Dance Asia after Class

"In life, I've learned when you seek for the thing that's right, you sometimes get what you bargained for and more."

Reflecting

Sitting in class all day can be a challenge especially on a Saturday, when the weather is just beautiful and I am wanderlust and footloose.

Understanding

Yes, I learned a lot in class, and now it was time to learn from others in the real world. So, immediately after class, I made a Bee line to the Foggy Bottom metro so that I could attend "Dance Asia -- Asia in Movies", where else but in the majestic halls of the the magnificent Kennedy Center as part of the Millennium stage -- the free show 365 days a year.

I had the pleasure to attend the Shen Yun performance earlier this week.

The dances included soundtracks from Blockbusters from Malaysia, Mongolia, China, Indonesia and India (Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire)

Note: Along with Slumdog Millionaire which won eight Academy Awards, Jai Ho who was written by A.R. Rahman won an Academy Award in 2009 for best Original song.

intricacies

Negotiating

I remember watching Danny Boyle's movie last year. The movie touched me in so many ways that I was twisted and torn. Yes, I was deeply moved by the amazing love story of an indigent, ill educated and illiterate boy who wins the big jackpot and the love of his life -- it was inspiring and uplifting. But I was saddened by the poverty and hopelessness that was so prevalent in the Mumbai slums. This is real life conditions in many places around the world: India, Colombia, China, Vietnam -- and a movie like this does only so much to educate the world of people's plights.

Another part of the movie I found ingenious was how Jamal knows the answers to "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." Certain things have happened to him in his life and the game show just happens to ask questions about those specific things.

And the real reason he is on the show is to get in touch with the girl that he loves but has lost. Jamal is not even there to win the prize money. He just wants to win his girl. In the end, he wins both.

"In life, I've learned when you seek for the thing that's right, you sometimes get what you bargained for and more."

Inspiring

Slumdog is inspiring because like Jamal, it is an unlikely candidate for this grass-roots story taken in the slums of Mumbai to win best picture.

It was also wonderful and truly enriching to see the of Asian dance of my friend through many different forms and fashion. Dance Asia is part of Dance Festival DC which is hosting 50 dance performances at over a dozen venues throughout this city.

Sitting with my Heroin, Wuiping Yap, after the show -- talented, ambitious, full of energy -- what can I say.

Wuiping tells me that the objectives of Dance Asia is to showcase the diversity of Asia through the art of movement -- this truly hit home with me. I was truly touched, inspired, and at times in tears.

Navigating

Today, I'm a winner because I learned nuggets of truth both in class and in the real world -- the amazing, life-affirming story of a illiterate boy from the slums of Mumbai who wouldn't give up on his quest for love and the elegant beauty and exciting elegance of Asian dance, music and choreography. Yes, I'm inspired and I aspire to make a difference for what's right -- you just may get what you bargained for, and more.

My Goal:

I prefer to serve people and impoverished communities. I want to be the voice of the oppressed to gain sympathy, service and to show the world how inspiring and Monumental one can be.

So, immediately after class, I made a bee line for the Foggy Bottom metro so that I could attend "Dance Asia -- Asia in Movies." This year, DC Dance was held in the majestic halls of the magnificent Kennedy Center as part of the Millennium stage -- the free show given 365 days a year. I had the pleasure to attend the Shen Yun performance earlier this week.

The dances included soundtracks from Malaysia, Mongolia, China, Indonesia and India (including "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire).

It was wonderful and truly enriching to see the intricacies of Asian dance through many different forms and fashion.

Dance Asia is part of Dance Festival DC which is hosting 50 dance performances at over a dozen venues throughout this city.

Sitting with my heroine, Wuiping Yap, after the show -- talented, ambitious, full of energy -- what can I say.

Wuiping tells me that the objectives of Dance Asia is to showcase the diversity of Asia through the art of movement -- this truly hit home with me.

My Goal:

I prefer to serve people and impoverished communities rather than to fight the Taliban or insurgency or other terrorists (not that this isn’t important – it is not something I am not adept at). Particularly, I want to be the voice of the oppressed to gain sympathy, service and to show the world how inspiring one can be.

My First Trip to Mount Vernon and the Famous Kiss

Reflecting

I've lived in this historical city for 6 1/2 glorious years, and I've never ventured south to Mount Vernon (Shame on me). Since I am a prospective MBA student at George Washington Univ, I felt it compulsory to visit George and Martha's beloved home on the hill.

As I rode with inner peace, I saw two men sitting on stools with an upturned crate, engrossed in a game of chess.  They didn't care about me or the hundreds that meandered by.

A flotilla of ducks swam lethargically around the local lagoon.  By the stone seawall, a few fishermen dozed in the sun.  When the weather is just perfect and the river is a tranquil blue, if your mind wasn't swept away, you weren't capable of shedding a tear.

Understanding

Mount Vernon

So this afternoon after church, I decided to steal away to George and Martha's estate -- the grounds where he was raised and the final resting place before his death on December 14, 1799. (He was buried at Mount Vernon, not at Arlington National Cemetery).

One thing was obvious -- George Washington was a passionate farmer and gardener and loved animals especially his horses.

The ride was also a great idea -I was just two (before you know it, it will be here) weeks from the Ironman 70.3 at Cancun and I needed to burn some miles, kind of desperately.

Negotiating

The 30-mile roundtrip trek from Hains Point, where a finger of land juts out from the Tidal Basin, is paved, well marked and rather easy to navigate through. Just watch out for the kazillion bikers, runners, walkers, children, dogs and oh yeah, parts of it can get pretty bumpy because of roots coming up from underground -- just keep an eye out for it -- if you're in your aero(bars), you may want to know.

One benefit of the ride is that it stops right in the heart of Old Town. You can walk around the Torpedo Factory or get some homemade fudge or old fashioned ice cream. Part of me wanted to end the ride and stop to grab a bite to eat at Old Town. But indelible images of Cancun endured.  And I persisted.

Then you ride under the massive Woodrow_Wilson_Bridge along, the windy and trusting Potomac River to the welcome gates of Mount Vernon.

Inspiring

The views of the Potomac River shoreline is simply dazzling and transformational.

Out on the river, I could see a sailboat slicing through the water.  For a moment, I had transformed myself there, feeling the soft bay breeze caressing my face.  I could hear the rhythmic sound of the fresh river water gurgling against the hull.  This was music to my ears and therapy to my soul.

There's lots of people just hanging out, having a time of their lives, and if you look real close, you may even see a Sailor and his beautiful bride clutched in his arms while they kiss the day away, the wind whistling behind their backs.

As a Sailor, this romatic picture of an Officer and his Bride swept my heart away.

Sweet-16 Birthday Party -- dressed so good, it first looked like a wedding party. Along the trail, you never know what you might see.

Navigating

So once I arrived at Washington's treasure trove, I pondered for a fleeting moment which path I should take. Shall I linger a little longer at Washington's treasure trove, or shall I hit the road and discover the mystery along the mighty Potomac?

Whichever road I took -- it didn't matter much.  When you slow down and smell the Morning Glories, you are enjoying life and living it to the max.

A Hometown Store that Dolls up Love

Reflecting

As I was driving home from my incredible tour of the Luray Caverns, the rain started pouring incessantly and my hunger was chiding me each mile I drove without a rest stop.

Call it good fortune, as I was passing through remote Amissville, a small town an hours drive from DC, my hunger finally got the best of me and coaxed me to turn my wheel towards a country store that was billed to serve up a good BBQ pulled pork sandwich.

Understanding

I was struck by the hometown, casual, family-oriented atmosphere of this restaurant that also serves as a nice community-oriented consignment store.

The store was named Dolly's. Their specialty was pizza, wings and homemade sandwiches. Come to find out it was named after two people: Grandma Dolly and Dolly's sister-in-law who was also nicknamed Dolly.

Everything looked great -- there was not a single sandwich there that I wouldn't have wolfed down. However, today I could eat only one, perhaps two. So I treated myself to a delicious egg sandwich as well as a roasted turkey sandwich on wheat and rye.

Inspiring

I was impressed to see Grandma, Mom, daughter, nieces, nephews and in-laws all working together in unison.

They were all calling each other names like "Ma", "Love", "Sweetie" -- I enjoyed watching them all work together, just a family should, but rarely do now a days.

I came at the perfect time. Not only to get out of the rain, but Angelina, Jesse and several others were heading to FEDEX field to watch the Steelers play the Redskins. That's why, I'm sure, they were cooking up a batch of pizza and wings.

Family hard at work, but working closely together as if the family depended on it.

From left to right (the Women in the Family):

Jesse, Angelina, Grandma Nancy (Angelina and Annette's mother), Abbey (Angie's daughter), Annette (Jesse's mother), Tammy (Nancy's daughter-in-law).

A very happy customer taking away pizza and wings

The family seemed so happy and in unison. My hunger was satiated, but my spirits were lifted.

In this day and age -- seeing families work together, spend time together and stay together is rather unique and a precious virtue that transcends what we perceive as right and normal.

Navigating

Needless to say, I had a very pleasant ride home. First seeing the beauty of Luray, then watching the beauty of a loving family.

A cold front had shoved its way through from the capes of the Shenandoah and the heavens was dumping up a storm enough to fill Lake Moomaw in the winter, but the peaceful, loving touch of this nice loving family carried me home. Yes, all the way home.

Lake Moomaw, Oh My

Lake Moomaw - George Washington spent a decade in Virginia, Bath County.  He came first as a surveyor, but then he eventually became a military Commander, responsible for claiming lands on the Ohio.

  

I asked the nice lady at the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce where I could go for a semi-long and semi-challenging bike ride.  And, I didn't want to ride circles around the golf course at the Homestead or get run over by a car.

She immediately suggested I go to Warm Springs and ride up to scenic Lake Moomaw.

"Lake where,"  I asked.

Lake Moomaw is in the Allegeny Mountains and is nestled in between the Bolar Mountain range and the Coles Mountain range.

So I got out my trusty old Cannondale -- inflated her tires, lubed her chains.  The nice folks (Steve) from Allegheny Outfitters provided me with a flat tire repair kit, just in case -- nice insurance for that long, hilly bike ride up the mountainside.

But then as I was getting ready to hit the trails, the skies opened up, and I felt that we were going to create a new lake at Hot Springs.

So, I deferred my trek for another day, namely tomorrow, but there was no telling what the skies had in store for us especially up between two mountain ranges, where mountains can create their own weather patterns in literally minutes.

Still I was an adventure seeker, and willing to give it a try, but willing to pull chocks if the weather had different thoughts.

Magnificent, majestic view of the Lake

My ride from Warm Springs to Lake Moomaw was challenging. The ride was hilly (up and down) and was taking a huge toll on my legs.

I had to negotiate a lot of hills and many sharp turns while cars zipped by on SR-39.  They were not used to seeing bikers.  After a few too many hills, I knew exactly why.  It was too much work.  But would it be worth the work?

I made a left on 621 which after several miles and several cow pastures turned to a hard packed gravel 603.  I was concerned for my thin road tires at first, but there was no need to be concerned.  This is when the scenery got good.  

I then rode along Jackson River for several miles with appealing rock formations with the river running for miles at rapid speed downhill.  It was almost as if the river spoke to me and whispered to my ear, that you are not alone and that I will run together with you, no matter how much my thighs burned.

It was a lot of work, but when I finally got there, I had to kick myself  because it was so surreal

I was so worn out that the first thing I did was jump into the Lake and go for a hard, robust swim.

I was taken back by the clarity, taste and aroma of the water.  Clear, smooth and sweet -- better than Deer Park. But then when I gulped a mouthful, I started thinking of the cattle I saw upstream and realized perhaps this wasn't the brightest idea.

I could literally swim for a couple miles, but I was concerned about the speed boats, the skiers, and the jet skis.  I could see them, but could they see me (or think I'm some new buoy).

It was literally one of the most pleasant swims I've ever had in my life, almost as pleasant (but not as exciting) as the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul earlier this month. Well here I was swimming between two mountain ranges. There, swimming between two continents -- no comparison.

Lake Moomaw is also the spot for the sprint triathlons in June. Would love the swim but loathe the bike course.  I like my courses nice and flat.

What was also amazing was the fact that Lake Moomaw was built by the Army Corps of Engineers and completed in 1981 (although the idea was hatched shortly after WW II).

The 2650 acre lake primary purpose is for water quality, but it is also used for recreation year round (especially fishing).  According to the VA Game and Fisheries website, a layer of oxygenated water lies 15 feet below the surface.  Here, rainbow, brown and brook trout thrive.  And there is plenty of feeder fish for the trophy fish.  I don't know much about fishing, although at home I take great enjoyment watching and feeding my cichlids and mollies in my 70 gallon tank.

Pushing yourself physically is good and demanding, but you always need to take time to smell the roses.

Linda, Jim (Host) and Latasha at the cozy, friendly Lake Moomaw Marina  convenience store. Had a nice conversation with them -- they fed me lunch and then some.  Jim is retired and is volunteering as a host at the marina.  He's also camping out at the site for three months.  

The store was also a good spot to stay dry from the rain which invariably swept through the lake area in the late afternoon. 

Just before I rode off the three invited me back for the sprint triathlon next June. I told them I would be back, perhaps a lot sooner than that, and if this goes on, I would never go home.

High Ropes Course for High Inspiration

Luray Caverns -- Dream Lake and Need for Transparency in Life

Here we are in beautiful Dream Lake

The water is gentle, not even a wake

Look to the left, look to the right

You'll see colorful stone and creeping calactite

Let your mind excite

In Luray Caverns you can really take flight

In Dream Lake, you see the reflection of the stalagtites in the water. The illusion is so convincing that you have to look at it for several minutes before you're even slightly convinced that this is all a mirror image.

The pond looks quite deep, but at its deepest point, it is only a few inches deep

I am really glad I decided to stay a night at Hot Springs and visit the Luray Caverns in the Shenandoah Valley the next day. I knew there was another reason to stay longer. Not knowing much, I didn't expect much.

But when I entered the underground world, I was completely swept away by the beauty and majesty of it all.

The air was so cool and clean that I wanted to stay longer. The guide mentioned that it would take an hour to walk through. For me, I took almost three hours.

Besides the Lake, I was impressed with how so many of the formations resemble Disney characters, Greek Gods (Pluto, Serpenta of the Underworld), etc. Pluto is so pure white that it justs shines like a ghost.

I was even more amazed at the Cathedral to see the Great Stalacpipe Organ and where rocks sing.

When I finally surfaced, I actually wanted to stay longer and told myself that I would be back soon, I hope.

This memorial rest on the site where Andrew Campbell first discovered the Caverns in 1878.

Reflection

The Lake is reflective (not transparent).  RUNIN starts with Reflection.  It is about looking deeply at yourself and understanding all the

Reflection starts with oneself but does not stop there—it is looking at the surface as well as probing deeper beyond. It is about understanding your abilities and capabilities as well as being open about your inabilities and mistakes.  And mostly it is being fully aware of your Responsibilities and to act responsibly.  If you are responsible, you tend not to blame others when bad things happen to you.  You take responsibility, even though you may have acted responsibly.  See the nuance.


Click here for more on the meaning of RUNIN


The Need for Transparency

There is a great need and value for transparency in our lives. Blogging is the ultimate in transparency. If I say the wrong thing, or I am misinformed, YOU the readers will correct me almost right away.

I can also bounce back fresh ideas with people in every corner of the world, many of whom are better informed and more knowledgeable than I am.

If I agree with a critique, I can take that information and improve, and if I'm going down the wrong path, I'm sure you will redirect me.

The Ropes Course at Hot Springs

The iconic tower in the idyllic mountainside of Hotsprings -- a perfect location to hold our opening residency for our Executive MBA program.

The Ropes Course

Whoever thought that getting your MBA would require you to do anything physical? (After all, we are budding entrepreneurs not warriors, leaders not infantry recruits.)

Not least of which requires a physically challenging (and mentally stimulating) adventure in the woods.

The Outdoor Orientation Experience or more colloquially known as the "Ropes Course." was a nice break from two days of thought provoking classroom discussion.

So today, at 0900 (after stuffing in a huge three-course hot/continental breakfast), the George Washington University (GWU) EMBA Class of 2011 trekked off somewhere in the edges of the wooded Allegheny Mountains within the serene and therapeutic Homestead preserve in idyllic Hot Springs, VA

We were going to take a class that didn't require powerpoint or pointers, but still had everything to do with leadership development and more.

Because the truth is, you can't learn management just in a classroom. As Charles Handy, one of the world's most influential business thinkers said,

"You can bring the world into a classroom, but you can't replicate it there."

Our first glance at the 40-foot wall -- seemed insurmountable but we were determined to conquer it.

The perfect metaphor for problem solving.

The Ropes Course is a metaphor for problem solving -- it challenges us to face our fear. The key to surviving is teamwork -- being supported and supporting.

Often in life we face obstacles in work and life. The key to responding to these obstructions is to face them head=on and to rely on the support from other people.

Team members assist each other donning our harnesses -- the one crucial piece of equipment that would ensure our safety and protection.

The Tower

The first task for many was to climb this 40-foot wall in tandem (3 to a team)

Teammates (Belay teams) yell "Climb on" and encourage our crew as they climb up together.

Almost to the top -- it's not skill as much as coaching and teamwork that will get you there.

As Marilyn, our facilitator, said, "This tower is about teamwork. We are going to have to work together to solve our problems -- the problems of the day or the problems of the next five years."

The rope handlers keeping a close eye on the team, coaching them with support and precision so that the 3-member team can climb up to the top together and then work in coordination to bring our crew the back home.

The Belay teams keep a close eye and a taut line, but they can not pull the crew up the wall. They are going to have to figure this out amongst themselves.

Note: As the climbers moves up the wall and then back down, the belayer must remove the slack from the rope by paying out or pulling in the excess.

Bringing our teammates home. Perhaps, this is the most enjoyable part of the event.

The Telephone Pole

Mike climbing up the telephone pole with ease, albeit this is actually the easy part. It's all uphill from here.

Senodja, our token Soldier, showing what it takes to maintain steady balance on a rotating disc that just wants to throw you off, if you're not looking.

The challenge here is to stand up on the rotating disc maintaining balance, and yes, poise. (After all, we're all grad students).

As Ron said, "Keep your eyes on the horizon, not the ground. The horizon appears stable. The ground is shaking."

Sam the Tarzan, leaping for the rope with finesse. Here you need to have faith that your three belay teams will keep a steady hold of the rope and then will lower you down gradually and ease.

Senodja ecstatic that the tower climb is done and she is back safely on ground.

The last part of the ropes course required two teams to balance a helium stick , a long, light rod on two index fingers and to bring it down to the ground smoothly (despite the fact that it wanted to instinctively rise up on its on like a balloon).

Mysteriously, the stick had a tendency to rise up on its own despite the force of gravity and 10 people all adding pressure to bring the stick down colletively.

Not surprisingly, the more the group tries, the more the stick floats up adding to the paranoia and to the facilitators, calm amusement.

The challenge here was to work in unison (and not point fingers at your teamworks)

So what a tremendous day -- we made it. Not only did we survive, but we learned or developed some very important leadership skill sets that we would surely come in handy in the immediate future.

Quantico, FBI Academy, BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolitions/SEAL)-- here we come -- the EMBA Class of 2011.

"You ain't seen nothing yet."

What Else I Learned at the Five Day Retreat:

It is my desire to fully discover myself while enrolled in the Executive MBA program. First, I have a strong desire to develop a deeper understanding of the complexities of conducting business in a global business environment.

Second, I want to explore creative ways how I can best explore my inner talents and interests while having fun doing it. As part of my personal vision exercise I discovered that my strengths are writing, multi-tasking and social interactions. As part of my Belbin team role questionnaire, I discovered that I am a “Resource Investigator” and “Team-worker.”

Further Explanation of Team Roles:

The Resource Investigator provides the team encouragement and enthusiasm but is also keeps a finger on the pulse of the outside world.

A Team-worker is the lubricant that keeps the team machine pistons pumping. They are diplomats, listeners, but may not be very willing to take sides in an argument.

The overlying distinction with the Belbin test over others is that it focuses on how one performs in a team environment.

In addition, based on retaking a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test, I learned that I am mostly an ESTP (Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perception). I am enthusiastic, extroverted, resourceful, witty, gregarious and quick to take action.

Homecoming and Reflections

I flew in with approximately 200 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for up to one year.

A flight that I barely made (Space-A), and one that I didn't expect to make turned out to be the highlight of my trip.

It was an honor flying with my brothers and sisters back home. And it was a great honor being in the receiving line of the best, most heart-felt welcoming I've ever witnessed in my 20 years of service.

What a wonderful way to come home after the whirlwind tour of Europe and a fantastic way to end my Navy career.

I am reaching a significant milestone in my life – 20 years of service to my country and the military. During my career in the Navy, I have had tremendous exposure to a wide variety of cultures and political landscapes. For example, I have deployed aboard several warships, served as the public affairs officer aboard a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and have been stationed in Japan, the land of my Grandmother.

Furthermore, I have been deployed three times to the Middle East and have visited many interesting places, on the edge of danger, on the edge of diplomacy, on the edge of the world -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Israel, and Afghanistan, to name just a handful.

I couldn't believe my fate. After traveling to six continents and over 40 countries all throughout my scattered career. The military taught me to become well versed in the international dialogue. I was often put on the front lines, sometimes without much preparation, as the Navy’s or even DoD's go-to-person when the public seeks an official statement of the military’s opinion on many hot button and newly emerging global issues. From Guantanamo to Asia Pacific to Latin America, I have served and represented the Navy and the Department of Defense on many issues over the years and have been put on the hot seat several times to discuss highly-visible issues.

Now, I start school on Sunday and will sit in the safe confines of a classroom and learn mostly from a textbook, not from a field manual

It had been a very long 17 years since I stepped foot in a university, backpack over my shoulder and yelled for the home team at the "Swamp" at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida.

Now I would be a Colonial, back to school at 42. Would I fit in? Would I fall out?

I thank my Country for the great, diverse people I have faithfully served.

And thank you sincerely to everyone who helped and supported me, especially Operation Welcome Home for giving our Heroes (and me) the welcome that they (we) truly deserve.

Zurich -- A Pleasant Surprise

The really neat thing about this trip is that I am living on the edge -- sometimes not knowing where I might arrive or when I might spend the night.

So with 24 hours to kill before my Air Mobility Command (AMC) flight from Ramstein, I decided to take an overnight train into Basel, Switzerland, my 10th country on this unbelievable trek from one corner of the southeast fringes of Europe where the Bosphorus Strait, strong and salty flowed into the Black Sea to the mouth of the brackish Baltic Sea in Poland.

On the Deutsche Bahn train, I ran into a girl named Carina who called Zurich home. I informed her that I was traveling to Basel just to have a look. She seemed rather surprised, a tad bit disapointed.

"My first time to Switzerland," I said.

"You should go to Zurich," she asserted. "It's better --- way better."

So there you have it. As usual, I don't like to wait for a flight, and now my trip takes another last minute exciting turn for the next adventure in this European trek.

That's why it's normally a good idea to talk to the locals (who are experts in their community) and to be agile -- stay on your toes and be as flexible as a rubber band.

You'll bounce around a lot, but you'll also stick around to hear that tale and to catch that story.

I would argue that Switzerland has the best tasting water in Europe. Water from the tap is probably just as pure as bottled spring water, and nothing beats the taste except probably Swiss chocolate.

Rock formations along the banks of Lake Zurich -- a difficult undertaking that only lasts until the tide comes in

Roasting Lobsters by the Lake and not worried about a thing. Everyone seems so relaxed and affable here. Here by the lake, the world's problems just wash away and everyone ebbs and flows and are cordial to come and chat with you or even share a bite. Here in Lake Zurich, even the swans are friendly and social.

Beautiful model along the Lake. In Zurich, these statues are everywhere -- at the park, by the playground, near a busy street. Since these statutes are life size and represent real-life expressions, one can be easily fooled to think they will any minute get up and move.

Sauna Am See, the public pool where I went swimming in the Zurich Lake

Zurich is the cultural capital of Switzerland. Filled with museums, arts and film, Zurich is a progressive, cosmopolitan city on the same level as Tokyo and Montreal.

So, I am so glad I decided (at the last minute) to go to Zurich. This charming, peaceful and elegant city on the Lake, turned out to be one of my favorite cities in my 10-country trip.

Life is full of surprises -- I'm glad I stumbled upon this one.