/blog/RedDanceTara/?pid=f110 [center][image][/center]Welcome to the blog formerly known as "[COLOR darkred][B](Reverse) Culture Shock[/B][/COLOR]". The following is my previous introduction until I get round to writing up a new one (probably won't):.................................................[br]"Culture shock" refers to the anxiety, confusion felt, and difficulties assimilating into a different cultural or social environment, including but not confined to being in a foreign country."Reverse culture shock" then describes similar effects as the above after growing used to the new culture and upon returning 'home' to the 'original' culture. I chose the tit le to mean different things. One of which is my perpetual sense of discombobulation in my own culture and my long time fascination with the elements of Hinduism that still run like gleaming seams through the mythology and religious iconography of Southeast Asia. I love places like Java, Bali, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, Borneo…... Hi. I'm new-ish to this site. Haven’t got many expectations except that I hope to meet sincere, honest people who act with integrity in all their relationships, online or otherwise. No matter how ‘insignificant’.I’m not from India nor am I “desi”. Not completely ignorant of your culture but always happy to learn more. If you so please get to know me first or ask me to clarify before jumping to conclusions about who and what I am. Please be mindful of differences in expression, that “humour” can be very culture specific, I have little tolerance for sarcasm and spite that tries to pass itself off as “wit”. Compounded by the fact that in this medium of text meaning is always open to multiple (mis-)interpretations. If Eddie Izzard makes you laugh, chances are we’re on the same page and we’ll be fine.If ever in doubt of my meaning which may be often, just ask. Humour can be very culture specific.I will respond to all comments relevant to each blog post. Don't mind me when my writing style falls short. I use my blog to relax and sound out my own thoughts mostly to myself. They may often be disorganised or disorderly. I don't pretend to instruct nor inform. I'm open to sharing experiences and opinions, even constructive criticism. But disrespectful/rude comments out of mere pettiness, personal dislike and/or profiles with lewd photos will be deleted, banned and reported. Have a beautiful time.Peace out.[br][I]~ Tara ~[/I]April 2008[br][br][br][br][br][B][COLOR darkred][I]Disclaimer: While all events recounted by said writer are true, people, place names and certain details may have been scrambled or otherwise altered to protect the innocent. Or rather, the guilty. If it sounds like you or someone you know, you’re probably wrong. Unless of course you’re right.© All text and photos where stated copyright of RedDanceTara. Please do not copy, download or reproduce in part or whole without written permission.[/I][/COLOR][/B][br] /blog/5130/post_59536.html?pid=f110&m= [image]Was at the market this morning at the kueh kueh (Malay style desserts) stall picking out some ondeh ondeh and kueh dada for tea.A woman ahead of me in the queue pointed at some savoury turnip c Thu, 13 May 2010 05:57:23 -0800 /blog/5130/post_59536.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_59493.html?pid=f110&m= [image]The title has nothing to do with this post, really. I was enjoying my favourite Monty Python sketches and Fawlty Towers clips on YouTube on the weekend and btw, it's mangosteen and rambutan sea Mon, 10 May 2010 19:58:31 -0800 /blog/5130/post_59493.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_59438.html?pid=f110&m= [image]The Law of Attraction: I only have relationships that are MUTUALLY giving, healthy, balanced in feminine and masculine energy, supportive, nurturing, loving, joyous, adventurous, exhilarating, Fri, 07 May 2010 19:52:44 -0800 /blog/5130/post_59438.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_59362.html?pid=f110&m= [image]I'm not. It's a form of bigotry to assume and treat them as if they were any less or more than the average looking, did you realise? I'm glad to say I'm quite evolved that way. ... However, my Mon, 03 May 2010 23:13:24 -0800 /blog/5130/post_59362.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58998.html?pid=f110&m= [image]How is it “love” when your relationship started with the two of you creeping about from both your families like the reptiles you are? Yes, he eventually left his wife for you but Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:07:12 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58998.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58959.html?pid=f110&m= [image]Had to truncate the word psychopath in the post title to get past the bots. It's ok in the body text though.My third copy-and-paste - at the end of this page.Been more introspective than usual. Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:13:00 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58959.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58889.html?pid=f110&m= [image]This is my second copy-and-paste ever. I have found that the practical wisdom on marriage from the Torah suits me to a 'T'. I happened to come across this article today by Rabbi Dov Heller that Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:51:25 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58889.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58843.html?pid=f110&m= [image]The other night was one of few times of the year our family of five manages to get together for dinner as a unit.We were exchanging travel anecdotes and hilarity about the surreal situations we Sat, 03 Apr 2010 05:41:27 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58843.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58835.html?pid=f110&m= [image]Been window shopping contemporary science fantasy artists to commission a piece for something to do with work. I tried looking for Asian illustrators including in India but it hasn't turned up Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:38:02 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58835.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58552.html?pid=f110&m= [image]Got waylaid at breakfast yesterday in the market by a member of the Christian version of the Taliban [sic].I was sitting on my own away from the two or three groups of regulars I usually join a Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:27:11 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58552.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58481.html?pid=f110&m= [image]In the UK, the Plain English Campaign has been “campaigning against gobbledygook, jargon and misleading public information since 1979. We have helped many government departments and othe Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:26:06 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58481.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58450.html?pid=f110&m= [image]Occasionally, I still get messages like this one in my inbox, despite my knowingly off-putting wordy profile and warning banner in red and white: HELLO, MY NAME IS *****, 34 YEARS [sic] WORKING Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:00:55 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58450.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58349.html?pid=f110&m= [image]Only Tilda could have pulled that Lanvin number off and come off looking so avant garde. Mere mortals like the rest of us would have looked like they rolled out of bed and pulled on the bedshee Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:15:57 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58349.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58320.html?pid=f110&m= [image]This post is inspired by my friend Govind's post: [post 58219]I first came across the term “non-veg” in Tamil Nadu. It took me nearly the whole eight days we were there to wra Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:16:35 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58320.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58313.html?pid=f110&m= [image]There is no love lost between me and my father's side of the family. Even though they are mostly in Singapore, I've always been closer to my Mum's side of the family in Malaysia.My paternal gra Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:02:28 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58313.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58299.html?pid=f110&m= [image]Never lend money in amounts you can't afford to lose, including to non-immediate family members and intimates. If you do, it should be considered an act of charity, ie. be prepared to lose your Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:45:18 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58299.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58272.html?pid=f110&m= [image]Interesting how easily mass consciousness fears and hate are triggered. Sounds like mob rule prevails. Easy carrion draws out the hyena parts of us.If one looks for Godlessness, one finds only Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:22:36 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58272.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_58073.html?pid=f110&m= [image]What's up with people who create fake profiles using fake pics? Just because there are some of us who lay ourselves wide open, take everything and everyone at face value until demonstrated othe Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:58:47 -0800 /blog/5130/post_58073.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_57933.html?pid=f110&m= [image]To my lovely strapping nephew Haresh,No, not really a sub. More a switch. I don't like relinquishing all control to a man because it's never worked out well. I have been able to bend in the con Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:37:35 -0800 /blog/5130/post_57933.html?pid=f110&m= /blog/5130/post_57750.html?pid=f110&m= [image]My Mum had reminded me on Friday on the phone. It's a public holiday in several states in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur.So like a good honorary Tamil... I plain forgot. Until I was caugh Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:39:56 -0800 /blog/5130/post_57750.html?pid=f110&m=