Walking around yesterday on campus and seeing students and staff with their foreheads marked, I was reminded that it was Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. A time of fasting, and a time of remembrance of the sacrifices that were made for us so that we can be here today. Although not Catholic, I have observed Lent before and have given up television (no tv for 40 days and 40 nights makes for some quiet evenings at home and lots of time for reading books).
Lent serves as a quiet reminder that we as humans are privy to lots of things in our everyday lives that are nice to haves but not necessary. This year, I pondered what I should give up for Lent. I tried giving up coffee one year and failed miserably and although I know I shouldn’t be drinking it everyday, it seems much more miserable to give up coffee than to not and the next 40 days would not be very fun.
Everyone that is close to me knows my obsession with dessert. I love sugar, I love carbs, I love sugar with carbs—none of which is good for my health in any which way. So naturally giving up a dessert would be the most obvious thing to do. Some of my co-workers have ambitiously given up all dessert. I could not be so valiant and have decided for Lent this year, I will give up cookies and muffins. Yes, seemingly innocuous treats to most people, cookies and muffins are dangerous food groups (see, I even classified it as a food group) for me as I can almost never decline either if it’s presented to me. Even worse, if I’m presented with a buffet of muffins or cookies, I’ll have the desire to sample them all. Today my co-worker brought in deliciously home baked cookies, they looked so delectable and tasty but alas for the next 40 days I will have to refrain from these yummy treats. A part of it’s great for my health, I am a ridiculous junkfoodaholic but a part of it is also great because each time I am confronted with the challenge and choose to decline, I will be reminded of sacrifices that were made for me and how my simple sacrifice is just a way of saying thanks.
At the end of the day, it comes down to choice. No one ever dictates to us what we have to consume or not consume both literally and figuratively and choice is ultimately the true gift that god sacrificed for us to have. In thinking about that, to give up or not to give up for the next 40 days, for me, there really is no question.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Hello, Kitty—Come and play with me!
On February 12, MAC cosmetics launched its Hello Kitty limited edition cosmetic line. Hello Kitty got revamped, looking trendy chic in MAC’s signature color, black. It seems like everywhere you look these days you can say, Hello Kitty!
Created in 1976, Hello Kitty is in her mid 30’s this year and it seems that many of her fans are just about her age. In Hong Kong, you can find the Hello Kitty café and dessert shop. In Taiwan, there is a maternity and birthing ward in which mommies to be can hold their newborns in a Hello Kitty decorated room. In Japan, where Hello Kitty was born, you can find anything Hello Kitty you can probably imagine, yes, even an s&m room, and no, I didn’t imagine that. Although originally established as a stationary and gift store for little girls, Hello Kitty is not just targeted for the pre-tween stage anymore. Ask Kimora Lee Simmons who designed a $4500 diamond pendant for the cute cat.
I admit, I was a Sanrio child growing up. I loved going into the Sanrio store and buying erasers, lead pencils, and stationary, and I had a fair share of Hello Kitty items when I was a young girl but I was much more into the other Sanrio characters, My Melody, Little Twin Star, Pekkle, and Kerropi. The store was wonderful, filled with everything cute and pretty, I absolutely savored each of our trips there.
Today, I have Hello Kitty items ranging from an air humidifier to a coffee machine, from stuffed Hello Kitty plush dressed in the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs to t-shirts, purses, and compacts. What is this obsession with this cute little feline? I’m 30 years old, can I be too old for the Kitty?
Hello Kitty to me represents innocence, happiness, and a drama free world and you are never too old for that. She’s simple and fun, and everything that you put her on adds a dimension of cuteness. Whether it’s on a toaster or pajamas, she makes us happy and that’s why women are attracted to her. In a serious world, Hello Kitty reminds us, don’t forget to play. More importantly she reminds us that it’s o.k. to appreciate being a girl as we embrace growing into our own skin as women. Hello Kitty herself has gone through this metamorphosis from being just a girl’s best friend. I don’t know if I’ll ever grow out of my love for Hello Kitty, and truthfully, I’m in no rush to. I do hope to have a daughter one day not just so I can give her all the collectibles that I have been saving over the years but because I hope to share with someone a little dose of simple happiness.
Hello Kitty doesn’t have a mouth but if she did and she could speak, I’m pretty sure she would want to remind us of all the wonderful things in this world and say, come play with me! So bring it on, perhaps we can never be too old for what Hello Kitty truly represents.
Created in 1976, Hello Kitty is in her mid 30’s this year and it seems that many of her fans are just about her age. In Hong Kong, you can find the Hello Kitty café and dessert shop. In Taiwan, there is a maternity and birthing ward in which mommies to be can hold their newborns in a Hello Kitty decorated room. In Japan, where Hello Kitty was born, you can find anything Hello Kitty you can probably imagine, yes, even an s&m room, and no, I didn’t imagine that. Although originally established as a stationary and gift store for little girls, Hello Kitty is not just targeted for the pre-tween stage anymore. Ask Kimora Lee Simmons who designed a $4500 diamond pendant for the cute cat.
I admit, I was a Sanrio child growing up. I loved going into the Sanrio store and buying erasers, lead pencils, and stationary, and I had a fair share of Hello Kitty items when I was a young girl but I was much more into the other Sanrio characters, My Melody, Little Twin Star, Pekkle, and Kerropi. The store was wonderful, filled with everything cute and pretty, I absolutely savored each of our trips there.
Today, I have Hello Kitty items ranging from an air humidifier to a coffee machine, from stuffed Hello Kitty plush dressed in the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs to t-shirts, purses, and compacts. What is this obsession with this cute little feline? I’m 30 years old, can I be too old for the Kitty?
Hello Kitty to me represents innocence, happiness, and a drama free world and you are never too old for that. She’s simple and fun, and everything that you put her on adds a dimension of cuteness. Whether it’s on a toaster or pajamas, she makes us happy and that’s why women are attracted to her. In a serious world, Hello Kitty reminds us, don’t forget to play. More importantly she reminds us that it’s o.k. to appreciate being a girl as we embrace growing into our own skin as women. Hello Kitty herself has gone through this metamorphosis from being just a girl’s best friend. I don’t know if I’ll ever grow out of my love for Hello Kitty, and truthfully, I’m in no rush to. I do hope to have a daughter one day not just so I can give her all the collectibles that I have been saving over the years but because I hope to share with someone a little dose of simple happiness.
Hello Kitty doesn’t have a mouth but if she did and she could speak, I’m pretty sure she would want to remind us of all the wonderful things in this world and say, come play with me! So bring it on, perhaps we can never be too old for what Hello Kitty truly represents.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
What's your "passion" fruit?
My public radio station was hosting its fundraising drive over the weekend giving out pretty neat gifts and goodies to callers who were willing to call and pledge money to keep the station afloat. Everyday it seems I get solicitations from the numerous non-profits I have donated to urging me to make any contribution as the situation is dire for those at home and those abroad. I, like many in this country, have made many monetary contributions to causes I believe in. From helping hurricane victims of Katrina to earthquake victims in China, from the homeless in Los Angeles to the hungry in DC, from the children of World Vision to the cure for breast cancer. Last year, through the help of my friends, we were able to provide funding to an orphanage in Uganda. It was meaningful to know that we were able to help build something out of nothing. It is easier to think about the plight of others when your income is steady and stable and your home is secure.
As much as our country believes in philanthropy, we are living in some interesting economic times. Bank stocks have plunged to records low, houses are not nudging, let alone flying, off the seller's block, and everyday it seems like another company is laying off thousands of workers, from the furlough of California state workers to the Fortune 500 companies. No one dares to look at their 401k statement or how much they have lost in their stock portfolio. No one seems immune to the harshness of these economic conditions. How can we be philanthropic when we don't even know if we will have our jobs tomorrow?
With the economy going sour, resources are depleting fast. California may not even have enough to give tax refunds and the federal government, well who exactly is going to be paying for these 700 billion dollar stimulus packages that Congress is passing on their "act now, think later" approach? Realistically, how are individuals expected to be generous when we aren't even sure what we can afford to give?
While a monetary donation is in many ways the simplest way for Americans to feel as they have done something good, it is certainly not the only way we can contribute to society. With many individuals unemployed and looking for work, participating in community service and finding a cause that you feel passionate about to volunteer for even a few hours a week can be a contribution that we can all afford to make.
I know many wonderful people who are making a difference in the world by volunteering their time, whether it's reading to kids on Saturday, teaching financial literacy to kids from lower socio-economic conditions, putting together a Valentine's pampering day for victims of domestic violence or hosting monthly parties for children in foster care. It doesn't matter if you have talent or skill, all you need is heart. Of course if you have talent, you can use that to make an even more meaningful contribution. I have a photographer friend who serves as a volunteer photographer for a non-profit and many lawyer friends who provide free legal services to those in need.
When the economy is uncertain and investments are volatile, I encourage you to find something that you feel passionate about and give it some time. We are always going to need volunteers. Any cause you can think of, I guarantee there is something out there. Check out www.idealist.org or www.volunteermatch.org for ideas. When I volunteered my time to interact with kids who are smart but have never been giving affirmation from their parents or teachers, when I helped grandparents obtain guardianship rights for their grandchild, when I helped an elderly gentleman obtain his Social Security benefits, these were acts that simply required me to donate nothing more than my time and my heart but created more of a sense of community than money could buy.
It might take awhile before our stock portfolios go up but volunteering in any capacity is a contribution that does not require us to reach into our wallet and will really allow us to reap the fruits of our labor. So I ask you today, what will be your passion fruit?
As much as our country believes in philanthropy, we are living in some interesting economic times. Bank stocks have plunged to records low, houses are not nudging, let alone flying, off the seller's block, and everyday it seems like another company is laying off thousands of workers, from the furlough of California state workers to the Fortune 500 companies. No one dares to look at their 401k statement or how much they have lost in their stock portfolio. No one seems immune to the harshness of these economic conditions. How can we be philanthropic when we don't even know if we will have our jobs tomorrow?
With the economy going sour, resources are depleting fast. California may not even have enough to give tax refunds and the federal government, well who exactly is going to be paying for these 700 billion dollar stimulus packages that Congress is passing on their "act now, think later" approach? Realistically, how are individuals expected to be generous when we aren't even sure what we can afford to give?
While a monetary donation is in many ways the simplest way for Americans to feel as they have done something good, it is certainly not the only way we can contribute to society. With many individuals unemployed and looking for work, participating in community service and finding a cause that you feel passionate about to volunteer for even a few hours a week can be a contribution that we can all afford to make.
I know many wonderful people who are making a difference in the world by volunteering their time, whether it's reading to kids on Saturday, teaching financial literacy to kids from lower socio-economic conditions, putting together a Valentine's pampering day for victims of domestic violence or hosting monthly parties for children in foster care. It doesn't matter if you have talent or skill, all you need is heart. Of course if you have talent, you can use that to make an even more meaningful contribution. I have a photographer friend who serves as a volunteer photographer for a non-profit and many lawyer friends who provide free legal services to those in need.
When the economy is uncertain and investments are volatile, I encourage you to find something that you feel passionate about and give it some time. We are always going to need volunteers. Any cause you can think of, I guarantee there is something out there. Check out www.idealist.org or www.volunteermatch.org for ideas. When I volunteered my time to interact with kids who are smart but have never been giving affirmation from their parents or teachers, when I helped grandparents obtain guardianship rights for their grandchild, when I helped an elderly gentleman obtain his Social Security benefits, these were acts that simply required me to donate nothing more than my time and my heart but created more of a sense of community than money could buy.
It might take awhile before our stock portfolios go up but volunteering in any capacity is a contribution that does not require us to reach into our wallet and will really allow us to reap the fruits of our labor. So I ask you today, what will be your passion fruit?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The great "date"bate--A dating world or just a mirage?
February. Heart shaped candies, valentine cards, chocolates, cupids, and some might argue, more red decor than even the Christmas season. I spent this past weekend catching up with some great girlfriends and we talked about one of my favorite subjects in the world, love. Being in love, wanting to be in love, and finding someone to love.
Many of my girlfriends possess the "S" factor: sexy, sassy, sweet, and single. While some of them recently got out of long-term relationships and others have been dating on and off, quite a few of them have had a dry spell in the courtship ritual and have expressed a desire to find a leading man, heck even a supporting actor in their lives. All this leads me to ask, is the dating world just a mirage? Has the dating pool dried up?
Growing up in Los Angeles, I always heard it is difficult to date in the city. Everyone drives around in their cars making little room for social interaction. When I moved to DC, the story was more sobering. Professional women outnumber men and many middle aged women in DC expressed the dearth of quality single men in the nation's Capitol. Statistics are not terribly encouraging either. Each year more women graduate from college than men and in some law schools, female students comprise of at least half or more of the graduating classes.
Alas, if the story were to end there, we could just lament over the loss of the "great guy" and accept the reality that he doesn't exist. But the truth is that I also have many single guy friends who have been looking but are having trouble finding a suitable person to share their lives and adventures with. Some may argue that men and women play a different kind of game. I for one am of the belief that women look for love and find the time while men find the time before they look for love.
The modern day conundrum is: How do you provide a dating pool in which these wonderful gals can meet these wonderful guys who are ready for love and everyone can live happily ever after? Growing up enchanted by Disney, even I know that men like Prince Eric don't just appear "under the sea" out of nowhere (and hey, even he fell for Ursula's trap didn't he?). Many folks have tried to use the Internet as a mechanism of love, from dating websites to online personal ads, many have attempted to find love through this online dating catalog. While it has worked for a minority of those who have tried it, more often than not it has led to nothing more than a few dates and a meaningless future. So why do so many people sign up if it doesn't really work? I don't think people sign up expecting to find love, they sign up because they hope they can.
If yellow is the color of 2009, then I say, hope is the word of 2009. Obama used it to win his election but my friends who are in the dating world live by it. It is because of hope that they are willing to entertain meeting that stranger for coffee. It is because of hope they are willing to ask that person out on a date. It is because of hope that they are willing to go on a second date even though the first date only went o.k. And it is because of hope that they are willing to give their relationship just one more try.
I must attest that I haven't been in the dating world for a few years but the tenacious ways my friends fearlessly approach the journey to find love gives me hope in love. It worked for a friend who in his late 30's found his fiancé at a rafting trip. It worked for a friend who in her late 20's found her first boyfriend when she wasn't looking. It worked for a friend who quit her job and moved across the country to be with her boyfriend. Although not at this very moment, I am assured that each of my friends will find the love that they are looking for because they remain hopeful about love.
And so I would conjecture that the dating pool isn't dry, and it isn’t a mirage. It's a matter of treading new waters to find a new love because as long as the dating pool is hopeful it will never be dry. As cheesy as that sounds, love will find a way.
Many of my girlfriends possess the "S" factor: sexy, sassy, sweet, and single. While some of them recently got out of long-term relationships and others have been dating on and off, quite a few of them have had a dry spell in the courtship ritual and have expressed a desire to find a leading man, heck even a supporting actor in their lives. All this leads me to ask, is the dating world just a mirage? Has the dating pool dried up?
Growing up in Los Angeles, I always heard it is difficult to date in the city. Everyone drives around in their cars making little room for social interaction. When I moved to DC, the story was more sobering. Professional women outnumber men and many middle aged women in DC expressed the dearth of quality single men in the nation's Capitol. Statistics are not terribly encouraging either. Each year more women graduate from college than men and in some law schools, female students comprise of at least half or more of the graduating classes.
Alas, if the story were to end there, we could just lament over the loss of the "great guy" and accept the reality that he doesn't exist. But the truth is that I also have many single guy friends who have been looking but are having trouble finding a suitable person to share their lives and adventures with. Some may argue that men and women play a different kind of game. I for one am of the belief that women look for love and find the time while men find the time before they look for love.
The modern day conundrum is: How do you provide a dating pool in which these wonderful gals can meet these wonderful guys who are ready for love and everyone can live happily ever after? Growing up enchanted by Disney, even I know that men like Prince Eric don't just appear "under the sea" out of nowhere (and hey, even he fell for Ursula's trap didn't he?). Many folks have tried to use the Internet as a mechanism of love, from dating websites to online personal ads, many have attempted to find love through this online dating catalog. While it has worked for a minority of those who have tried it, more often than not it has led to nothing more than a few dates and a meaningless future. So why do so many people sign up if it doesn't really work? I don't think people sign up expecting to find love, they sign up because they hope they can.
If yellow is the color of 2009, then I say, hope is the word of 2009. Obama used it to win his election but my friends who are in the dating world live by it. It is because of hope that they are willing to entertain meeting that stranger for coffee. It is because of hope they are willing to ask that person out on a date. It is because of hope that they are willing to go on a second date even though the first date only went o.k. And it is because of hope that they are willing to give their relationship just one more try.
I must attest that I haven't been in the dating world for a few years but the tenacious ways my friends fearlessly approach the journey to find love gives me hope in love. It worked for a friend who in his late 30's found his fiancé at a rafting trip. It worked for a friend who in her late 20's found her first boyfriend when she wasn't looking. It worked for a friend who quit her job and moved across the country to be with her boyfriend. Although not at this very moment, I am assured that each of my friends will find the love that they are looking for because they remain hopeful about love.
And so I would conjecture that the dating pool isn't dry, and it isn’t a mirage. It's a matter of treading new waters to find a new love because as long as the dating pool is hopeful it will never be dry. As cheesy as that sounds, love will find a way.
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