Spending time with family is the best. Whether it's playing mahjong for 1000 hours, letting little babies use me as a jungle gym, or teaching everyone in the family from 4 years old to 80+ years old how to wave, waack, and moonwalk, or just something as simple as sitting down and eating together, nothing feels more sacred and just right.

And it's always good to know that when it comes down to it, no one holds me to higher standards than the people in my family. I am extremely thankful to have those standards to uphold.

A New York snapshot

There is something pretty magical about watching hundreds of people flow out from the platforms on a weekday rush hour morning, against the sounds of a crooning funk and blues musician playing to no one in particular. Some walking out of the Starbucks stop to watch silently a few minutes cuddling their red and green latte cups before continuing on to their daily routine. Couple of yards away plays a classical string quartet playing a jaunty Mozart masterpiece, as newspaper distributors shout out "Good morning!"

If we prioritized teaching our children not just respect, but true empathy and caring for those other than ourselves, maybe our society wouldn't be suffering all these problems.

As a teacher who spends so much energy trying to treat her students like real people SO THAT they in turn will treat others like real people, it gets really tiring to hear all this crap on the news. Kids weren't born with the intention to harm.

At the same time, it is nearly impossible for me to sympathize with anyone once he or she has committed unwarranted intended harm.

What is the use of anger? Sometimes, it just swells up and invades my mind. And then a voice in the back of my head tells me to just throw it away, it's useless. But it always comes back with its poison.

One of the keys to success in my opinion is the ability to work with what you have, rather than focusing on getting what you think you need. If you keep thinking about what you don't have, you will always lack something, and you will always be dependent on someone or something to provide for that need.

Optimism

Optimism is a powerful thing. People want to be around those who can look at things on the bright side, look forward to the future, and get through the tough times.

It is hard at times to be optimistic. I fluctuate frequently - one day I am down in the dumps, one day I feel as unrestricted as a bird. However, I never lose sight of possibilities. I hope you never do either.

Please check out this organization I have been working with to promote education and cultural appreciation in the DR. Words of support and encouragement greatly appreciated - and never be afraid to ask questions.

Most of the obstacles you perceive for yourself aren't even there.

Secret messsage.

mess

Books sprawled all over my desk and my bed. Three different types of tea. Jackets flung over my chair. Three or four different pairs of shoes spread across the ground. Crumpled paper. A bottle of almost-finished wine. A stapler. Three or four different notebooks half-used.

We're almost there!

Good things that come with the cold

Good things that come with the cold:

• Fewer putrid smells of things rotting from the heat
• Mulled wine and gingerbread and lots of other good food
• Cuddling! Especially with cats.
• Family gatherings

It would probably do our society a lot of good if we stop teaching people to search for the answer that they think other people want to hear, rather than the one they truly believe is right.

I'm through with shameless people pleasing. Honestly, I'd rather hear someone disagrees with me and has a great argument to back up their thoughts, rather than a person who clearly only is thinking about what they think I want to hear them say.

So even if I've argued with you, yelled at you, or fought over something with you (all of you out there) about something, you always are entitled to have your own opinion. And a true teacher will never just expect you to regurgitate what he or she wants to hear; a true teacher values a dissenting opinion provided that the student can back it up with a sound and logical argument.

Butterflies

Life is weird. You never know who you're going to talk to, who's going to inspire you to take a leap, what tiny decision is going change your life.

Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but I feel like a big change is creeping up on me. Probably something I didn't really plan. And I'm pumped.

Hmmm

This came up on my facebook feed just now:


On the surface, a fairly humorous Japanese TV ad for cup noodles. Peeling back the layers though, I can't even begin to organize all the layers of meaning...it might actually be too much for my brain this late at night. Perhaps you could help me peel it back, one layer at a time.

Hot chocolate season

It's getting chilly out there! Which means that my body and mind have been giving in to lots of hot chocolate, cookies, and other sugary goodness on the daily. Full-time studying and job-searching as opposed to dancing = soon-to-be chub chub.

These days though, it is really hard to get by without a few hot drinks. If they have chocolate in them...even harder to resist. I am in trouble.

And to tempt all of you, here's my go-to hot chocolate recipe. Come to the dark side ;)

It takes a long time to get adjusted to new situations. Whenever going a new place, a new job, etc. it can take up months for a person to finally feel comfortable enough to express oneself. If you're lucky, you find a place that instantaneously meshes well with you, but that perfect situation is probably the exception, not the rule.

Sometimes I think I do not allow enough time for myself for that adjustment. Perhaps the other side of that is always being on the move these days, I adapt well to most situations, but never fully acclimate. Someday I will find my base.

Coconut

I am made of coconut.

Today I discovered roasted coconut chips at Trader Joe's. They are the best thing since...coconut milk. And coconut butter. Coconut oil. Coconut...ice cream.

Actually, coconut oil is a really great natural lotion. And it makes your hair soft.

Coconut butter is actually coconut flakes processed until it liquifies - then you can spread it on toast or refrigerate it and eat it like fudge. Yum.

Don't know where my head is. So many things to do. So many things getting done. So many things to think about. Need time to dance.

And yet I am calm. Not sweating the small stuff. Happy and grateful for the people I have in my life, no matter where in the world they are.

A follow-up from yesterday. And because I had no time today.

Things that smell good:

• Roses - who doesn't love the smell of roses? Oh and plumerias.
• Citrus fruits - cures headaches and carsickness
• Caramel/burnt sugar
• Fresh, clean air - there are different types for different seasons/weather
• I heard/read somewhere that people who are attractive to you tend to smell better to you. Is that true?

Things that smell bad

Things that smell bad. Or not just bad, horrendous.

• Some women's perfume, especially those that smell like the department stores (why does it always smell like that when I get on the bus!?)
• Weed (I have no judgments about its effects, but it smells so bad I want to punch someone)
• Urine - I smell this on the sidewalk in NYC every day
• Rotten urine - if I am unlucky, I will come across a bathroom that hasn't been cleaned in a while
• Durian/rotten milk/gasoline - all have a very similar smell to me

One should never be proud or take pleasure in making another person's life unnecessarily difficult. I mean, come on, that's just cruel.

In somewhat related news, I spent the day getting trained on J-1 status procedures and regulations. It was somewhat soul-sucking learning about how bureaucratic and stupidly complicated the whole process is. It probably is worse actually being an actual student or scholar trying to get here and figuring out what exactly you can or cannot do. Well, I hope maybe I can use my official training to help make someone's life easier one day!

Heartwarming video of the day.

Also, I started watching this at work (with one of my 8th grade classes). Stay tuned for more on that one, I still need to finish it!

I guess the theme of the day is social responsibility and having a sense of justice - doing and believing what you think is right, not just for yourself but what is better for the world, and what can make this earth a better place to live.

Have a lovely Thursday~

Last night, I had my first yoga class ever! My friend needed someone to practice his teaching on, so I agreed to give it a go.

I think there is something to be said about yoga, taichi, or even more mundane exercises like ”ラジオ体操” (A type of morning warm-up done in Japan). It really helps you focus and put energy throughout your entire body.

Yoga is HARD. You think that doing poses and stretches wouldn't be so demanding...but sometimes not moving much is so much harder.

Happy hump day!

Possibilities

Lately, the whole idea of leaving, finding a real job, starting afresh...it's gotten me back into my good exploring, optimistic mood. Oh man, I've definitely missed this part of me! It's like I have hope again!

Here's something practical for those of you like me who have a panic attack when trying to figure out local tipping etiquette. Not sure if it is 100% accurate but I definitely agree with what they have to say about Japan.

To have your family's blessing and confidence is one of the most comforting feelings in the world. It pushes me to strive to be a better person.

Wanderers

Why explore?

There are some of us who like to travel without a plan, or with barely a plan. The times that I have traveled by my own accord, I usually take this route.

Doing so has helped me learn some essential lessons. While it's hard to truly realize these lessons unless you've internalized them through experience, here are some things that some fellow explorers I've met and I can agree upon:

• Culture is not a wall, it is a puzzle. If you make enough effort to understand each other, you can come out that much stronger.
• One should not be afraid of the unexpected. Things happen, but that is what makes your story yours.
• The world is not and absolutely should not be handed to you on a silver platter. When you're in a new place, it is your responsibility to try to make it work.

Comfort

I appreciate it when people go out of their way to make me feel comfortable...

BUT

Such efforts can make me feel even MORE uncomfortable if other people are made uncomfortable in the process. I'd rather see people feel at ease than annoyed at my expense. 

For example, yelling at a waiter/waitress because they got my order wrong (just letting them know subtly would be okay).

or...making other people move over to give us room to sit at a lounge, even if they had the seats before us.

Kindness

Thank the universe for the kindness of strangers. One man in the park saw me pass by and called me over to give me a flower, and to tell me to have a nice day (maybe because I looked sad?) And then late at night, when walking back from a party, another guy in a weird ghost costume, who (unsuccessfully) kept trying to woo me, ended up along the way reminding me that I should really value myself a lot more than I do.

And then of course, there's the undervalued kindness of true friends. Whom I might see rarely, but always bring a smile to my face when I do.