10 things I know to be true

I've been inspired to write this post after watching spoken word poet Sarah Kay's TED talk. The goal is to write 10 things I know to be true right now. So here we go!

1. Despite knowing chocolate will go straight to my hips, I refuse to end my relationship with it.

2. I'm fascinated by people who have a way with their words. And by people who use their words to promote good in this world.

3. A video of a laughing baby or cute kitten/puppy will always put a smile on my face -- no matter how badly my day may be going.

4. The sound of ocean waves gently kissing the shore is possibly one of the most calming sounds ever.

5. Hugs -- genuine, warm, big, loving, squeezed-till-you-melt hugs -- are amazing.

6. Mum's home-cooked meals are the perfect antidote to avert an emotional meltdown. Or at least delay the onslaught of one.

7. This world is fueled by hope ... despite what the naysayers may want us to believe.

8. I long for a day when I'll be absolutely content with my physical and emotional self.

9. My Mr. Darcy is out there. He's apparently just too stubborn to ask for directions. (Get on it, will you?)

10. The soundtrack to Love Actually is the background music to my life right now.

___________

Now it's your turn. What would you put on your list of 10 things you know to be true?

xo

Image courtesy of Google Images

A project that needs your help!

Hello readers,

I haven't thanked you recently for taking the time to visit Straight From The Curls and commenting. I appreciate all your support and feedback as the blog nears its 3rd anniversary. Thank you!

A lot has happen since we first launched... and surely enough, you can read all about it in the back entries! The blog's also received a couple of face-lifts during it's existence, and might be due for another very soon!

I decided to celebrate SFTC's time in the blogosphere a little differently this year. One Moment, One Note is a new blog I created, as inspired by some of the posts and comments from here. The title essentially defines what the blog is all about... moments in our lives that will be documented with the help of a single photo and short writeup (one moment and one photo per post). I have a couple up right now, just to get the ball rolling, but I'm asking for your help!

We've all had moments of inspiration, beauty, lessons, happiness, joy and pain. Life is a roller-coaster of a journey, and there's tons to document along the ride. Why not take some time to write about it and publish it on the blog? I promise to leave it anonymous if you would prefer it that way. If not, you can create a pseudonym. One Moment, One Note will be your opportunity to document certain events in your life that you might sometimes take for granted -- the simple things.

Check out the blog to get an idea of how this project will work. I ask that you submit a photo to go along with the post, and I'll edit it to the right format. If not, simply ask and I will find one for you.

If you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail or leave me a message. I'm really looking forward to this new chapter for the blog, and I hope you are too!

You can contact me with your moments via e-mail at [straightfromthecurls][@][gmail][dot][com]... minus the square brackets, of course! (Someone want to help me figure out how to put up an e-mail addy on here without being hit by 10,000 spambots?)

xo
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May days

Apologies for not posting as frequently in the past weeks. I have no excuses other than the fact that I've become consumed with the daily happenings here in Korea.

Needless to say, it's been an interesting month on many levels. I made some decisions this week that might later change certain aspects of my life. It took me a long time to come to these decisions... but I think sometimes, all we need is one moment of clarity to finally just do it. And I'm glad I did.

One of these decisions involves what I plan to do once I'm back in Toronto. All I know is that I want to continue writing. It's the one thing that I take comfort in, and it's certainly a creative outlet. It's stressful to think that I might struggle to get back into the industry, but I'm willing to battle it out. They say if you want something badly enough, you should just keep chasing it, right? I just hope I don't have to chase for too long.

A bright spot in Korea is that one of my articles got published in a magazine. I'd submitted a story about my trip to India in 2008, and Speakeasy magazine in Seoul featured it in their May/June issue. I'm pretty proud of it, as they also included a link to the blog in it.

As the weather's been warming up, I've been spending a lot of time in parks and along the riverside in Seoul. Though not nature in its truest form, (Seoul's a city with manmade landscapes built into it), I've enjoyed walking through the trails and finding moments of serenity among chaos.

The photo above was taken on Buddha's Birthday as we celebrated with a picnic along the Han river in Seoul. It's the Seoul skyline with Namsan Tower in the distance on the far right. The bright glow above the city is a result of light pollution. Still, it's a beautiful sight, isn't it? Yeoinaru park along the Han has to be one of my favourite spots in Seoul, by far.

The above shot was taken at Seoul's Olympic Park. We spent a rainy saturday wandering aimlessly through the park's trails and hidden gems... one of which was this beautiful stream. Everything looked so lush and green -- it truly reminded me of Goa's scenery during the monsoons. It's definitely another one of my favourite spots, and I know I'll be frequenting it a lot, as my time in Seoul draws to a close. I feel a sense of comfort around Olympic Park's landscape.

Other than that, life goes on. Watching the news is pretty stressful these days, as the North and South continue to blame each other and make threats. I've often said that I don't know how to feel about all this... more fear or less anxiety. In any case, I'm taking my cue from the citizens of Korea and trying to maintain a sense of calm. No use stressing over something out of my control, right?

Until then, I'll continue to wander through my favourite haunts in the city, enjoying solace and the hidden gems in this country I've called home for the past year.

xo

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Eat, Pray, Love - the movie

Well, we finally have a date! After much anticipation and excitement, we can now count down the days until Eat, Pray, Love - the movie - hits the big screen.

For those of you who don't know, Elizabeth Gilbert's masterpiece is one of my recent favourite books. I've somehow managed to share stories from it with anyone willing to listen, while tying quotes from it into my writing.

And now, we get to see the beautiful Julia Roberts play the author, as she travels to Italy, India and Indonesia, searching for truth in her existence, and something we're all looking for -- Happiness.

Also, did I mention James Franco and Javier Bardem are in it as well? Yum!

Here's the trailer for the movie, set to hit theatres on August 13. I'm peachy pleased with the timing of this release and can't wait to check it out.

xo
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Inspire me

What does one do when seeking inspiration? I can't speak for others but for me, inspiration usually comes from a variety of outlets.

Generally, it stems from the everyday - things that are happening around me; the people I meet; the stories I'm told; the experiences I encounter. In those times, the most natural impulse is to write. If I'm near a computer, I'll find myself tapping away in stream of consciousness, either reviewing the experience or sorting out my thoughts regarding it. But if trusty Bert isn't with me, the nearest napkin or notepad in my bag will do. I've forgotten my wallet at home, but never my notepad.

My point is, I don't usually go looking for inspiration because it's one of those things I find that just comes naturally. You have to recognize it when you see it or feel it, and let it move you.

But...

If you haven't noticed lately, I've been having a severe case of writer's block. I see two main reasons for it. First off, it's blistering cold. I mean, 'not wanting to leave my apartment because the only thing to do outside is freeze and that's not an option' kind of cold. The second reason is something my friend, C, pointed out. I was beating myself up over not having written in so long, and she simply said, "You'll write when you feel something new."

And I guess she's right. There hasn't been a lot of 'new' in the past couple of weeks. But you know, I kind of like it. I didn't realize how fast my life moves in Seoul. There's always something to do or someone to meet up with. So, instead of experiencing 'new' and writing about it, I've been reading - spending quality time with me, and getting lost in the words of my favourite authors. And that's perfect for right now.

So dear readers, what do you do when seeking inspiration? Do you actively seek it? Or do you wait for it to come to you? And when you get it, what do you do with it?

xo
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Writing voice

One of the greatest and strangest things about being a writer on the Internet, is the idea that people can read your work from anywhere in the world, with the simple click of a button.

Straight From The Curls has been alive and thriving on the WWW for over two years. Never would I have imagined in July 2007, that there'd be people from places such as Iran and Tunisia, stumbling towards my words and getting to know parts of me. Its thrilling and nerve wracking all the same.

But what's even more interesting is me, as a writer, stumbling across blogs by my fellow readers, and noticing that they've adapted parts of my writing style to their own work. I tell you, there's nothing more surreal than reading a blog that's not your own, and noticing your flow of thought with someone elses words. Or even your shorthand and 'isms' that make your blog your own... living on a different page. I had this experience the other night, and it took me all of ten seconds to realize I wasn't anywhere near SFTC.

Upon talking to the writer, she admitted that she does read my blog a lot and likes my writing style. She even said she knowingly adopted the style, because she wanted to protect the people she mentioned in the post, and liked a technique I used at SFTC. Fair enough, I suppose and I do feel honoured.

I guess the thing that got me thinking, is that it's taken me a while to find my voice on the WWW. People now come to SFTC expecting a certain tone, flow and train of thought that's uniquely mine. So... I guess I've become protective of it, as a writer. I'm at a place now where my readers get it. I can simply sit at my computer and type... as it is in my mind. And from feedback, you, dear readers, tell me that you hear my voice in your heads. I think that's the biggest compliment that I could ever receive at this moment. So, thank you!

If you're writing... find your voice and make it your own. It will take time, but you'll be glad you did!

xo
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From a page

I wrote the following a few minutes ago... on paper. Funny enough, I find myself wanting to share it with you on here... which involves typing on a keyboard. I'm moving with the times, but holding on to the romance of old.

Stream of consciousness... It's always been my favourite part of writing, from the time I learned to put pen to paper. I still remember feeling excited about receiving my first fountain pen in the third grade. "Now, I'll be a writer," I thought. Something about taking what's floating around in the mind and allowing it to become a thought... then taking that very thought and channeling it from the mind, to the muscles, to the bones in the fingers, and, finally, to the pen and letter-pad... seeing the thought become a visual. Something about that has always brought me peace. I've described it to friends as de-cluttering my mind. Sort of like cleaning an untidy room... except in this case, I'm not putting things back where they belong, but, rather, removing the unwanted and tossing it out. OR, taking what I like and making it have substance. By putting it into words, it becomes concrete. Here it rests on the paper... words from my mind, in a particular place and time. In this case, 12:29 a.m. on Monday, January 4th, 2010. Right now, perhaps nothing exciting or Harlequin-worthy -- but still entertaining, nonetheless. I am thankful for thoughts tonight.

xo
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For love of a great escape

"But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew, upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."

- Lord Byron

That Lord Byron was on to something. I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I don't know him as well as I'd like to. The only reason I'm speaking about him now, is because a friend quoted him earlier this week, and I was fascinated. I've spent the better part of my free time since, reading up on his work, and recognizing fragments of what I've heard quoted by others. In university, I did everything in my power to avoid entire courses dedicated to single poets and authors... I think I regret that now, because the more I read up on Lord Byron, the more I enjoy him.

My mum was the first person to introduce me to William Wordsworth, as a child. She taught me "Daffodils," a beautiful poem by him, that I memorized and recited whenever given the chance.

There's something to be said about the classics. Words, novels, poems, quotes... all written before radio, before TV, before... Facebook. These people only had the world around them (the real world), conversations and true social experiences to draw inspiration from. Absolute brilliance.

Which is why, when I need to escape from my everyday reality, I can't help but turn to a book. Sometimes a movie works as well, but it's easier to get distracted from a movie than it is from a good book.

Take for instance, last night: I was unable to turn my mind off, with a thousand and one thoughts swirling through my brain at a mile a second. I tried watching TV, to no avail... something about the seizure inducing commercials made me quit. Then, I tried watching a movie... but only owning movies that I've watched too many times to count, I found myself distracted once again.

As a last resort, I turned to Miss Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Over my life, I've read this book perhaps four times. Yet two and a half hours later, I was passed out in my bed, with the most content smile I've had in a few days. I don't even know where the time went, but it was so easy to lay there, flipping through page after page of an absolute masterpiece. These authors knew the importance of imagery... of descriptive words... of bringing emotions, personalities and moods on to paper. They knew how to create the perfect escape, free of reality's abundant distractions.

So this winter, I'm looking forward to curling up in bed with the classics. I'm looking forward to having my brain think of words that are longer than two syllables. But more than anything, I'm looking forward to my literary escape.

xo
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Image courtesy of Dreamstime Stock

A class of coffee

What is it about coffee houses that allow visitors a sense of comfort and familiarity? We’ve all been to one at some point or another, and we can’t deny the fact that they’re cozy at best… unless, of course, you’re at a coffee house where a simple latté costs no less than $10.

Friends – one of this generation’s most watched TV show – was famous for it’s fictional coffee shop, Central Perk. We became familiar with its set, and, soon enough, on Thursday nights it became our coffee shop as well.

I was never truly fascinated with the ambiance of different coffee shops until I moved to Seoul, South Korea, three months ago. This city is quickly becoming one of the most westernized areas in all of Asia, and, as the devotion to western brands grows, so do the number of cafés.

Coffee shops literally line the streets of Seoul. From bigwig franchises such as Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, to the small, family-run cafés, there’s never a lack of choices for caffeine highs.

But what’s truly entertained me in recent months are the various themes that come with the cafés. Owners dedicate themselves to mimicking the soft, cozy comfort that adorns European coffee shops. However, in this city, they’ve taken décor a step further – it’s not simply a matter of interior design, but also about the mood and exterior.

There’s cafés dedicated to pets and their owners. Puppy cafés allow visitors to come in, have a cup of ‘jo, and pet a few furry friends during their stay. The animals usually belong to the owners, but, sometimes, patrons bring their own friends along for the visit. The dogs are friendly and even know how to pose for photos.

A puppy café in Hongdae, Seoul

If that’s not enough, how about sipping coffee and chatting with friends in a building designed as a cookbook? This café, also located in Hongdae, is a hot-spot for locals and tourists alike. On the night we visited, an artist was showcasing his work on cool, hot pink manta rays hanging from the lobby’s ceiling. Truly creative.

A café shaped like a book in Hongdae, Seoul

Finally, keeping things entertaining, and almost out of a scene from Astrix and Oblix, how about having a drink in a barrel? I found this gem hidden down an alleyway, just across from the book building. Even the mood lighting was cool.

A café shaped like a barrel in Hongdae, Seoul

What’s amazing about coffee shops in Seoul is that they serve everything from coffee to beer. Visitors can stay for as long as they want… and they usually do. One latté and cookie has bought me about three hours at Café DaVinci, with a window seat that looks out to the world.

As a writer, I couldn't be happier at this very moment.

xo
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And when I get that feeling...

...it's called Textual Seething.
Textual
Seeee-heee-thing!

It’s official. We’re now living in a world where ‘texty’ words like ur, dat, l8er, cya, ttyl and omg are starting to replace those from the Oxford English Dictionary.

I remember a student in one of my university English classes who received an automatic fail for (possibly subconsciously) inserting the word ‘ur’ instead of ‘you are’ into an essay.

An honest mistake? Probably.

Truly, I don’t quite understand how people do it. How do people carry on relationships that are created on a foundation of text messages, MSN conversations and Facebook wall posts?

I’m writing this post after a lot of thought and a lot of examples that have surfaced in my life lately.

Take for example a friend I met up with a few days back. She’s seeing someone who she really likes and said that they ‘text’ a lot. This results in her reading into the texts too much, looking for hidden messages in the words being transmitted on her little screen.

“Guys don’t put a lot of thought into these things,” I said. “They just respond with whatever.”

“No way!” she exclaimed. “He admitted that he really thinks about it a lot before he sends a text out. That’s why it takes him so long to get back to me.”

Really?

You’re telling me that he thought long and hard before he sent you a message that consisted of a bunch of letters and numbers blended together, aimed at reaching your heart? And now you’re supposed to spend the next few hours trying to decipher the message in code, only to respond back with your own coded message?

Really.

Another friend who swore she’d never learn how to use a number pad on a phone to spell words out, spent the past few months scrolling through archived text messages as evidence of how her ex led her on.

“It started off nicely you know?” she said. “He’d text me cute little notes throughout the day and I’d respond back… and then, one day, the texts began to get shorter and shorter till there was nothing left. Then he disappeared."

I’m sure he didn’t disappear. He lost interest.

The funny part about that relationship is in the two months of them dating, they met face-to-face about four times.

A guy who texts you an average of eight times a day, telling you he misses you and can’t wait to see you, only makes an effort to see you four times in 2 months.

These are the days of textual relationships. Times when people rely so heavily on screened conversations, that when they find themselves face-to-face with others, they're at a loss for words.

According to Urban Dictionary Online, a textual relationship is one “with someone through texting, but never talking, meeting or interacting with them in real-life. - Someone you text alot, but would never/rarely talk to in person.”

Lovely, isn’t it?

I've heard of people being so confident through texts (someone still needs to explain to me what a 'confident text' is), but that when meeting in person, they have an altered personality.

Hmm... maaaaaaybe it's because said person doesn't know how to socialize because he/she spends so much time in front of screens! Just a thought.

I admit it. I indulge in text messaging as well. But here are some of the times or situations in which I would text:

- Running Late
- Reminder
- If it’s too late to call someone and you really need to ask them something
- A random message to your so and so, reminding them of your tête-à-tête from the night before…. or warning them of things to come (admittedly this one would be a ton of fun!)

I've actually stopped communications with some people because I couldn't keep up with their daily stream of texts. One said person took it personally when I didn't respond to his 20 texts per day.

Again, nothing personal -- I guess I'm just not texty enough for ya!

If it’s a special occasion, you’re better off sending them an e-card, calling them or writing a letter. THAT shows you care… Sorry folks, but I’ve never appreciated a “Birthday Text” or a "Congrats Text."

We make an effort to get to a computer and check our e-mail an average of three times a day… a simple note to your friend with actual words will go a long way in these times of html and "write your message in 140 characters or less."

And, dear Mister, call me old-fashioned, but I refuse to have textual relations with you.

xo
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Note: These cartoons were found through Google Images. Credit to the artists.

Another day another theoretical dollar

Theoretical Dollars - That's what my brother and I call money that we should be getting, or money that we're promised... but never see. This money is referred to numerous times by the people who promise it... but for us, the ones who it's promised to, well, we know better.
I never fully understood how much theoretical money existed in this world until I began my internship in early January. This is the final leg of my journalism program, and I'm expected to do this dance until the end of April.
What is this dance, exactly?
Well, let me explain. Every day I'm expected to come in to my placement and work full-time hours for full-time theoretical dollars and full-time theoretical benefits. I do all the work that people who are on the payroll do, and once in a while, I get them coffee. I'm gaining valuable experience and learning a lot every day.
So why is it that everyday when I wake up I find the lump in my throat gets bigger and bigger?
I say to myself, "It's the economy!" The world is falling deep into the clutches of a global recession and this is reflecting on my mood. Right?
Not so much.
You see, that lump isn't because of my theoretical-dollars contract that should expire in April. It's a result of the fact that this contract might extend well into the year ahead.
This isn't just depressing... it's deep-ressing. I really appreciate that this field is offering to be so nice to me, but I'm OK. I'd prefer a regular contract with regular benefits and regular dollars to any of this theoretical stuff. It would be nice to see my bank account grow, rather than watch it stagnate. It would be even better knowing that the work I'm doing is helping pay for my desire to travel, enjoy life (and pay off loans).

The saving grace (if you can even look at it that way) is that I'm not in this alone. There's a whole slew of aspiring journalistas out there who are in the same sinking canoe. I hope that in time (MAY) we can find some putty, fix the hole in this canoe and sail on over into a pool of success.

Anyone else with me?

xo
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52 Blog Entries Later....

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
to StraightFromTheCurls!!!

One Year... Wow... I can't believe I've managed to keep up with this thing for so long.
This means, I've averaged at an entry a week.... hmm... not too bad! :)

I want to thank everyone who reads this source of daily/weekly ramblings. It really means a lot. Whether you're reading it because I made you... or because you accidentally stumbled across it... or because you're an amazing person and have the blog bookmarked and it's part of your daily log-in series (e-mail, facebook, lavalife, simi's blog...) [ ;) ]... Thank you!

I appreciate all the comments and food for thought. Here's hoping I'll be able to pull off another year, with thoughts that have a bit more flavour! :)

xo
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P.s. Click "first" under labels, if you want to read the very first post. :o)

Letters

I've written a lot of letters in my life; some to other people and most to myself. None of these letters were typed out. If and when they were, I called them e-mails.
I recently got back into the habit of writing long-winded and conversational letters. Not too long ago I shared one with a friend who was shocked that I still did this. I looked at her and wondered if there was something wrong with me. As it turns out, she was shocked because:
a) my handwriting was still legible... apparently in these days of the keyboard, peoples penmanship has taken a turn for the worse... and
b) she actually enjoyed reading it.

Some of the letters I have written have gone along the following lines:

When I was 12, I wrote a letter to myself at age 16. I wrote a list of things I needed to have done and accomplished by 16. I also wrote down my 12-year-old thoughts about how the world would look at age 16. I put the letter in an airmail envelope, and highlighted the front, "To Me at 16. Do not open till 16th Birthday." Strangely enough, on my 16th birthday (which, mind you, was life altering enough for me to never forget) it was the first thing I did. For four years I had played and replayed the contents of the letter in my head and knew exactly what was in that envelope as I opened it. Still, the idea of reading it thrilled me to no extent. Nevertheless, I had accomplished 2 out of the 10 things I had listed. I haven't written such a letter ever since. At 16 I learned never to set timelines for myself, because life should be lived small goals at a time.

I have written letters to three guys in my lifetime. One in elementary school, one in high school and one during my university years... this one ended up being one of those e-mails I mentioned earlier. Though I will never disclose the contents of these letters and to an extent, go flush-faced every time I think about them, I don't regret ever writing them. I have always found writing therapeutic. I find comfort in expressing my thoughts and ideas with a pen on paper, rather than speaking them out. When i do speak, I get nervous, I feel judged, I feel like a flake and I also find that I repeat myself.

I wrote a letter to my father at age eight. The I wrote one to him at 12... 14... 15...

I have written numerous letters to my family overseas. Most of the time, I never get a response. However, the letters I send never come back, so I know they receive them. Therefore, I keep writing.

I still think mail, the old fashioned way, has the power to bring a smile to anyone's face. However, bills or flyers do not count.

When I put my thoughts and ideas down on paper, I feel as though they are being absorbed into an honest place. The paper does not judge me... it just takes whatever I have to say, line after line. You may be wondering here, what I'm doing writing this blog via keyboard... Well, the content of this blog was written while I rode the subway a couple of nights ago, on my way home from work. In a book. With a pen... when I should have been reading for my 8 a.m. class the next day.

Destino/Reality-o

I don't know how much I buy into this business of destiny. If I had a dollar for everytime someone said, "make sure you choose the right path", I'd be able to build my own road-- right to where I wanted to go.
I want to write. I know that much. What I don't understand is why my professor wants me to follow the opposite of what my $90 textbook sets out to tell me. I had to convince myself that the opinion of one person marking my papers, won't set the pace of the rest of my life. I know someday, somehow, I will be doing what I love for a living. But I am not constructed in a manner where I can ignore blatant negative criticism. When someone tells me my work sucks, time and time again... I start to believe it... sort of.
So I guess I want to know what happens to us? By "us" I am referring to those of us who believe we have certain talents and want to nurture them, only to have people come into our lives, who tell us not to bother. If we don't bother, then what do we do? If we do bother... it may turn out that our biggest fan... is ourselves... and that doesn't help pay the bills.
Don't get me wrong, I have always known that science and math were subjects that I was never good at. I appreciated those who could do well in them, but I knew I was not one of them... but writng... now that was something I thought I was always good at.
Just because I don't watch every show on the CBC or listen to every show on CBC Radio... and don't pay attention to political warfare in my local area.... doesn't make me a bad writer. On a global scale, I can dictate more events happening, than five things happening in my member of parliament's cabinet. Still... how can that determine whether or not I suck at what I do?

I want the dream life. I want to be able to pay off my loans and buy a condo and have the whole nine yards. But I want all this, doing something I am passionate about. What is life, if you don't live passionately? Love passionately? Work passionately?
A friend just reminded me that even Albert Einstein was diagnosed with a learning disability... and he made the history books.
I suppose that was her not so subtle way of telling me to "suck it up!"... which I plan to do.

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