Audience is the last thing on our minds.

"I don't really care about the audience, they are my last priority" says aueTashi Gyeltshen , director of the The Red Door and a very creative story teller. Very creative, I tell you.

I find myself similar to aue TG in this aspect. Mind you, I said...this aspect only.

When I sit down to write, I don't really write to PLEASE my audience. Most times, I am even ignorant that I have some friends who read my posts. I write because the need to write is so pressing that I can hardly do anything but write. Breathing or even eating (my favorite thing to do) is an arduous task when I have something to write. It gnaws me constantly, the voices in my head just wouldn't shut up..until I write it down.

It is important for me to write things down, put my feelings into words and let it flow. Because (believe it or not) I don't write much. I face what people call "the writer's block" but there are moments when I am VERY inspired by people, events or a random conversations. That's when I write like there is no tomorrow or even later.

I am a story teller. My posts are my stories. Stories of people and events. When I write, I serve as the bridge..a medium to bring those stories into the world. For me, penning down my records of events, of people and their impact or their impressions on me is far more important than thinking about how my audience (if any) is going to react. Are they going to like it? are they going to complain about the length? Or, my vocab? Or, the structure? Will they like my style? etc and etc. All of these become petty matters and irrelevant questions when I have this sense of urgency to write.

It isn't important who likes it or who doesn't because even if no one likes what I write, I will continue writing. Not because I think much of myself or my writing but because writing is slowly becoming as natural and spontaneous as breathing, a second nature. Something I have always hoped and dreamed for happening in me. And, I cannot dare risk this development by not writing. 
Whether it be 2 lines, 200 words or 600 plus.. I will have to put it down in writing. I will have to document it and writing is the only way I know how. And, some day when the time is just right.. I might act on my friend Jigme's suggestion and write a book. You never know, you know? 

But for now, I am immensely grateful to all those individuals (friends and strangers alike) who have helped me keep my love affair with writing ..alive and kicking. Thank you for the inspiration!
Like aue TG's films are about finding his purpose of life through Art, I can only pray to find mine through writings. 
Until then, I shall keep annoying you with my posts, irrespective of the length or relevance. HAHA.

The Red Door- my feelings about it.

When aue Tashi Gyeltshen's THE RED DOOR received international recognition, I was very proud of my fellow countryman's achievement. But I was also pretty curious to know what it had in it- the message, the substance, the artistic approach..whatever term is befitting  to capture the attention of people. 

 
Glad I had the pleasure of watching the awesome " short film" and the honor of having aue TG himself explaining about it yesterday. To be honest, as the film unfolded..I was like, "what is he trying to say? " and still didn't really get the meaning ( even when it ended). I did know it was about death, just that I couldn't interpret it any further. 
Now, I realize that there is no death as in the end, the complete stop or the ultimate exit. Like aue TG said, it is just that "you are reborn again and again" . That, "there is no concept of exit as in you go away from it". 

 
A story has no end. How can it have an end when it has always come back to the beginning? And, if there is the beginning..how can it have an end? If there is reincarnation, then surely death is just a temporary absence. Something like, you take a leave to holiday somewhere but you come back..when the time's just right.

And, his personal symbols and metaphors (artistic ones)...like the dripping water, the droplets of blood in the bowl, the character carrying the red door, the rope which was used as a pillow, the changing landscape and the mobile phone...all of these just blended in so well with the over all message of the film.

Aue TG's film leaves a lot for the audience to ponder upon, especially death and reincarnation. And, yes! It changes your perception about death, too. It is no longer a scary affair. For me, "The Red Door" is an art film that so beautifully takes the audience on a journey to re-introduce death and reincarnation... Buddhist concepts close to the hearts of everyone of us. 
No wonder it was so well received by everyone who watched and had the time to ponder over it. Immense admiration and respect for giving the world and Bhutan, the red door. 
Thank you aue TG for bringing your film here at Sherubtse and for the time you took to explain about it. And,thank you Sir Dorji for arranging all these miracles, heroic feats..I must say.

Another beautiful day!

After what seemed like ages, we finally set out on our field trip to Yul Pemachen on a TRUCK yesterday.

 Yul Pemachen is in Shongphu Gewog and is associated to the legendary Khandro Drowa Zangmo. The village is beautifully set on the lap of mother nature..so very beautiful and pristine...away from the noise of the trashigang town. Apart from the beauty of mother nature, what touched me the most was the generosity the local people showed. They welcomed a large group of noisy students, who were total strangers into their homes and lhakhangs.
The people were not really well off. The things they owned showed that they did not live luxurious lives but what was amazing is that they shared whatever little they had with us. Sharing tea and hand-beaten "siip" (maize flakes that is consumed as snacks with tea)... they welcomed us with open hearts and beautiful, big smiles. We couldn't help but to admire these kind souls.

And, oh! did I tell you about the 13th century religious texts we had the good fortune of looking and touching? There is this small thromang lhakhang perched on a hill top,some 45 minutes walk off the road and into the woods. It houses the texts, aum Jomo (the guardian deity), saved and brought with her when escaping from Tibet. It is said that she brought it into Bhutan, sewn and packed, on the backs of the sheeps and goats. After they reached thromang, aum Jomo is said to have thrown all of the texts into the air with the prayer that they land at their destined places. The legend has it that the texts stayed in the air for a week before they landed just above the lhakhang. 

Geshe Tashi Dhendup, the abbot of Thromang Lhakhang was kind enough to open one of the texts for us. Imagine holding a 13th century object in your hands. The feeling cannot be described. It was just beautiful. We were amazed, so amazed that we let our fingers run across the ancient texts and oh! we even smelt it. "smelling history" you see? Later, we lunched and danced with the locals. We said our goodbyes to the beautiful place and the people there. 
And, we climbed onto the truck again. Such a dangerous thing to be climbing in and out that most times I did not dare climb out of it. The roads were very bumpy because it was a feeder road and so, we were tossed into the air. I guess we looked like potato sacks, being tossed up and down due to the force. Because I slept on the way back, my whole body feels like someone thrashed it. This morning I woke up with horrible aches, so horrible that I cannot imagine anyone suffering from. I cannot picture the state of the bums of those friends who opted to sit down the whole journey. Must be terribly sore, haha.

As I write this and look back now, the trip to the place and meeting the people there..all of it seems like a dream. A beautiful dream into a magical world. 
I don't know if I will be able to visit the place again in my life.But, I hope..someday..I will be able to come back with my friends. And, meanwhile.. I pray change does not spoil the good hearts of the local people there. May it remain as big and beautiful as it is now..always.

Our lunch spot and also the place where the texts are said to have landed.  

Another tea ceremony.

The chorten Kuentu Lekpa built in memory of his mother, Kandro Drowa Zangmo.

Freezing the moment!

My fav. lecturer who also is a great tourist guide :) In here with ma'am Kuenga, an archeologist. 

Notice how talented a painter mother nature is.

Beautiful sunset at thromang.

Touching and smelling the ancient texts ^^

This is how warmly the locals welcomed us.

Thank you Baka Wangchhuk for being there. Nge male bestie jigs. What would I ever do without you?  I cannot imagine the sort of body ache you must be suffering from. I am sorry you suffered taking care of me but know that am very grateful, too. 
Thank you Jigme, Chezom, Lhamo, Ssh Tshomo, Cring, Ceering, Jharna,Tsencho, Chhimmi , Jaypo , potsho, unnie and everyone for being amazing friends. It is always beautiful and fun to travel with you guys. 
And, finally..Thank you sir Dorji Wangchuk for arranging this amazing trip. I shall always remember you for all these trips and picnics you take us on. There is so much to learn from these classrooms outside the four walls. Some of the best days of my life. Thank you for the beautiful moments, memories I will cherish for ever.

The credit for the beautiful pictures : Sir Dorji, my fav. lecturer and Lhamo, one of my good friends.

Kaitlyn Maher "DADDY, I LOVE YOU" (LIRYCS).avi

Amazing Kaitlyn :)))
and the lyrics are just so touching.

Our meeting is not a mere coincidence!

This morning, my fav. professor shared what someone wise once told him.

"A thousand moenlams result in a chance encounter, of you and the other person. As a result of which you just pass by...in a restaurant, a book shop, a mall, a gym, a school..anywhere. Or, like my professor said.. You meet in a cab and just exchange a smile. 
And, a zillion moenlams result in you meeting that person and being able to actually strike a conversation. Even if it is but for a few minutes. 
In that case, think how many lifetimes of moenlam went in to having the people that you have right now, as an integral part of your life. "

And, it just moved my heart...so much that I was on the verge of crying. (Thank god! I have this ability to control my tears these days)  Anyways,  I was touched by the sheer truth and wisdom of those words. It was one incredible moment. To realize that I have a wonderful family, who loves me unconditionally and friends who are my second family. To have teachers who guides and inspires me. To meet strangers who eventually become friends. And, all of these happened because of the result of our prayers and moenlams of infinite lifetimes. 
Who says miracle don't happen? Being who you are and where you are; to have the family that you have; to have the sibling(s) that you have; to be married to the person you have by your side; to have found the love of your life; to be friends with the wonderful people in your life. All of these and more are nothing but miracles. The fruit of you and them , praying for countless lifetimes, to meet this lifetime. 
I am so grateful to have my family, friends and of course! to meet all of you here..on twitter, FB and blog..an entirely different universe. But, I am grateful. 
Namae samae kadrinchae la. Thank you so much. As much as I may have prayed for our reunion in this lifetime, I know it is your moenlams ,too. Because of our combined moenlams, we have met and it is a miracle. 

SOS, cries our planet.

The sad reality of this century is we are so engrossed in the daily drama of our lives, the race to be better than the other person. We tend to forget that we're all in this together, that it doesn't mean us vs them and the need for materialistic fulfillment...that we have become short sighted, mean and conceited.
I mean, how many of us actually realize that our planet is slowly dying?
  We are killing it slowly with tons of plastics that we use, the mass production of harmful gases like CO2 and cutting down of trees!
How many of us realized that CLIMATE CHANGE is a REALITY? That we are to blame? Our never ending desires and wants.
It is time we give serious thoughts to this issue. Think of what can we do to actually make a difference?
Please know that "We are living in a time when our lives and actions matter more than ever before. What will be our legacy?" Together, we can do so much because "We are a generation that is united in all that we're losing and also in all that we want to achieve"
Help save the planet, the ONLY planet in the whole universe that we call HOME.
#InspiredByVideosOfChange #LetsWorkTowardsSavingOurHome

Rekindled love affair

I got A+ for my assignment  but more than the grade, it was my lecturer's comment that made my day. "Very impressive, convincing and well written. If you keep it up, your writings will take you somewhere" 

 
Writing is something I have taken up quite recently.  Although I used enjoy my love affair with writing  during my Junior high, it kinda stopped with reading taking up most of my leisure hours. I had given up all my hopes in writing until I met a Person who not only became my good friend but a guide, too. Dear Dendu, thank you for inspiring me to write. Your words of encouragement instilled hope and gave me the courage to hold my pen again. I may not possibly become your Arundathi Roy but I sure will keep writing.

Sometimes in life, all one need is someone to encourage and believe in you, even when you have lost all hope(s) in yourself. And when you meet someone like that, it's vital that you at least try to stand up to the expectations.. making sure you don't disappoint them. Because, you meet a lot of people that will always bring you down saying you can't do it but only a few will actually have faith in you and the endless possibilities that you .
Therefore, it's important to succeed- not to prove wrong the many people that said you couldn't do it but to prove right the few that believed in you.
I pray, everyone meets some people like that.  For I believe that a kind word, a little encouragement and faith can take anyone a long way.