 3 BR apartments.

Alexandra-

Ten clusters of 4 to 10 storeys, with greenery within the grey complex. Roofing was low so the units on lower floors looked a tad dark despite the 186 to 250 sq yard areas.

Renaissance Towers -

Newer construction in comparison to Alexandra. Higher Roofing.
Named Renaissance 1000. 2000, 3000.

R 1000 has split level 3 BRs. My friend purchased a unit here in 2010.
225 sq yards- for 9,000,000 pesos. And is very happy with it. Car parking included.

Present sale rent in Jun 2013- 1.30 to 1.50 (negotiable) for 186-225 sq yards in very basic condi

R 2000 and 3000:

Units one up fully furnished and interior designed anew AskIng Rent 100, 000 for 2 BR.

There were many more buildings that Broker Dina showed us. These were not the hot properties, but spacious and well laid out.

Nearest malls: SM Megamall, in busy vicinity of hotels and clinics and more malls.

Travel time to Fort BGC in moderate traffic is 20 minutes. But can get quite sticky during the peak hours or rainy months.

ORTIGAS is like a difefrent Manila from The Expat manila we have lived in so far. Hard to make it the first preference.

Nearby Valle Verde 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 are the expat abode for many employees of the ASAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, as well as the affluent locals. Its a verdant village made of townhouses neither too large , nor small.

EASTWOOD is also close by, and so is the night haunt METROWALK.

GREENHILLS is also a stone's throw away....wonder why the area didnt catch my fancy at all :( though all was alright, and nor was i coming from very happening places either. well,, may be 4 years in BGC have spoilt me afterall. either give me the country, or a childhood home, or a skylit heaven downtown. AArghhh.... get real, a part of me brings the hunter lash whipping down!

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again.
Be well until we meet again
Over Chaa ... Harveen

SUDDEN DISAPPEARING, LOSING n FINDING

2013-05-16T23:33:00.001-07:00

Over Chaa today...

SUDDEN DISAPPEARING, LOSING n FINDING

It mysteriously vanished!

Wasn't my ipod/phone/ring/wallet/pen right here just now? Right here!!

" Look under that sofa, there.
Take out everything one by one from the purse, and check thoroughly.
Get a long broomstick and poke under the bed....sometimes we drop things unknowingly behind the beds.

Check in the refrigerator also. Who knows you were making a call and walked to the ref and placed it there instead of in your wallet?

You always do this! Things are lying about -- Cds without cover, wrong cover, scotch tape --just when i need -- its not there!

Never touch my gel pen, I can't do the French homework without it!

Where are the scissors....?...

My Phone was on SILENT...How will I find my Cell Phone now? It isn't in my gym bag...! So many people come. Is it stolen? Why do u change your screen picture ...how will anyone know its yours even if they find it in the sauna? You even put a password lock as if I am the only one spying on your phone--- Now how re you gonna get it ever?

So much money...down the drain! i hate wasting!!!

I am getting late.... where is the mileage card? It was next to the passports. I kept them together...

Where s my gold chain? Which one? The one I wear everyday!

Where is that bill of 1000 ? I just kept it out for milk delivery. No I m not doubting the househelp...she is honest. But that is only till there is a theft. Not a chance. Where's my PURSE???!!!!!

You heard that-- Uncle in Block C who does yoga everyday in park...they can't find him! WHATT!!?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Things/ people disappear sometimes. And it is very inconvenient. Not to say pure random waste of energies/money/effort/ passion that may have been involved in their materialization. Or even a heart-wrenching loss of some sacred association.

Disappearance calls for two SOS measures --

for a very hard look to find out with all sincerity and
for an equally hard decision to let go sometimes. A business-like moving-on.

Whenever I need to remind myself of the difference between Heart and Head-- I try to use this example of Sincere hard Search -- and after a point -- surrendering my efforts with a prayer of Letting Go....

Sometimes we let go of lost things easily. And sometimes we cannot-- though the thing is gone. A part of us departs too with that loss, leaving us incomplete (at least for what appears forever).

TIPS TO FIND the misplaced:

Confirmation of loss
Know that you can find it (whatever), if you begin immediately.
Don't be lazy unless you are comfy being a 'loser'
Assess importance/ replaceability of lost X
Press Pause/halt the next activity n queue
Personal focused search at where you left off last
Integrate yourself and pray for wisdom to retrieve X before it scatters further afar. TRUST .
Scan methodically rather than search madly. Ex: Begin from outside your door and work inwards to the bathroom floor. Room to room. piece by piece. No place is unlikely or crazy to search in.

I am a finder. Every one is. It is just a skill that can be learnt as well as taught easily. By practice. Each time you find something, next time you know that you can find it for another person also.

My children are getting better at bringing at locating an item I might want from the kitchen/the other room just by focusing on minimum set of instructions, and relying on common sense-- but most of all- by committing themselves to finding it. And i have taught them this skill by my example. I was so far priding myself on being the finder of the family. Till I paused and decided to pass the lineage during their school holidays.

LETTING GO

When despite the commitment and search, you the Finder, Cannot find. It is a moment of humility, surrender. Overtime I have found that I begin every search, small or significant with a two-prong poking stick < FAITH of being a Finder and Surrender to the law of KARMA and divine grace. Confidence and Humility. In the face of Failure I have to

Assess and admit that I have also lost something else - that was indispensable to find this X item. E.g. your vision/glasses/love. Go retreive that, if not X.
Try again with this retrieved tool.

Still not successful?
Shout out for help. Someone else might have seen it!
Spread the net and what comes in... seive. Save that.

Still not found that which you are wishing you could just find once more, n you will never let it out of your sight...
Surrender.
Let go.

Sometimes, just fraction in a million times... we find when we really give up. Women conceive when they stop trying, men land a dream role when they are investing to retire, kid gets the candy when he stops pestering and bawling! These miracles happen, though never guaranteed.
Through systematic search as soon as you recognize the loss, the disappeared item can re-manifest in the slit of a missed pocket, or right on your desktop before your anxiously tired eyes.

But what is more remarkable and really makes up for the irretrievable loss is -- that all sorts of sundry things are found in the process of looking-- ones that we might have lost on a previous occasion even without recognizing that they were lost! So many surfaces and crannies get cleaned :) and cleared of the unnecessary, the outgrown.

Don't you (at such times) also wonder -- how much we take for granted the people, the things, the cozy corners that we once had, without gratitude, recognition?!

I clear my head despite such thoughts-- and keep looking. My son says: NOTHING IS LOST TILL YOUR MOM CANT FIND IT. So I remain a committed FINDER in our home.

Loss of something precious that we cannot do without-- is always a sign that we are taking at least some of our blessings for granted.
Perhaps we are hurrying in too much, dropping accidentally, picking feverishly.

Shall we STOP ?

Shall we choose not to have the optimum, but enjoy important things a little lingeringly?

There is a remarkable man ERIK WEIHENMEYER who lost his eyesight at the age of 13. He became rock climber, and scaled the Everest, and is now a natural choice for motivational speaking for professionals who face adversity and have summits to climb....

Lets watch him on You tube: Click below please

FINDER ERIK Weihenmayer

LOVELY!

We can find precious things when we blast past our sense of loss/failure/ expectations.

Happy Finding!

Spl Thankyous to Ms AMENA BAL, Ms DIVYA RAJAN SRIRAM and Ms KALYANI COMAL for their tragi-comic lost n found stories shared with me. Super spl thanks to my 'wonder' 'full' husband for sharing something from his meeting with Erik recently.

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason for us not to try again.

Do stay well always and until we meet again ;-)

Over Chaa ...
Harveen

BHARATI INDIAN WOMEN"S CLUB MANILA

2013-04-02T17:21:00.000-07:00

Over Chaa today..

INDIAN WOMEN'S CLUB, Philippines.

BHARATI Women's Association in MANILA, Philippines:

An ideal rendezvous for new Indian immigrants to Manila, Philippines.

Indian Expat women, as well as the local Indian women in the community can sign up with the Bharati Women's Association Manila, Philippines for an annual membership fee or as guests to specific events.

It is a women's club with round the year activities like the Diwali Gala, Cooking Club, Book Club, Charity oriented activities, Christmas, Valentine's Day and sometimes Women's Day celebrations also.

Bharati Manila is now registered with the Embassy of India in Manila.

Women who have resided in Manila for less than a year to over a decade offer as volunteer board members of Bharati. They run the annual roll of activities on a modest budget, and create a fun atmosphere for immigrant women-- mostly trailing spouses who are gradually discovering the new place and people. It is a salient support group in a way, though so far, Bharati has no formal counselling service added to its year long activities.

It is primarily known among Indians in Manila for the family oriented annual DIWALI bash only. Which a is a huge achievement, given the ad-hoc kind of organisation of Bharati, what with its floating population of volunteers and members who come to live in Manila on short term assignments.

However, Bharati's recent Cooking Activity was a good preview of the things to come and things gone by in the history of Bharati. This year with the newly appointed Board of members for 2013, Bharati seems to be promising a cosmo cocktail of desi tasty baseline and firangee toppings for variety in all it does.

I missed many old timers at the gathering though. But that's the way these things go.....

To create value out of your Manila experience
to showcase your own talents in performing, visual or culinary arts
to get your kids to participate in the Indian dances and festivities while overseas...and most of all
to spend some community bonding time...

it might not be a bad idea to check out Bharati Women's Association, Manila.

Contact emails:

bharati.manila@facebook.com

bharatimnl@gmail.com

PS:

Indian population in the Philippines is fairly large now. You might not see very many Indians crossing the streets, but that is just because earning mostly well in white collar professions, they are likely to commute by private cars.

BHARATI women's association has a membership parallel to this pattern. It too comprises of primarily upper middle class,well-educated and almost 98 percent family women. I have yet to meet single Indian women in Manila show interest in the activities of Bharati club.

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again.

So be well ... until we meet again

Over Chaa

Harveen

ILOCOS NORTE: PHILIPPINES' north most frontier

2013-04-02T04:08:00.001-07:00

Over Chaa today...

Cities of Vigan Laoag and Pagudpud in ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines

Economically untouched by the westernized and highly urbanized Philippines, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur area along the South China Sea was a discovery for us.

We were unprepared for so much dust on the leaves, litter by the way side, and the general lack of apparent happiness that sells almost everywhere else we have been to in the Philippines.

We were even more unprepared when out of nowhere the Bangui windmills stirred the clouds in an almost arid landscape. Lapping ocean waves right next to completely hot and dry boring land.

BANGUI WINDMILLS, PAGUDPUD, PHILIPPINES

As if the Water and the Earth refused to talk to one another, yet lay beside each other for seasons. The population-- like ignored kids-- ate fried food and heavy meat not knowing how to quench the hunger for softer love.

At the same time, the ILOCOS side of the Philippines story appealed because it was plausible. There was nothing cosmetic about it in presentation. Reality is that Nation Building is not an easy task.

You cannot graft one culture on the stock of another and always succeed. A genuine blend of the two can do the wonder. a wonder that seems to have eluded the Ilocos.

Here, of course, I am referring to the story of Philippines as Carlos Celdran tells it.

http://overchaa.blogspot.com/2012/06/over-chaa-today.html

Ilocos region's story seemed to me as bifurcated into the nemesis as well as fruition of the idea of a nation. First the Spaniards and then Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos' dream of making the 7007 Philippine islands into their idea of a nation.

We visited the Baroque churches of Paoay and ones en route Pagudpud with their heavy imposing walls and inner conclave designed fit to host a coronation.

(Back in India, one gets to see forts and moats this size, not churches). Clearly the Philippines was visualized as a Catholic Nation that would be ruled through its pews and aisles.

We also glimpsed the relatively recent attempts of the Marcos couple to consolidate the islands into a competitive country.

Ferdinand Marcos' Lake Side Villa

Marcos' birthplace, Marcos' museum, Marcos' Mausoleum--- 470 kms away from the Philippines capital Manila. Manila-- radiant and shining and playfully prodigious as compared to Ilocos Norte and Sur-- neglected, stuck in time, in some ways pristine though poor, and a tad sad.

WE entered the mausoleum where photography was not allowed-- the solemn walls that held the preserved body of Ferdinand Marcos spoke nothing of his dream. There was not a remote resemblance of a message, or an objective reality of what Marcos had tried to achieve. The museum gallery tried to do its little, but what impressed the visitors' mind was just the litter and neglect of the town and its heritage.

Marcos body was so well preserved-- he could have stood up and got back to work or wooing. But right outside the four walls, it was as if they had put him there and forgotten all about him. Almost like a revenge.The futility of his dream and over-reaching, of his mistakes and nemesis would be lost to anyone casually visiting.

I would highly recommend (again) Carlos Celdran's guided tour of Manila city, which he has named after Imelda Marcos.http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2012/03/livin-la-vida-imelda.html. Celdran best illustrates the un-authorised version of Philippines post-colonial identity through his monolgue rendition during the hilarious walking tour LIVIN LA VI DA IMELDA.

As for me -- instead of the Spanish story in ILOCOS and the history of Ferdinand Marcos whose birth place as well as body mausoleum we saw in LAOAG -- let me tell you about two pretty interesting ordinary characters we met in Vigan, Ilocos:

Sir Francis Flores, the landscape artist and owner of the HIDDEN GARDEN in VIGAN, Ilocos Sur
MAMA in MAKE UP who ran the souvenir shop in Vigan's Heritage Village

Both turned out to be ambitious Filipinos with privately owned businesses.
Their business blends into their life inextricably. Husbands and wives and daughters share their work space. Passion and profession live in harmony.

Their best pieces-- Francis Flores' award winning Bonsai forests, and Mama in make up's collectible were on display in those territories that could fetch them a lot of money, but these were the pieces they refused to sell !

Their staff informed us, 'Its not for sale. This is from her/ his private collection.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Francis Flores has an enviable collection of Bonsai in his HIDDEN GARDEN. Miniature forest, a trunk twisted and braided at impossible angles-- giving the impression of limbs entwined and holding up a a tuft of leaves. but NOT FOR SALE.

There were picture frames- perhaps forty on the wall near his souvenir shop within the Hidden Garden -- of celebrity visitors with Flores.

At the Entrance to the garden , a sign read: TRY TO DISCOVER THE HIDDEN GARDEN.

A modest maze followed:

...leading to brooks and bird cages, shrubbery and trees, a Bonsai garden and Lovers' Corner, Coffee tables and hammock, an easy chair; plants for sale and the ILOCANA pottery items, a CAFE and the owner's home !...and a graduation party for his daughter in swing too! 9for studying restaurant management with honors). Perfumed comfort rooms with pebbles' floor and glass wall looking into a green garden wall. There also was a prayer nook with the 10 Commandments :

5.....

thou shalt not covet they neighbor's wife
thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's property
....
10.

Happy man, content man-- I nudged my husband. We shared a knowing smile. We were both equally eager to see this man. We asked the staff if the owner was around.

"Yes. He must be walking somewhere in the garden...."

Like an elf, or the rabbit, or a muscular bronzed man in french hat and garden boots. I could just not picture him. It was only near the exit as we would leave the garden that his pictures would identify him.

As I said, his daughter's party was on. A man in white vest was taking pictures with I pad and I was wondering if the father was also at the table.

' That there is the owner-- Francis Flores '.
--Who?? Which one?--
The staff pointed at him yet again amidst the shrubbery. Not at all camouflaged --

The white vest was clean. Head was bald. steps were quick as he hurried to peek into the food pots supervising the party hands on. Satisfied, Flores was now walking away with his arms locked at his back.

The evening in his Hidden Garden held a rustic magic. Finally he smiled right into our eyes as we came face to face for the umpteenth time in the garden--

"Would you like to join us for the dinner?"

This once no one else was around us. It was already night....

When Francis Flores' eyes spoke, the man dissolved-his homely vest, the bald head, his passion and skill, his enterprise, and apparent provinciality ALL. And the essence remained-- that of an aristocratic GIVER .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MAMA IN MAKE UP:

The woman souvenir shop owner was invisible while her young and pretty daughter did the salesmanship. They sold masterpieces of handiwork at dirt cheap prices. I was completely taken by a rainbow color capiz shell wall hanging. " That's not for sale. That is my Mama's private collection." yet I fingered it and lingered-- yet again she refused to part with a piece that could have fetched her enough to buy good make up.( All the time when her daughter sold us items, the lady sat on the side probably painting her face before a small mirror camouflaged in the shop's brick a brak).

Then as we finished paying for the fortune we were carrying home, the mama in make up finally got up and revealed her rounded features and her artwork on them. I was still gazing at the steel of her Smokey eye make up , when she shoved her hand deep into my bag of purchase.
There it was-- the red scarf that had caught my eye when I had just entered her shop!
I had admired it, wrapped it around and kept it back as our family got step by step seduced by every other item in the shop. That and a red tote bag and a key ring-- just given -- for nothing. Like mirchi and dhaniya shoved into vegetable bag back in India when buying from a regular hawker.

Her shop, her girl, her man, her collection, her make up-- once again it all dissolved. She emerged-- a silent OBSERVER who judged, rewarded, and I suppose punish too, if she saw something amiss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

People, pride, passion, poverty and idiosyncrasy-- the connection that cannot be made in malls. The sing song "Good evening mam- sirs" of Manila's booming economy were missing.

It was plainspeak all along in the towns right atop the Phil map, and much as I enjoy the salespersons sing song voices in Manila, I didn't miss it in Ilocos, at all.

So many things have remained unsaid...but that's no reason not to try again.

Be well until we meet again

Over Chaa ...

Harveen

Indian Ambassador to The Philippines: Mr Amit Dasgupta

2013-03-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

Over Chaa today...

Indian Ambassador to the Philippines: Shri Amit Dasgupta-
in conversation with Jofelle Tesorio and Harveen Kaur on the scope of Indo-Philippines partnership for mutual development. Enjoy!

Be patient with the recording loading please :)

Excerpts:

"I say this on record everywhere-- Relationship between India and Philippines has to be a partnership for development. India is a poor country. Philippines has high GDP growth rate but it is basically a poor country. If these two can share their stock of knowledge, and improve quality of life of its people, its a win-win situation for everyone."

About Philippines-USA relationship vs Philippines Relations with its neighbors in Asia:

" You don't abandon old friends just because you are going to make new friends. ... Philippines should keep its strategic national interests in mind... yet you need to expand your friend circle...."

Chief Cultural Import from India to Philippines can be....

"Culture is not just Bollywood and performances, it is sharing something that contributes on a very basic level like....

1.Drugs and Pharmaceuticals: to support Philippines government's commitment to the Universal Health Policy and to providing affordable medicines to all Filipinos. Medicines in the Philippines are very expensive.

2.Dairy revolution: In Philippines it is hard to find Filipino milk and if you do, its very expensive. India (in your neighborhood) is the largest producer of milk in the world."

3. Education and training."

"...unfortunately you don't play Cricket...or we Basketball that much... " - Shri Amit Dasgupta

To visit the website of the Indian Embassy in Manila, Philippines
www.embindia.org.ph

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again. More posts on Indians in Philippines,Manila preceding and succeeding :)

Special thanks to my angel in research Jofelle Tesorio, to my daughter Gurbani for editing this post, and to my son Gurmukh for time-consuming uploading of the audio. Last but not the least to Kanwaljeet Singh...mere woh...for bringing me to the ambivalent Philippines :)

Be well until we do meet again Over Chaa ...

Love
Harveen

Indian community in the Philippines: Patterns and Perceptions

2013-03-23T03:13:00.002-07:00

Overchaa today...
University of Netherlands Researcher Jofelle Tesorio.

Jofelle and her colleagues from the University of Netherlands in Amsterdam are studying my favorite area of Interest-- Indians in the Philippines!

They found my blog over the net, and Jofelle approached me to participate in her study interactively.
As in all friendships... both of us became each other's respondents, teasing the noodles out of the other's brains--
We also met with the Indian ambassador. More about that in the upcoming blog posts....

ME: If you were to quickly describe Indians in the Philippines in 4 adjectives only -what would they be?

Jofelle:

Ummm...

1. Freedom seeking :)
2. Professional : I
3. Keep to themselves :(
4. Life-style oriented and highly mobile

... I think those best describe the Indians I have come across here.

Me: Who all have you met ever since you landed in Manila to research the Pattern of Indian migration to the Philippines?

Jofelle: I have interviewed Sindhi/Punjabi business owners living here for over 50 years, someone from the Pharmaceutical industry, and of course the single as well as family men from the IT and BPO sector who are working here...

Me: As locals or only on the expat assignments?
Jofelle: Both.

Me: Why does this segment of population interest you enough to pursue research on it?
Jofelle: We want to study why people from one developing country would like to migrate to another small developing country....

Me: I find myself asking the same question several times... So what do you suspect is the reason?
Jofelle: Aside from the strengthening of the value of peso... I think the Indians like the lifestyle in urban enclaves like Makati or Bonifacio Global City.

Me: ....Yes, even though the cost of living here is high as compared to India... especially the Residential or Electricity costs. Milk and Vegetables too BTW. and those telephone bills....aargh!

Me: What are the common perceptions about Indians among the Filipinos?
Jofelle: I think we are a very open culture and are used to seeing many kinds of foreigners. But the

Filippinos notice that the Indian population in the Philippines has not integrated itself very much with the Pinoys. Indians mostly prefer to remain within their own communities rather than strike big business partnerships, or socialize with Filipinos as friends. Isn't it quite different from some other nationalities who migrated to the Philippines-- the Chinese, the Spanish?

Various waves of Indian migrants, however, have left inevitable mixed perceptions about India and Indians in the Filipino psyche:

First wave: The Sepoys

Second wave: the Five Sixes who were Sindhis and punjabi money-lenders.

Contemporary wave: IT BPO Pharmaceutical and Banking professionals.

By the way, below is an excerpt from Jofelle's research so far of the migration pattern of Indians to
the Philippines:

The British Annexation of Sindh and Punjab in 1843 and 1849 became a
catalyst for Indian migration to the Philippines. Sindhi and Punjabi
merchants arrived in the Philippines (then under American occupation)
in the early twentieth century, only after knowing the country while
based in Hong Kong (Committee on the Indian Diaspora Report, 2000:
262-263). A small influx of Indians continued during the early
twentieth century when the Philippines was performing economically
well. This led to the emergence of a present day Indian-Philippine
community of around 50,000 to 60,000 people (Video interview of Expat
Insights with Ramesh Dargani, president of India Chamber, 14 Aug
2010).

The traditional structure of the Indian immigrants in the Philippines
has gradually changed with the arrival or educated professionals
working for international agencies, NGOs and UN agencies. In the last
three decades, there also has been an influx of business
representatives of Indian companies with joint ventures in the
Philippines and Indian multinationals operating in the country (Ibid:
263).

It can be said that number of Indian immigrants to the Philippines is
very small compared to traditional migration destinations. However,
there has been a steady increase of Indian expatriates because of the
strengthening presence of Indian companies, notably in the business
process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

The recent Indian migrants who come to the Philippines are mostly
expatriates who are sent by their companies to oversee or assist
operations. They are different from the first wave of migrants in the
1900s to 1940s who came with their families in search of business
opportunities and a new life. It can be expected that the new Indian
migrants to the Philippines are relatively young, highly educated,
have extensive work experience and are following a definitive career
path in the corporate ladder. Besides work assignments, this new type
of migration can be equated to having a better lifestyle and living
spaces compared to India.

Me : Between you and me Overchaa... what do you mean when you use that adjective-- 'freedom-seeking' for Indians in Philippines?
Jofelle: That's the common denominator among all migrants anywhere in the world-- people often leave one environment for another because they want freedom from a fixed way of living- weather its cultural norms, family obligations, a routine that no longer makes sense to them... you know...

Hmm...'COMMON DENOMINATOR'... good reminder-- must go teach kids some Math this weekend...more about Indian presence in the Phils in the upcoming posts :)

So many things have remained unsaid...but thats no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again
Over Chaa
Watch out for more posts related to this topic.....
Harveen

Sari Sari Stores for Filipino Women by Mastercard Hapinoy

2013-03-09T02:24:00.000-08:00

Over Chaa today...

Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, MASTERCARD launches PROJECT INSPIRE 2013 and gives a handsome grant yet again to HAPINOY- a full-service micro-entrepreneur enhancement program led by Philippinies' social entrepreneurs MARK RUIZ AND BAM AQUINO

Guys have you ever seen the 'Sari-Sari Stores'?

I had seen these small convenience outlets in every back- lane of Manila -- whenever we took a shortcut to reach a posh destination!

However, I did not associate these stores with the term 'Sari Sari' while still new to this country.

Sari Sari Stores are essentially laden with items of daily use-- cigarettes, bread, eggs, noodles and chips, some pork n rice, dried fish and soap.

The peculiar thing is - Sari Sari Stores look different from mini-shops in other parts of the world, or even those along Philippines own highways and privately owned shops.

Sari Sari Store Image from en.wikipedia.org

Sari Sari stores are usually part of a small house. Any room overlooking a busy street breaks down half its wall and erects a barred grill instead. This becomes the display window of your Sari Sari Store. Cigarette lighter hangs invitingly by its side, a Prepaid Phone card company puts a signboard of respectability on top, and usually a vest-less juan caresses his belly just outside on the street- as though to promote the sales :) Just Kidding...many juans actually run these stores also.

I am told, however, that it is the 'Nanays' or mothers who usually run the Sari Sari Stores. One lane may have three or more stores. In most cases, this is treated like a side-income. Family members feel free to treat it like an extended pantry, neighbors often forget to pay back the credit, and the women running the Sari Sari stores are guilty themselves of lax account keeping and inventory checks. The stores close down when the inventory runs out and the money has not made its way in for the next purchase. The family fails to respect the enterprise that the nanay had dreamt of.

Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, MASTERCARD Philippines launches PROJECT INSPIRE 2013 and gives a handsome grant yet again to HAPINOY- a full-service micro-entrepreneur enhancement program led by Social entrepreneurs MARK RUIZ AND BAM AQUINO.

HAPINOY equips women with the knowledge, tools, and resources to run sari-sari stores. There are 7000 stores already under its wings. They do a 10 month scalable training program on inventory management, customer relations, visual merchandising, and cash flow management.

Result-- Women are taking their Sari Sari stores very seriously and the family is benefiting by respecting Nanays' business.

This story touched a chord and so I shared it today overchaa... to make some music -----

"Happy Women's Day Every day all!"

MASTERCARD is looking for more such transformative ideas to sponsor under their CSR program for Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
Third Edition of PROJECT INSPIRE: 5 Minutes to Change The World .
Open to 18-35 year olds all over the world.

If interested to know more, please log on to

http://www.hapinoy.com/

oR VISIT THEIR fACEBOOK PAGE :

www.facebook.com/pages/Hapinoy/181213031830

Special thanks to the the rather masculine chic inspired ROMULO'S CAFE on Jupiter Street, Makati. Quite a classy venue and decor bringing in the Mastercard aspect to the presscon . Good cafe restaurant for formal rendezvous (in my opinion). Bite-sized cheesecakes were rather good, in fact.

So many things have remained unsaid...but that is no reason not to try again. Be well until we meet again
Over Chaa...
Harveen