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As I live and breathe... D-A-N-C-E.

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"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different." - Coco Chanel

As a certified club-goer and dance-fanatic, I have partially understood the ‘art of clubbing’ and have made mental notes on the various dance moves I have encountered. The names of the dance moves, I have coined myself, although some were inspired by correlated pop stuff.

I started making a list of wacky dance moves a couple of years ago back in Japan. There, almost every week, I have been a regular guest in Kyoto’s several local disco clubs. It was there that I have somewhat learned the art of clubbing. I have observed how men and women behave in clubs. I found out about the many vodka-based drinks. I know when the next ‘drag’ day is and where the hippest DJs are going to play. I have learned about club dos and don’ts, the number of tequila shots I can tolerate, the right way to deal with aggressive men, and most of all, the various dance styles and moves that are unnoticed and left unidentified – the simple and the complicated ones; the moderate and the nasty ones; the weird and the classic ones; and the lame and the cool ones. And now I’m pleased to share with you just some of them:

LOW

Low is perhaps one of the sexiest moves ever done on the dance floor. When “Shawty got low, low, low”, guys couldn’t help but stare at her with their jaws dropped. You start by gyrating or hip-swaying from standing straight and then going down lower and lower with the beat. The sexXxy effect is much better if you have someone standing in front of you as your ‘pole’. However, the ultimate effect is when you’re swinging all the way down with someone.

Note: No matter how discreet you try to perform this move, you will undoubtedly catch some guy’s attention so be prepared for the nasty nuisance coming your way.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is a crazy dance move in which a person or a group of people somewhat “reveres” a certain person. It’s not exactly bowing your head but it’s more like trying to get people’s attention to notice the person dancing (the “King/Queen of the Dance Floor”) at the moment. It’s kinda like putting a person on the spotlight. But, hey, you can also try doing it alone but that would make you look a tad weird.

RAISE THE ROOF

Who doesn’t know about Raise the Roof? Most of you have probably heard or executed this simple dance move already. It’s done in clubs to somehow boost the energy level of the crowd. You know the clubbers are on a high when they start doing this move.

SANDWICH

A nasty, sweaty yet sultry dance, this Sandwich is. Imagine being sandwiched by a couple of hotties while sexy dancing. It’s sensual to the highest level. This is usually done by threes but I’ve seen a number of instances wherein more than three people are doing the Sandwich together and if done the wrong way, it would merely look sloppy.

SHOWGIRLS

Showgirls is one of my favorite dance moves. It’s so much fun to do especially when you’re shoulder to shoulder with your bestest friends. It’s done just like how the masquerade or cabaret girls do it. New York, New York!

MIRROR EFFECT

The Mirror Effect is also fun to do. It’s simple: Either you copy your partner’s move or your partner will copy yours. When you’re arranged in a circle, you can do this by stepping into the center and provoking a certain person to dance like you.

FLY SNAPS

Fly snaps aren’t called “fly” for nothing! They sound pretty feroz and clubbers look old school-cool doing them. They are probably one of the oldest dance moves as you can see people from way back doing the ol’ snaps. Nowadays, though, snaps could be done classic or ghetto-style whichever way works.

BEAT CLAPS

Beat Clapping is, basically, clapping with the music. It’s a way to add energy and fun to the dancing crowd. When done by almost everyone in the club, the cumulative effect will be trance-like and tremendous.

Note: Do not, puh-leese, overdo the clapping. Anyway, it’s called a beat clap for a reason. You have to feel the beat and slap along with it. It’s all about the attitude and perfect timing.

WOOT-HOOTS

Woot-hooting is very entertaining and exceptionally enjoyable to do. The house will be brought down when the woot-hoots begin. It brings a lot of oomph to both the music and the place; it unifies the crowd. Also, consider that it’s much cuter when you combine the chant with silly dance moves. Boom boom boom! Woot hoot! Boom boom boom! Woot hoot!!

Note: Do not over-repeat the “woot-hoots” or else people are gonna be either 1) weirded out by you or 2) incredibly annoyed because of you. You must know both when to start and when to stop. You have to feel the crowd’s mood and again, it’s all about right timing, baby.

Now, go hit the floor with these fab dance moves!

Images Copyright danavalencia2009
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Explore. Dream. Discover.

Note: This was originally circulated as a text quote in Filipino.

Symptoms of a Certified Single

A girl is considered to be single if she…

• …often stays at home.
• …has a funtabulous social life.
• …is a sleep freak.
• …is a gadget addict. (always with her DS, iPod or PSP)
• …always sends text quotes by GM (Group Message).
• …frequently changes her hairstyle.
• …is gaining some pounds.
• …is usually overdressed. (and overly accessorized)
• …is pretending to be happy or trying to look happy. (but deep inside she’s not)

Symptoms of a Certified Taken

A girl is assumed to be taken if she…

• …tends to be flat broke almost always.
• …is usually haggard-looking.
• …is a penny-pincher.
• …tries to always look ‘blooming’ just so her BF won’t leave her.
• …has no social life.
• …has a SUN Cellular SIM card. (for unlimited phone calls to her BF)
• …is typically out of the house.
• …is normally boring in conversations.

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Explore. Dream. Discover.

I just want to share a cute note forwarded by a friend.

The Truth About Girls

• We’re not ashamed to cry.
• We eat a lot for our size.
• We’re never too old for sleepovers.
• It takes an hour to look real good.
• We must go to bathrooms in groups.
• Stilettos may look HOT but they hurt like bitch.
• We love little things.
• Gossip isn’t a sin; it’s an art.
• We’re always right even when things are all wrong.
• Random things can make us cry.
• Period sucks, PERIOD.
• We love compliments.
• Chocolate solves everything so does ice cream!

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Explore. Dream. Discover.

It was December 1941 when the combined Japanese air and naval forces surprisingly attacked the sleeping Pearl Harbor. It was less than four years later when Enola Gay dropped what was later to be the root of the world’s first nuclear strike. It was also the day we entered the Nuclear Age.

I remember watching Pearl Harbor (the 132 million-dollar budget film directed by Michael Bay) and discovering just how fearless and ruthless the Japanese were at that time. Also, I was so convinced that they were the villains in the story and having two of their cities bombed was just a reasonable enough payback. I was wrong. I didn’t exactly know what the real deal was and I was blinded by my feeble presumptions and personal bias. Little did I know, the story didn’t really have a fair ending.

The enlightenment occurred when I visited the wonderful prefecture of Hiroshima. I was looking at the city’s brochures and maps to look for amusing sights to explore. And then, there I saw the boldly printed HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM. I didn’t think twice but I just pulled my friend’s hand and off we go to a tour that would later change my entire perspective regarding the “things” that happened between U.S. and Japan during the 1940’s. It completely turned my outlook 180 degrees and what was before seemed an appealing ending to me was now a tragedy that I still cannot fully digest.

Walking through each part of the museum was unearthing saddening facts that left me dumbfounded throughout the whole tour. Every glass case contained a horrifying past; every image mirrored a haunting memory.

But what I cannot seem to forget was this huge image of a wristwatch (that stopped exactly the time the bomb exploded) and the short message printed just below it:

“A dragonfly flitted in front of me

and stopped on a fence.

I stood up, took my cap in my hands,

and was about to catch the dragonfly

when......”

It was depressing enough just reading it but it was dreadful imagining it. My eyes welled up with tears.

What’s more is that I was able to touch objects that are now surviving bits and pieces, and I was also able to view Hiroshima on the day of the atomic bombing which was just as spine-chilling. Seeing the replica of those people with their dissolved skin, those ashes, and even the imprinted shadow of a man sitting on a porch made my insides jolt. Everything was due to radiation. Everything was due to the atomic bomb.

A-Bomb Dome: A symbol of hope for World Peace

Now, it appears to me that my opening line does not really offer that much clarity in expressing its intensity. By merely describing it as “the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” just like in high school history books, cannot substantiate or give justice to the indescribable horror that actually took place. At least to me, that was the impression.

To those of you who are not familiar with what really happened more than six decades ago, let me give a few facts.

AUGUST 6, 1945 8:16 A.M.
Hiroshima City - The atomic bomb exploded directly over the Shima clinic. The temperature reached 50 million degrees centigrade and flash heat fired miles away, burning skin and vaporizing people. Approximately 80,000 people were instantly killed or severely wounded. Almost 70 percent of the buildings were destroyed. (data from the book, Enola Gay)

Just a mile away from the epicenter, the effects of radiation and tremendous heat were unbearable – skins were burned, imprints were left on the skin as well.

The after-effect was equally disastrous. Black rain poured over Hiroshima, making things become worse than it already was. The effects of radiation were terrible – diseases, scars, etc., people were left damaged forever as they were probably passed on to the next generations. Caused by the bitter history, I’ve even heard sad stories about some Japanese who are against marrying someone from Hiroshima. I strongly resent this mind-set.

AUGUST 8, 1945
Nagasaki City – A plutonium bomb, which was more powerful than the uranium one (the one used for Hiroshima), exploded just above the northwest part of the city. However, there was less damage and fewer casualties.

It was only then that I realized that Japan was not the villain after all. It was also a victim. I regret being so narrow-minded and offensive. I am seeing the whole picture now. The way I considered the war and the attacks was also not quite right. It was not supposed to be looked at as a derby fight between the two nations – that one should retaliate or get even, but as a possible means to an end. The war had to end. It just had to.

And through all of these I made myself vow to be an instrument of peace and I extend all my prayers to the victims, their families, and to each and every one of you who has a vicious war within his/her own heart. We cannot let this happen again.

Yay for world peace!

For those who want to learn more about the Hiroshima Bombing – detailed accounts of the World War II and the after-effect stories, you can these out:

Enola Gay by Gordon Thomas and Max Morgan-Witts

Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse

PEACE,

D

Kyoto is what some people say “the best place on Earth” and being able to stay here for almost a year was quite an unsurpassable chance and experience. As I go out of the dormitory, walking a few steps you will be greeted by a narrow river with flowers blooming on both sides and trees weeping closely to the surface of the water. In spring, the cherry-blossoms; during summer, the brightest flowers and the greenest trees; in fall, the red maple trees; and as winter comes, the snow-covered pine trees come into view. What a serene sight. More like hypnotic. From a crossroad nearby my university, just decide on a direction and you will arrive at a temple or a shrine somewhere. However, these are not just ordinary spots but are considered as “World Heritage Sites.” Yeah, wow. Also, there are 17 of them all-in-all around Kyoto. What can I say? Kyoto is the place to be when you are someone looking for relaxation and a stress-relieving trip.

Kyoto is not only known for its beautiful nature, it also carries a historical legacy as it was established as Japan’s capital under the name “Heian-kyo” in 794 A.D. It may have adopted the most advanced standards of time but until today, the impression of Kyoto as a past capital is still undaunted. As you visit ancient temples, shrines, and various museums, you will witness a unique culture and properties that are testimonials of time.

One hot summer day, I had nothing to do and just thought of dilly-dallying around the city. I walked to the nearest bus stop, got on a random city bus, and bought an ichi-nichi or one-day bus pass. As I ride along, one building caught my attention and this is the Kyoto City Archaeological Museum. I immediately got off at the bus stop in front of it, went inside and thereupon started a very interesting trip.

Traveling To The Past

The museum was opened in November 1979 and its goal is to, needless to say, make known to the people, the important archaeological remains of each period which had been discovered in excavation projects. A wide range of people are able to utilize the facilities. In fact, activities such as lectures, summer school, and training as a curator are being held there.

On the first floor, just at the entrance, is a large glass panel imprinted with a reconstructed picture of Rajomon – the main south gate. The dazzling two storied wooden structure served as the front entrance of the original Heian Capital. Also as you go left to the Current Archaeological News section, you will be informed of the Kyoto City Archaeological Research Institute’s conducted excavations in sites dating from the prehistoric age and continuing to this time. The findings are being exhibited publicly several times a year in the museum. The information section consists of personal computers and image projection equipment in order to present up-to-date information. A video library and history/archaeology quizzes can also be enjoyed.

It is said that there are approximately 700 archaeological sites in Kyoto City. Photographs are displayed to show these sites and remains. To end the first-floor tour route, you head to the Special Exhibition Section wherein displays of research excavations and investigations of buried cultural properties are shown. This corner is considered as one of the most important projects in the museum.

Going up the second floor, you will be welcomed by an island case of the different types of ceramics used in Kyoto during the Heian period. Green-glazed wares, ash-glazed wares, sue wares, Haji wares; smoked Haji wares, Ga wares and a variety of celadon and white porcelain imported from Korea and China are displayed. The 96 examples of bowls, cups, and dishes in display show the changing styles developed from the 9^th to the

12^th century.

Next to the wide case is an exhibit of a cast site. It was from somewhere around the JR Kyoto Station (the biggest station in Kyoto). From this site, a cast for a mirror, a statue of Buddha and coins were uncovered.

Just behind the case is a huge exhibit that caught my attention. It is the life-sized replica of the Initial Jomon (8,000 - 8,500 years ago) Pit House. It is said to be discovered for the first time in Kyoto. Being a capital from the Heian period, Kyoto has trade articles such as celadon (Yue, Longguan, Tongan, etc). This is an attestation that Kyoto has had foreign contacts. According to history, Japan was the last staging post of the Silk Road which was given proof by the excavated fragment of Persian glass.

Some of the objects in display are free to touch. You can freely handle the fragments of pottery like wares and roof tiles, and Sanukaite andesite which is supposedly the raw material used for making early stone implements.

The wall cases around the gallery exhibits the cultural and social history of Kyoto from the pre-earthenware period through the Edo period. They divided the exhibit into six themes, each illustrating a historical period in the development of the city. These are the: “Kyoto in the Proto-history,” “The Ancient Tomb Age,” “The Nagaoka Period,” “The New Capital in the Heian Period,” “Kamakura – Muromachi Period – The Middle Ages,” and “The Prosperity of the Momoyama Culture.”

Last Glance