A Few Daily Thought Bubbles

-Old habits die hard: Although I've been trying for some time now to go to bed at a reasonable hour, my body has adapted to night owl scheduling and the rest of me suffers the fatigue-filled consequences during the day. It's fascinating how well the body is capable of adapting to whatever schedule you put it on--the trouble is getting it to change schedules!

-One of many difficult animal situations to behold is stray populations and abandoned pets. After seeing a few documentaries, I thought the US was bad, but I was unprepared for what kind of sights I'd take in during my time in South America (and I'm sure most if not all developing nations face similar issues). If I was a millionaire, I would invest a great deal of money into setting up as many animal adoption centers and shelters as possible on an international scale. I often wish people would be more conscientious about other life forms.

-To piggyback off the last thought, how often do you think about what you would do if you had the money, or if you had the time, etc. etc.? Somewhat contrary to the "NOW watch" image above, sometimes the present is not a realistic time to do what you have in mind. Still, often it's never the "right time" to do something lofty, so when will you do it? Perhaps baby steps are the best way to get started and things will continue on from there. After all, there are plenty of people who aren't millionaires who still make strides towards supporting causes they believe to merit money, time, effort, or all of the above.

Quotations galore Cuco Blog y Mas

My husband recently posted a few quotes on his blog, Cuco Blog y Mas, and I feel obliged to borrow a couple of them and add a few from my own searching. Sometimes quotes can be dull cliches, worn out from overuse. Find the right quotes, though, and they're just the inspiration, chuckle, or mental appetizer you were looking for. I have a feeling there will be more quote-related postings to come in the future on Mosaic of the Mind...

"'A man,'" replied Confucius, 'does not seek to see himself in running water, but in still water. For only what is itself still can instill stillness into others.'"

-Confucius

"Tomorrow's life is too late. Live today."

-Marcus Valerius Marcial

A few that I found today:

"Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."

-Oscar Wilde

"Faith is an oasis in the heart which will never be reached by the caravan of thinking."

-Kahlil Gibran

"Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history."

-Plato

"The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."

-Atisha

A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.

-English proverb

"Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children."

-Kahlil Gibran

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go."

-Oscar Wilde

"Clocks slay time... time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life."

-William Faulkner

"I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train."

-Oscar Wilde

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything."

-William Shakespeare

"Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity."

-Kahlil Gibran

Cherish the Present

Today I feel like borrowing a topic from one of my favorite blogs, Cherish the Present, my friend's blog. She made some excellent observations about the concepts of stillness and motion in today's society:

"Whether you're playing on your blackberry, or biting your nails-people seem to experience a growing absence of stillness in their lives and a constant drive to move. This absence is somewhat media/technology related (ipod games, texts, etc) but it's also driven by our " do it all" and " maximize every minute" cultural psyche. I like to imagine my day as a combination of movement and stillness...I also surprisingly find that my still moments don't detract from my productivity, but rather enhance the moments when I do need to be active."

If you've read previous posts of mine, you'll know that I do believe in seizing the moment and avoiding wasted time on "filler activities" if your heart is set on accomplishing big things. By the same token, part of being a centered, calm and collected person is to embrace moments of stillness in between all the activity and momentum of daily life. Still moments and breaks in the action are often essential to achieving goals and doing so in manner that preserves one's sanity. Almost like a mediator, yoga is a type of exercise and way of life that encompasses both movement and stillness. I have great admiration for the teachings and practices yoga contains, such as focusing on the present moment, breathing techniques, flowing movements and positions, awareness of the body and mind, and meditation.

Cherish the Present is right that today's society, at least Western society and probably also modern Eastern society, puts a great deal of emphasis on high levels of activity, productivity, and movement. There are an increasing number of studies, such as one conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, that indicate that watching TV as a toddler may increase propensities for ADHD later in life (http://www.whitedot.org/issue/iss_story.asp?slug=ADHD%20Toddlers). To quote:

"'TV watching "rewires' an infant’s brain, says Dr. Dimitri A. Christakis lead researcher and director of the Child Health Institute at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, Wash. The damage shows up at age 7 when children have difficulty paying attention in school. 'In contrast to the way real life unfolds and is experienced by young children, the pace of TV is greatly sped up.' says Christakis. His research appears in the April 2004 issue of Pediatrics. Quick scene shifts of video images become 'normal,' to a baby 'when in fact, it’s decidedly not normal or natural.' Christakis says. Exposing a baby’s developing brain to videos may overstimulate it, causing permanent changes in developing neural pathways. "

To anyone who doesn't already practice meditation on a regular basis, why not try to stay absolutely still for a minute, or even five or ten. Can you do an hour? Can you achieve a state of total relaxation and empty the mind for a short period of time? (By the way, sleeping doesn't count!)

Click here to read Cherish the Present!

America's Next Top Model: Crap, or Cranially Stimulating?

In the past when I heard people (and when I say "people" I mean young women) discuss Tyra Banks' show "America's Next Top Model," the word "crapola" immediately sprang to mind. Never in a million years would I have guessed that I would get hooked on it like a junkie to cheap crack. Why, you ask? Because it's chock full of psychology just waiting to be observed, that's why.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the show, 12 aspiring young female models are handpicked by Tyra Banks and her crew from all the women who show up at try-outs, and the lucky 12 are given the opportunity to not only be discovered, but win a contract with a modeling agency and an additional $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetic company. Once the models-in-making have made the initial cut, they face two challenges a week and sometimes a third when they face the judging panel, until only one remains and takes the prize. The first challenge usually involves something to push the contestants' limits, like an acting class challenge, a commercial shoot in a completely foreign language, and the like. The final challenge each week involves a themed photo shoot, usually over the top and actually pretty artistic.

Up until this point in the description, some of you might be thinking the show is absolute snoresville. Au contraire, friends. As always, it depends on your interests and the eyes with which you watch the show, but I find no end of things to ponder or analyze when watching. First of all, I like trying to guess who will get eliminated each week and I also like to root for my favorites. From watching the show, I have a newfound respect for the hard work it takes to make it in the modeling industry. I have to admit that it would probably never be a career I'd want, but I think many of us look at the finished product, like a print ad or a commercial, without seeing the behind the scenes effort it took to produce the work. Some of the photo shoots on the show are amazing and quite enjoyable to watch if you're a photography aficionado. The final episodes are always shot at an international location, and it's hard not to jump online and book a ticket to some of those places after seeing tantalizing glimpses of the different cultures and scenery. I also get a kick out of the more than obvious product placement within the show, which is actually pretty clever in that it undoubtedly assists ANTM in keeping its bank account full and its cameras rolling.

Now to the juicy stuff: watching young women of different backgrounds interact with each other, form alliances, create friendships, bare their teeth and antagonize each other. I like watching all the different personalities in the room and how interactions change as individuals are eliminated one by one. It's also fascinating to see how different people handle criticism, and often blistering criticism at that. I also like to investigate the role self-esteem plays in the competition--whether it grows, fades, or fluctuates, and what kind of confidence the girls manifest at the outset and over the course of the competition. Some of the gals come in with an enormous chip on their shoulder, and the judges work hard to bring them back down to Earth. Others, on the other hand, don't even know the extent of what they have to offer, and it sometimes ends up being their downfall in the competition. In general, what's rewarding is when some of the contestants discover positive or negative aspects of themselves they weren't previously aware of, or when they start to embark on the journey of self-improvement and make noticeable progress.

Tyra Banks contributes a few key elements of the show as well. I still can't decide whether she's an egomaniac or whether she's more or less grounded on the whole, but she's certainly a card and she knows her industry inside and out. She's well-spoken, well-traveled, and even if she's not a Nobel Prize winner or a member of Mensa, she definitely throws kernels of wisdom and a positive attitude into the mix that keep the show upbeat and inspirational despite the fact that girls are cracking under the strain of the competition and getting axed right and left. She's definitely a proponent of sisterhood and self-acceptance, and I have to admit that she and her judging panel get a lot of the personality and psychological appraisals right.

Is watching ANTM as intellectually stimulating as reading a Stephen Hawking book? Highly doubtful. Does it contain insights and "data" that might even make watching it a worthwhile use of time? I like to think so. Not everyone will agree with me on that one, but whenever I watch an episode, I'm reminded of the thrill of social analysis and why I majored in psychology.

Interesting WaPo Article About Marriage

Would you imagine that couples who divorce and those whose marriages maintain continued longevity through old age disagree more or less the same amount?

Would you guess that almost three quarters of marital disagreements are unresolvable for the average couple?

According to Dr. John Gottman, a world renowned researcher on the subject of marriage and divorce, and a Washington Post article I read called "The Marriage Myth," all of the above is what the statistics show. What's the key to marital bliss, besides taking marriage education courses touted by the article? Communication, especially the listening portion of it (a.k.a. the part most people want to fast forward through during an argument so they can say their piece and revel in the sound of their own voice).

This particular finding is not a revelation, but like many things, listening is something so simple that simultaneously proves challenging to put into practice at times in the heat of the moment. Listening is a delicate art, and one that will bring much interpersonal success to those who execute it well. Obviously any balanced conversation involves taking turns and allowing everyone to say their piece, if they so desire. However, there are many different levels of hearing what people have to say, and the more accurately and attentively one listens, the more people will gravitate toward that individual and hopefully want to reciprocate. In a romantic relationship, listening is key to understanding what your partner wants or needs, and the better you're able to repeat back to them what they're trying to say, the better your chances are of at least coming to mutual respect and understanding, even if agreement is out of the question.

Draw your own conclusions:

The Marriage Myth: Why do so many couples divorce? Maybe they just don't know how to be married.

Childhood Memories

Two childhood memories that came to me while I was working today:

-I was taking a walk with one of my aunts in Ohio. It was winter and snow covered the ground like a white crispy blanket. I had on a blue puffy coat that went down to my knees and mittens covered my little hands. We were walking along train tracks and there were bare trees extending their bent naked bodies in every direction, creating a crooked, brown, dry maze of branches. As we forged through the maze of tangled wood, I felt a thorn in my mitten. I distinctly remember my discomfort and the pain of the thorn forging its way through my mitten and under my skin, unseen by my eyes. My aunt stopped to help me remove the thorn and we continued on our wintry adventure.

-Some memories are more of a state or a feeling than the memory of an actual event. I often recall the feeling of sitting on the couch in the living room of my family's old apartment on the third floor and listening to the unmistakable sound of a plane making its way through the daytime sky--sky that I saw laid out before me marked with trees, black horizontal power lines, brick houses and other apartment buildings. Despite being extremely urban in nature, I can only describe the feeling evoked by that memory as both calming and comforting. It's funny how a memory so bare and simple can be so cherished.

How to Be Successful Tip #1

I don't claim to be an expert in the art of success. Let's not even get into how to define the word "success" and simply agree that it's a completely subjective term. At any rate, a fairly obvious yet important conclusion I've come to about how to be successful: maximize the time you have by limiting the time you "waste" or spend on activities that don't further your objectives.

The concept of not frittering away time is deceptively simple and often quite difficult to put into practice. How often do we find ourselves engaging in an activity that is completely unproductive or devoid of meaning? This is not a crime against humanity, to be sure, but if your objective is to be successful in whichever area interests you, extensive relaxation is probably not the way to go--at least not while you're trying to claw your way to the top of your field.

How many people who achieved success in whatever they set their mind to did so by parking themselves in front of the boobtube for hours on end, Facebook-stalking, or going out drinking with their buddies every night (unless their definition of success involves glazed-over eyes and extensive hangovers)? It's true, most people need their downtime and Rest and Relaxation, but the trick lies in exactly how much time you devote to those types of activities. And if you can use your R&R to further your specific goals, all the better. What's increasingly apparent is that in today's modern society, particularly in developed nations, there are countless distractions at your fingertips. When you're truly trying to reach a goal with all your might and accomplish something you deem important, distraction is not a friend (although when it comes to things like writer's block, it certainly is!).

A concrete example of what I'm talking about: sometimes after a day full of World Cup-watching, I look at the clock and wonder where my day went. Well, it's obvious where it went. I wouldn't say that it was a day wasted because I had fun, relaxed after working hard all week, and spent quality time with my husband. However, if this starts to become a pattern, and if I'm concerned with making my mark on the world starting now, I'll inevitably let some important activities slide down my To-Do list when in reality they should consistently be at or towards the top.

This is something that people seem to progressively realize as they age, but time really is precious. It's the one thing you can't accumulate more of, so it's important to use the time you have wisely, since you never know how much of it you'll get in this lifetime.

Innate skill vs. Passion

Which is better/worse: possessing a talent for an activity that doesn't interest you, or being passionate about something at which you don't excel?

I wonder how often people settle for an occupation or career that doesn't exactly make them jump out of bed in the morning, sing in the shower and whistle while they work, simply because they happen to be good at it. On the flipside, how many folks wish with all their heart that they could do what they love, only to find that they don't do it all that well? I think in general people work with the skills they've been given, and I hope that more often than not their interests intersect with their abilities.

This makes me wonder: in elementary school and high school, are people encouraged to devote time and energy toward developing the strengths they already have, or work harder on improving their weaknesses? It's important to have a well-rounded intellect and exposure to a variety of academic disciplines, but it's also necessary to know where your own gifts lie and how best to utilize them. Do you know what your best skills are, and are you using them in some way, even if outside of your current occupation? It's important to keep in mind that a job is just one of many ways to do what really makes you tick.

The Best Part of June 22, 2010

The evening sky. I don't know what it was like in other parts of the country/world, but from where I was sitting, it was exquisite--like something out of National Geographic or a photoshopped piece of graphic design found on the Internet. The utter beauty of the sunset was not only created by the typical orange, pink, soft yellow, and deep blue and purple shades. The clouds played a huge role in the evening's splendor. There must have been storm clouds passing through, because there were huge dark blueish-purple clouds traveling, shifting, and oozing across the sky at a brisk pace. It was impossible to fix my gaze on a given cloud shape because they transmogrified at every moment. At the same time, the sun was setting and the sky was illuminated with colors of peach, cotton candy pink, and hints of yellow. As the clouds changed form constantly, they seemed superimposed upon the bright colors. Sometimes the cloud formations would let patches of the colorful sky peek through; in other places, there were hardly any clouds to be seen, only playfully intermingled colors.

And the grand finale? As I stared out of my window and craned my neck to look all the way to the right and down the block, I saw the brightest moon appear surrounded by one of the most beautiful shades of blue I've ever seen the sky embody. I can't even describe that particular shade of blue--it wasn't deep, nor was it clear. It wasn't sky blue nor the darker shade of evening sky that one is accustomed to seeing when the moon and stars first make their evening appearance. It must have been close to a cerulean color. It was a rich blue, yet still light enough to seem like daytime. It made the moon seem out of place, like a traveling stranger in a foreign town, and yet the sky's hue complemented the moon's every facet, crater, and glowing magical light emanating from it. What I saw last night was enough to confirm that the sky is truly one of the most amazing things on this planet, and it never ceases to fill me with awe, wonder, and, peace.

Family Feud

An ongoing, albeit friendly disagreement that has gone on for some years within my immediate family: is cursing ever appropriate, and if so, when? If my mom had her druthers, nary a tainted word would escape from my mouth. My dad, on the other hand, would not be able to hold me to such strict standards without running the risk of being labeled a hypocrite. He's certainly no sailor, but he enjoys a bit of colorful language now and then.

Having been drawn to the art of foul language from a young age, which probably began with looking up the definitions of various genitalia once I had wrapped my young supple mind around magic spelling, I have to figure that fundamental personality plays a huge role in one's tendencies to curse or abstain from the more vulgar entries that roam the OED. Cursing, as long as it's not gratuitous, can be quite humorous. Tip the scale too far, though, and you lose all artistic credibility. There's nothing wrong with not cursing, I suppose, although I've never understood what the fun is in that.

When it comes down to it, cursing is almost like an art (I said an art, not a fine art, and I also said "almost"). The speaker must choose appropriate environments and audiences for their selected vulgarities. One must also maintain an appropriate frequency--curse too much and you're seen as a potty-mouthed, uneducated tool. Curse too little, and, well...let's face it, nothing will really happen, but you won't feel the pleasure of that little added shock value that comes with a well placed obscenity.

Maybe some people also get a charge out of perceived "naughty" behavior, without going too far. Sure, you're not an anarchist or sticking it to The Man, but all of those filth-mouths out there are challenging convention a little bit by giving life to the ancient and forbidden letter combinations. However, it's important to use cursing constructively: insulting people or using profanity to enhance aggressive behavior is in no way to be condoned. As long as it's all in good fun, what's the big f***ing deal?

One Improvement to the World Cup Would Be...

Instant replay. Soccer may be a sport that has increasingly encouraged more physical play, more egregious fouls, and even serious acting skills (so much so that some players might consider getting some head shots taken for auditions), but I'm guessing most people haven't seen a World Cup riddled with quite so many terrible calls as the glorious WC 2010 (is it a coincidence that WC also stands for "water closet"?). It doesn't even seem like anyone has accepted a payoff--most of the refs are equally crappy.

When I've expressed my intense dislike of unfair calls in the past, my husband has tried to assuage my fury by explaining to me that refereeing mistakes, no matter how horribly wrong, are part of what makes people passionate about football (if by "passionate" you mean wanting to punch the ref, all players, and all fans of the opposing team, then tear your hair out after your team has been robbed of a fair game or even a win). However, after watching this year's World Cup, even he's having a hard time denying that instant replay would be a welcome addition to the sport of soccer. Hey, once in awhile, the gringos actually get it right. On the other hand, you have people like Rep. Steve King (R-IA) who spout these little gems:

"King said that under only one circumstance does he support amnesty for illegal immigrants: 'Every time we give amnesty for an illegal alien, we deport a liberal.'" (http://motorcityliberal.blogspot.com/2010/06/steve-kings-immigration-plan-deport.html)

Is it a shock to anyone, then, why some Americans feel both proud of and embarrassed by their country?

More "Thought Provoking" Dichotomous Questions

Which is worse: to have sent a thank-you card a year late, or to never have sent one at all?

Which is better: to watch an hour of TV every day or go on the internet daily for the same amount of time?

Which will screw up your body faster: smoking cigarettes or smoking the same amount of tobacco through a hookah?

Which do you prefer: daytime or nighttime?

Which smells better: roses or freshly baked cookies?

Which tastes worse: blood or brussel sprouts?

Which is more boring: this post or whatever else you were doing before you read this? (Ha)

Random Questions

Classic question: which came first, the chicken or the egg? Often a rhetorical question, but has anyone managed to answer it? Frankly, I'm inclined to think the egg came first, because how could a chicken appear out of the primordial ooze and already be all set to lay eggs? I would think some creature evolved over time, laid an egg at some point down one of the branches of its evolutionary tree, and out popped the first chicken. So which came first? The egg!

Did I just kill the chicken/egg conundrum? Probably not.

Another random question: who was the first person to get drunk? Boy, if only they knew what they were getting our species into. I bet they were either completely freaked out and got stoned to death by their tribe for being possessed by evil spirits, or they made a "rock on" hand sign and stomped on some more grapes.

Hayward Up to Bat, Strikes Out

Just saw a clip of Tony "Fat Tony" Hayward of BP receiving a grilling from Congress. His apology was about as dry and unconvincing as you can get. Hel-LO! You're heading up "Satan's Little Helpers 'R Us Oil Inc." and you can't even muster up even a tad of remorse? In case you haven't noticed, you've graced America's and most of the world's shit list, and you still can't even make an honest attempt at earning a few brownie points? Wow. When he wasn't dishing out hollow apologies, Hayward occupied himself with dodging questions, claiming ignorance, and asserting that he's" not an engineer." Hey buddy, don't take my word for it, but you might want to start looking into that since a career switch may be in order soon...

Not to be outdone, Rep. Joe Barton, a Republican from Texas (I'm sure you can guess what's coming next) actually had the gall to apologize to Hayward for the "shakedown" conducted by the White House and Congress over this ecological disaster. There's nothing like bipartisan cooperation and crossing over of party lines, this time to take Barton to task--so much so that he was obliged to apologize for his apology and retract it altogether. Well done!

If there's one thing Congress is good at, it's a good grillfest. Now let's see what comes of it and the $20 billion allocated towards righting the terrible environmental wrong that has occurred.

A short passage and quotes from a BBC article which highlight what many are probably thinking:

"Texan Republican Michael Burgess expressed surprise when the BP chief said he had not known anything about the well in question until he was told in April that drilling had confirmed an oil discovery.

'But you're the CEO of the company,' Congressman Burgess said.

'With due respect,' Mr Hayward replied, 'we drill hundreds of wells around the world.'

'Yeah, that's what scares me right now,' said Mr Burgess"

This would be LOL-worthy if the whole thing weren't so horrible.

Read the entire BBC article

Lightning Bolts

Sometimes there's a mini thunderstorm that circulates around my apartment. What else could it be but a raging storm if there are bolts of silvery-gray lightning that strike in my peripheral vision? As I'm sitting in our apartment, I sometimes see the streak rushing past. It travels so fast that it's nothing more than a blur. From the coloration, I surmise that it's a lightning bolt, but in reality, it's just Penny, our gray and white cat.

Penny often gets these spontaneous urges to kick up her heels and race around our abode like a madwoman, or madcat should I say. I know I enjoy watching her, but I can only imagine that my enjoyment is a fraction of hers as she dashes, jumps, hides, turns, and sprints. Sometimes I can't resist the urge to chase her, and this only increases her speed and agility as she focuses every sinew and synapse on escaping, and maybe even playfully attacking my leg when I turn to go into the other room. Between her and the rest of the big cats in the wild, their powerful four-legged flight must be the closest thing to soaring on land like a bird in its never-ending terrain of sky.

The Infamous Immigration Interview

After hearing and reading so much about the infamous date with immigration officials, I wasn't sure what to expect but I was damn sure intimidated. I had a feeling what I had seen in movies wasn't realistic, but I wasn't even sure of that. When we were taking the train to Baltimore for the interview, my stomach began to churn a bit. When we were waiting outside the building, chatting and killing time before going in, my heart was palpitating faster and sweat beads were starting to appear on my neck. When we were sitting in the waiting room hearing people's names called out, I had to cross my legs to prevent them from carrying me out the door to the nearest Starbucks for some much needed R&R. When they called our names, I felt like I was trodding on my intestines all the way to the "interrogation room."

Were all of those jitters necessary? Absolutely not. Was the interview entirely routine? Most definitely. Apart from going through what seemed like every paper in our file, asking for additional evidence such as our lease and bank account documents, and flipping through a couple of our wedding photos, there wasn't a whole lot going on. We had studied and practiced a whole packet-full of questions, and all the official asked us was our address, if we have any kids, each others' dates of birth, and our parents' full names--not that I'm complaining or anything.

Things I expected: the tons of other immigration hopefuls in the waiting room, which was comforting because it reminded us that we weren't the only ones tackling this complicated process; the starkly decorated, gray office (who actually paints their walls gray?? Only the government, I guess.).

Things I hadn't anticipated: interviewing together. I thought maybe they wouldn't want us to influence each others' answers, but that didn't seem to be a factor at all; being sworn in, although I probably should have expected that. I did feel like a rather important person; The small number of questions we were asked; and the most pleasant surprise of all--how downright pleasant our immigration official was. He didn't have any of that intimidation factor that the customs officials exude, and he really seemed to be trying to help us along this particular station in our journey, rather than interrogate us.

All in all, an interesting experience, but boy, am I glad that's over with!

Fight or Flight

There's nothing like an impending "threat" to get your adrenaline rushing and heart pumping. In the days of skin togas and cave dwellings, threats were most likely large hungry animals or rival tribes. In today's world, a threat could be a menacing person, a sudden problem or crisis, or even something as seemingly docile as a test. It stands to reason that in a stressful situation and faced with a threat, our "fight or flight" instincts take over. In this day and age, "fight" could sometimes translate as facing a problem or threat, and flight could signify either literally fleeing or just general avoidance of a stressful situation.

I can't say I've ever faced a serious threat by another human being, such that I needed to decide whether to make a run for it or unsheathe my claws. A friend of mine, however, had a close encounter and a firsthand taste of this ancient and animal response mechanism. She was walking home at a late hour in a reputably safe neighborhood. As she was walking, she felt that she was being followed. When she turned to see who was behind her, the person shifted to one side so as to escape her line of vision. My friend quickened her pace, and the person behind did so as well. At first, my friend was concerned about hurting the man's feelings and making him feel like a stalker, when perhaps he was just a fellow on his way home as well. She even considered digging around in her purse and letting him pass her by. Then her natural "survival" instincts got the better of her, and her gut suggested to her that that story would not have a happy ending. She picked up the pace, and cut through a well-lit gas station to try and shake the guy off her trail. Alas, he cut across as well, which was the last straw. My friend broke into a run towards her house, managed to jam her key in the lock and turn it without delay, and entered the house like a bullet, slamming and securing the door behind her. A close call, to be sure, and I'm glad her flight response served her well.

Whenever I've had important tests, job interviews, or high pressure situations looming in the future, I never get a good night's sleep the night before. Is there anyone who sleeps like a baby before a big day with a great deal riding on their performance? If so, I'd like to know their secret. Even so, despite always getting an awful night's sleep the night before a high-pressure day, my performance has seldom suffered. Why? I can only assume that I have adrenaline and my "fight" response to thank for that, which manages to keep me alert and active with sufficient energy to face whatever is coming my way. I'm reminded that we as humans feel that we are sophisticated and highly intelligent creatures above all others, which often leads us to forget that we are highly evolved and ornately decorated animals.

Summer Nostalgia

As summer swiftly approaches, I'm constantly reminded of one of my fondest memories: curling up in a chair, the hum of the air conditioning unit a constant companion, and doing summer reading. Summer reading to me is not exactly reminiscent of the required school reading for the hottest months of the year, although I suppose that is a portion of what many consider "summer reading." When I think of summer reading, I think of trips to the library with my mom, picking out a stack of books to take home (usually of the fantasy, scifi, and general fiction genres), and devouring them with a voracious literary appetite.

As an adult, it seems like at every turn there's something that needs tending to (and I say this as an adult without kids yet): an appointment to go to, a chore to be finished, a movie to be watched, a walk to be taken, and so on and so forth. Long gone are the days of leisurely trips to the library and weeks on end spent as a bookworm and (occasional TV-head). Perhaps that will be my new goal for June, July and August: grab hold of the summer reading nostalgia and transform it into a literary extravaganza!

Little Summer Things

A few little things from this past weekend that were particularly pleasing as we move into summertime:

Truly sleeping in, even if that means only until 9:30. Observing subtle, positive changes in the behavior of someone, like a newfound habit of recycling. Two bright pink flowers sprouting in the midst of long expanses of green grass and leaves, black asphalt, and brown tree trunks. Sharing jokes with in-laws. A two-hour afternoon nap. Watching the World Cup with family. Surprise homemade cinnamon sugar muffins.

The Golden Age of Technology

Remember when "technology" meant a sharp stick, a raggedy piece of flint, or a misshapen piece of pottery? Of course you don't--that was thousands of years ago. If you look over time and the progression of our species, it's absolutely amazing how much technology has progressed. We've taken the first strides in space travel, and exploration in that area will only increase in frequency and depth as time goes on. We can communicate with people around the globe instantaneously, through computers and email, cell phones and Skype. Ten years ago, if you had told me that we'd be able to pause live TV, rewind it and watch it again, and even record it without a busted up VCR and VHS tape in tow, I would have laughed in your face. Now I'd certainly have to eat my...laughs, I suppose, because that's exactly what can be done with the likes of TiVo and DVR.

Thus, the question becomes, are we simplifying life with all of this fabulous technology, or are we just complicating it further? Like most questions, there isn't just one response. Technology will be essential in specific areas of life, such as scientific inquiry, space exploration, business, research and information exchange, entertainment, travel, communication, and ecological conservation. However, people may also become dangerously dependent on technology, and perhaps even obsessed with it (I would wager there are some such people who already fit that description). For instance, how much of a slave are you to your cell phone? How much TV do you find yourself watching? How much time do you spend on the computer and the Internet? Do you need to have the latest technology as soon as it hits stores, a la IPod, IPad, IPhone, and so on and so forth? How many pieces of technology do you come in contact with during a given day and for how long?

Many people will not bat an eye when answering these questions, even if the answers tremendously favor technological use. Many folks see nothing wrong with supposed "over-dependence" on technology. Alternatively, they wouldn't even notice over-dependence if it knocked them over the head with an IPad. There's no denying that technology is a beautiful thing, and one of the crown jewels of our species. Like most things in life, moderation is key. Overdoses of anything can be poisonous, even water (how crazy is that!).

There is often something lovely about doing simple activities in uncomplicated ways. Sure, technology can represent that time-saving element that allows us to turn our attention to other priorities. However, technology also manages to suck up vast amounts of time with endless distractions and pointless offerings. I'm not necessarily advocating being a monk (if you could see my head, you'd notice it's not shaved, and I haven't given up all my worldly possessions Siddartha-style), but there are necessary boundaries to be drawn in order to enjoy life to the fullest (in my book, at least). One can only follow one's own internal compass and try to recognize when technology is harmful rather than helpful.

Disappearing Snake Act

Only this time, it's no act. A recent article in the BBC discussed a longitudinal study on eight different species of snakes and 17 total snake populations. The result? Most of the populations have declined drastically. In addition, many of the decreases in population began in 1998. What's so special about 1998? Well, it just so happens that 1998 was the "hottest year recorded in modern times," attributed to El Nino conditions. Furthermore, snakes also disappeared from protected habitats, which possibly indicates that loss of habitat is not the only culprit in the case of the vanishing snakes.

As someone who once had a snake as a pet, I can attest to their beauty, mystique, and importance. Like with other cases of disappearing species, what's so scary is that by the time we (humans) as a population react and try to reverse the effects of climate change, it may already be too late. "Too late" can mean many things, from our own population decline, to drastic changes in lifestyle, to huge lack of resources, to tremendous losses of species we once knew and loved--or if not loved, at least appreciated.

Click here to read the full article:

Snakes in mysterious global decline

First Thought of the Day

Our walls are a bit too thin for my liking. Discovered today that our neighbors are loud enough in their bedroom antics to wake us out of a deep slumber (at quarter to 7). On the one hand, good for them! I'm glad to know morning breath doesn't keep them from doing what they seem to do best. On the other hand, time to shower off the dirty noises echoing around in my ears.

I Tell You, My Dear, This Is the Only Way to Travel!

There are so many different ways to travel these days, it's hard to choose a favorite. As a small child, the car was the way to go. There's nothing quite like being chauffeured around town when you still have more than a decade left before you can acquire a driver's license and your legs are too stubby to carry you more than small distances without complaint. As a few years passed, travel by car was still very attractive, but bus transportation became quite the privilege. Getting around by bus isn't exactly sexy, but as a young adult, it sure is liberating. Biking was also exhilarating, especially during warm weather when you can truly appreciate the breeze against your face as you race along. Biking downhill was always the best--all the fun and no work!

Plane travel has always been a bit of a mixed bag. For me, take-off and landing are the tensest moments, and I admit that the feeling of airline transportation is at times somewhat unnatural. However, nothing compares to looking out of the window and seeing puffy clouds below and around you, tiny sparkling lights at night, winding roads that look like long pieces of thread stretched out across the land, shimmering ocean waves of varying shades of blue, and all the sights one takes in soaring thousands of feet above the ground.

In my book, planes beat helicopters by a wide margin. It seems like every time I scan the headlines, another chopper has gone down somewhere. It could just be my overactive imagination, but...no thanks!

In college I became very familiar with taking the train to and from college. Spending eight or nine hours on a train isn't exactly the epitome of comfort, but it beats going by bus for that length of time any day. When you go up and down the East Coast by bus, there's really no view to speak of--nothing to entertain the eye. Major American highways are notoriously dull. The train, on the other hand, passes by towns, buildings, forested areas, lakes, and much more scenic areas. There are even elaborate and vibrantly colored graffiti displays along certain portions of the track, the most notorious of urban art, as train tracks and neighboring buildings and tunnels lend themselves to late-night graffiting undetected.

It probably also wasn't until college that I actually understood the value of transporting myself using my own two feet. Although an athlete in junior high and high school, off the court I was a shameless lazy bones. If it was a matter of even a ten-minute walk, I had the keys in the ignition before anyone could utter a word to convince me otherwise. At college, there was no such luck, as I had no car the entirety of my time there. Thus (sigh) I was forced to walk my tush all around campus and then some. And you know what the worst part is? I liked it. Maybe it was being in constant contact with nature, or the invigorating feeling of exercising without really noticing, or the money I saved by not having car insurance to pay--the fact is, from that point on, these feet were made for walking.

As I conclude this post, I have to wonder: do people even still travel by ship anymore? Unless it's a cruise of some sort, I think I'll pass!

As for the latest (and greatest?) "Segways" that have come on the scene in the past couple of years, I still have a private snicker with myself every time I see someone rolling down the street on one. It's a great idea and I'm all about "green transportation," there's just got to be a way to up the coolness factor a bit and not look quite so goofy tooling around on one. But hey, I guess the idea is to get from Point A to Point B (not necessarily turn heads while you're doing it). After all, isn't that what transportation is all about?

If you're curious about transportation of the stranger persuasion, check out this slideshow!

10 Weirdest Forms of Transportation

It Must Be Global Warming

It's hard not to notice the completely erratic DC weather this year. First come the immense snow storms (immense for this area of the country at least). Then the odd "Indian summer" days appear towards the second half of a frigid winter. Was it just me or did spring not even make it onto the scene this year? Then the delirium-provoking heat and humidity arrived (even more so when you walk to work in slacks) in the final days of May and first week of June. I was just setting my jaw and getting ready to grin and bear the swampy sweltering mess that is summer in DC. Imagine my surprise when I traipsed outside in my flouncy black skirt to go to work, prepared to get knocked over by a humid heat wave, when lo and behold I had goosebumps while walking in the shade because the temperature was back in the 60's. Now I'm no meteorologist or climatologist, but something fishy's going on here! Apart from the importance of avoiding a global climate disaster, I'd like to know from time to time what in blazes I should be wearing to venture outside. I guess I'll just have to stick to Weather.com, which tells me it's "partly cloudy" when in fact it's thunderstorming outside...

Talk About Putting a Positive Spin on Things

A recent quote from BP CEO Tony Hayward, who must be wearing very intensely rose-colored glasses:

"We're going to clean up the oil, we're going to remediate any environmental damage and we are going to return the Gulf coast to the position it was in prior to this event. That's an absolute commitment, we will be there long after the media has gone, making good on our promises."

1.) Maybe Tony will let me wave his magic wand and see if the Amazon rainforest restores itself to its former glory.

2.) "...we are going to return the Gulf coast to the position it was in prior to this event." Does that include resuscitating the thousands of animals killed as a result of this absolute catastrophe? Does that also include providing financial compensation to the families whose livelihoods will now be in jeopardy?

3.) It's not hard to spot PR language a mile away. It looks like it'll take more than a British accent to get people excited about what Mr. Hayward has to say.

Petrol-basted mahi-mahi, anyone?

I'm All Eyes

Why is it that you can usually feel someone's eyes on you, even if you're turned the other way? Do some people stare because they don't know any better? Do some people stare, despite the fact that they know better, because they're insecure? Have you ever caught someone looking at length at you, looked back at them, and they quickly turned away, somewhat ashamed? Have you ever done that and the person kept staring back unabashedly? Have you ever had a "stare down" with someone on public transportation? (It seems that a lot of fixed gazing occurs on public transportation, where people often have nothing better to do than check out those around them.) Is staring a compliment? An insult? A threat? Do you stare at people, and if so, when and under what circumstances do you catch yourself doing it? Do men stare more than women, or vice versa? If someone is making you uncomfortable with their eye behavior, is it acceptable to say something to them ("say something" could mean calling them out, or simply saying hello)? Is staring unavoidable because humans are such visual creatures?

(Sidenote: when googling "staring" to find an image for this post, the majority of images seem to be photos of men subtly or not so subtly glancing at breasts. Feel free to draw your own conclusions.)

TMI (Too Much Information)

It's interesting what information people choose to share on the internet. For example, in doing some research for work, I came across a blog that a woman had set up for her business. One post began with an apology for not having posted more frequently, and went on to recount that she (the business owner) had given birth in her home to a seemingly healthy premature baby boy, who then stopped breathing a few hours later and passed away. Purely out of morbid curiosity, I followed the link to a memorial page that the woman's husband had set up in memory of the child that no longer was. While the website was very sweet, I was shocked at how the couple showed no reservations about putting their pregnancy photo shoot and pictures of the child (while still alive) onto such a public forum. Not only that, but the woman was so open about this particular painful chapter in her life, and discussed it on a work-related website to boot.

Facebook provides further examples of the range of attitudes that exist when it comes to sharing personal information and images. Some users choose to partake in many "applications"--in other words games, small programs, and other ways to absorb what would have been time put to good use doing something productive. In order to download an application, one must be willing to share the information in their profile page with the creators of the app. Other examples involve what people actually post in their status messages, profiles, or on their friends' and families' profiles. Some people are more discrete; others act as though no one else could read what they're writing. When it comes to photos, practices range from conservative to quite liberal. Many people put up pictures of their children, their wedding, partaking in the consumption of alcohol, kissing, and so on. Other people don't post any pictures of themselves and the only pictures that appear of them are those that are added by other users. Finally, some users fail to even guard their profiles from public access. I've been able to view pictures and profile information of people I've never even met or heard of, but who happen to be an acquaintance of an acquaintance or sometimes even a stranger.

It's amazing to me how some individuals can be so cavalier about personal information and how much of their lives they leave on the internet with such a visible trace. On the other hand, there are many who take good care of their privacy and keep everything under lock and key whenever possible. The internet can be so deceptive sometimes. People post things they would never say to someone's face, such as in internet forums where tempers can run high and trolls abound. Folks share information and items, such as their phone number, address, wedding photos, stories of deceased infants, and so on, that they would never hand out freely to passersby on the street. It's fascinating how a computer screen can make the world wide web seem so closed off and safe, when the reality is completely different. Even more intriguing still is that some people seem to enjoy sharing all, or a great deal, of themselves with both persons of confidence and strangers alike.

Privacy is something that has shifted so much over the past 100 years or so, and all signs point to an increased shrinkage of its boundaries in the future and an increased emphasis on sharing information and yourself with others out there in cyberspace. Perhaps there will be a huge outcry at some point, a "lashing out" if you will, and people will renounce Facebook, MySpace, Hi5, blogs, and the like in favor of cherishing their treasured personal information. However, it looks like social networking is here to stay, and with it, sometimes more information about people than I know what to do with.

Little Things Contd.

Another segment in the "Little Things" series of posts:

Having functional central air conditioning. Munching on Reese's Pieces after a long hiatus from purchasing them. Sipping on French Berry Sparkling Lemonade and enjoying its rosy hue and tickly fizz. Meeting with an inspirational and exuberant friend not seen in a few years. Getting lost in scintillating conversation until 5 and a half hours whiz by in an instant. Standing under a sprinkler on a muggy walk. Holding prints of photos that had only ever been previously viewed on a screen. Seeing tiny little bunnies feasting on grass, resisting the urge to scamper away even when they realized they had an audience.

Inspiring

This goes somewhat on the heels of my last post, but in my job I often research and come across CVs, bios, and a variety of information about folks who continued on the path of academia. Today I came across one such person, a woman who currently lives in California and owns her own floral design studio for special events such as weddings. Prior to delving into the flower business, she was a cancer biologist with a PhD from Harvard. On how she made such a dramatic career switch (taken from her company website):

"Somewhere along the line, [she] realized that life is too short and quit her job to be crafty and creative with her hands."

I found this inspiring, and it reminded me of a few things:

-Sometimes the first step is admitting to yourself what it is you really love to do, because it might not be what you originally thought or intended. It might not even be popular with the people who surround you, but if they truly care about you, they'll support your decision.

-Doing what you really love is sometimes risky, especially when starting out and especially if it's not an especially lucrative profession. That being said, any profession can be lucrative if you're quite good at it and if that matters to you.

-It's never too late to do what you love, and the sooner you can begin, the better.

Specialists vs. Generalists

A reoccurring thought in these recent days/weeks/months: what is more valuable in today's society, a person who is a specialist or a generalist? Back in the day, many people (often men) did apprenticeships and honed their skills without necessarily even receiving what we would now consider an education. This leads me to believe that those people were definitely specialists. However, I've come across mentions of individuals who were a "Jack of all trades" such as Leonardo da Vinci. According to Wikipedia, that phrase has been in use since the 1600's, which would mean it was in circulation even when apprenticing and specialization was a lifestyle for many. "Jack of all trades" was supposed to be a complement at first, noting an individual's knowledge that spanned many areas and abilities to match. However, then the clause "master of none" was added to the phrase, and in this context being a generalist ceases to be anything desirable, since it's implied that the generalist's skills and knowledge are but superficial. Currently, whether being a Jack of all trades is a complement depends entirely on the context and the implication the speaker provides.

Today, I'm tempted to say that society on the whole values specialists more than generalists (I'm not referring to doctors here, by the way--that's a whole different kettle of fish). If one goes the liberal arts route, there is something to be said for the emphasis on the holistic that those colleges and their curricula embody. The idea there is to sample from a variety of subjects to the extent possible, while still maintaining a focus on a particular area, that being one's major. So even at a liberal arts school there's a bit of the push-pull between being a specialist and generalist.

If one is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go to college and graduate, there are then the societal pressures to go back to school almost as soon as the cap has been thrown in the air and the gown cast aside. Nowadays there are many reasons to go back to school. You may have a particular passion for a subject area and wish to study it much more in-depth. Entering future jobs at a higher pay grade doesn't hurt at all, does it? Maybe you don't know exactly what you want to do, so grad school seems like a way to stave off impending decision making. Your family may be exerting pressure on you to get a higher degree, and you decide to go that route. Perhaps you've hit a ceiling at your current job because it requires an additional level of expertise that requires further education.

Clearly there are better reasons and worse reasons to go back to school and specialize in a particular area. But what about those who don't feel the need to specialize--those who are curious about many things and shoot for a wider breadth of knowledge, even if they aren't "experts" in any of them? I wonder if this is something that society still champions. I have to admit that I don't see much emphasis on this professional style, but I do see the value in being a Jack of all trades.

The Art of Resume Writing

Having rewritten my CV a few times over, I lent what little expertise I have to my husband to help him revamp his resume as he prepares to enter the job market once again. And then it hit me--the true essence of crafting a CV. Resume writing: "How to Toot Your Own Horn without Being Ridiculously Obvious About It."

Resumes are humorous to me. Useful, clearly, but also humorous. Of course prospective employers want to know all about my fabulous skills, experiences, awards, degrees, blah blah blah. In Latin America, it's even customary to put a personal objective and colorful, positive adjectives that describe you. Obviously resumes are necessary in this day in age, and it's reasonable to expect that they be accompanied by an interview--after all, CVs are just a piece of paper. Still, sometimes I can't help feeling like resumes are a bit of a joke. Who wouldn't paint a stunning picture of themselves on their CV (while still sticking to the truth, of course)? One CV I came in contact with for some research I was doing was a whopping 62 pages! That's academia for ya. Some people don't even bother adhering to their actual work experience, although I don't happen to know any of those people personally.

While a CV will certainly highlight skills that one has developed over time, or critical work experience for a particular position, who's to say that the person produces quality work? Will they work well with the rest of their coworkers? What idiosyncrasies do they possess? What "weaknesses" will hold them back in their day-to-day activities and overall productivity?

While it's ever so fun to focus on everyone's positive qualities that they bring to the table, it's often essential to understand people's weaker points or areas that need improvement to identify a truly strong candidate for a job and a particular work environment. This is where interviews do come in handy, admittedly, but let's keep in mind that those are only a total of a couple of hours at most, even if there are multiple rounds of interviews. I suppose first impressions, instincts, vibes, and the like come into play here, in addition to how the job candidate performed overall in the interview. I recall that in my job interview for my current position, the HR worker interviewing me did ask me directly to name a few of my strengths and weaknesses. Even that's a mind game--you have to avoid the "I work too hard" suck-up weaknesses, as well as the other extreme of admitting the "I'm impatient and make tons careless mistakes" or the "I drink on the job" types of glaring flaws.

In the end, resumes will continue to be a collection of everyone's best qualities and every single skill ever cultivated in the teeniest tiniest way, and I will continue to snicker at all of us singing our own praise. Hey, maybe we even deserve it!