Sometimes...

Sometimes I need some time on my own
Sometimes I need some time all alone

Everybody needs some time on their own

Don't you know you need some time… all alone 

And when your fears subside

And shadows still remain

I know that you can love me

When there's no one left to blame

So never mind the darkness

We still can find a way

'Cause nothing lasts forever

Even cold November rain 

Penghujung November. Penghujung November yang yang sering ditemani hujan.

Tak pernah tahu lagu di atas itu sebenarnya nyanyian ‘Gun & Roses’, November Rain.

Tanpa sedar, lagu tersebut sebenarnya salah satu lagu dalam senarai ‘favourite’.

Makan malam bersama rakan di Old Town White Coffee, sambil mendengar lagu ‘November Rain’ yang didengari dari telefon bimbit 'Samsung' milik rakan. Tanpa sedar, fikiran diheret ke memori-memori seawal 7 tahun lalu.

Namun, kurang sopan jika melayan perasaan dan kenangan lalu sedangkan rakan di hadapan sedang berbual bersama Gill. Rakan yang mungkin sedang menghargai 'masa berkualiti' bersama Gill. (Mungkin)

Sedari Gill harus hargai 'masa berkualiti' bersama rakan juga, Gill libas ketepi semua kenangan-kenangan tersebut. 

 

*senyum* 

Pagi ini, Gill sedar. Banyak benar perubahan diri Gill.

Jika dulu, Gill akan banyak melayan perasaan. Tak puas melayan perasaan jika berdua, Gill pulang ke rumah pasti akan tidur lewat melayan perasaan. Namun semalam, sebelum jam memcecah 10 malam – Gill sudah lena dibuai mimpi. 

Kini, Gill lebih suka menghargai setiap masa yang Gill ada bersama sesiapa yang menghargai Gill di sisinya tak kiralah samada kawan mahupun familia. 

Past is past. Jika mahu diri tersiksa bergelumang dengan kisah lepas yang boleh membuatkan hati menangis – hidup saja di kehidupan yang lalu. Bagi Gill, banyak lagi cerita baru yang lebih menarik untuk Gill cipta bersama ‘insan-insan’ baru dalam hidup Gill. Insan yang hargai Gill, Gill akan jaga sebaiknya. Insan yang tak hargai Gill, Gill takkan biarkan dia lama dalam hidup Gill. Kedengarannya sedikit ‘selfish’ bukan.  

Sometimes we have to walk away in order to find the way back and make it better. 

Tapi secara logiknya, jika mahu rasa bahagia dalam hidup, kita harus berusaha mencari kebahagiaan itu sendiri bukan? Harus tahu kelemahan sendiri, kemahuan diri, keperluan diri dan cuba buat perkiraan hidup sendiri. Tambah tolak, darab bahagi kesemuanya. 

Contohnya:

 

Insan yang tak hargai kita = Tolak dari hidup kita

Insan yang hargai kita = Campur dalam hidup kita

Keperluan dan kemahuan = Bahagi sama rata

Kelemahan = Darab dengan usaha perbaiki kelemahan 
 

Sometimes you have to do what needs to be done, in order for you to truly get what you want. 

Itu cuma contoh.

Pokok pangkalnya, simplify your life and always try to make it better.

 

 

Until next time.

P/S : Welcome back to my life =)

 

Xoxo,

Gill

 

 

Capoeira, Instrument, Bateria, Culture & Music

Second Sunday, Instrutor Soldado gave us (Camara's Student) a chance to play the instruments used in Capoeira. It was fun and exciting! I got a chance to play Pandeiro and Agogo (planning to learn Atabaque and Berimbau soon!)

Before that, let me tell you some info about Bateria. Not Bacteria. BATERIA okay? *wink*

The term bateria means "drum kit" in Portuguese and Spanish in Brazil. In Brazil, the word is also used for a form of Brazillian samba band, the percussion band or rhythm section of Samba School. It might also mean battery.

Baterias are also used to accompany the Brazillian martial art - CAPOEIRA.

Source from here.

Last week, I'm sitting next to Instrutor Soldado, holding a pandeiro while Instrutor Soldado holding a Berimbau. Before all of us (bateria) starts to play the instruments and singing, Instrutor Soldado asked me.

"Gillette, what is Bateria?"
"Uhmm... All of us, the people who plays the instruments." Instrutor Soldado nodded his head before corrected my answer.
"Not only the people. The instruments as well."

And then, Instrutor Soldado started the music with Berimbau (Gunga) followed by Fadinha who plays Berimbau (Viola), followed by Bicodo (Atabaque), myself (Pandeiro) and Jihan (Agogo).

There are several main instruments used in Capoeira. The instruments that I used to play was Pandeiro & Agogo. The other instruments that I used to try was Berimbau & Atabaque.
I did 'Google' about instruments in Capoeira, and I found out about 'Reco-Reco". Well, gonna ask Instrutor Soldado soon for sure.

Let's make it short, let me share with you the several main instruments used in Capoeira.

• Berimbau: A single bow instrument with a gourd attached as a resonator. It is played with a rock or coin and a small stick. This is seen as the most important instrument in the 'Roda' as it dictates the pace and style of the game. More about Berimbau.

• Pandeiro: This is the Brazillian tambourine with a skin (either synthetic or animal hide) on the side. This is probably the second most important instrument in the 'Roda' and a good one for a new student to begin learning.

• Atabaque: This is an African style drum similar to the congas used in traditional salsa music. Though it is used in Capoeira, it can also be seen in Afro-Brazillian religious rituals like Candomble and Macumba. More about Atabaque.

• Agogo: This is African instrument made of two iron bells and is played with either a metal or wooden stick. Similar to Atabaque it can also be found in Afro-Brazillian religious ceremonies. More about Agogo.

• Reco-Reco: The reco-reco is made of a section of bamboo about a foot and a half long with grooves or notches carved on one side. It is played with a thin wooden stick by rubbing it on the grooves. It is the most recent instrument added to Capoeira. (Never personally play or saw Reco-Reco, but just want to share what I found in the internet.) More about Reco-Reco.

Source & pic from here.

More info about Instrument used in Capoeira, here.

Instutor Soldado always asked all of us, "What is Capoeira". And we will gave a different answers. Because yes, Capoeira is 'infinity', freedom, et cetera... et cetera...
When I first joined, I noticed that Instrutor Soldado always wants us to feel the music during 'Ginga'. And then inside the 'Roda'. Slowly, he taught us to play the instruments. Capoeira, it's getting more fun and enjoyable! Capoeira is the only major martial art known to have such a distinct incorporation of music. Understanding the instruments and music really transforms a players game as he/she becomes more in tune with Capoeira culture.

Oh man, seems like there are many more that I wanted to share with you here about Capoeira. Next entry? *smile*

And, ahaks! We have a new joiner - Jihan. Such a cute and adorable woman with a smiley eyes. *wink*
Welcome to our Camara family Jihan!

To those who interested to join our class, you guys can leave a comment/enquiry here anytime - or else you can get more information here, in our Capoeira Camara Malaysia official page.

Untill next time. ;)

Xoxo,

Gill

 

Al-kisah daun pisang dan lampu isyarat

Semalam lunch dengan kawan di "Kanna Curry House", Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya.

2 benda  nak share.

Satu.
Mula-mula tak sabar nak makan sebab terbayangkan makan nasi sambil bau aroma daun pisang. M enyelerakan bukan?
Tapi bila ke sana, tiada daun pisang - daun pisang digantikan dengan kertas yang berupa daun pisang pisang. Aroma kertas la jawabnya.
Kawan Gill bukanlah Melayu - Mat Salleh. Dan tujuan dia nak lunch di sana disebabkan nasi dalam daun pisang tersebut.

Dua.
Selepas lunch, kami menghala ke TTDI untuk ke kelas Capoeira.
Di hadapan kitorang - kereta polis.

Sampai di simpang traffic light, lampu bertukar merah.
Kereta polis tersebut dengan selamba dan jayanya masuk ke selekoh kanan bagaikan buta warna tak nampak lampu merah.
Kawan Gill tunding jari telunjuk kannanya ke arah kereta polis tersebut dan Gill hampir ternganga disebabkan tak terkata apa.

Moral of the story, Gill suka kalau Malaysia kekalkan keaslian dan tradisi dari beberapa segi sebab itu yang membezakan kita dan menunjukkan keistimewaan negara kita berbanding negara lain.
Pasal kereta polis tu, masing-masing buatlah moral cerita sendiri ye?

Untill next time.

Xoxo,

Gill

 

 

Are You Sleeping Gill?

Sleep 'til you're hungry, eat 'til you're sleepy. ~ Author Unknown.

 

Just had nasi lemak, curry puff & black coffee. First time ever had that heavy breakfast. Grrr...

*nasi lemak Kak Leha memang sedap.

 

 

*Captured by Berimbau 8.30 am, 10 Nov - 15 mins before training.

Macam mana tak gemok. Tido je keje kau Gill.

Ceritera 'Soulmate'

Ada beberapa orang yang bertanya tentang “soulmate” pada Gill.

Jawapan dan perbualannya memang takkan sama.

Contohnya; 

I DON'T NEED A BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND

A          :           You don’t have a boyfriend?

Gill      :           Nope.

A          :           Ouhh… Anyway, you don’t need to have a boyfriend.

Gill     :           Exactly! *wink* 

Seriously, why do we need to have a boyfriend/girlfriend if we don’t even need one?

Just because people around us happy with their partner, we think that we MUST have partner too.

Well, yes – lumrah alam, manusia dijadikan berpasangan.

Tapi kalau hati berasa gembira bersendiri tidak berteman, apa salahnya bersendiri sehingga lamaran cinta datang menegur. 

 

 

MEMILIH

B            :           Kenapa you takde boyfriend lagi?

Gill        :           Entah. Malas kot.

B          :          Ke memilih?

Gill         :           Siapa yang tak memilih when it comes to ‘pasangan hidup’? 

Siapa yang tidak memilih bila tiba bab berpasangan?

Melainkan orang tua menjodohkan kita dengan calon pilihannya sendiri.

Baik yang muda, tua, kacak, cantik, kurus, gemuk dan apa bangsa sekalipun, kita akan memilih.

Kadang-kadang, bukan memilih dari segi rupa.

Mungkin dari segi agama, sifat, kelakuan, minat, dan pelbagai lagi.

Tepuk dada tanya selera, benar atau tidak fakta ini. 

PARANOID

 

C          :           Don’t you feel lonely?

Gill        :           Sometimes yes, but sometimes – I really enjoy my single life.

C          :           But why you don’t wanna have a boyfriend?

Gill        :           I don’t know. Paranoid, maybe?

C          :           Paranoid?

 

*smiling* 

Gill paranoid? Ya, punya rasa ‘sedikit’ paranoid when it comes to love or man.

We all have our own story. 

 

Bibir bisa menguntum senyum saat disapa,

Mata bisa memantul sinar ceria saat bertentang mata,

Tawa bisa kedengaran jika gurauan diberikan,

Tapi terguris dan menangis, siapa yang tahu? 

*senyum* 

 

TAK ADA YANG MAHU

 

D          :           Kenapa masih single?

Gill        :           Sebab tak ada yang mahu. Mungkin sebab aku tak cantik dan gemuk.

 

Ah! Mengada-ngada betul dengan pernyataan itu. Jika sekadar bergurau, boleh diterima.

Jika sengaja berkata begitu disebabkan mahukan pujian seperti, “Eh! Mana ada kau tak cantik dan gemuk, kau cantik bukan?” – itu buat Gill rasa menyampah.

Tuhan jadikan kita semua manusia sudah cukup sempurna.

Masing-masing punya kelebihan dan kekurangan masing-masing, dan semua itu yang akan membawa kita ke jalan ‘bertemu’ raja dan permaisuri hati masing-masing nanti.

Tanpa diduga waktu, tempat dan bagaimana.

Sesungguhnya, takdir dan perjalan hidup kita yang diaturkan Allah s.w.t kadang-kadang penuh ‘surprise’ dan pastinya yang terbaik untuk setiap kita.

Mahu mensyukurinya ataupun tidak, tanya pada diri masing-masing. 

MAHU 'SINGLE'

Mak       :           Bila nak kawen ni?

Gill        :           Taknak kawen. Nak sorang sorang sampai ke tua.

 

Gill kena bebel. Kah kah kah! Padan muka. 

Lumrah hidup. Setiap dari kita punya ceritera masing-masing bukan?

Jika yang perlu dikunci rapat dalam jiwa kita, haruslah disimpan rapi.

Jika yang perlu diluahkan – luahkan saja pada yang yakin dapat mendengar dan menyimpannya.

Blog punya kawan maya yang sentiasa membaca dan menyokong, namun punya ‘silent reader’ juga.

FB punya kawan yang gemar membaca, komen – namun punya ‘musuh dalam selimut’ juga. 

Untill next time.

Xoxo,

Gill.

Great weekend with Instrutor Falcao, Instrutor Soldado & my Camara family

Had a great weekend!

Friday night : Capoeira training will all Camara's Capoeristas.

PD pics. From left, Pato, Fadinha, Berimbau & Jumbo. =)

 

Saturday morning : Workshop with Instrutor Falcao.

 

Basically, workshop is not much different with the usual class/training. But hardly to get the chance because we never know when the other Camara's Instrutor like Falcao will be coming to Malaysia. For us, the student - we always waiting for a chance to gain experience and lesson from other Instrutor. Both Instrutor Soldado and Instrutor Falcao are great instructor and during the workshop they shared many things about Capoeira. Capoeira - there's no end/fullstop we talk about Capoeira. You can refer to my previous post here ~> "Love. Life, Joy and Conversation in Circle".

The first workshop with Instrutor Falcao, besides trained us, he also taught us to sing one of the song during "Roda",

 

" No toque de berimbau, Eu me lembro da velha bahia, No toque do berimbau, Eu me lembro de Bimba e Pastinha."

 

The second workshop with him was on 17 Nov, Sunday 1030 am. Besides training, he taught us the Maculele dance! Awesome! Everyone had a good time with him and everybody really excited to wait for him to coming back to Malaysia soon. ;)

 

And owh yeah! Pic of course! *wink*

 

Our beloved and great Instrutor Soldado, first on the left side & awesome Instrutor Falcao standing in the middle (sleeveless camara camisa) I wasn't there because I'm the one who took the pic. ;)

 

Maculele, below are some source that I got from Google, Wikipedia about Maculele Dance. Sharing is sweet, don't you think so? Haha! So there you go! ;)



*** This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2010)  - source from Wikipedia. 

***

Maculelê (dance) 

Maculelê (Pronounced: mah-koo-leh-LEH) is an Afro Brazilian dance where a number of people gather in a circle called a roda. 

Regarding the etymology, it seems that macu comes from the Yoruba language spoken by the Nagôs (enslaved black people that spoke Yoruba), while lelê comes from the Malês' (enslaved black Muslim people who were literate in Arabic) language. 
 

Form 

In the roda, one or more atabaques positioned at the entrance of the circle. Each person brandishes a pair of long sticks, traditionally made from biriba wood from Brazil. The sticks, called grimas, traditionally measure 24 inches long by 1 and 1/8 inch thick.. They are substantially similar to Eskrima sticks. As the Maculelê rhythm plays on the atabaque, the people in the circle begin rhythmically striking the sticks together. The leader sings, and the people in the circle respond by singing the chorus of the songs. When the leader gives the signal to begin playing Maculelê, two people enter the circle, and to the rhythm of the atabaque, they begin striking their own and each other's sticks together. On the first three beats, they strike their own sticks together, making expressive and athletic dance movements, and on each fourth beat, they strike each other's respective right-hand stick together. This makes for a dance that looks like "mock stick combat". (Also, traditionally in Maculelê, the players wear dried grass skirts). 

Maculelê has steps similar to many other Brazilian dances such as "frevo" from Pernanbuco, "Moçambique" from São Paulo, "Cana-verde" from Vassouras-RJ, "Bate-pau" from Mato Grosso, "Tudundun" from Pará among others. 

 

Capoeira

In some capoeira schools, students perform maculelê using a pair of machetes (facão in Portuguese; plural: facões). These large knives are associated with the tools used by slaves in plantations. The knives spark as they strike in the air, and the sparks along with the sounds of the knives striking one another make this performance particularly impressive. Because a fast moving dance with large knives is dangerous, only very experienced dancers will use knives. 
 

*Pic from Google.

 

Origins

The origins of Maculelê are obscure, and there are many stories, theories and beliefs that claim "this is how Maculelê came to be". Here are three: 

1.    During the slavery era in Brazil, the slaves in the sugarcane plantations would gather and play Maculelê as a game to vent their anger and frustration from being slaves. At this time, machetes were used instead of sticks. Sticks were later incorporated for safety reasons. However, some experts still use machetes.

2.    There were two tribes in Brazil: a peaceful tribe, and a warlike one. The warlike tribe would repeatedly attack the peaceful tribe, who had no way of defending themselves. One day, during an attack, a young boy named "Maculelê" picked up a pair of sticks and fought off the other tribe. The other tribe never attacked again. The boy didn't manage to fight them off completely, but did die trying. His home tribe then made a mock combat dance using sticks and named the dance "Maculelê" in his honor and memory. 

3.    An interior West African village was embroiled in a regional conflict. All of the warriors of the village were called to the front lines to defend their people from invaders. All of the able bodied men gathered their arms and went to join the battle. The next day, the villagers were awakened to find their small village, supposedly far from the battle, was being attacked by part of the invading army. With no warriors left to defend the village, an unlikely hero emerged. A young boy took up two simple sticks and inspired the remaining villagers to mount a fearless defense. His heroic efforts became legend are represented in the Maculelê. 

Maculelê is sometimes practiced by itself, but is quite often practiced alongside capoeira, and is featured in many capoeira performances. Maculelê and Capoeira are fairly similar in style.

 

In popular culture

Maculelê was performed as a group dance in the Canadian version of So You Think You Can Dance.

***

 

Untill next time! But... If you ever wonder how am I look like, fat girl - 158 cm & 64 kg. Not pretty & not attractive at all. But one thing for sure, I am thankful to Allah swt for everything I am, everything I have and everything I will be.

 

Xoxo,

Gill

*it's me*

 

Sengih sampai ke telinga...

Friday!!!

Yawwwnnn! Sleepy!

Jarang rasanya Gill upload gambar activiti Gill dalam blog Gillette's Rhapsody ni kan?

 

Alrighty, malas nak menaip panjang-panjang hari ni.

Let's share some pics & cerita di sebalik gambar-gambar yang Gill post dekat sini ya?

Good times with all of you my Camara family! :)

*kenyit mata*

 

 

 

Highlight on Wednesday, 14 Nov 2012

 

♥ Our Camara group planned for a birthday surprise for Falcao, Jumbo & Bicodo. But unfortunately Bicodo couldn't join us that night. I ordered a cake from my friend, Kay & trust me! It's super duper yummy! Will post more about the cake in the future entry. But seriously, it was superlicious! Red Velvet mixed with slices of cheese, not too creamy.

 

♥ Fadinha, Berimbau, Jumbo & Pato waited for me and Hans at LRT Bangsar before leaving to PD. Around 6 something, all of us started our journey to Port Dickson.

 

♥ Had dinner somewhere in Port Dickson, can't remember the name of the 'kedai makan'. Once Soldado & his friend arrived, all of us straight away go to the hotel, and hide at the swimming pool! Like a small kids, don't you think so? Haha!

 

♥ Surprise for Falcao & Jumbo! They shared the same date of birth. Awesome!

 

♥ I never thought that it's gonna be a surpise for me too! Awwww! You guys are soooo sweet! :') Soldado announced something, "Tonight we are supposed to celebrate birthday for 4 people..." and suddenly Fadinha suprised me with one cute jar of cake! Sweet! Almost brought tears. :')

 

Enjoy the pics now ;)

 

Red Velvet mixed with cheese cake. Yummy!

Wedding cake session. Eh? Lol!

Jumbo and Falcao who shared the same date of birth, 14 Nov

Awwww!!! Both of you are soooo cute!

*blinking eyes*

Jacob Black & Edward Cullen. Seriously??? Haha!

That's Pato and Jumbo.

Greatest 'Instrutor' Soldado.

 

Instrutor Falcao and Instrutor Soldado.

They both actually, Brazillian from Capoeira Camara Group and Capoeira Camara had a few Instrutor at different country.

The founder of Capoeira Camara, one of the greatest man I've ever know, Contra Mestre Bola.

Instrutor Falcao is now teaching Capoeira in Japan while Instrutor Soldado, in Malaysia tanah tumpah airku  ;)

 

Instrutor Falcao during Batizado last September.

 

Instrutor Soldado and Fadinha during 'Tebu Brazillian Night' last September.

Matrix! Ahem! ;)

 

Annndddd tada! See! See! The cake inside the jar! Love it!

Thanks a lot guys! Mwah!

 

Highlight on Thursday, 15 Nov 2012

♥ We had Camara bootcamp with Instrutor Soldado and Instrutor Falcao at Kiara Park, 8 pm..

♥ It's pretty awesome even though kinda exausted.

♥ After bootcamp, as usual, Capoeira time!

Instrutor Falcao.

Instrutor Soldado and Berimbau.

Pato and Instrutor Falcao.

 

Falcao : Tunggu sat. Aku nak sikat rambut sat.

Pato : Ehhh, apadaaaa time time ni jugak hang nak sikat rambut

*just for fun

 

Another training tonight! And Capoeira Workshop with Instrutor Falcao tomorrow morning. Yeah! :)

Untill next time!

Xoxo,

Gill