Music, my elixir.
Aside from my current submersion into guitar lessons with a french master of strings, Antoine, I've begun teaching English through song to Balinese children at Ubud, Bali's Arma Museum & Resort. We rock out to everything from Jason Mraz (quite the popular choice around these parts) to tunes from The Sound Of Music - Raindrops On Roses anyone?
With two cranky speakers, some friends on drums and guitar, and my voice, English Through Song is manifesting into a wicked opportunity to jam and blend the divide between two cultures - one Hindu, one... not.
My eager craving to speak Bahasa Indonesia in a non-robotic way is soothed by the help of my older Balinese students who have English down more than I have Bahasa. With super smiles, they help me translate a song's poetic or symbolic message so the young ones may better understand the emotions within the music.
Try explaining a song about 'virtue' to kids...
Philosophical loops of thought are ingrained into the Bali upbringing so even my meager english/bahasa obstacle is magically overcome through intuitive understanding.
I've finally seen 'cool'. Sharing music in this way is my true defonition of 'cool'.
Much love.
