A Thought a Day (Lets the Mind Out to Play)

Interesting Headlines of the Day

2010-09-07T21:48:00.006-04:00

"Dwarf galaxies gobbled by their giant neighbors"

"Church defiant over Koran burning"

"US college offers zombie studies"

Headline I'm waiting to see: "Defiant Koran-burning churchgoers disappear after being converted into living dead by overworked, fatigued college students-- hungry neighboring galaxy declines to comment"

And because I can't help myself, click here.

I Spy with My Little Eye

2010-09-07T21:37:00.004-04:00

If you walk around your house in your underwear with the blinds open, who's the weirdo: your neighbor(s) for looking at you or you for walking around in your unmentionables? Can a Peeping Tom really be considered to be peeping if you openly prance about in your undies? Is a Peeping Tom creepy because "peeping" sort of rhymes with "creeping"? Which Tom was first caught peeping, and how did he feel about his name being attached to such ignominious behavior?

Twice the Work and Half the Fun

2010-09-07T21:05:00.006-04:00

Today I couldn't help thinking how sometimes technology complicates things way more than it simplifies them. Between converting Word documents to PDF files, checking if all the hyperlinks work in each document type, realizing they don't all function properly, discovering that they work on my colleague's computer but not on mine, trying to edit said document and finding that the same options don't even appear on my Adobe Acrobat toolbar because I wasn't the document's original creator (who must have been either my colleague or Satan), trying to delete images from the pre-formatted PDF document without the page numbers and footers disappearing--well, by golly there must be an easier way to do the simple task of making sure all the hyperlinks work in a document. It's no surprise that a handful of hours got sucked into doing a measly assignment that should really only take 30-60 minutes max.

Unfortunately I can't blame all of this on my computer. After all, I can be admittedly inept at times and not realize there's a handy shortcut until after the fact. But still, links that work on one computer but not another? That's just spooky--or at least a pain in the ass. There are days that I jump for joy for having a computer to do all my dirty work, and then there are days where I curse this hunk of metal, silicone and plastic for making my job twice as hard as it needs to be.

What's in the Air?

2010-09-06T21:14:00.003-04:00

Certain types of weather and scenes outside my window are like an open invitation to take a stroll down memory lane. Today it was the bright blue sky, cool breeze filtering through the apartment windows, the bright green leaves dappled by the sun's rays, and the comfort of looking out my window at the idyllic images and knowing it was the weekend. Whatever was in the air today, like certain other days, summoned a nostalgia and remembrance of things past. I'm still not sure why this happens every once in awhile, but it usually has to do with clear days, a certain type of crisp, fresh air, and looking out the window.

A Laugh a Minute (at least!)

2010-09-06T00:14:00.008-04:00

Someone who consistently cracks me up: Joel McHale from the E Channel's The Soup. I'm sure many people could take or leave the E Channel, including most, if not all, of its programming. But I have to say, Joel McHale consistently cracks me up with the delivery of his lines and his off-the-cuff quips, not to mention the nonverbals he weaves in like his silly facial expressions. His timing is also always on the money. That, combined with his sarcasm and quick comedic reflexes, is reminiscent of talents such as Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report. McHale might not quite have reached Colbert's level yet, or it may be that his personality lends itself to a slightly different style of comedy, but either way he delivers a good laugh--and that's what it's all about!

The "Bee-Stung" Look Gone Bad

2010-09-06T00:03:00.004-04:00

Quick question: is there anyone whose look has exponentially benefited from lip injections? From what I can tell it never looks natural, nor does it improve one's physical appeal at all. Breast implants I can understand. Tummy tucks and lipo, okay, I can see why someone would undergo those procedures. Even botox, as damning as the trail of evidence it leaves behind is, can be rationalized. But lip injections? Better get a veil ready because you're going to want to hide those babies until kingdom come!

Chew on this

2010-09-05T23:56:00.003-04:00

What does it mean if you can chomp practically a whole pack of gum in the course of an evening? Most likely that your gum loses flavor too fast and that if you keep those kinds of rates up you'll be paying a visit to the dentist in no time with holes in your molars. At least chewing a pack a day is less damaging to your health than smoking a pack a day, so if you're going to do one or the other, chew away!

Word for the Wise

2010-09-05T23:27:00.002-04:00

Value what you have rather than longing for what you don't. Sounds simple, but is it really so easy to put into practice when many of our societies tell us differently? Looking at things from a distance, it's comical to think about all the products, services, and ideas that are pushed on us as various stakeholders attempt to convince us that their product will bring us one step closer to being a completely fulfilled, enlightened, sublimely happy individual. It's certainly easier to scan a credit card than to do the heavy spiritual lifting of being content with what one has and what one is--that can be pretty hard work--but it goes without saying that the payoff of the latter is much greater. Now that my PSA is almost over, I'll end this thought with a final question: how many times a day do your thoughts turn to a material thing that you don't currently have but would like to own at some point? It's hard to attend to every single thought in the course of a day, but maybe for one afternoon I'll try and count the number. Whatever it may be, with more practice and increased awareness I hope to lower it and enjoy what I already have in my life to the fullest.

First Impressions

2010-09-05T22:55:00.004-04:00

It's hard to know what to make of first impressions. First of all, they're often based primarily on appearance, which is problematic because appearances can be extremely misleading, especially if you're basing someone's entire personality and quality of character on how they look. On the other hand, sometimes a first impression is all you get, so it's logical that people will assume things quickly about you, even if their evaluations are based on a cursory amount of information or interaction. What's so fascinating are the times when I've completely written off people based on my first impressions of them, and after getting to know them I realized what great people they are. I'm sure that experience resonates with many other people out there. The question is, how often are first impressions correct, or at least pretty close to the mark?

Moral of the story? Do your best to make a first impression, but don't beat yourself up if others don't see the real you after a brief encounter. It's also wise to remember that even if you're not initially enamored with someone after meeting them, at least give them a second chance. It's helpful to have additional evidence before deciding what you think someone is really like.

The Basement

2010-09-05T22:14:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I went shopping in the basement--Filene's basement, that is. After a fairly long shopping hiatus, especially for someone who thoroughly enjoys the acquisition of new clothes, it was a treat to rediscover The Basement, as I like to call it (because frankly, "Filene" is a rather odd name). It seems like there's always a sale going on and there's an abundance of items that not only fit well but they cost way less than they would elsewhere. I hate to sound like I'm endorsing Filene's (let's recall, I'm not earning a dime from this post), but as someone who loves shopping but doesn't necessarily do it all that often, it's nice to find a place that has what you're looking for and doesn't completely wreak havoc on your bank account.

The "Hello" Game

2010-09-05T22:09:00.003-04:00

Today I played a little game: while walking down a narrow corridor at my government office, how many people will make eye contact with me, and better yet, smile or say "hello"?

Out of three people I passed, one made eye contact and said hi--a whopping 33.3%. I'm going to play again next week to try and get a bigger sample size and perhaps some more compelling results.

Too Much Effort, or Not Enough?

2010-08-29T14:00:00.005-04:00

I've heard people talk about multiple different ways to bring about a desired result in your life. Some folks say that the way to attract things is by maintaining a relaxed state of mind and not searching too hard for what it is you want to happen. It's reverse psychology of sorts--when you try too hard, you're not relaxed, you force things to occur in an unnatural way, and as a result things don't flow correctly. Relax yourself, don't look too hard, and what you want will come your way.

Others recommend the exact opposite approach: think about what you want constantly and invoke the law of attraction, thereby sending out energy and signals into the universe calling what it is you want to you. Perhaps most often espoused is the blood, sweat and tears strategy--simple hard work to bring what you wish for most into your life.

So I have to ask, which is the best way to get what you want out of your life? Stay relaxed? Great idea. Think about what you want and attract it into your life? Why not? Work your tail off to get where you want to go? Absolutely. I can see value in any of the three strategies, both separately and in tandem, and I'm sure there are even more options than just those named here. The question also becomes when to use which strategy. This is definitely something to ponder, but I have a feeling the best option is a "combo approach": focus on what the object of desire is, put forth effort and energy to reach that goal, and always maintain an inner peace and equilibrium, which may even be the most important factor by a slight edge.

New Favorite Phrase

2010-08-29T13:48:00.002-04:00

New favorite phrase for the moment: "It is what it is."

You can't control everything, and to not accept that which is out of your control is to create your own suffering. Instead, recognize the state of things in the present moment, accept it, and move on.

Lazy Last Days of Summer

2010-08-29T12:56:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite seasonal transitions is the gradual shift from summer to autumn, from the lazy, lingering warmth to crisp, cool weather partnered with an array of bright colors. The close of summer is reminiscent of the final nail in the coffin of vacation, even as one grows older and is no longer in school. The last few days of summer almost resemble a call for sloth and lassitude--enjoyment of slow activity, quiet moments, and ignoring of "To Do" lists.

After hibernating in air-conditioned quarters for what seems like an eternity but which in reality is only a summer, autumn's refreshing mixture of warmth and chill is welcome and strangely both soothing and invigorating. One can comfortably wander outdoors with arms covered or bare and marvel at Nature's art show on display and crunchy, crackly auditory accompaniments. Sandwiched between two seasons of extreme temperatures, autumn carries with it an inexplicable energy and mystique equaled by no other time of year.

The Most Powerful Card on Earth?

2010-08-29T12:06:00.004-04:00

If knowledge is power, a library card is the most valuable tool in the quest for a powerful mind.

This idea reminds me of a line from Good Will Hunting, in which Matt Damon's character Will is a brilliant, but impoverished, kid from Southie in Boston. After a heated discussion with a Harvard grad student in a bar, in which the student quotes a text and tries to pass it off as his own original thought, Will calls him out on the plagiarism and states:

"See, the sad thing about a guy like you is, in 50 years you're gonna start doin' some thinkin' on your own and you're going to come up with the fact that there are two certainties in life: one, don't do that, and two, you dropped 150 grand on a f***in' education you could have got for a dollar fifty in late charges at the public library."

Nutrition Tips That Make Me Laugh

2010-08-29T11:59:00.004-04:00

Nutritional tips that don't quite add up: replace sweets and candy with nuts. Don't get me wrong, nuts are fabulous and excellent for maintaining a healthy diet. But here's a newsflash: nuts are not sweet, nor are they a satisfying substitute for sweets. Fruit, maybe. But a fruit, no matter how hard it tries, will never successfully imitate a nice, delicious square of chocolate. My nutritional tip? Everything in moderation. = )

Back to the Basics

2010-08-29T11:27:00.003-04:00

Talk about a trip down memory lane--this morning I discovered my old textbooks from my very first Spanish courses in college. As I thumbed through the colorful pages filled to the brim with words, structures, stories and pictures, I realized what a journey I've taken in learning the language and becoming immersed in it. The process of learning a language is interesting because it's so fluid and can be approached in such a variety of ways. For example, textbooks are helpful because they present vocabulary, expressions, and explain grammatical structures so that a student can better understand why the language behaves as it does. On the other hand, being immersed in a culture and learning the language through active listening and talking is essential. One can capture a language in leaps and bounds through living it, and many aspects of grammar and expressions are absorbed unconsciously as the ear becomes more attuned to what sounds "correct" and "not quite right". In reviewing my texts this morning it became clear that while my abilities reached unforeseen levels while living abroad, texts and formal classes set the stage for more advanced language learning and provide a physical, conceptual reference that can serve a student of language for the rest of their life.

Musical Moods

2010-08-25T21:58:00.004-04:00

What kind of music makes me feel increasingly intelligent just by listening to it? Classical music. What kind of music makes me want to get up and kick someone's ass? Hard rock. What kind of music makes me want to relax or dance with my man? Jazz. What kind of music makes me want to shake my butt? Reggaeton. What kind of music makes me want to drive, do exercise, dance alone, or just even nod my head to the beat? Hiphop. What kind of music makes me want to take a road trip? Classic rock. What kind of music makes me want to have a cookout, lie in a field, or go out on the backroads? Country music. What kind of music makes me want to grab a partner and tear up the dance floor with lots of "hippy" moves? Salsa, merengue, or bachata. What kind of music makes me want to get up and move my body, no matter how ridiculous I may look? Techno.

What am I listening to right now? I'll give you a hint--I feel as though my brain is expanding by the moment...

How do these types of music make you feel?

Three Plus is a Crowd

2010-08-25T21:40:00.003-04:00

There's a reason someone came up with the phrase "Three's a crowd"--possibly because, well, it can be. I've never been able to wrap my head--or tastes, perhaps--around certain practices when it comes to getting together with friends. When I think of comfortable reunions with friends or small gatherings, I tend to envision hanging out, maybe over coffee, with my friend to chat and catch up one on one. If a few of us decide to hang out, thhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4672213590103447155at's also fine, as long as those involved already know each other, and preferably if we all share established friendships. What I can't seem to get are those friends of mine who, when they bounce into town for a quick visit before jetting off to wherever they're living, try to reunite every possible friend in their address book that still lives in the area. Mind you, that's super convenient because you're hitting about ten birds with one stone, but it can result in a gathering that's terribly awkward and what's even worse--boring as all hell.

One particular friend of mine has an awful habit of doing this. She's friends with many people and does a fairly good job of keeping in touch with all of them. Of this group, however, none of us are in contact with each other, and I think we're just fine with that. So, when my friend decided to do a coffee outing with 8-10 of her random assortment of friends, it ended up being quite a dull event in which everyone vied for her attention and then turned to rely on whomever they came with for idle chatter while my friend was occupied with others in the group. Now, if this were a party setting, perhaps it would be slightly more acceptable to be thrown in with a bunch of strangers, since sometimes that's what a party is all about. But when I think of coffee talk, I don't think of lumping all my friends together in one place so I can claim I saw and talked to all of them, almost reminiscent of a speed dating event.

Different strokes for different folks, I suppose, is the only conclusion that comes to mind when trying to understand why my friend's style and my own are so different. And by different strokes for different folks, I mean our personalities and styles are completely different--and you know what? That's just fine by me.

Multicultural Relationships

2010-08-22T23:43:00.005-04:00

What's nice about having a significant other who shares your cultural background? A sense of understanding and commonality when it comes to certain topics, like religion, customs, child-rearing philosophies, gender roles, and ease of communication. What's great about being with someone from a different culture? Constant discovery about different ways of thinking and being, which can keep things interesting and "spicy." Working together to overcome cultural differences of opinion or flaws in the lines of communication can also prove good practice at resolving issues in general, while for other multicultural couples it may sink them before they have a chance of floating ahead towards the horizon of marital bliss.

One thing is certain: no matter what cultures people come from and regardless of whether their backgrounds are the same or radically divergent, trust, respect and open communication are the cornerstones of a marriage that has a chance of going anywhere.

Kindles vs. Paperbacks

2010-08-22T23:22:00.004-04:00

With the ever-present push for new gadgets and evolution toward increasingly electronic-driven lifestyles, one of the latest trends to emerge on the scene is the Amazon Kindle. The Kindle (which until some time I was confusing with "kindling" and wondering why that was supposed to be a catchy branding move), as I understand it, is a device that allows you to download books and read them in digital format. One thing that's really a plus about this product is that it's environmentally friendly. No trees are sacrificed as you leaf through the pages on the Kindle's screen. At the same time, there's something so comforting and pleasing about the tangible feel of a paperback or hardcover book. Every person has a different relationship with his or her books, but I love the feel, the weight, of a book in my hands. I relish underlining passages that speak to me or seem memorable, or scrawling notes in the margin about ideas or themes as they come to me while reading. Can you fold down the corners of a page on a Kindle? Doubtful, although they'll probably come up with an application for that at some point.

There are many reasons to buy a Kindle. In the long run, it may even be cheaper than continuing to buy books in print-version. Will the paperback become obsolete someday? For nature's sake, that could be a good thing. For society? I'm not sure yet.

MLS!

2010-08-22T22:58:00.004-04:00

Today my husband, my father and I went to our first MLS soccer game and we were ready to cheer on the home team through rain, shine, and intense humidity. And you know what? It must have worked because we won! Even though the stadium wasn't full, it was a blast seeing our team up close and personal, not to mention a couple fantastic goals! Definitely a weekend to remember.

The Ex Factor

2010-08-22T22:31:00.002-04:00

How many people keep in touch with their exes, and for what reasons? Is it possible to have a platonic relationship with someone you've shared, in many cases, deep romantic and intimate experiences with? How often do people keep in contact with their ex because they hope to rekindle their relationship later on in the future, or in other cases, because they simply can't let go? How many folks just plain cut all their exes off for good? How many people don't keep in touch with their exes because their current significant others don't approve?

Caso Cerrado and Locked Up Abroad

2010-08-22T11:38:00.005-04:00

Latest shows that have us hooked: Caso Cerrado on Telemundo and Locked Up Abroad on NatGeo. Caso Cerrado is like Judge Judy but 1,000 times better and with a whole lot of Latin flavor. There are all kinds of cases, not the typical Joe Schmoe looking for some monetary remuneration, a la Judge Judy. Plus, it's a good opportunity for me to practice listening to all kinds of different accents in Spanish (although the majority seem to be Cuban since the show is filmed in Miami). Also worthy of compliment: Ana Maria Polo, who presides over the cases, is a serious card and a ton of fun to watch. She's sensitive, very charismatic, takes no BS, incorporates thought-provoking quotes by famous people, and clearly tries to make people reflect on problems that can occur in daily life and how to be a better person. Plus, she's got a great psychologist on staff that she brings in to shed some light on the psychological aspects of the cases.

Locked Up Abroad details the stories of different individuals, usually somehow involved in the drug trade or inadvertently captured by guerrillas, who end up being imprisoned abroad, as the title suggests. It's definitely a show to mix with other types of programming because the storylines can begin to blur together and seem repetitive, but all in all, a good watch.

The Last Little Things of Summer 2010

2010-08-20T23:38:00.006-04:00

Part of living in the moment requires appreciating both the big, exciting events and even the most minute details and seemingly mundane details of daily life. Here are a few of end-of-summer "little things":

The tantalizing prospect of an invaluable career-shaping experience. A surprise guitar, serenades, and sing-alongs. A happy birthday boy. A rich and flavorful caesar salad that breaks the "same old caesar" mold. Reconnecting with an old friend. Lazing around in bed in the middle of the week. Welcoming a new officemate and being a mentor.

Jane Eyre

2010-08-20T23:07:00.003-04:00

Recently finished Jane Eyre. Loved C. Bronte's writing style and descriptions of nature and physical environments. Great character development and a strong protagonist in Jane. Intriguing plot twists and solid storytelling throughout the novel. The only drawback? A sappily romantic conclusion, and a random and unfulfilling final page heavily laced with religious overtones.

All in all? An entertaining read with descriptions that stimulate the recesses of the mind, relatable characters, a compelling plot, and carefully crafted language capable of transporting readers to a romantic 19th-century England.

Living in the Moment

2010-08-20T22:48:00.006-04:00

Are we a product-oriented rather than process-oriented culture? What is the value of rushing to finish something if you don't allow yourself to enjoy the process? Why stare at the finish line with anticipation and baited breath while missing the entire voyage that transports you to that culmination of activity? One of the principal teachings of clinical psychology involves living in the moment--being truly "present" in the present. Sure, it's easy to say, "Yeah, yeah, enjoy the present. Got it. I'm on it." It's another thing to actually center your mind and call it back when it begins to wander into the realms of past and future thoughts and preoccupations. Think about how many times a day your mind centers on, or even briefly contemplates, notions of the future or remembrances belonging to the past. It's important not to fight one's own mind, but rather accept the present thought, and gently summon the mind back to the moment being experienced. After all, what is a life but a vast collection of moments in time?

Sick-o

2010-08-20T22:38:00.006-04:00

How does one garner positive, healing energy while physically sick or "under the weather"? How can one dominate the physical discomfort, or agony in some cases, of sickness in order to cultivate the energy, attitudes, and feelings that will pave the way to recovery and health? Do an individual's strategies differ if one is dealing with a passing malady, like a cold, versus a potentially fatal disease? Can one utilize similar tactics and summon the same types of energy to conquer mental infirmities and emotional disturbances?

Yes We Can

2010-08-20T22:17:00.004-04:00

It can be overwhelming to tackle paperwork, the legal system, and the government's convoluted instructions all by oneself. However, add some sound legal advice, a nimble mind, hard work, patience, and a positive attitude to the mix, and it becomes clear that one can tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges with successful results. My husband and I discovered this after sweating and stressing over assembling my husband's immigration application without hiring a lawyer to lighten our load (and wallets). Lo and behold, after seven months of painstakingly filling out forms, translating documents, preparing for the interview, and responding to requests for additional documents, my husband became a permanent resident. For anyone who's not familiar with the immigration process, seven months is like a heartbeat in the body of the Department of Homeland Security. During those months, we had questioned ourselves multiple times whether we wouldn't have saved ourselves a lot of trouble by just having a lawyer take care of the whole process (a process, I might add, that costs approximately $1500 without an attorney and $3500 with a lawyer's assistance). Now, it feels great knowing that we were--and are--capable of clearing some of life's biggest and most important hurdles when we're confronted by them face to face.

Inspiration

2010-08-15T22:38:00.003-04:00

One thing that inspires people in a given field is the admiration produced by the work of colleagues in that very field. I don't consider myself a full-fledged writer quite yet, but I see myself with the drive and desire to go that route, which is why I took great pleasure this weekend in reading the work of a peer and good friend of mine. Her name is Morgan Smith and she writes for the Texas Tribune. Now, I may not be an expert in Texas politics or jurisprudence, but I know good writing when I see it, and in Morgan's case it's excellent! I encourage anyone interested in politics, law, Texas, or just plain well-written articles to check out Morgan's work.

How many hours of sleep do you need?

2010-08-15T22:20:00.004-04:00

Most assessments of sleep in mainstream media spit out the same result, more or less: the average person requires an average of 8 hours of sleep a night for optimal daily functioning. What's interesting is that there's definitely a range of necessity when it comes to sleep--some people are up and at 'em after as little as 4-5 hours, while others are more akin to young Frankenstein if they don't get their full 7-9 hours of beauty rest. I'm very much part of the latter group, but I've known and read about members of the former, and while it never ceases to impress me, I sometimes wonder if there are long-term adverse effects to not sleeping a certain amount on a regular basis.

I've heard multiple times that lack of sleep cannot kill you per se. However, not sleeping or resting enough can without question take a major physical toll on the body and the mind. Navy seals who go through Hell Week (the final week of testing that challenges physical and mental endurance to extreme limits) without a night's sleep end up hallucinating at the week's close. My cousin, who would go for days at a time without sleep during her fashion studies at Parsons, found herself seeing things and talking to herself on the New York subway--somehow I have a feeling no one looked at her twice, but still, it's not something to aspire to. In addition, I can't help wondering whether not sleeping enough is related to more chronic, long-term immune system problems or vulnerability to disease over time.

Lack of sleep undoubtedly affects memory, as anyone who's had a terrible night or week's sleep can attest to when trying to recollect information or think quickly on their feet. I've also read that memory conversion and storage occurs during sleep and is possibly related to dreaming, so if one cannot sleep, one cannot back up their files onto their mental hard drive.

One thing is needing lots of sleep, another is whether you actually get the sleep you need. I may need 8 or 9 hours to function at my very best, but sometimes I only get 6 or 7 and I manage to squeeze by with what I've got. What one needs is not necessarily what one gets. However, it's important to know yourself, your body's requirements, and what makes you feel best in order to do just that--feel your best!

Public Restrooms in Private Places

2010-08-10T21:55:00.004-04:00

Is it normal to have "public style" restrooms with multiple stalls at places of work? Obviously it's cheaper to have one bathroom with a couple stalls than numerous private single bathrooms. Here's the key difference: in a truly public restaurant bathroom, for example, you're not going to see the people you're doing your business next to ever again. At work? They probably sit in the office next to you, down the hall, etc. I hadn't given it much thought before, but today it suddenly struck me as somewhat awkward--maybe it even ranks up there with the stalls that have wide enough spaces between the door and wall to have a face-to-face conversation with the people by the sinks...

Musings and "Little Things" from the Beach

2010-08-09T22:39:00.003-04:00

Things I could do without when at the beach:

SUVs and trucks barreling down the beach. Family drama. Being woken up at 7 AM by chattering and shrieking after going to sleep at 12 or 1 AM. Immaturity. Sand in my sandals, in my clothes, in the house, and pretty much everywhere else. Bugs everywhere, especially in the pool. Fishing, even if it was catch-and-release.

Little (and not so little) things I enjoyed during our trip to the beach:

Watching sand pipers scuttle away from the water. Iridescent sea foam shimmering in the sunlight. The constant murmurings of the sea. Feeling the power of the ocean and its currents which pulled us away from where we were standing. Thunderstorms at night. Family games, like "Loaded Question" and movie trivia. Messages in the sand, and mussing them up. Mouth-watering meals, including gazpacho, varied salads, exotic rice and beans, baked potatoes, and savory marinated portobello mushrooms (and did I mention gooey brownies, fresh fruit, rich cakes, ice cream sundaes, platters of cookies, and cream puffs with chocolate sauce and raspberries). Watching The Daily Show with uncles and aunts. Photography. A sweet doggy companion named Jojo. Windblown dunes. Wild horses an arm's length away. Conversations and laughter with family not seen in years. Breathtaking sunsets filled with pinks, oranges, blues, and a perfectly spherical, dazzling crimson sun descending upon the horizon. Walks on the beach with my other half. Rich glasses of wine. Heart-to-hearts. Lots of love.

Art in the Home

2010-08-09T22:32:00.003-04:00

Art has the power to completely transform a home, bringing drab walls to life and filling space with thought and creativity. Even better than filling your place with beautiful or avant garde pieces? Decorating your home with art made by someone you know and love.

Technology Abounds on the Escalator

2010-08-09T21:49:00.006-04:00

A few days ago while ascending an escalator (and by "ascending" I mean letting the escalator do all the heavy lifting), a succession of three people passed by on the escalator next to mine. What caught my eye was that all three were completely absorbed by some type of technological device during their short journey past me. This will not come as a shock to anyone, nor does it even come as a surprise to me. At the same time there was something deeply unsettling about what confronted my eyes on that particular morning--something I still haven't been able to shake.

On a daily basis I witness many of the following activities: people commuting with their I-Pods, sipping coffee and basking in the soft glow of a laptop screen, texting while driving, in the bathroom, or during intimate social moments, or carrying on loud and fantastically dull one-way conversations via their cell phones. At least in my town (which is more of a metropolis), I doubt I could go for five minutes without seeing someone interacting with what can most aptly be described as a technological appendage. The unsettling issue doesn't seem to be the use of technological devices per se, but rather their overuse, the over-dependence on them many people demonstrate without realization, and the in-your-face usage--so much so that at times it seems like there's no escape from seeing phones, laptops, and I-Pads galore.

Is this modern life as we know it, and do I just need to get used to it? Am I acting like a crotchety elder, shaking my would-be cane at everyone who avails themselves of the conveniences most commercial and portable technology offers? Is joining a remote tribe in the Amazon or Papua New Guinea the only way to escape this juggernaut that is technology, which seems to be steadily claiming ownership of so many of our cultures and so many of our daily thoughts and movements?

I am aware of the irony that I'm using a laptop to create this post, that I own a cell phone, that I text, and so on. As stated in other posts, technology can be wonderful. It can simplify our lives (or complicate them), provide invaluable information and knowledge, save lives, extend the limits of what we're capable of doing, and keep us in contact with others in near or far-off places (isn't it also ironic that it can also distance us from our present surroundings and the people physically present with us?). Lately technology has seemed like such a double-edged sword. Clearly I'm not the first person to recognize this, but sometimes I find myself wondering how to escape technology while still harnessing its advantages and vast benefits.

My Own Worst Enemy

2010-08-09T20:58:00.005-04:00

Prior to two weeks ago, I was trucking along and adhering quite well to the "post a day" concept of this blog. Then the annual OBX trip arrived, which my family takes every year and which doubles as a family reunion for my father's side of the family. With approximately 40 people in one beach house, the fun, games, and catching up fill each and every day to the brim until all of a sudden we find ourselves en route home again. Needless to say, no posts on the blog occurred that week.

Upon returning to work last week, I was greeted by a mountain of work, including the largest problems/"crises" I've encountered since starting at my current job. In other words, last week was full of stress, which is not conducive to sitting down and putting thoughts of any kind onto an online medium--unless it's to share curse-laden status updates on Facebook, which luckily, I just managed to refrain from writing.

Last week was particularly tough, and the experiences at work definitely got me thinking about some important things, including a few items that pertain to my writing here. One realization in particular was that I am sometimes my own worst enemy. This is probably true for many of you out there. In my case, I expect a lot of myself and often push myself hard to achieve specific results that I, not anyone else, set. Sometimes it's difficult to figure out how to deliver work or products that please yourself, those around you, and ideally both.

Another "aha" moment was realizing that I care more about what other people think than I should, frankly. Sometimes others' evaluations of us are useful, as they provide information or observations about ourselves that we potentially wouldn't have access to otherwise. Others' expectations or evaluations of us can also keep us on our toes at times, make us behave well, and expect more of ourselves as well. However, there are many instances where others' evaluations of us should really have no bearing on our self-esteem, especially if you're projecting into the future and anticipating what people will think or say before they've even done so. I've caught myself doing the latter, and it's extremely unproductive and creates unnecessary anxiety. Overall, it shouldn't matter what people think of my clothes, or my job, or my husband's job, or what degree I have (or don't have), or the quality of work that I've done if I've truly put forth my best effort. Realizing that is liberating, although I have a hunch it will take even more practice before I can truly let go of some of those psychological hindrances.

The old me would have felt extremely guilty about missing two weeks of blog writing. The old me would have scrambled to write 3 posts a night every day this week. The old me would have been stressed about one more thing on an already exhaustive list of daily activities to tackle and complete. The old me almost felt all of those things. Almost.

Today I decided to pick back up where I left off two weeks ago and forge ahead without making up the last 14 posts, as this is the best effort I can make while still feeling healthy and happy. The best part: this decision feels just fine--not just fine, but great!--and I don't feel even a twinge of guilt. Life is too short, and I'd like to spend as little time worrying and as much time enjoying it as possible. Managing stress is essential in daily life, since stress can be an acute issue with a variety of negative consequences, and can even convert into a chronic problem with serious effects on one's physical and mental health.

Even though last week sucked, through reflection and talks with family I feel like some important life concepts have surfaced, and for that I'm grateful. There's a reason why so many people say that unpleasant experiences and adverse circumstances "build character": such experiences are seldom "fun," but you sure do learn a lot.

Reuniting with "I Love Lucy"

2010-07-25T01:32:00.003-04:00

After becoming reacquainted with some long lost episodes of I Love Lucy after a long unintentional hiatus, I've come to appreciate Lucille Ball's profound comedic and acting gifts all over again. Her expressions are priceless, her delivery is always on the mark, and she is both hilarious, annoying, endearing and lovable all at once. Perhaps I see aspects of myself in her, as many women and even men probably do, such as her devious grins while hatching a plot, her "bawls" of disappointment or fear of getting chewed out, her sheer determination to see a plan through (no matter how poorly thought out), and her ability to fight and make-up with those closest to her with no hard feelings whatsoever--and that's just scratching the surface.

A few other things I noticed this time around:

-Ricky is actually understandable when he goes on about something in Spanish (I think the problem was I just didn't understand Spanish when I was a child...).
-Sometimes the show contains some gender stereotyping that's to be expected for the time period (such as Lucy being expected to be happy as a stay-at-home mom), whereas often the show breaks with gender stereotypes for the sake of humor and possibly to promote other messages as well (like when Lucy tells Ricky he should spend his hard-earned vacation staying at home with her and taking care of their son, rather than going golfing and living it up with the boys).
-Everyone rags on Ethel for eating so much and maintaining a "fat" appearance when in reality she doesn't look particularly overweight at all by today's standards (or are we now more tolerant of her size because we see such extremes?).
-I wondered how many Latino actors were on a successful prime time show before 1951 (when the show first went on the air), and whether Desi Arnaz helped pave the way for actors of more diverse ethnicities to take center stage on popular shows after I Love Lucy aired.
-The "sleeping in separate beds while married" act still cracks me up.
-All four main characters are fantastic actors--even if the lines or plot lines are cheesy at times, they group still manage to pull of the episodes with style, one of the reasons the show's popularity continues even today.

A Different Kind of Job Interview

2010-07-25T01:20:00.003-04:00

One thing I recently learned: job interviews in the restaurant business are a far cry from most other types of interviews I've witnessed. For my current job, I was interviewed by 6 different people. For a different position I applied for at the same time, they wanted to set up an interview for me with 10 (count 'em) 10 folks. The interviews I've had have always been very formal, requiring appropriate dress, my CV, at least three references, and so on. The interviews also drag on for hours at a time.

The few restaurant industry interviews I've witnessed have been completely different. There's no dress code, if you bring your CV then good on ya but no one will blink twice if you didn't bring one, and the chats with the head kitchen staff take 15 minutes at the most. Most people delve into your background and skill sets, but there's nothing intense or in-depth about the experience from what I can tell (although that probably depends on the position you're applying for). Obviously one needs to present themselves professionally and fit the criteria that the restaurant is looking for. I just recall how shocked I was at the flow, content, and time span of the restaurant interviews I was lucky enough to see because they were so unlike anything I had ever experienced. I kind of like that "badabing badaboom" interviewing style, and although I'll probably never experience that for myself, I can appreciate the simplicity of those meetings and the quick eye people must have to be able to size up a candidate in such a small amount of time.

Indecent Proposal

2010-07-25T01:09:00.005-04:00

Why do some people feel the need to subject themselves to public humiliation? In particular, I'm referring to the guys who decide that it would be a super ingenious idea to propose to their girlfriends at some type of sports stadium. The first time, people probably thought, "Hey! What an original and romantic guy!" Hopefully the gal said yes, which often helps. However, now it's such a cliched way of proposing to someone, thousands of pairs of eyes are on you, you're probably also on national television, so what's to actually like about that kind of proposal?

You can't help feeling bad for the poor schmoes who muster every single ounce of courage to put their dignity on the line in front of a packed crowd, only to be totally rejected and their pride stomped on for the world to see by the would-be fiancee. I have to say, on the one hand, they guy is kind of asking for it with such an inopportune proposal setting. On the other hand, flat-out rejection is never easy to watch if you have any shred of empathy for other people.

Take that as a lesson guys--if there are lots of sweaty men running around trying to score points of some kind, it's probably not the right time to pop the question.

Cougars and Dirty Old Men

2010-07-21T00:52:00.005-04:00

In your opinion, what is an "acceptable" age difference in a romantic relationship? Obviously, the priority is that the two individuals love each other and get along, but it's hard not to take note of how old each person is, especially if the difference is a marked one. Could you date someone twice your age? How about half your age? Does your answer to that depend on if you're male or female?

In an age when "cougars" (women who date younger men) are on the rise but still viewed with a hardened societal gaze, it's clear that gender norms have not evened out in this respect yet. Older men are still often seen as sophisticated, aged but in the sense of a fine wine, not a nasty cheese. Women in an older age bracket fall into the cheese category, not necessarily the Merlot. Much of women's sex appeal is tied to age and youth, unfortunate as that is since the fact of the matter is everyone gets older, and there's not a botox needle or liposuction tube that can stop that.

Thinking about my personal experiences, I seldom dated people who weren't my age, and the largest age difference is in my current relationship (a four-and-a-half-year difference). Dating someone younger was always out of the question because of maturity issues, and dating someone above that 5-year threshold would have just given me the creeps, I think. There's a reason why Oedipal complexes resonate with psychoanalysts even to this day, and it's easy to see how large age differences in romantic relationships could trigger that. Be that as it may, there are many people who enjoy a sizable age difference with their partner, and it bothers them not one whit. In fact, it works just dandy for them.

Obviously there's a lot more going on in a relationship than one's age, but age differences can certainly impact common interests and activities, as well as basic comfort levels within the relationship. At the end of the day, age is extremely relative, and it's best to keep that in mind when confronted with relationships that may seem strange age-wise at first glance--what makes a relationship tick is not on the surface and can't be spelled out in numbers.

Gender Roles and Pacifiers

2010-07-21T00:25:00.004-04:00

One of my coworkers deserves credit for taking what one might consider "gender role risks" in the eyes of today's society. She has a one-year-old son, and in addition to his "normal" boy toys, clothes, etc., she has bought him girls' clothes, a pink pacifier, she keeps his curls long, and she lets him play with dolls. Her family is (not surprisingly) more traditional in terms of their idea of what a male child should wear and play with, but that hasn't phased my friend so far, something for which I admire her.

After discussing her decisions and gender role formation, we agreed on a few points: number one, babies aren't attuned to fashion and don't know what they're wearing or drinking out of, nor do they particularly care what color it happens to be. Number two, female children seem to have a bit more leeway when it comes to what toys they can play with. No one would necessarily think twice about a little girl playing with some cars, although it could potentially turn some heads, but see a boy playing with a Barbie and all hell breaks loose. Number three, it appears that at least some and perhaps the majority of fears related to babies or children breaking with gender role norms stems from a fear of homosexuality. Until more research is produced that confirms that playing with dolls and the color pink don't correlate with femininity or homosexuality, we'll most likely still see discomfort with children straying from society's deeply ingrained gender roles, even at a very young age.

Deja Vu

2010-07-21T00:00:00.004-04:00

"Already seen." Why does deja vu occur? What purpose does it serve? If something seems familiar, and yet you're sure that you've never seen it or done it before, did you experience it in a previous life? Did you experience it and somehow forget? Did you truly never experience it?

I took to Wikipedia and found an explanation that fits with my instincts about deja vu:

"Scientifically speaking, the most likely explanation of déjà vu is not that it is an act of "precognition" or "prophecy," but rather that it is an anomaly of memory, giving the impression that an experience is "being recalled." This explanation is substantiated by the fact that the sense of "recollection" at the time is strong in most cases, but that the circumstances of the "previous" experience (when, where, and how the earlier experience occurred) are quite uncertain. Likewise, as time passes, subjects can exhibit a strong recollection of having the "unsettling" experience of déjà vu itself, but little or no recollection of the specifics of the event(s) or circumstance(s) they were "remembering" when they had the déjà vu experience. In particular, this may result from an overlap between the neurological systems responsible for short-term memory (events which are perceived as being in the present) and those responsible for long-term memory (events which are perceived as being in the past). The events would be stored into memory before the conscious part of the brain even receives the information and processes it."

Even though this explanation seems spot on and perfectly logical, it's still fun to consider the possibility of previous lives and remembering experiences from past lifetimes in this current one we're living right now. Who knows?

Creak Creak

2010-07-20T23:37:00.003-04:00

Today the floor of our apartment seems creakier than usual. Before I could prowl around like a silent predator without making a peep, and now I can't even tiptoe without advertising my position. It's almost as if someone snuck into the apartment and is playing mind games with me (like in the movie Amelie when she goes into the grocer's apartment and changes the doorknobs, lightbulbs, slippers, toothpaste, and so on until the grocer goes slowly insane).

Either my mind is playing tricks on me or very soon I'm going to be paying a visit to our downstairs neighbors via a hole in our floor...

The Gift of Gab

2010-07-19T21:31:00.003-04:00

Today I was prepared to be an irate customer. I was woken up at 7 AM by the sound of our power going out...again. This happened one week ago, and has occurred pretty much like clockwork at least once a month, sometimes more. As I groggily dialed our provider's phone number and was waiting on hold, I thought back to the rather unfriendly customer service rep I had spoken to a week earlier who had instructed me to call back during regular hours and speak to a supervisor for more information on our frequent blackout situation. Boy, was I ready for a spat.

Imagine my surprise (and delight) when a cheery voice greeted me on the other end of the line. I grouchily asked right away to speak to a supervisor, as I had been directed to do. I was told in an even friendlier tone than before that Ms. Cheery Voice would be more than happy to handle my issue herself. Even after a few moments, I could tell that this person was in no way like the Crabby Appleton I had spoken to on the phone the previous weekend. Within minutes I was like putty in her hands. Not only did she register our complaint and forward it for further investigation (with a confirmation number and all), she turned what could have been a dreary start to the day into a pleasant beginning. We even discussed our weekends to fill the silence as she was filling in the form.

I like having these experiences because they remind me that there are clearly still people out there who appreciate good customer service and know exactly how to deliver it.

The Easy Way

2010-07-19T21:14:00.003-04:00

Does taking the easy way always signify taking a shortcut or missing out on quality of experience? Often, when I think of doing things "the easy way," it's usually indicative of cutting corners, being lazy, or trying to get ahead fast without putting in the real character-building grunt work. Are there ever any instances where taking the easy road gets you where you need to go without sacrificing quality?

Taking the easy way does imply that there is less work involved, which evokes a sense of "cheating." For example, the easy way to an A on an exam would be to copy your neighbor's test. The more arduous, but fulfilling, road would require studying, memorizing, and a certain unquantifiable amount of effort (straining your neck to look at someone's answers does not qualify as effort, by the way). Thus, one benefits greatly in terms of knowledge and life experience when he or she puts in the longer hours and larger amounts of effort in order to reach a particular goal.

In other posts, I've established the concept that time is a precious commodity and one not to be wasted in a trivial fashion, so shouldn't we sometimes strive for a simpler way of doing things to capitalize on our time? For example, if I use Turbo Tax to calculate my taxes rather than duking it out with the paper versions, does that necessarily mean that I've missed out on a formative experience that will teach me valuable lessons? Doubtful. Anyone that wants to spend more time cuddling up to their taxes, other than you accountants out there, undoubtedly has a screw loose.

It seems, then, that taking "the easy way" is only detrimental if you're skipping over learning important life skills or trodding on general moral codes, and if you're doing both, you'd better take a closer look in the mirror.

Water Cooler Convos

2010-07-18T23:57:00.003-04:00

Sometimes at my consulting job off-site (outside of my office) I hear the oddest snippets of conversation. One time, while the girl in the office next to me (whose voice carries quite a ways) was less than calmly putting the final touches on her wedding planning, an event that was scheduled for that weekend, I overheard her barking orders multiple times to someone to make sure her strapless bra was in a specific bag of hers. Is it just me, or was it never really appropriate to discuss your underwear loud enough for everyone else at work to hear? I decided things were probably getting down to the wire and Bridezilla was having her moment. I excused that one. But the middle-aged woman (whose voice also carries down the hall) talking about having sex with her husband? I might have to draw the line there. As thrilled as I am for her that she's still getting a piece now and then, I'd rather not have to hear about it. Am I right? Anyone? Bueller?

Sweet Tooth

2010-07-18T23:51:00.003-04:00

Is it weird to feel like a meal isn't complete without something sweet to round it out? Is a lunch or dinner without dessert truly a satisfying course? My inclination is to say no, but there seem to be many out there that don't miss the sweet treat at the end of the meal. I wager it's all psychological, since from an early age dessert was a reward, often the highlight of the meal, the grand finale, the icing on the cake if you will. I know I'd be better off without it, but parting would be such sweet sorrow.

Best Quote in Awhile

2010-07-18T23:46:00.002-04:00

My uncle, pointing to the Whole Foods near where my dad plays softball: "Is that the Whole Foods?"
My dad: "That's a Whole Foods."
My uncle: "A-hole Foods? What do they sell there?"

I'll never look at a Whole Foods (or should I say A-hole Foods) quite the same again...

World Cup Champion: Spain

2010-07-11T19:30:00.003-04:00

Even though I'm not the biggest sports fan in the world, it would be kind of wrong not to dedicate this post to the new World Cup Champion, Spain (my husband would never let me hear the end of it if I didn't). It was a tough game, both in the sense of the level of aggression present on the field (there were 14 yellow cards, if that tells you anything), and also in terms of how enjoyable the play was. There was a lot of pushing, pulling, fouling and so on, which can detract from the game itself and cause a great deal of interruptions to the flow of the game. That being said, it was more than obvious that both teams were giving it their all, and the refereeing was surprisingly good compared to the other ref-related debacles that took place throughout the World Cup. I guess you have to leave it to those that invented the game to call a fair match (i.e. the British). The goal that won the game was a "golazo" as we like to say--in other words, an awesome goal, and at the end of the day, a team that had never won before got to take home the trophy, so what's not to like about that? Congratulations, Spain, you earned it! (I must admit that the best part of sports is the celebratory partying--why can't I be in Spain right now??)

Heart Rate Health Myths

2010-07-11T14:10:00.004-04:00

When I was privileged enough to have a gym membership, I noticed something about some of the cardio machines, like the bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills: according to the different programs you can use on the machine for your workout, many of them indicated that to burn fat, your heart rate needed to plateau at a certain mid-range level. If it passed a certain rate, then you'd be doing cardio, creating muscle, and therefore would not be burning off fat. At least that was the old way of doing workouts. Now (according to my Jillian Michaels ridiculously intense dvd), that belief about maintaining a mid-range heart rate to burn fat "is a dinosaur." According to Ms. Michaels (and I'm inclined to believe her based on how buff she is), kicking up the heart rate to a high level with intense exercise will certainly burn fat, not just produce muscle under a layer of existing fat. Of course, one's diet plays a huge role in all of this. You can't expect to get fit if you're exercising your head off and eating an unbalanced diet. Clearly a combination of a balanced diet, especially rich in fruits and vegetables, and exercise is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle and even get fit in the process.

Odd

2010-07-11T13:38:00.003-04:00

This may be a bit gross but I will proceed anyway: Today I examined a piece of my own skin that was peeling on my foot. After I removed it, I noticed just how intricate and strange it was. It was tough and had a funny texture, like thin plastic. It was slightly transparent, like slightly opaqued plastic wrap. The intricate lines that ran across the flap of skin were beautiful to behold and reminiscent of a fingerprint crossed with the veins of a leaf, giving the skin a manufactured and artistic look nothing akin to its natural origin. What was impressive still was the completely brand new skin that had formed to replace the old skin, serving as a reminder that the body is constantly changing, even if the naked eye doesn't always perceive the alterations and even if we feel that we're still "the same person." Funny how gross little tangents can remind us of bigger and lofty principles. :)

Summer in a Suit

2010-07-11T13:22:00.003-04:00

Today on my way to work I saw two men entering a building in suits--slacks, long-sleeved button-down shirts, suit jackets and all. Unless they drove from their home directly to the office, which would still require some amount of walking outside because there were no underground garages for the building in which they were entering, I really can't comprehend how they didn't collapse from heat stroke right in the doorway. Just walking a few blocks in jeans and a tank top in the scorching sun and humidity-infused air made me want to throw up my hands and melt into a puddle of fluids in the middle of the sidewalk and slowly evaporate away during the course of the inferno-like day. Luckily I made it to my refrigerated office before such a notion took hold of me. Men may revel in how women manage to do certain things, like walk in high heels, get dolled-up, and juggle careers, households, and raising kids, but I'll just never be able to fathom how guys can walk around in summertime ostensibly dressed for the comings of winter.

Blast from the (Educational) TV Past

2010-07-11T12:23:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure why this came to mind, but I started thinking about all the high quality educational programming there used to be for kids when I was a toddler and "spring chicken," and I wonder if today's shows for children are equivalent in content and caliber. My favorite programs included Reading Rainbow, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, Ghostwriter, Sesame Street, and Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. As far as I know, all of these shows except for Sesame Street have been discontinued, although some reruns may be on PBS from time to time. One of the major problems in maintaining these types of shows on the air is, without a doubt, funding.

What would be today's substitute for my beloved shows of yore? From what I've seen, Blue's Clues appears to be a worthy peer. I don't feel I can say the same for Teletubbies or Barney and Friends, two gag reflex-inducing excuses for shows. When I have little kids, I hope that there will be at least a few viable options for them to watch, be entertained, and learn information in a different visual format, and I also hope they'll be able to look back fondly at the educational programming of their childhood as I can.

The Pen is Mightier

2010-07-11T12:03:00.003-04:00

Sometimes it's much more satisfying to write with pen and paper than on the computer. I often feel more connected to what I'm writing and the physical manifestation of the words when I'm scribbling on a pad of paper. It's fulfilling to see the transformation that takes place--concepts and words in the mind's eye that travel across synapses in the brain, down the arm to the hand, transferred to the pen clutched between the fingers, and finally onto the blank page, with signature twists, curls, and shapes that only handwritten words manifest. Writing on a computer is undoubtedly faster and more time-efficient, and I always recognize the words on the screen as my own, but there's no denying the sense of gratification that comes from seeing one's own inimitable words on paper.

Special Needs Animals

2010-07-06T00:04:00.003-04:00

There's something about a three-legged dog that tugs at the heartstrings but that's also oddly inspiring as they run with a cute little bob to compensate for their missing limb. It seems like it's often more difficult for special needs animals, such as those that have had amputations, to get adopted, since they may not be what people had in mind when looking for a "new-used" pet. Still, if I were to adopt a dog, I think I'd go for a three-legged one first. They have a certain spirit about them that's a reminder that a dose of adversity shouldn't get in the way of bouncing back and enjoying the years of life that remain. Clearly humans and other animals have different ways of coping with psychological trauma and stress to the body, but it's wonderful to see when both people and animals are able to overcome those hardships and become whole again.

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-05T23:26:00.003-04:00

It's easy to find fault with anything, even the country where you were born and raised. However, Fourth of July is a great opportunity to reflect on what makes America a wonderful place to live. While my parents, my husband and I were at a Fourth of July party, we went around in a circle saying what we like or love about America. A few of the things we came up with were: freedom of expression; a diverse population comprised of individuals from every corner of the planet; the rich variety of music that American produces; the ability to openly question the political system and system of governance; the range of beautiful environments and scenery from coast to coast.

When you think about America, what do you love about it?

Slumber Parties

2010-07-05T22:27:00.003-04:00

I have many fond memories of childhood sleepovers with friends: snacks and junk food, movies, truth or dare, gossip and boy talk, and staying up late. College was basically one big sleepover, although having friends down the hall isn't exactly the same as all having a slumber party together in the same room. Post-graduation from college, I was afraid the days of sleepovers would be coming to an end. Imagine my surprise when I was invited to three sleepovers this year. One was a girls-only birthday sleepover and two were World Cup-related couples sleepovers. I feel like I'll never be too old for sleepovers, so I'm glad that some of my friends and family feel the same way.

Real Simple

2010-07-05T12:32:00.003-04:00

I was recently introduced to a magazine I had never heard of called Real Simple. I like what I've seen of it so far. It contains creative uses for common household items, time-saving tips, essays and creative writing, a wealth of quick recipes including savory vegetarian dishes, and fashion and beauty tips. One particularly interesting article included 25 ways to boost your energy level, such as eating grapefruit in the morning, doing intervals of intense and moderate exercise, dimming the lights an hour or half hour before going to bed for more restful sleep, and more. So far I liked what this magazine has to offer. My hope is that throughout its issues it doesn't transform into helpful hints for Suzie Homemaker, but for now it seems more helpful than not. Perhaps I'll get a subscription at some point and report back.

Extreme Survival

2010-07-05T11:15:00.004-04:00

There's an interesting show on Animal Planet called "I Shouldn't Be Alive" which details instances of survival in extreme situations in which most people would die. Often, the people featured in each episode survived not only because of their own intellect and instincts but also due to pure luck.

One man ended up in the middle of the ocean off of Costa Rica after inclement weather forced him and his friends to abandon the plane that was taking them out for a skydiving session. What ended up saving him in part was a piece of tree trunk that floated towards him. It allowed him to float, even fall asleep for a period of time, in the middle of the ocean, and overall save at least a little bit of his energy. Otherwise, he might have been dead when he was discovered by passing fisherman. Another interesting aspect of his story was how he flipflopped back and forth between wanting to die and feeling the urge to survive. His first hour in the water, he hoped that a shark would eat him and put him out of his misery. Drowning did not strike his fancy whatsoever. However, afterward he was gripped by an unshakable desire to survive and evade death. Then, after 24 hours in the ocean, severely dehydrated, hallucinating, and lacking even an ounce of energy, he resigned himself once again to his fate. Luckily, it was right then that he was saved by the fisherman. Luck came to his rescue again.

Another woman was a competitive athlete in the area of extreme sports. One day in winter while running in the badlands of Utah, she slipped and fell 20 feet, shattering her pelvis. Even so, she attempted to drag herself out of the canyon using only her forearms, an impossible task to be sure. She made little progress, and she was bleeding internally. She also knew that she could not afford to fall asleep once the sun set, despite extreme fatigue, because she would lose consciousness and die from hypothermia. She managed to stay alive throughout the cold nights that would have otherwise killed her by doing one crunch every five seconds until daylight. Imagine doing about 4,500 crunches with a broken pelvis and internal bleeding, no food and water, and unbearable cold. On top of that, she wasn't even able to urinate, since the urine would freeze in the cold night and also inevitably lead to hypothermia. What eventually saved her? Well, there was no way she was crawling out of the canyon on her forearms. What ended up saving her was a combination of factors: even though she was single and lived alone, her family realized she was missing and alerted the police. They sent out a search and rescue team. Her second saving grace was her dog, who had been her companion since he was a puppy. As she felt her life drawing to a close, her last hope lay in her dog. She begged him to go and find help. It was unclear to her whether he really understood what she was saying, but nonetheless he ran off. Not only did he manage to find his way out of the canyon and to the search party, but he succeeded in attracting their attention with his strange agitated behavior so that they followed him. He led them right to his master, and they saved her just in time.

A third extraordinary story focused on a British ex-soldier who decided to set out alone to climb the highest mountain in Romania. His original goal was to scale it in one day, since he was in peak physical condition. Clearly he didn't expect to fall victim to not one but two avalanches. He managed to avoid the first one without much harm, but the second one caused him to fall quite a great distance. He broke his leg, shattered his pelvis, and was also bleeding internally. Despite his horrific state, he needed to drag himself down the mountain and to the country road at the bottom. He had no food and water, and he couldn't drink the snow--because of its frozen state, it would dangerously lower his body temperature, risking death by hypothermia. Like the woman in Utah, he knew he couldn't risk falling asleep either, since his body would take over and he would lose consciousness. He made himself stay awake thinking about anything and everything, but mostly his family. During the day, he had to crawl at a snail's pace, and his body was in constant and excruciating pain. At one point, he felt that he didn't care to live anymore, and stopped. He must have fallen asleep, something that would have normally killed him. Why didn't he die? Good fortune had smiled upon him, and blanketed him in freshly fallen snow which insulated him, keeping him alive. When he awoke, he couldn't believe it, but he still felt hopeless. He had miles to go to reach the nearest town. Even though his mind had shut off and he had all but lost his will to live, his body urged him on. At that point, his body was a separate entity and it was bent on saving itself, even if the rest of him didn't care anymore. Somehow, he managed to make it to the road where he had been dropped off by a taxi two days before. He couldn't walk, and crawling on his forearms would take too long, since he was also bleeding to death both internally and externally. He found a large stick and used it as a crutch, making his way down the road until he came to a fork. He had no idea which road to take. He chose one, and felt elation when he saw a house in the distance, only to discover upon closer inspection that it was an abandoned barn. A blow like that would be hard to recover from, but this man had such a strong will that he turned back around, hobbled back to the fork in the road, took the other path, and finally made it to an inhabited house.

It's hard to believe there are people who have survived such adverse physical circumstances. It's a true testament to the human will to survive and the power of instincts, as well as a lesson to appreciate every day. I imagine that these people feel they were given a second chance at life, a feeling that most of us will never experience, and it must make them examine every day in a different light--a more appreciative light.

A Few Daily Thought Bubbles

2010-06-30T23:27:00.005-04:00

-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

2010-06-30T22:16:00.006-04:00

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

2010-06-30T21:27:00.003-04:00

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?

2010-06-27T23:31:00.009-04:00

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

2010-06-27T22:56:00.003-04:00

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

2010-06-26T23:50:00.005-04:00

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

2010-06-26T22:49:00.004-04:00

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

2010-06-26T22:17:00.004-04:00

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

2010-06-23T08:41:00.003-04:00

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

2010-06-21T23:40:00.004-04:00

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...

2010-06-21T23:16:00.006-04:00

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

2010-06-21T23:04:00.006-04:00

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

2010-06-21T22:53:00.004-04:00

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

2010-06-17T23:00:00.006-04:00

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

2010-06-17T22:19:00.004-04:00

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

2010-06-17T21:47:00.003-04:00

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

2010-06-16T23:29:00.007-04:00

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

2010-06-14T00:18:00.003-04:00

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

2010-06-13T23:57:00.007-04:00

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

2010-06-13T23:15:00.004-04:00

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

2010-06-13T22:58:00.002-04:00

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

2010-06-09T08:09:00.003-04:00

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!

2010-06-08T23:47:00.005-04:00

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

2010-06-07T23:07:00.005-04:00

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

2010-06-06T23:30:00.005-04:00

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

2010-06-06T23:11:00.005-04:00

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)

2010-06-06T22:33:00.003-04:00

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.

2010-06-06T22:15:00.007-04:00

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

2010-06-02T22:56:00.003-04:00

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

2010-06-02T22:22:00.004-04:00

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

2010-06-02T21:51:00.004-04:00

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!

Barbaric "Sports" and Their Aftermath

2010-05-29T22:11:00.007-04:00

One of the "sports" that I abhor the most is bullfighting. To me, it's no sport but rather a glorified torture-fest with onlookers who must have at least some sort of bloodlust to be able to enjoy such a monstrous spectacle. While bullfights still occur in Ecuador during the "Fiestas de Quito," it's wonderful to see an increasing amount of people support animal rights and join the marches and protests every year in favor of abolishing the backwards tradition. While Ecuador may be moving ahead in its conscientiousness, the fact remains that bullfighting still exists there. That's without even mentioning places like Mexico, and above all Spain, where the tradition was born. It appears that it will take a lot of baby steps before people begin to break with tradition, think for themselves, and refuse to commit or participate in such abominations.

One "sport" that had not really claimed much of my attention until now is horse racing. Again, to me it's not really a sport, but that's beside the point. While horses may live a grand lifestyle while they're in their prime, only a tiny percentage are actually living like kings or queens because only the smallest fraction of thoroughbred racehorses compete on the biggest stages and win the most illustrious prizes. The rest of them? They have their time in the spotlight, some of them for practically a millisecond, and then what happens to them is anyone's guess. I certainly had my suspicions about what happens to racehorses after they have been "retired," but I was not necessarily prepared for what I was presented with after reading a 5-page article about it in the Washington Post.

One of the conclusions, among several, that I came to is that bullfighting is still alive because of people's attraction to the dramatic, dangerous, and bloody with costumes and flair. People are attracted to horse racing because of money, and dare I say it, greed. And people involved in both activities are influenced by the "society" of the whole event, partaking in the stands, the whole act of "seeing and being seen." Like many people, I would much rather opt for not being seen and being able to sleep at night with a clean conscience and and a mind free of even more ghastly images than already exist in the world.

For anyone curious as to the story of thoroughbred horses after the racetrack, here is the link to the Post article, which is actually quite well written by a freelance writer and horse lover.

Beasts of Burden: What happens to thoroughbred racehorses after retirement

Dreams and Watching the Dreamers from the Outside

2010-05-29T21:42:00.004-04:00

I must really be feeling LOST-deprived: last night I had a fabulous dream in which I was in love with Jack Shepherd and we were talking on the phone. If that isn't obsessed, I don't know what is. I guess since LOST is no longer on TV, my brain has taken over for the ABC network and has started airing its own original episodes of LOST.

There's nothing quite like a nice satisfying dream that you actually manage to remember the next morning. It could be romantic, like mine was, or action-packed with superheros or obstacles to overcome, or it could be funny and have you wake up chuckling, or it could be magical, such as the one flying dream I had that I'll never forget. I wish I was as disciplined about keeping a dream journal as I was about writing in my blog. I must add this to my "To Do" list.

As I write this post, I can't help noticing Penny taking a catnap on the couch across from me. Sometimes she stretches out her legs and separates all her toes, in what appears to be an unconscious reflex as she sleeps the evening away. Other times, a twitchy movement will catch my eye and cause me to look over, only to see her whiskers quivering spasmodically, almost in unison with her hind legs and front paws. Sometimes she'll emit a little groan, as if in her dream she let the mouse get away (or perhaps centipede, since we've discovered that she's an excellent centipede hunter).

I'm also reminded of what people look and sound like when they're dreaming. I've been known to do that embarrassing twitch as I'm about to fall asleep that not only makes my heart leap for a second but also wakes me up and causes me to look around to make sure no one saw my extremities jerking around in such an unseemly manner. Although I'm not a big talker in my sleep (according to my husband it only happens from time to time), from what I've heard, my father is often overheard arguing in the depths of slumber about some unfair call made by a referee, umpire, or some other figure of authority (at this point I think the only consolation my mom has after being woken up without hope of falling back asleep is giggling about my dad's somnolent chattering the next morning over coffee). I've even caught my husband in mid-conversation a few times in the middle of the night, although it's almost impossible to reconstruct the context the next morning, as the dream has already come and retired into the inner recesses of his mind.

If I had to choose, I'd rather dream than watch the dreamers, hands down. But that doesn't mean I can't still get a kick out of spying on the inhabitants of Dream Land once in awhile.

Surprise Presents from the Past

2010-05-29T21:23:00.005-04:00

I had a "Penny moment" today. My parents recently gave me a few sealed boxes containing childhood books and other belongings of mine from college. I guess they had been stuffed away in the closet in my parents' basement and hadn't seen the light of day until now. I received the boxes and was curious, wondering what they contained. I figured probably just books.

As I began to cut open the packaging tape that held them shut, one of my suspicions was confirmed: there were books. But then, as I opened another box, I caught a glimpse of things I hadn't seen in at least a few years. Although I had already seen these items before, it was like opening a small treasure chest from the past, even if it wasn't so long ago. Out came my pen and pencil holder from college, bought at Target. Next, a perfectly functional silver and black cordless phone in great condition. What's funny is that we had needed a good phone because the hand-me-down one we had been using was rotten, full of static, and impossible to use. I was also elated to come in contact again with my small orange bowl with cherries and cute cats on it, an orange bunny mug, my alma mater champagne glass, and a gorgeous multi-colored ceramic plate/bowl my parents had given me. One of the most unexpected and exciting treasures from the corrugated cardboard treasure chest was a Mexican blanket with colorful squares of pink, red, purple, green, blue, and orange that I had bought at the ruins of Chichen Itza.

I felt as Penny must feel every time she rediscovers her pink octopus in her bed after an extended absence--the joy of a reunion with familiar objects that are treasured and that were thought to have disappeared for good. I suppose absence does increase one's fondness for someone...or something.

Latino presence in LOST

2010-05-27T22:03:00.012-04:00

After reading about some of the actors in LOST (yes, I'm writing about it again, don't be surprised if you see more posts about it in the future), I realized that there was more of a Latino presence in LOST than I had realized. Of course there's Jorge Garcia who plays Hurley. He's Cuban and Chilean. No surprises there. Then you have Nestor Carbonell, a.k.a. Richard Alpert. It's hard not to notice his Hispanic-looking features, and it stands to reason--he's Cuban and Spanish. Michelle Rodriguez as the hardass Ana Lucia is a given: Puerto Rican and Dominican.

Then we move on to some surprises. Who would've thought Henry Ian Cusick, otherwise known as Desmond Hume, was half Peruvian and half Scottish? Better yet, how about his on-screen love, Penelope "Penny" Widmore, played by Sonya Walger, who happens to be half British and half Argentine. Finally, we get to the one that was a complete shocker (at least to me): Andrew Divoff, who played the awful Russian character of Mikhail Bakunin. He's half Russian (okay, that part we know) and half Venezuelan. There are even more, such as the actors who play very minor roles, like the actress who played "Nikki" of Nikki and Paulo, the couple who got buried alive and no one much cared. But that's about it for the big fish.

Even though their heritages don't necessarily matter from an audience perspective, nor should they affect how we view the actors themselves, I've always found people's roots and ethnic backgrounds interesting, especially when you'd never know it to look at someone. At times I think, who really cares where someone's ancestors were from? It shouldn't affect the way you view them. At the same time, I can't deny that it's fascinating how many different cultural and ethnic bits and pieces we carry around with us all the time, sometimes without even knowing it or noticing them in others.

How to Avoid the Evening Nap?

2010-05-26T23:25:00.004-04:00

There are days when the temptation is just too great and the eyelids are just too heavy to combat the inevitable approach of the Evening Nap. Obviously the best way to avoid the Evening Nap is to get 8 hours (or your body's equivalent) of sleep a night. But when that doesn't happen, as is so often the case for busy adults in today's society, what to do? It's a painful fight to maintain your eyes open and feign interest in conversation when your mind is screaming, "Climb into bed and shut your eyes already, you dolt!" But what may be even worse is the stupor that ensues upon waking, as if drug-induced. That's not even taking into account the grumpy disposition for the rest of the night, and the inability to fall asleep at a decent hour later on. Curse you, Evening Nap, for being so delicious and yet the demise of a good night's sleep.

Pobre Polar Bears

2010-05-26T23:00:00.007-04:00

A headline in the BBC caught my attention today: "Polar bears face 'tipping point' due to climate change." In other words, polar bears may be on the slight or not so slight decline right now, but when global warming hits a particular threshold potentially in the very near future, conditions would be so adverse so suddenly that polar bears wouldn't stand a chance for survival.

Perhaps it's because I was given one of those stuffed Gund polar bears when I was an infant, something I have and hold dear to this day, but I've always been especially fond of polar bears. It's truly heartbreaking to read that sometime in the near future, they could cease to exist. What's worse is that this is becoming the rule nowadays for many species, rather than the exception. Al Gore may have brought some nationwide attention to the plight of polar bears, but there's still much to be done. A troubling excerpt from the article:

"Canada has about two-thirds of the world's polar bears, but their conservation assessment of polar bears didn't take climate change seriously," says Dr Molnar, a flaw noted by the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group last year. "Our view is that the Canadian assessment should be redone, properly accounting for climate change effects.

"The status of polar bears is likely much more dire than suggested by the Canadian report," he adds. "For instance, for a while we will only see small changes in summer fasting season survival in Western Hudson Bay. [But] eventually mortality will dramatically increase when a certain threshold is passed; for example, while starvation mortality is currently negligible, up to one-half of the male population would starve if the fasting season in Western Hudson Bay was extended from currently four to about six months."

I'm glad I read this article, because the first step towards change is awareness.

Lost without LOST

2010-05-26T22:27:00.007-04:00

Well, my favorite show has come to an end. At least the first journey of watching it, that is. There is no doubt that I'll watch LOST many more times. Even after watching the show's finale, I feel the need to watch it again to make sure I caught everything. Then I'll probably watch the show again from the beginning with the perspective of knowing (but not necessarily fully understanding) how it ends. I'm also sure that someday I'll be re-watching LOST with my own children and reveling in their enjoyment of putting together the puzzle, asking and answering questions, forming their own ideas, laughing at the dialogue, getting swept up in the suspense, and loving it as much as I do. Of course, there's always the chance that they won't even like the show, but then, would they really be my kids? (I jest.)

There are those who got frustrated with LOST and left it behind. I can understand why. Some people want entertainment without having to put a lot of commitment into it. LOST requires time and thought in order to really benefit from it. Other people don't like ambiguity and want every tiny question and confusion wrapped up in a nice little package. Well, my friends, then LOST really isn't the show for you. Still others thought the quality of the show declined after the first season or so. I ask you, were we really watching the same show?

At any rate, what I loved about LOST (besides the characters that you bond with through the glass of the TV screen until it seems you've known them your whole life, the script that was witty and deftly crafted, the incredible acting talent of such a diverse cast, the dry sense of humor throughout the show, the gorgeous camera work and scenery, and the ever memorable musical accompaniments) was what it made me think about. I didn't usually expend mental energy on the details perhaps randomly or purposefully thrown in, because there were so many more powerful messages expressed. It's rare that a show communicates such a huge quantity of meaningful messages while avoiding the urge to be corny or too overtly didactic. This could only be my interpretation on the show, but after watching the finale, I couldn't help notice themes of love, forgiveness, overcoming personal fears and fear of death, focusing on the things that really matter in one's existence, self-sacrifice, a sense of "oneness" with others, and so much more that I ended up scrawling about 6 pages of notes on the wealth of messages communicated by the show, in addition to all the possible endings I could think of.

While LOST is my favorite show, that doesn't mean I can overlook what to me are obvious flaws. The production efforts of the cave in the final episode, for example. A bit cheap, I would say. Examining one of the possible endings, if what happened on the island was actually real, then Desmond really got the shaft because he was unconscious, missed the plane off the island, and didn't even wake up so as to clearly express his desires of what he wanted. Like it or lump it, he got stuck on the island until Hurley and Ben figure out a way to get him back to Penny and his son.

A third grievance: if forgiveness really is one of the strong messages of LOST, why was the Smokemonster/MiB always cast as a "bad" entity? I can understand from a plot perspective--you need to generate conflict, and everyone holding hands and singing "Cumbaya" would not fly. However, it seems to clash with what appears to be one of the principle ideas of the show.

Finally, the ever present, ever stale and unoriginal use of "black and white" symbolism was a bit disappointing. Most people creating entertainment for mainstream society nowadays can't seem to think of alternative ways of viewing that particular dichotomy. Oh well, maybe we'll save that for the next groundbreaking show.

Maybe at some point I'll devote another post to expounding the many themes I have seen emerge in LOST and the different endings I've contemplated. For now, suffice it to say that the best show in the history of television is now over, but like many things, its cultural reverberations, personal impact, and the pleasure it produces will continue to be felt for a long time to come.

Getting Back on the Horse

2010-05-23T21:25:00.009-04:00

One thing I've learned about exercise: the less you do it, the harder it is to find motivation and energy to get back into the routine of exercising. Alternatively, the more you do it, the more you want to continue. Obviously, a large factor in this desire to exercise regularly comes from the release of endorphins during moderate to vigorous physical activity. Part of what also makes exercise somewhat "addictive" is the way it makes you feel about yourself. The combination of endorphins, a fit body, a more focused and relaxed mind, alleviated stress, and good health is enough to keep anyone coming back for more.

The hardest part of reaching this exercise euphoria, however, is getting started when there's been a dearth of activity in your daily routine. Speaking from experience, when there has been a lull in my usual patterns of exercise, it takes weeks or sometimes months to get back on the horse, so to speak, and will myself to exercise regularly again. Part of the dread that causes me to drag my feet at times stems from the knowledge of how difficult the first string of workouts will be. Then there's not wanting to see certain pudgy areas bend, fold, and jiggle as they do when you're just starting out again after a lengthy hiatus from regular physical activity. On the other hand, what's amazing about the body is its ability to transform itself. At certain ages and stages in one's life transformations may take more time and energy than at other times, but the fact remains that the human body is capable of major change with some discipline and will power to get it there. Not only that, but I find that my mind is at its sharpest and happiest when I adhere to a consistent (but always enjoyable) exercise regimen.

One of the tricks to a successful workout routine is discovering what type of exercise you enjoy rather than forcing yourself to do an activity you find unpleasant, even if it is for the sake of fitness. If I were confined to only running to stay fit, I'd probably renounce exercise for good, not only because of the shin splints I get but because running is just not for me. Now, give me a good yoga, pilates, dance or aerobics routine, or even an invigorating walk or bike ride, and I'll jump, pose, and pedal the day away. What a lot of trainers say is absolutely true: if your workout isn't fun, you won't do it. So the question you must ask yourself is, what type of exercise makes me feel happy to be alive?

LOL

2010-05-22T21:11:00.012-04:00

One of the running Internet jokes that I can't get enough of is the Lolcat phenomenon. According to Wikipedia, the fad originally started in 2005 or 2006 and is based on forum interactions, where people are constantly looking to joke or poke fun, photoshop, and where fast typing and posting inevitably lead to poor grammar, spelling or inarticulate abbreviations (e.g. "teh" and "ur"). Lolcats involve funny pictures of cats with silly captions written with poor grammar and spelling, thus trying to provoke an "lol" ("laugh out loud"). The Lolcats never cease to amuse me--I have the "I made you a cookie" Lolcat as my desktop background at work, and he/she always serves as a great morale booster when the going gets rough. I've included a few Lolcats for your perusal. Enjoy!

Ecuadorians Here, Ecuadorians There, Ecuadorians Everywhere

2010-05-22T20:49:00.004-04:00

Today I spent part of the night howling. This was not because there was a full moon, nor because I am a werewolf, nor because all is not well in the noggin. It was because my husband matter-of-factly revealed to me that Lorena Bobbit is Ecuadorian, that he had seen her somewhere in the DC metro area, and then on top of that he began to make the case that Vanilla Ice is half-Ecuadorian as well. Lorena Bobbit was a bit of a shock, I didn't believe that he had seen her around where we live, and Vanilla Ice put me over the edge. Our poor neighbors must have thought that the men in white coats were coming to commit me from all the deranged cackling that must have shot through the paper-thin walls of our apartment complex.

After I was able to compose myself, I did some fact checking. Lorena Bobbit is indeed Ecuadorian, and also happens to live in Virginia. Vanilla Ice does not appear to be Ecuadorian, but his step-father might be. And an additional fun fact is that Christina Aguilera is also half-Ecuadorian.

As if all of this weren't enough, on Wednesday I met my new office mate at the job site where I work sporadically. We got to talking and I asked him if he was from around the DC area. He said yes, but that he was originally born elsewhere. I asked him where. He told me in South America. As if I even needed to ask, I asked anyway: What country in South America? The response: Ecuador. We got a big charge out of our mutual Ecuadorian citizenship, and it was a fitting reminder that for such a small country, you don't have to go very far to encounter its citizens.