Quit the Quiet

I'm horrified at how long it's been since I posted a blog entry. Straight From The Curls used to be my safe place. I would find solace in my writing. I would come here to de-stress and share little pieces of my life with you. And for the past few months it's been impossible to spare a few moments to just breathe and let my thoughts process.

I don't like how things are at the moment, so rest assured that one of my resolutions for the coming year will be to find my way back to Straight From The Curls on a more frequent basis. 2011 will go down in history as one of the most tumultuous years of my life. There have been health scares, career ups and downs, utter confusion about life choices, and moments when I've truly felt alone in this big world. Perhaps it sounds a bit dramatic, but I can say with certainty that I am coming out of a messy mid-twenties crisis — partially of my own making, and partially the result of external factors.

On the plus side, this year also acknowledged a couple of positive firsts in terms of my career — editing my first nationally produced magazine and a monthly stint as a health columnist. Two things that I only dreamed about a couple of years back. It's been a tough year, but I got what I asked for, so I've been lucky.

I'm making a few changes in 2012. It's funny how people get so introspective at this time of the year, huh? For one thing, I've been reducing my lists on social media. I think it's great that 'Sally' from elementary school wants to become friends on Facebook, but if the only reason she's adding me is to troll around my profile and not say a word, then chances are, Sally, I'm going to delete you asap.

Isn't it funny? Did you ever think in, say... 2002, that this would even be a problem 10 years down the road? About someone from your past who you've made no efforts to stay in touch with, all of a sudden resurfacing, and with the click of a few buttons goes on to find out about what you've been up to since your grade eight graduation? Not cool.

Life certainly has changed a lot in the past decade. And it's weird, but I think more and more people are remaining static instead of changing along with the ebbs and flows of life. We're spending way too much time in front of a computer screen, watching other people live their lives, instead of actually making our own memories. Adding chapters to our own lives.

I know that for now, I won't be able to fully disconnect from social media. It's part of my job, and it's part of how I share my work. In fact, as soon as I publish this post, it will appear on my Twitter and Facebook feeds. But I'm hoping I can change the way I use social media. I'm hoping that it's something I can turn to when I need it, as opposed to logging on out of habit. Someone referred to it as social media snacking.

Definitely need to cut back on the social media snacks.

xo

Image courtesy of Pinterest.com

I'm feeling...

A bunch of random and rather big things have happened internationally since my last post:

- England's Prince William married Kate Middleton in a lavish ceremony on April 29th.

- Donald Trump got trampled on by President Obama at the White House Correspondent's Dinner on April 30th.

- Osama bin Laden was killed by American SEALS on May 1st.

- Canadians literally handed Prime Minister Stephen Harper his conservative majority government on May 2nd.

This is a lot to digest.

There's way too much going on in the world right now. And while I have many thoughts just floating through my mind, currently, I simply feel like this:

And I'm hoping to do a bit of this over the weekend, to get inspired again:

So please bear with me, and I promise I'll have some awesome nuggets for you in a few days!

xo

Images courtesy of Tumblr

Learning to balance

I can't believe I've only written one other blog post this month. I was doing so well! One of the hardest parts of adjusting to the new job has been balancing work and my life in general. I know it sounds cliché, but it's quite difficult to find a work/life balance when you start a new gig. And if you don't figure it out quickly, you'll find yourself in an unhealthy pattern of stress.

This isn't the first time I've had a full-time job, but it's the first time I've been delegated this much responsibility. I love it, but I need to learn to allow myself some down time as well. One of my favourite things to do in my down time is update this blog. Straight From The Curls is my baby, and I love coming here and sharing little anecdotes and stories from my life with you.

But because I spend my whole day on the computer dealing with another aspect of the WWW, I come home and crash. I have thoughts of coming here and talking to you all about what's running through my mind, but by the time I get home and unwind, all I want to do is hit the hay.

This has to change. And it will. I promise to sort myself out and figure out a balance somehow, so that I can do the things I love more often.

I've often wondered though, about people who do the 9-5, commute across the city, and still have the time and energy to come home and do so much more. By the time I come home, I barely have enough time to cook dinner before it's lights out.

I did some research this morning and discovered an article in the Vancouver Sun addressing this very issue. The work-life crunch: Who has time for fun? highlights how many people are struggling with the 'time economy'... especially as technology keeps us wired in for more and more hours each day.

I know in my case, I'm always online. I've been working with the Internet for quite a few years now, and I'm always tuned in to what's happening. I love the work I do.

But being so wired in all the time... it can get scary. I never get the sense that I'm 'unavailable'. I'm literally just a click away, whether by a phone call, text, e-mail, tweet or... poke.

Some of the statistics mentioned in the article state:

• The proportion of Canadians experiencing high levels of time crunch, according to the report, grew from 16 per cent in 1992 to 20 per cent in 2005. About 23 per cent of women felt time-pressured and 17 per cent of men.
  
  
• Adults providing care to seniors grew from 17 per cent in 1996 to 20 per cent in 2006. More women (23 per cent) took care of seniors compared to men (16 per cent).
  
  
• Time spent on social leisure activities dropped from 15 per cent in 1998 to 12 per cent in 2005.

I don't know if you'd agree with me, but I think these are some drastic increases in a short amount of time. So it begs the question: Am I really bad at balancing my work/life or am I just a victim of the times, and hence, a statistic?

I don't want to be a statistic, that's for sure. So my goal in the coming weeks is to find a solution that works for me. I'm not quite sure what that solution is at the moment, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Plus it helps that the weather is getting nicer outside... it means I won't want to rush directly home after work. 

Anyway, if you have some tips to help me better manage my work/life situation, I'd love to hear them. What works for you, and how do you find time to do the things you love, outside of work?

xo

Image courtesy of Google Images

Things I learned in March

Well, it's the end of a very long month, and I'm exhausted. Drained. Could sleep for days. But before calling it a wrap for March, I feel the need to list 10 things I learned this month. So here we go.

1. I miss chocolate. I can't wait till the Easter bunny gets here.

2. A lot can happen in 31 days. The 1st of March looks very different from this angle. I need to remember this the next time I feel impatient.

3. I need to squeeze in some more Zzz's at night. Really. I can no longer spend every night with Conan.

4. Hashtags and Twitter are not the enemy. #TweetAsIfYourLifeDependsOnIt

5. After recently entering back into the PC world, I realize how much I love Macs. I wish PCs would have an 'all windows' function. #LifeWouldBeSoMuchEasier

6. Did I mention I miss chocolate?

7. I need to switch from coffee to herbal tea. It's my fuel but... #NoOneLikesTheShakes

8. Laughs come easily during reruns of How I Met Your Mother.

9. I'm over winter. #SeriouslyOverIt

10. I miss being able to wear my hair curly. Why won't it grow?!

Bonus thought: I miss life in analog.

Hey, remember Clip-art? It's been a while.

xo

Image courtesy of Google Images

Something gave

The big news:
Looks like I'll be an official addition to the wonderful world of web editors by this time next week. (I say 'official' because this gig doesn't involve the word 'freelance' or  even, well, 'free'.)

It took over six months of 'hanging in there' and doing what I could to keep myself in the game, to finally find a light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm really excited for this opportunity, and can't wait to see all of these skills I've acquired put to use. It seems fitting that I'd end up with a career involving the Internet somehow, doesn't it? But I kind of like it... I'm fascinated by the WWW and am constantly trying to keep up with the directions it's headed in.

So here's to a long and exhausting journey coming to an end. It's been great, but I'm looking forward to focusing on life in the present tense. I wonder what this new volume will have in store for me.

Stay tuned.

xo





Image courtesy of Google Images

Missed me?

... Because I've missed you!

Before anything else, here's what my horoscope had to say today:

It's scary when you open your heart, especially if others cannot match your fiery intensity. You may overcompensate by demonstrating your ability to be emotionally detached now instead of admitting how much you care. But rather than keeping score, remember that every person expresses love differently. Your fears will dissipate when you graciously accept what is currently being offered without further judgment or comparison.

Freaky as heck! Not going into details about this one.

So, with the World Cup starting to dwindle down, I'm finally turning my attention back to my writing. Living in Korea, the games are usually broadcasted right after work, so the times I'd spend writing were loaned out to supporting the Korean Red Devils. Since they lost to Uruguay in the round of 16, I can now throw my support behind my beloved Argentina without feeling the wrath of my students and the ajummas/ahjoshshis around me.

I also spent the past few days on Twitter, following the issues that arose from the G20 summit being held in Toronto. Wow... talk about wrecking a city within a matter of hours! And for what, exactly? I have so much to say on this, but the main idea that comes to mind is as follows:

The people who destroyed the city and ruined properties without any just cause, or simply because they could, are lucky that they were in Canada. I don't see this as being acceptable anywhere else in the world. Perhaps there were times when the Toronto riot police could have handled themselves differently, but for what it's worth, the vandals/hooligans who brought global shame to our city deserved everything they got... and some might argue that they were let off too easy as well.

Lastly, I've been looking for jobs. I will be back in Toronto in under two months, and I dread lounging around the house while looking for a job. I am keeping my eyes open and starting to apply in hopes that I may have something lined up within a couple of months at least. Keep your fingers crossed for me, please! I'm sure none of you want to read a mopey writer's thoughts!

I think that's the jist of it for now. Oh!! I forgot to tell you, I'm going rafting/bungee jumping this Saturday! I can't wait! I've been craving an adrenaline rush for quite some time now, and this seems like the perfect opportunity. Photos will be up soon after.

xo
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A Dream Unfolds

I received a beautiful gift today -- one that is both thoughtful, and so unexpected.

Two of my colleagues, (one, a Korean language teacher, and the other, a math teacher), had been working together on this gift for a few weeks now, without my knowledge.

This morning, the two of them walked into my classroom and presented me with a bright yellow enevelope and a black pouch. I wasn't sure what was going on, or what the customs were in terms of receiving and opening gifts, so I simply said 'Thank You' and placed the envelope on my table. They insisted that I open it at that very moment, because they said they had instructions for me.

Still feeling those nervous butterflies dancing in the pit of my stomach (the ones that surface everytime someone says they have a surprise for me), I slowly opened the envelope. It revealed a paper with some Chinese, Korean and English words printed on it. I was confused. They then asked me to open the pouch, which contained my very own Korean “dojang” 도장 (aka Korean Seal).

Mrs S and C had been working on this gift with a lot of attention. For days, they looked over my name in English, focusing on the characters, letters and sounds, while trying to synch them with similar sounds in Korean and Chinese characters. I remember Mrs. C had approached me not too long ago, and had asked me to spell out my name in English. I wasn't sure what it was for, but I did it anyway, without much thought.

I guess this was the final result.

It seems everyone in Korean has their own dojang stamp, and it has more value than a signature made by pen. If someone were to steal your dojang and use it as their own, it would be considered identity theft. Although, they do need to be registered in order to be considered legal.

"If you want to buy a car or house, you need a dojang, otherwise it's not valid," said Mrs S, while we sipped on our post-lunch coffee. "I gave my daughter one for her 10th birthday."

I always wondered what the seals around the sign-in table were about.

Anyway, after just completing three months at my school, and in Korea, this was such a welcoming present.

Now, the meaning they came up with. They played around with my name a little bit, because they said they wanted it to reflect my personality, and their wishes for me. They blended in Chinese characters with Korean to get "SI MONG".

The paper in the yellow envelope read as follows:

[SI - pronounced "SHE"] UNFOLD

[MONG] DREAM

"A Dream Unfolds!"

Yes, it included the exclaimation mark. I think this has to be one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received. After they instructed me on how and when to use it, they said they were thankful to have met me, and offered up some wonderful wishes.... all unexpected. Even now, six hours later, I'm still reeling.

This country never ceases to surprise me.

xo
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Wordy Seoul!

It's been almost two months since I started living in the Land of Morning Calm. And throughout my days here, I've never been short on advice and random quotes. There's people throwing one-liners at me from all corners, on everything from my diet, to Korean love connections. There's a lot to this list, and I'm sure I'll have tons more before the year is done... but here's some teasers.

"No talking. Just flirting... with eyes."
- Sharon's co-teacher's advice to me, on trying to make friends with the cute intern phys-ed teacher at my school.

"Alive octopus make man very happy. Man happy, you happy."
- Mrs. C's advice, during a 'female teachers only' lunch, at mid-terms.

"Kimbap... kimbap... kimbap!! You eat more food! Look at you! Kimbap plus more, you need."
- Mrs. K - the confidence booster, after I told her I ate kimbap for dinner... three nights in a row.

" Your hair... why do you do it different? It's confusing me."
- Mr. S, every time I wear my hair differently.

"You solo?"
- Mr. cute intern phys-ed teacher, during our one and only conversation... a month ago.

Yes, I'm solo. You solo? Let's duet!
(Perhaps I should try this 'flirt with eyes' bit)...

There's tons more, but I'll get to those in time. For now, I hope you've enjoyed these!

xo
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Exam Influenza

It's that time here at my middle school. In the weeks leading up to this mid-term examination period, I never would have guessed how stressful and anxious the air around the school would feel. I did notice, however, that students had become quieter, and that more of them were picking up some sort of cold or fever. Definitely not H1N1... more like Exam Influenza.

Dear readers in every part of the world except Asia, please count your blessing that you weren't and (aren't) pushed as hard to study and ace your exams as the students are on this continent.

Here's an example.

Last week, after I wrapped up my after-school English class, I was walking home when I bumped into one of my most hard-working students. Within the first week at the school, this student had come up to me with a book she had ordered online, in anticipation of our meeting. It was a 300-page, soft-cover book on Canada. I swear, she knew more about the country I lived in than me.

As we walked in the direction of my apartment, I couldn't help but ask her a few questions about herself... about her goals, dreams, future... She is in her last semester of middle school, and come January 2010, she will be starting a new section of her life in high school. I figured she had a lot on her mind.

"I'm on my way to this place... that's sort of a library... but not really a library," she said, quietly.

I told her I didn't understand and asked her to explain a bit more.

"Well, it's called (DukSaJee?)," she said. "I pay some money and I get to go inside and sit in a cubicle for however long I want to, and study."

"How long will you study today?" I asked.

She looked at her watch quickly and said, "It's 4:30 now... I will be there till midnight."

I was shell-shocked.

She had just spent the last eight hours at school and was now heading over for another session in this solitary cubicle. My heart broke hearing this.

________

In the days after that incident, I realized quickly how important studies are in this culture. The teachers expect the students to do well... and the students expect themselves to do well. They will do whatever it takes, even if it means confining themselves in a building designed specifically for the purpose of voluntary isolation and seclusion - just so they can focus.

I admire them... but I also can't help but feel terrible. Between school, after school classes, academies after the after school classes, (DukSaJee) and so on... what's left?

Today, while I was on the bus, I heard someone speaking English with an over-pronounced American accent. Eager to see another foreigner in my area, I did a quick scan of the bus to see where the chatter was coming from. What I didn't expect to see was a young Korean student with a paper in her hand, talking to herself. It looked as though she was practicing for some kind of presentation, and was memorizing her words. She didn't care that a bus full of people could hear her. All that mattered was that her words were pronounced and that her accent was on par... or better.

________

I just finished invigilating my first exam here in the middle school. It was an English exam for the eighth graders. The two exam sheets with questions on them were in Korean. The students answered these questions about English lessons that they've studied in English... in Korean.

They don't think this is strange at all.



xo
SC



Photo courtesy of Google Images

Blue jeaned baby

After spending three weeks at my school, I dared to wear blue jeans to work today. If there was a problem, I figured I could use the "It's Casual Friday in North America" excuse.

And it was fine. I was eating lunch in the cafeteria with Mrs. P today, when she leaned over to me and said, "I like your style right now."

With a mouth full of rice and this delicious fish I've come to love and look forward to, I smiled at her and mumbled, "What?"

"I like your look today," she said, with her trademark smile plastered across her face. "You look young and cool."

Young and cool. Awesome!

I asked her if it was OK to wear jeans henceforth to school, and she said it would be fine.

What a relief. I am starting to float in the new pair of black pants I purchased before leaving Toronto.

__________

On another note, you'll notice I haven't blogged all week. To say this week has been emotionally and physically draining would be an understatement. (Cue my mother reading this and freaking out.... don't worry, Mum, I'm fine!)

But it has been a busy week and I'm thankful it is Friday. Not only that -- it's Friday and there isn't a jackhammer banging above my ceiling. Yes. The noise and demolition has finally stopped. I think the construction workers are now either putting together what it is they've broken, or replacing it. All I hear now are distant sounds of scraping and patching. The building is still a disaster zone, but Mr. S says they should be done work by October 1... this is before the Korean Thanksgiving weekend, so I am praying that he speaks the truth. Otherwise I am pretty sure I will have nothing to be thankful about.

Well, that's a mild exaggeration, but, you know.

I'm exhausted because this was my first official week of teaching. It's early Friday evening as I write this, and I'm so tired. Last week was easy because I spent it talking about myself... so the kids were interested. This week I had to jazzify a lesson from their textbooks and at least 4 out of my 19 classes couldn't...care...less. Seriously! Which sucks, because there are at least a few students in each class who really do try, and these other kids ruin it for them.

Today ended with this student in one of my grade 7 classes coming up to my desk in the staffroom and handing me a letter in a pink envelope with white polka dots on it. In the letter she introduced herself to me... in English that surprised me. She never talks in class. She told me about her hopes and dreams, and also about how she has a lot on her mind. She asked if I would write back to her... which I did... but I felt bad for not having the cute stationary that she handed me. I told her my little piece of diary paper would have to do. She didn't mind... she was simply thrilled that I wrote back to her. I told her that she shouldn't feel like she needs to change her name to an 'English' name... and that I'd feel happier calling her by her birth name.

(She introduced herself and then said, "... but you can call me Chloe.")

That's what's been pretty surprising for me. I was warned about people in Korea having their Korean names and also an English name. But... why? I mean, it's one thing if it's a joke... but instilling in these kids that in order to be more in tuned with the west, they need to anglicize their names... well, that's just wrong. All names were switched back to Korean in my English classes, right after one student told me to call her Paris Hilton.

Nope. Definitely not even in North America.

All in all, I'm simply looking forward to this weekend to veg, do some sightseeing and lesson planning. I'm absolutely starting to love Power Point!

xo
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Boom-de-ah-da

In a slow moment at work today (after I had clocked out), I found myself researching how much a multi-destination plane ticket around the world would cost. 

After being transferred from one site to another, and then finding this cool site where I could chart out my trip (city by city), I came up with a ticket for the price of $14,538. It would take me to 25 destinations across the planet, starting in Toronto and ending in Vancouver... (for the 2010 Olympics.... yes, you can laugh). 

The inspiration for this? I want to work for Globe Trekker TV. For the past 6 years of my life I have spent Sunday evenings drinking tea with my mum, while watching the hosts from this show take us from one destination to the next. On one show they're in Casablanca, giving us a non-touristy trip through the spice markets; and in the next, they're traipsing across the Mongolian dessert... how could I not be sold on this?

So, the next semi-long-term goal on the life-list (notice I'm not calling it my Bucket list? I'll have a new one if I get that far, I'm sure), is to put together a package for the Globe Trekker producers. Why not, right? 

I love the whole world (cue Discovery Channel 'Boom-de-ah-da'). 

I don't just want to visit parts of the world, I want to live all over the world. I want to get imbedded in the societies that are different from ones I've grown accustomed to. I wan to feel different pulses, breathe different airs. 

"I want all of it!" I mutter to myself. 

My voice startles me back to reality. I'm at my desk at work, after having just finished my third week as a 'working journalist' during a recession. 

I should be happy now. 

Yet, as I pack my bags and head home for the long weekend, I can't help but yell at myself internally... "Why can't I just be happy with this now?"

Because I know my heart's not here.

Because I want to experience this 'Boom-de-ah-da feeling'. 

xo

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Live to Play

You'd think choices in life would certainly become more clear cut once you were done school. 

The idea we're fed from childhood is to believe that life tends to take a linear pattern in one sense. We're born; we start school; we start post-secondary; we perhaps go on and venture into post-grad; we get a job; we get married; we have babies; we become aunts and uncles.... and so it goes. 

Or, at least that's what the hope is... but it's rarely ever the reality.

I, for one,  have never believed that life is linear. Mine certainly isn't... except for this one aspect. 

If you were to look at a graph of my life, measuring the personal and social, against the education and workflow, you'd notice that while other aspects "were all over the map," the education and workflow part would be steady. 

I have been in school for 91 per cent of my life. Yes, I did the math. It's been consistent from the start. At the end of every phase of my education, I've always known the first page of the chapter that followed. 

Until I got to the end of the most recent one -- the end of of my planned education. 

While I lucked out and picked up a freelancing gig as a web editor for a pretty well-to-do magazine in the city, I never imagined that my journey into the world of work and LIFE in general would be as big of a roller-coaster ride as it has been. 

I haven't had a steady day in months. 

Through all the tests and trials that I've endured since finishing school, I've learned two thing: you can never get comfortable at your job (you might be replaced in a flash); and the manner in which you get a job is not as clear-cut as guidance counsellors and recruiters might want you to believe. 

Entering the workforce after finishing school means constantly trying to prove yourself. Unless you pick up an entry-level job where you can steadily climb the rungs of the company ladder, for the most part, you will find yourself multi-tasking with work that you probably never imagined doing... or were never trained to do. 

I've finally come to realize the importance of "on the job training" ... meaning you're assigned a task and you do it to completion, only to realize you did it your way (the long way), when the company had a system in play that could have helped you do it in an hour. But you learn.

The goal now is to focus on the non-linear parts. I've secured something that can pay the bills for now... although the uncertainty is not knowing how long it will last. But in the meanwhile, I can't disregard the other aspects. Nor should any of you.  

I've come to realize how consuming work can be. I used to wonder about people who lived and breathed to work... some days I feel as though I'm one of those people. 

The trick, I suppose, is to find a balance and to realize that we don't live and breathe to work -- we live for breathtaking moments. Work simply allows us the freedom to enjoy those breathtaking moments with a little more security. 

xo

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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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Five things I learned today

1. Stock upper right-hand drawer with fruit.

2. Don't restock bag of m&m's in drawer, after it's finished.

3. Green tea: do not steep for more than 3 minutes if you want that "sushi restaurant green tea" taste to it.

4. After two and a half months at this job, I realize I STILL hate politics...

5. When you're riding on a crowded subway at 7:30 in the morning, coffee mug in hand, bag on shoulder, one foot placed firmly on the ground -- if the train suddenly brakes, and you fall sideways ... there will ALWAYS be a creepy 40-something-year old, who will go out of his way to catch you (feel you up!).

xo
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Step One is Admitting You Have a Problem

Hi. My name is SC and I am a YouTube-a-holic.

I find myself coming into work every day, logging on to my computer, opening up my Outlook, checking my e-mail (from the boss lady and friends), opening up my Gmail, checking my e-mail (from school, friends, lovers and other strangers), opening up Facebook, etc.. etc... etc... (wash, rinse and start all over...)

*ahem*

And then...

once I'm well settled in, with Word and Excel opened up to the appropriate documents of the day, I log onto... (any guesses here??) YouTube.

This wasn't a real problem before because I never really familiarized myself with the site. I would go on to check out music videos or clips from some of my favourite shows. But lately, on my daily quests for music to help me ignore everything else around the office, I've been encountering some stuff that I'd pushed away in the filing cabinet that occupies a third of my brain, (the other two thirds have other purposes, don't worry!).

And with these songs, there are magnificent videos that capture the essence of the lyrics or scores. I spoke about "Stardust" earlier, in how it's a very visually stimulating video that you can watch as you listen to the words...

Today, I was listening to scores from The Godfather, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Love Story. The common factor? 10 points to the person who guessed, Andy Williams.

It started out with Frank Sinatra, but one thing led to another and... you know... (I know, I'm such a YouTube skank, jumping from one artist to the next without so much as a second click!).

ANYWAY, I found this video. Someone created it to go with the Piano theme of Love Story. I honestly think this should be on the Harlequin Romance website ...

The creator of this video must either be a very hopeful individual or an eternal optimist. Either that or this person is truly, madly and deeply in love...

In either case... good job. You managed to get a border-line cynic like myself to not only get all mush-yucky watching your video, but you also made me post it on my blog.

Well done. Jerk.

xo
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Stardust Melody

... I don't know how I would survive work without YouTube... (Thank you, for keeping me in mind when creating your site, YouTube creator!)

I just listened to Bob Marley not too long ago, while compiling contact lists upon contact lists... and now? Beautiful... soulful... soothing... enchanting... Nat King Cole.

Yes, you can make fun of me. I've already had 2 people walk by my desk, asking me why I had a goofy "sappy" look on my face. Thankfully they can't hear what I'm listening to because I don't have speakers and have to plug my headphones into the computer.

I watched this video on YouTube with images captured from the Hubble telescope, while "Stardust" by Nat King Cole played in the background. It's funny how these visuals can have such a profound impact on your mood, emotions, senses... I watched the video, maybe about three times in a row. I kept thinking about the reality of how tiny I actually am in the grand scheme of things. I'm a literal speck among billions... It's good to keep things like this in mind when I find I'm overwhelmed or getting ahead of myself.

My aunt was right when she said that the best way to get to some one's emotions is to capture the senses...

If played well, I've caught myself teary-eyed while watching commercials (those people at Hallmark know what they're doing, targeting people like me...).

xo
SC

Battles you weren't aware you were in

I find it so amazing how people can be such S**T disturbers, without even giving their actions a second thought. Well, some people don't surprise me because drama runs through their veins... but seriously! Whatever happened to people thinking before they talk? I mean, I shouldn't say anything because I admittedly lack an internal funnel that drains out half the things that come out of my mouth.... but ugh! I can't even speak, I'm so annoyed!

Case and point. And these are the broad strokes. I'm at work. coworker comes up and says "it really sucks that you won't be coming to (another coworker's) birthday." I reply with "why wouldn't I come?" Coworker responds with "well, you know... I mean, it's not like you would come considering..." I get annoyed and say "considering what?" Coworker casually responds with "well, I mean with everything going on and stuff. It would be weird."

Ok.

What's going on and how am I involved? I couldn't tell you. Frankly I probably wouldn't go... but it's the principle!
a.) Why say anything when you know it might be "weird"?
b.) You know I won't go, so why bring it up?
c.) you're know exactly what you're achieving by doing a & b.

Honestly, my life does not revolve around work, and it never has. I have so much going on outside of the dungeon that I work in, that the stuff happening in there does not even chase up to a close third. If people want drama... they have to follow the above mentioned steps. It's a sure fire way to work. To the person who stirs the pot, I say keep stirring. In return, I will keep shaking my head. It's all I can do really... Until the end of August anyway!

-SC