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Bellydance Career? I Think Not.

No, I am not ready for professional bellydance, I think.

I’ve had three performances already. The 1st one on my mother’s birthday, the 2nd one on my gym’s Christmas Party, and the third one on my office’s Christmas Party.

And after all that, I have come to the conclusion that I am not ready for professional bellydance. XD

Don’t get me wrong, I love dancing. There is something about hearing the music out of the home theater speakers that make me just want to move, even though I might not move very well. It’s actually a great feeling. It’s like everything blacks out and all that’s with you is the music.

But still, I am not in par of other bellydancers. I have way, WAAAAAY lot more stuff to learn. I still haven’t mastered my zills, I haven’t done veils and veil pois and sword balancing… I can’t even do Rachel’s backbend. ~_~

I still have a lot of training and practice to do. I just hope my teacher at the gym would be more than happy to teach me. I think I’m really passionate about bellydance. ^_^

By the way, just in case you guys didn’t know, I’ve had 2 bellydance videos in YouTube. Click here to view my YouTube profile and see what other stuff I have in there. XD

ZenkX’s 1st Public Bellydance… Sort Of

Remind me never to do this again.

Oh wait, I’d have to… on Friday. >_<

Yeah, I “belly danced” during my mother’s birthday program. They loved it. Hahaha!

It’s not really my thing to dance in public, especially belly dancing in front of people, even though they’re my relatives. But unfortunately, I’d have to belly dance for a lot of people on Friday. So I thought, “If I can’t dance like this in front of my relatives, how in the heck can I belly dance in front of total strangers?”

So yeah, this is me… belly dancing… even though my blouse looked like an electric blanket rather than a costume.

I don’t have an actual belly dance costume yet, mainly because it’s really hard to find a top for me. Go figure. I’d have to sew my own, which is what I’m doing right now. I just hope it’ll be done by Thursday and Friday >_<

The Philippine Eagle

* this picture would probably look good in an ipod touch 4th generation picture viewer…*

You know, one of the things that annoy me so much about my childhood was that I never really went to zoos or museums.

Like recently, I came across a Philippine Eagle in the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife… and it was my first time in 27 years to actually SEE a Philippine Monkey-Eating Eagle.

How sick is that. >_<

Yep, in the recent anniversary/ photowalk of our camera club, PnSers.com, we went to the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife and I FINALLY saw this awesome bird. Strange to think that it’s our National Bird and I haven’t seen it until now.

I need to head to zoos and museums more often.

I took several pictures of it, but this one is my favorite shot… mainly because it looked bewildered. It’s face is like, “What is this fat chick doing? Haven’t she seen someone of my kind in her life?”

Quite honestly, if that eagle had the ability to talk and ask me that question, I’d say, “Yes, it is my first time to see a Phil. Eagle up close. What can I say… my parents loved Luneta when I was a kid.”

Anyway, it’s pretty cool to finally a creature this magnificent. It’s horrid to think that they’re endangered. Hopefully, modern science and the government could do something to help preserve and protect these eagles. I’d hate to think that my children (should I have any) would miss out in seeing creatures as awesome as these eagles. >_<

Guy Fawkes Mask!

Looks awesome doesn’t it? XD

This is actually a Guy Fawkes mask that I found on sale in our local bookstore, since Halloween is 2 months away. And it just cost me 75 pesos. Well, it’s not as well made as the masks made in “V for Vendetta” but hey, whatever works, right? XD

I’ve always wanted to have one of these masks. I even considered getting a document scanning software so I can scan a picture of this mask and then I’d just make my own… unfortunately I’m not that creative yet to make something like this. I still remember my “Kurei” (from the anime Flame Of Recca) mask was a disaster. It didn’t look half bad. It just looked bad on me. XD

Anyway, I just wanted this mask because of the movie “V for Vendetta”. The title character, V, wore a mask like this to hide his appearance. Although, I have read about Guy Fawkes.

Hmm… the mask looks good, but I think my costume does not. Why the heck did I wear a flowery shirt when I’m wearing a mask as awesome as this….? O_O

Yay for the wonders of plastic. XD

Dancing Envy And Double Standards

Someday, I want to be this brilliant in Tribal Fusion bellydancing.

If only I had some box converter so I can convert some of her YouTube videos into my television. ~_~

Unfortunately, as much as I love her dancing, society’s penchant for perfection continues to piss me off. Apparently, I’d be considered a freak if I tried to dance this kind of choreography when I am 80 pounds overweight.

Well, that sucks. I didn’t know you were supposed to have a specific bodily figure to bellydance. ~_~

I’ve been reading around the InterNet lately. Apparently, most “fluffy” bellydancers focus more on Egyptian-style bellydancing rather than Tribal Fusion style bellydancing. Which is fine for me. It’s just that there are way too many people who bring these bellydancers down by calling them “fat” or “disgusting”.

Seriously? Since when has dancing for pure enjoyment become disgusting?

Anyway, I really hate these kind of double standards. It’s annoying. It’s like saying you can go and do bellydance when you’ve shed some pounds and become skinny. Which is a total opposite of what belly dancing is all about. Bellydance is all about acceptance, and liking your body no matter what the shape.

Argh. Society sucks sometimes. Honestly. Remind me to find my old bellydance belt and dance my heart out while rising my middle finger to the people who give me disgusted looks. >:(

Completionist’s Envy

Oh man, my behind hurts so much from sitting waaaayyy too long. I might have to get like a seat with wire loom to support me. XD

Anyway, I am really envious of completionists… you know, the video gamers who need to get 100% in a game. They’d search every nook and cranny, do all the quests, and defeat all the enemies to be able to finish the game with their minds in peace.

Maybe I just have the patience for it? I’m playing Final Fantasy X on our POS2 again, and I am a hard time with the 0.0.0 Chocobo race time (for FFX fanatics, you know what I mean XD). Not to mention I have to level up, because my Sphere Grid is all messed up (again, FFX fanatics would know about this).

Maybe I’m just impatient… and lazy. Hahaha! I tend to not level up my characters because I want to move forward with the story quickly, and as a result I keep on dying because of my low level. ~_~

Anyway, maybe I just need to discipline myself, be patient, and keep going at it. Maybe what I’ll miss out in patience, I’ll get in luck. Hahahaha! Good luck to me, then. XD

ARRRR, MATEYS! XD

I was looking around the InterNet again, when I came across this:

If I saw this at the streets of Ortigas when I’m driving, I’d probably going to need disability insurance… I’m going to end up wrapped in pole for laughing. XD

It’s actually pretty cool, kinda reminds me of Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean. It would be cool if there’s like a body art of the Black Pearl at the sides of this car. XD

Speaking of pirates…

My bestfriend and I are going to the MOVIES!

Yeah, we’re going to see Thor (even though it’s a little late) because I want to see Chris Hemsworth’s abdominal muscles (droooool), and after that we’re going to see Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides because I’m head over heels in love with Johnny Depp.

I’m going to need my drool bucket for this though… hot men all afternoon XD.

Bin Laden is Dead.

*Photo by Getty Images*

Unless you have been hiding in a hole somewhere, I’m pretty sure you’ve all heard that the terrorist and No.1 enemy of America (and probably the world), Osama Bin Laden is dead.

According to reports, the US intelligence (known as the CIA) is to thank for their discovery of Bin Laden’s villa/ hide out in Abbottabad, a few kilometers north of Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad . They then sent out helicopters and troops from US SEALs (Team Six) to carry out the raid on the morning of May 1, 2011. They also said that Bin Laden put up a fight but was unarmed during the raid, and only 4 people aside from Bin Laden were killed. None of the US Military were shot or harmed during the fight.

Bin Laden’s body was said to have been shot in the eye and in the chest, and that facial recognition and DNA testing were performed in the body. The reports also said that when these tests were done, they buried the body in the Arabian Sea.

This was, according to President Barack Obama, one of the greatest victories of the US. I’m pretty sure that this would also be a great addition to the history of Obama’s reign as President.

However, there are some “conspiracy theorist” who do not find this believable. It seems that they want proof, by publishing photos and videos of Bin Laden’s body during the tests done on his cadaver. In fact, there is already a spam message circulating around FaceBook about his body (though I’m pretty sure that these are all fake, and was just placed there for some stupid profile count or virus spreading. FB users beware ok? Do NOT believe these images. I’d rather see the pictures from Yahoo! News or some local newspapers than in FaceBook >_<). Apparently, they are urging the White House to publish these photos as proof to the world that the man is already dead.

As for me, I have mixed reactions about this issue. First of all, I am happy that Bin Laden is dead, since he has killed many people during his reign of terror. I’m pretty sure that a lot of people are happy, too. His attacks during September 11, 2001 was not limited to the killing of US citizens. There were a a lot of people of mixed cultures that died during these attacks, my Filipino countrymen included.

Second, I am kind of scared. With the death of their leader, the al-Qaeda will be sure to retaliate.  As for when and where they will attack, we do not know. I just hope that all countries would stay alert. It’s not over with the al-Qaeda, that’s for sure. ~_~

And third, I am, to some degree, a little disappointed. It took them almost 10 years to capture or kill this man. The 9/11 attacks happened way back in 2001, and it is only until now that they found him. It’s a tad disappointing that with all the technology and intelligence of the nations hunting for this man, it took them this much time to find him. I’m pretty sure that the families of the 9/11 victims would be sure to agree with me on this one. ~_~

Anyway, I’m pretty sure that countries all over the world are celebrating (there was even a celebration at New York’s Time Square, outside the White House, and even at Ground Zero – the World Trade Center), but still, we have to stay on the alert. Bin Laden may be dead, but there are still some pretty mad people out there. ~_~

The Fat Buddha “Insult”

Before I post stories about my Marinduque Holy Week, I came across a little epiphany while watching a movie while I was processing my bank account to get money for the trip (kinda makes me wish I had check city cash advances… the line was so long at that time ~_~). The movie was called “Necessary Roughness”, and it starred Scott Bakula and Sinbad way back in 1991.

Anyway, even though I wasn’t really paying attention to the movie, but I do remember one part where they insulted one guy as a “Fat Buddha”. Being a chubby person myself, it kind of made me think a little.

Is being called a “Fat Buddha” really an insult?

The way I see it, it’s not.

Look at it this way. The person calling you a “fat buddha” is, for one thing, stupid and foolish. If they had studied religion and philosophy, they would know that the “fat buddha” is not actually the real Buddha. The real Buddha was named Siddharta Gautama, a young man from India who attained enlightenment by meditation, and the founder of Buddhism. His religious icon is that of a young man, sitting in a Lotus Pose (yeah, I know my Yoga XD). Buddha is also given to several other people, because the name itself means “enlightened one”.

Second, the “fat buddha” term is mistaken… it’s called a Budai. It’s Chinese diety. Buddha is, of course, the founder of Buddism, while Budai, is one of the deities of the Chinese Zen. He is also included in the Buddist teachings, but he is more known as “The Laughing Buddha” rather than just “Buddha”.

And finally, Budai, even though his appearance is that of a bald, short and fat man, is often times called the representation of contentment and enlightenment. He did not care if the world made fun of his belly or his looks. He is laughing because he is content of his life. He helped the poor and the destitute, and he understood the ways of the world. Society’s view of physical appearances didn’t matter to him. He’s laughing because he is content and happy with life and his life’s work. He is enlightened and happy… hence the name “Laughing Buddha”.

So yeah, the next time someone calls you a “Fat Buddha”, don’t be afraid to say, “Hey! Thank you!”. Why? Because it means you are enlightened. That you are happy and content with what you are, and with what you do, and what you look like. Consider it as a compliment. That ought to throw your enemy in loop. They’d go, “Why the heck is this guy thanking me when I insulted him?”. And you, having read and learned this, would just smile, knowing that the person who insulted you had just called you a happy and content “Enlightened One”. ^_^

Tales from the Isle of Marinduque Re-vamp

Yep, I’m home again from my vacation inf Marinduque.

Though I’m not really that excited about it… it’s too warm here in Manila, and I already miss the ocean breeze. ~_~

But I did miss my InterNet. My unlocked cell phones is pretty cool, but seeing as there are very few Wifi spots in Marinduque, I had to resort to using my relatives InterNet connection… but I can only be online for 5 minutes. (my mom had to use it to send e-mails to my dad ~_~)

Anyway, as stated, I have a lot of tales to spin about my time in Marinduque, unfortunately, I’m going to have to change the title. It’s waaaayyyy too long. Harharhar! I can’t imagine making a blog post about my Marinduque vacation by the time I’m 40 or something. It’ll be like “Tales from the Isle of Marinduque XX+”…. hahaha!

So stay tuned for my Marinduque stories… I’ve got lots of pictures! Man, I can’t believe I almost filled my camera’s memory card with pictures. I even drained my 2 sets of batteries during my whole trip! Sheesh! Plus you’ll be able to see me all red as a tomato. ~_~