good news about babysitting, moms and magazines

The awesome mom of the adorable 3 1/2 year-old boy I babysit (who no longer goes by "flight plane," but "buzzlight year") handed me the latest issue of Ode magazine and said I'd be interested. I'd never heard of the magazine but hearing that it's about people and ideas that are changing the world for the better immediately caught my attention, and written on the cover is, "for intelligent optimists." Its an international mag dedicated to providing positive news. How cool is that? I'll have to report more once I start reading.

Reflecting on my past jobs, I've come to realize that I have loved every job I've had, and babysitting is certainly among them. Last night after Kerrie (the awesome mom) returned home we talked for about two hours mainly about life in the coming-of-age years. She told me stories about leaving her family in New York for school and later for life in California. She also talked about dealing with the pressures and expectations of her parents and confronting them even if it meant upsetting them or not meeting their expectations; the way she described her parents and struggles seemed all too familiar. we both laughed and took comfort in our similar experiences. It was so comforting that forgot that I was talking to the mom of the son whom I babysat; I felt like I was talking to a good friend. When she had come home I was exhausted and ready to leave for bed, but our conversation was so captivating that I didn't leave until 2am and I when I did I felt energized and inspired.

"for girls, it's be yourself, and be perfect, too"

I receive daily digests from the N.Y. Times and Washington Post. At the time of subscribing it seemed like a good idea. My editor and poli-sci professor like to send me links to stories I should check out, and then I figured, why not just hear and read about them on my own. But having done so my inbox is inundated with daily headlines and it's sad to say that it's not uncommon for me to just click delete.

Sometimes it's different, like this morning. My friend Amber called to tell me class would be starting an hour late. So with plenty of time on hand and cheerios to devour I came across this article about high school girls striving as all-around over-achievers to obtain admission into America's top colleges while also battling pressure and insecurities.

For Girls, It's Be Yourself, And Be Perfect: read article here.

"If you are free to be everything, you are also expected to be everything. What it comes down to, in this place and time, is that the eternal adolescent search for self is going on at the same time as the quest for the perfect résumé."

Now a sophomore in college I can say that not much has changed.

"one, two, tea"

I've gotten in the habit of naturally waking up around 6:30 in the morning for school, and unfortunately did so this Saturday morning, although I didn't have much of a choice as I had to get to Hollywood and Highland to work at the Academy Awards. I recently got hired at Special Events which staffs catering events for big corps like Nestle and chefs like Wolfgang Puck. It's a really neat job and a heck of a lot of work! All the running, lifting, smiling and busing is madness. Today we served lunch for about 1,000 really hungry production crew members. It was a lot of fun; the events are exciting but the people I work with make it all the more enjoyable. Now I'm mentally and physically exhausted, and I have to rest up for tomorrow where I'll be serving for stars at the Oscars!

What made my day--one of my best friends, Catherine threw a tea party at Frills Vintage Tea Parlour in Downtown Monrovia. The ambiance had an old-fashioned feel that made being there surreal even though the service was run by teenagers who were smiley and very helpful. We had an assorted array of tea--roseberry, chocolate, vanilla chai, passion fruit and mango, and chocolate chip scones, fruit and yogurt, and cute little tea sandwiches. To get the full tea-party experience I challenged the party go-ers to sit with perfect posture, drink with their pinkies pointed out and talk only with a British accent. We all failed.

sitting in on a saturday

Mornin' folks. These past couple days have been rainy. Considering my past with seasonal mood disorder where I feel really down with gloomy weather, I'm trying to counter that and appreciate the rain, wind and cold. It's tough I tell ya. I'm just a sunny southern California girl at heart. Maybe that's why we have so many happy people in LA. Ha! Anyway I'm looking forward to the clear skies and smoke-free air tomorrow. Weather report says it's going to be a beautiful day.

Currently listening to the Counting Crows and lounging in the living room of my messy 10 person-occuppied house, I'm attempting to inspire myself to start on the ton of reading, homework, late-test and college apps. But it's Saturday and I'm exhaused from this past overwhelming week. Thursday and Friday I had my non-violent direct action trainings with Greenpeace. It was amazing even though I think I left the workshop with more questions than answers. Watching the civil rights documentaries and past Greenpeace actions gone-wrong videos made me reflect on a lot of personal issues. Part of it was depressing. Like the Greenpeace gone-wrong actions. Some were so pointless and unorganized that it made sense to me why people dislike Greenpeace. Sure a lot of it outrageous. And it's unfortunate that one bad act can hinder the greater scheme of things. What I liked about the workshop was discussing how far we'd go as an activist in terms of property destruction, self-defense, symbolism, etc. I, myself, would never make an attempt to destruct property or put any living being in harm's way. It's just not in my nature. I don't see it as being effective but rather isolating and antagonistic, even hypocrtical. I don't believe in countering violence with violence, rather compassion and communication. Others may disagree, even those within Greenpeace. And that's OK. I learned that you don't have to be in line 100% with one particular organization or ideology or anything.

I adamantly believe that one person can make a difference. It's the type of difference I'm trying to grasp. I'd like to see something revolutionary like world peace. Is that too much to ask for? Possibley. But I think it's important for each person to take personal responsibility and maybe not expect to see something grand in the moment but understand that their good actions as part of the grand solution.

I believe in goodness and having hope. I'm an optimist and gladly so. So I'm going to be continue doing good and having hope.

On a side note, I've realized I'm a work-a-holic. I feel like time is too precious to wste and so I'm always doing something. I think it's kind of good that it's raining outside because it's almost forcing me to sit at home and just relax, and more importantly, breathe. Sometimes I forget to do that and so cramps ache up in my stomach. I love to work and I love to work well. In addition to my Greenpeace Organizing Term, a semester-long program dedicated to training student environmental activists, which I really don't even consider work but more like school because of how much I'm learning from it, I work as a hostess at Jaleo, known famously for its classical and contemporary Spanish cuisine serving traditional small and savory dishes of Spain, known as tapas. Jaleo's one of the best in DC. It's hilarious how much pride I take in my work but I enjoy it so much. I love Jaleo and it's because of the people I work with. They're the most beautiful, loving and kind-hearted people I've met in DC. I hope every job that holds in my future is with an amazing team like the one at Jaleo. Ah, I'm so sentimental.

And I'm really excited because tonight I'm going to celebrate the sweet 26th birthday of my co-host, Gaston. That means lots of good music, company and dancing!

I love life. Good day, friends. Good day.