Tonight was our fair entertainment department's official christmas party held at the Bellini Lounge at the Venetian Casino. Alcohol was provided - (neverending vodka bottles with various forms of accompaniment ranging from cranberry to orange juice).
Having a long day of work ahead of me this must be brief. But basically. Here I am. Tipsy or possibly just exhausted, and feeling the need to record something of how I perceive things at this very moment in time. Truth is readers, it has not been all sunshine and Portuguese food since I have been here. Perhaps that explains the sporadic nature of my posts (or maybe we should stick with laziness for that one?). But I have had my moments of depression here. It's partly the strangeness of the world which is Macau which in its modern context of gambling and debauchery does not appear to have any particular kind of overriding morality. Also, as is often one of the great challenges faced by people living overseas and constantly travelling, you are constantly having to develop new friendships and relationships. Don't get me wrong. This, to me, is one of the absolute joys and attractions of travelling - never knowing who you're going to meet and forming these incredible bonds with new and fascinating people who you might otherwise never have had the opportunity to connect with. But these connections do not always(generally) provide one with the same emotional comfort and support as those which have been forged over any large period ranging from years, to a lifetime. And so comes the hitch. You can be left feeling alone. No matter how many people are around you. Some people travel purely to partake in this particular sensation. Sometimes solitude is bliss. But sometimes it is not. And so the challenge is to learn how to be "self-sufficient". How to know yourself well enough and find enough joy in that that the new interactions do not have to challenge your sense of identity, purpose, or belonging.
Add to everything above the fact that, as the holiday season is wont to do, it can promote a feeling of all-pervading happiness and contenment. If you're with your loved ones it's the happiest time of year full of celebrations and festivity. BUT if you are removed? It's a time for all forms of nostalgia to attack you with a christmas carol softly singing "you're all aloooone this christmas" (in a Bing Crosby imitation), (or otherwise feel free to picture Bridget Jones gorging on a tub of ice cream and miming violently to "Alllll by mysellllllfff"). So what ensues when all this overwhelms the individual??? Crying and eating. And an approximately 10 kg weight gain. But with the breaking down comes a rebuilding. And so now. Day by day, and kilo by kilo, I am discovering resources and learning lessons which will serve me undoubtedly for the rest of my days.
So my tipsy blogster tips for leading a relatively happy life whether at home or as an expatriate in a world such as Macau?
1. Take time to find out who you are, and once you do, never apologise for it.
2. Take strength and joy from your family and friends. No matter where they are in the world. Love!
3. Learn ukulele.
Merry Christmas everybody. And a Happy belated Chanukah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xooxoxoxooxox
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Off Days Rock
Just a brief post to record my night so future Miriam does not forget. Today was my off day. Had a ridiculous day of bipolar-fuelled spending at Zhu Hai (which incoincindentally is pronounced, "Jew High"). Highlight of my purchases was a grey hoodie with a batman emblem (king of superheroes) and a gold ring which said "strive". After that I made my way to Macau Cultural Centre via (thankfully) free shuttle bus to watch Roby Lakatos & His Ensemble. The concert was absolutely wonderful and I was furiously writing notes at interval and after the show so I can review it for my new website www.miriamreviewsthings.blogspot.com . I ran into a friend and colleague of mine from the Venetian, a great musician called Oleg. Oleg introduced me to his friend Darryl who plays a traditional Chinese instrument called the Ehru. We waited around for another musician friend of Darryl's, an incredibly sweet girl called Ines who plays the Dulcimer. Ines had approached Roby's cimbalom player after the show to talk to him about the cimbalom and the dulcimer. He let her play his cimbalom and then he came with us and we went to Ines' house and she set up all three of her dulcimers and played for us. She is phenomenal. The cimbalom player had a little hit and even let her have a pair of his cimbalom mallets! Very nice guy. After we dropped him off we went and had delicious food, (I had the best Rose Iced Tea of my life) and we talked for hours. Darryl and Ines are wonderful people, Darryl is from Singapore, Ines is Macanese. They met at Beijing Conservatory of Music where they both studied. Now Darryl plays in the Chinese Traditional Orchestra (which is an orchestra of entirely traditional Chinese instruments playing Chinese music) in Macau. Ines teaches part time for Macau Conservatory (I think?) and also teaches privately. Such wonderful people and there was so much to talk about. I miss having an exchange with musicians. It felt nice not to feel over-the-top or out of place in my enthusiasm for discussing all things musical. That's my favourite part of travelling, those serendipitous moments where you are thrown in the path of wonderful and talented human beings who you can connect with.
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