Category Archives: Ramblings

21 October 2011

By a girl

I want to highlight the “at least” in the statement above. Exploration, new spaces and places, keeps you on your toes. Experience as much of this world as possible. Even if you were in perpetual motion, there would still be more to see and do because, really, life is fleeting. So, a friendly reminder to step outside your comfort zone, go places you haven’t been, switch things up. As people get older, we tend toward becoming creatures of habit. Challenge that. Don’t vacation in the same spot every year, don’t do the same hike every weekend, take a different route to work, walk more, do things that you are unsure about, things to which you cannot anticipate the outcome, play with fire (or at least spice life up a bit). Make the city you live in a new adventure everyday. If anything, open your eyes, slow down and notice the details. While I used to define adventure and travel as new (generally impoverished) countries, I’ve learned to appreciate the domestic and local. Living back in LA, a place I’ve spent years, has become more interesting with this perspective of details, slowing down and being open to any and every thing. It’s amazing how much more you can take in when you are open. Anywho…

I am currently in Austin, Texas–place #5 (ish) this year I’ve never been. I am thrilled to explore it with one of my bests who happens to be a native. Just stepping into the airport, I felt more invigorated and alive. I don’t know if Austin is ready for this energy and excitement. Time to step out and explore (read: eat, play, meet people, and wander). With love y’all.

1 comment | posted in Adventure, Family & Friends, Girl Time, Go, Ramblings, Travel, USA

3 September 2011

Motorcycle Drive By

By a girl

This week, I got hit by a car. I was driving along on my two-wheels and was taken out by a Prius. Thank goodness it was a Prius right? Imagine if it had been a Tahoe! Ouch.

I was heading to dinner and, as you can imagine, LA drivers are pretty intense. This was not a result of intensity or the rush of life, rather a poor little lady who made a late decision to turn. I happened to be in the way and was flung from my scooter. Being me, I jumped up and started checking on everyone and everything, apologizing and strategizing how we would all deal with the situation at hand. I didn’t even think to call anyone at first, I figured if my scooter was ok, I would exchange information scoot off. Well… clearly I was in shock and had some adrenaline happening…

The woman who hit me was sweet (hence the many hugs while waiting for the tow truck). So on a positive (potentially crazy) note: I couldn’t have hoped for a better first motorcycle accident. My body was in shock and now I am pretty darn sore, but I am getting better. There is no major damage that I know of. She was very nice and her insurance has taken care of everything. My bike will be fixed and life goes on. What I have been left thinking about, however, is my reaction in the situation. I pride myself on being independent and comfortable handling anything thrown my way. This was a wake up call.

I believe that all things happen for a reason (Who doesn’t love cliches? Think about it though, cliches are cliches for a reason.). When something negative happens in life I so often here, “why me?” “how could I have prevented this?”, “I can’t deal”, etc. Rather than be a victim, I try to look inside myself and ask: “what is the universe intending I learn from this?” Boy this one was one of the most intense wake up calls I’ve had in a long time. There have been little foreshadowings of this one…but I clearly have not been listening or learning. It took getting thrown from my hog for me to open my eyes. This one was so difficult to see because I didn’t want to: I am not able to let myself be taken care of. Yes, there have been a few people in my life that I really open up to.. but, well, let’s not go into to much detail on the blog. I am starting to see where this issue is rooted and how it has affected my adult life.

I struggle with letting myself be loved and taken care of fully. Can too much independence and self-reliance be a bad thing? Clearly yes. I believe that the purpose of life is to love, bring joy, peace and positive energy into the world and live with an open heart and mind… but am I practicing that? In some ways, sure. But it takes openness both ways. You have to give and receive. Life is a constant flow of energy in all directions. It seems I’ve been more comfortable giving and not fully receiving.

I am not ready to write all my feelings on here… but this is how it started and I am doing some soul-searching as a result. When things, bad or even really good, happen try putting away the ego that gets in your head and, instead, consider what lesson this is meant to teach you. As for me…I am trying to learn the lessons and practice them. Believing and knowing is only one step…the next is practice.

I am not sure how much sense any of this will make, so if you are left unclear I’d like to share one more thing…

After this accident one of my closest friends (who is far across the seas) sent me a TED talk. Ted.org is one of my favorite sites. This friend does not know that. This friend was also not aware of the things I’ve been going through the week. The burying myself in work to numb the feelings. The silent soul-searching without feeling comfortable enough to share for fear people would care or understand. The tracing a line as to how I came to be me and wondering how I can become closer to the version of me I envision. The inability to let most people help me (note: if I let you help me than MAN do I feel a connection with you). Etc. Etc. The moment they emailed me this Ted lecture, they had no idea of any of this.

Serendipitous moments, moments when you get exactly what you need (even when you don’t want it) bring me closer to my faith that the universe is perpetually conspiring to build us up and teach us to become the most positive versions of ourselves… Step one: listen. Step two: practice. Step three: appreciate. I hope you enjoy and maybe even identify with Brene’s talk:

TED: Brene Brown, The Power of Vulnerability

1 comment | posted in Education, Family & Friends, Health, Ramblings

5 August 2011

August 3rd Rawesome Raid

By a girl

Truly devastating news for Rawesome, a private, organic, raw market in Venice, California. On August 3, 2011 they were raided AGAIN. This time the owner was arrested for “conspiracy to commit a crime” and is being held on bail of $123,000. How do they come up with these crimes and the arbitrary bail amount? Lame. Owner James Stewart is, from my experience, a nice, caring and health-conscious man. I had stumbled upon Rawesome a few months ago and asked why it is private. I couldn’t even go in to check the place out without signing consent forms and becoming a member because the government does not sanction the sale of some raw products and I would have to acknowledge all the potential (supposedly likely) bacterial I would consume. James, the owner, took the time to explain everything and shared his disbelief in how the government and law enforcement have treated their unassuming, family-run business. They also arrested Sharon Ann Palmer and Eugenie Victoria Bloc of Healthy Family Farms, LLC in Pasadena. Essentially, law enforcement was on a “yearlong sting operation” trying to find SOMETHING these evil-geniuses of the raw world violated. Last time I spoke to James it was building codes and permit issues. Now it seems they are pulling out every bogus charge possible. Sickening. Farmers and vegans–big threat. Maybe we focus on getting crack of the Venice streets instead. This become yet another area in which I no longer trust our system.

I knew Rawesome was constantly dealing with threats, but was absolutely shocked and disgusted to hear of the arrest, spoiling of food and shutting down of the business this week. So much for freedom of choice in America. It is sad to live in a place that declares freedoms, rights, and safety for all its citizens, when we are, in reality, entrapped in whatever situation a government by the wealthy few chose to lay out. Those who can’t afford health care are the ones that pay the most for it. People who want to eat a raw, natural diet are not given the number of options possible. Really, people are rarely even educated on the benefits of eating a diet outside the realm of high fructose corn syrup, super pasteurized dairy, preservatives, fast or processed foods… Once you are able to try something outside of this typical American diet, you realize how good you can actually feel. It is beyond me why the FDA and law enforcement–the very people assigned to protect and care for the public–are spending tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars to raid a farm and small business.

The world, particularly our country, is becoming a sad place dictated by greed. I believe it’s become a unique breed of greed because so many people are feeling stresses they’ve never experienced. It’s as if everyone is trying to claw their way to the top and use any means to stay there. In this case, we could say it’s the government being manipulated by the dairy industry. Who really knows the complete truth? What I do know, in this situation, is that eating veg, vegan or raw is entirely natural. What do you think people ate before we had all of this “modern” farming and food processing? It is a pathetic waste of resources to target healthy, legal, local businesses that do nothing more than improve people’s quality of life. Why don’t we think about channeling some of those poorly spent tax dollars away from lame bank bailouts or shutting down locals co-ops and put it towards education or health care? Pr maybe we should focus on the growing disparity in wealth to support a middle class than has been slipping away? Enough for this rant…

Please take at look at footage on Rawesome from this week and the past year.

This video is from the first raid in 2010:

Footage from the August 3, 2011 Raid.

A typical day shopping at Rawesome.

Leave a comment | posted in Human Rights, LA, Politics, Ramblings, USA

28 June 2011

Anchors

By a girl

Anchors. When pondering there meaning, I find myself in a gray area. Below it seems they weigh you down and prevent a person from achieving their potential. To soar and be free, we should let go of things that restrict us. But is the anchor not also a symbol of a strong foundation and stability. If there is one thing my father emphasized throughout my life, it is to start with a strong foundation (he is a carpenter by nature so this imagery really fits). Starting with a weak foundation puts everything you build on it at risk. So there is clearly something to be said for stability and a killer foundation. As always, it’s about balance. Where is that fine balance between soaring and stability? That point is different for each and every one of us…

…and then I realized that life is short and we are blessed (at least in our own way). Here’s to living to the potential of those blessings despite any pain or obstacles along the way. We are here to grow, learn and live each moment. What is life with intense feelings and experiences? Grateful and full of emotion.

Leave a comment | posted in Adventure, Education, Family & Friends, Happy, Health, Inspiration, LA, Ramblings, Words

8 June 2011

By a girl

I came across this image today while I was…hard at work. My heart sank. If this is how you see life, I’d like to give you a hug and take you on an adventure. It’s all about perspective. Yes, things that suck happen. Struggle is an integral part of the human experience. But isn’t resilience, joy, bliss, challenge? We grow from experience, good and not so good… so isn’t that…good?

I get very uncomfortable when life is so intensely oversimplified. My first reaction to this chart was that the author was just in a mood. But below it, they explain that they drew this in a high school notebook and it still holds true today. Jeez. I’m sure more has happened. Why so negative? I don’t care how bad a day you are having. We must always bear in mind the awe-inspiring gift that is our short life. To conclude with a cliche: live everyday to the fullest. Seriously, you are able to choose to make life so much more interesting and fulfilling. Do it.

1 comment | posted in Ramblings

6 June 2011

30% (or less?)

By a girl

I had heard the statistic that less than 30% of Americans have a passport. This morning a friend forwarded me a map showing the percentage of passport holders in each individual state. Mississippi and West Virginia are the lowest with 13%. While California, New York, Massachusetts, Alaska, and New Jersey are the highest, ranging from 40-46%. For exact numbers per state, click here.

In comparison, 75% of Brits and 60% of Canadians have passports. Why such a significant difference?

Does Canada not have geography similar to that of the United States? Are we not as developed as Europe? Of course. We have much in common with both, so what would set America so drastically apart in international travel? Does this mean that Canadians and Europeans are better traveled or more internationally-interested? Do they better understand what it means to be a citizen of the world? Come on America–why are you staying home?!

To answer this we should consider what is necessary to pursue travel. Beyond personal interest and motivation, the two primary prerequisites are time and money. It seems simple doesn’t it? If you have the desire and drive to travel, explore new worlds, learn by experience, then you really need time and the financial ability to do so. With that in mind, why do more Canadians and Brits have passports than Americans? Do they have more time and money?

Well, certainly not everyone is able to afford international travel. However, Europeans, for example, can hop on a train bound for another country. Transportation to other countries is easier and cheaper throughout the EU. It’s common for the British to vacation in Greece or the French to head to Spain. Yet, Canadians don’t have this same ease of crossing international borders, and somehow they have a passport rate closer to that of Europe. Canada disproves the theory that it is just about money and ease of travel as Europe would suggest. Perhaps it is more of a time issue… Canadians and Europeans must have more time than Americans to explore the world.

The percentage of mobile and financially stable Americans is similar to numbers in Canada and Europe, yet more in the states remain in their country. Perhaps, then, in America it is more of a time issue. Americans have a skewed concept of relaxation, vacation. Many struggle to actually put down their work, thinking if they are not at the office or focusing on their projects then x might not get accomplished. They think the world is on their shoulders and things cease to function without them. Others fear for their job security and do not feel able to miss out of time at work. Even more do not receive adequate vacation days to go on a international trip. I certainly do not have enough time off in my present position to take an international trip. Moreover, the cost doesn’t seem to make sense for such a short amount of time. Throughout Europe and Canada, governments guarantee paid vacation, while the U.S. government does not enforce paid leave. For more, check out this CNN article: Why is America the ‘no-vacation nation’?

So Americans, why have ye no passport? Some postulate it’s due to their narrow-mindedness or lack of interest. But I believe there are eager and open-minded individuals throughout the states. I attribute the sad number of passports to three things: 1) financial inability, 2) American work ethic (aka slavery that has become the norm), and 3) fear of the unknown. I have not yet discussed the third reason. While I believe plenty of Americans, young and old, yearn for culture and change, I see so many that get comfortable in their environment and eventually never leave. Venturing into the unknown is daunting and can seem insurmountable to the untraveled mind. When many do get out they are in tour groups and experience authenticity at a minimum. I bring this up last point to encourage people with money and time to make plunge into the unknown! If you don’t have the money and time, find a way to get both–it doesn’t take much money and once you get over the arbitrary pressures of life, time is not so hard to come by. It’s as simple as jumping in and the unknown will soon become the familiar. Immerse yourself and bask in the uncomfortable and you will grow closer to the person you feel you are inside. Will it be a challenge? Yes. But will the rewards be invaluable–of course.

So go. Apply for a passport even if you don’t have a trip in mind. Have it handy so you can start making progress toward experiencing the far reaches of our world, or maybe the Caribbean. Who knows, one day it may just dawn on you that you have the time, money and inspiration, and you will want to jump on a plane (one-way perhaps). It never hurts to have a passport in your back pocket for such occasions.

*Live for adventure and spontaneity.

Leave a comment | posted in Adventure, Go, Politics, Ramblings, Travel

1 June 2011

A Wednesday

By a girl

Here’s to starting the day off right!

As an early riser, I have TONS of time to accomplish things before work. Yesterday I purchased the book Vortex of Conflict. Its the latest by Dan Caldwell, a professor of mine, who will be doing a reading tomorrow night. Forgetting the density of academic work, I assumed I’d give it a run through in two days so I would be prepared with questions and interesting commentary. Yep, no biggy just 400 pages of academic writing on history and U.S. foreign policy toward Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. You know just some light reading on a Wednesday morning. Despite the change in pace from my typical book choices, I am really enjoying this one. It feels good to read something academic on an area that I am constantly reading more social/cultural commentaries on. Reminder: always seek out different perspectives.

So far, great book! Prof. Caldwell provides a solid historical framework on each individual country, the evolution of terrorism and the American response, allowing him to explore the whys and hows of policy and access its present and potential implications. More to come once I’ve finished… For now a fun fact: Osama bin Laden attended King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah–a school where I was offered a teaching position.

After some pretty heavy reading and Islamic contemplations, I pulled out The Bookseller of Kabul to reread the last chapter. It’s a true story that follows a family in Afghanistan (and, at times, Pakistan), focusing on individual experiences and how society, culture, Islam and gender play into the lives of real people in Kabul. This is the type of book I hope to write someday so I love looking over areas I’ve highlighted to remind myself of my interests and the person I am.

After getting into a travel, explore, write mentality, I jumped on the computer and saw that a dear friend was settled into her new home in Thailand, another friend emailed for China hiking advice, and yet another is trying to choose which continent to visit….

I realized: a) I have amazing, inspiring friends and LOVE that we share interests and goals, and b) I need to dance.

To conclude a unique start to another Wednesday, I put on a silky long dress from India, turned on some Rusted Root: Send Me on My Way, and danced my heart out. You know that kind of flailing, eyes closed, feeling the breeze you create, freedom/peace-loving dance. Yep. Try starting the day letting go of every care in the world. Maybe your form of meditation doesn’t involved dancing in flowy dresses, but we all could work toward calming our minds in someway. It’s a regular necessity (especially after reading about The Bush Doctrine) and puts you in a content, neutral place to start the day when you might not want to do whatever it is you have to, like sit in an office for 8 hours. It’s unnatural really. Happy Hump Day!

1 comment | posted in Books, Happy, Politics, Ramblings, Relax, Thoughts, Writing

31 May 2011

早茶: Give for Greatness

By a girl

“Your greatness is not what you have, it’s what you give.”

The more you put out the more you get back, right? Really though…giving freely and sharing positive energy with the world is what truly makes a great person. It’s not the bank account or the car or the list of achievements. Yes, these are things we commonly use to measure a person, but at the end of the day, we are nothing but our soul. The stuff, the accolades are no more. When you give and contribute you nourish your soul. We all know that warm, fuzzy feeling of doing good. I’ve questioned: Do people ever do good selfishly just to get that warm feeling and, if so, is that ok? I say yes. We eat good food and exercise so that we are physically healthier. Some go to church, temple, or have some belief system to nurture themselves spiritually. Giving of yourself and doing good so that you become a more whole person AND are helping something else in the process is a double win. Now, I realize I am on a complete tangent I didn’t intend to go on…so long story short: Give and love. Give and love freely. Give and love without expectation. Give and love without regret or question. Only by cultivating in yourself a whole, peaceful and loving person will you ever really be great.

Leave a comment | posted in Morning Tea, Ramblings

21 May 2011

早茶: Know Yourself

By a girl

“It’s not a privilege to know others. Know yourself. That’s a privilege”

First, you know how there are some words you will never be able to spell. Not because you don’t know how to spell them, but because they never look or feel correct. Privilege is one of those words for me. Just typing it in this post, I’ve messed up far to many times and consequently get jumpy and nervous about my mental capacity. Perhaps typing it here a bunch will act as a type of therapy, so I can finally correct this problem. Privilege privilege privilege privilege PRIVILEGE. Ok, I literally messed up at least once each time I typed that darn word and now the rest of my typing is suffering as a result. Ugh! Anyhow…

What a morning it is for this morning tea! I work up with my sister in beautiful, humid, homey Massachusetts. Today’s the day the world is supposed to end right? Well, whatev. Live in the moment right? Waaaay harder to do than say. I believe I have posted this morning tea quote in the past. Since it is, again, relevant I will repost. Aren’t we all striving to simply know ourselves? If you are not, well then: a) congrats! or b) we have very different priorities. I’ve spent the past week back on the east coast and my time at Princeton, in Manhattan and finally Boston provided a million little reminders of what I love, don’t love so much, who I know I am on the inside and to live like that person rather than someone else’s idea of “Jess”. To celebrate the coming apocalypse (whether we die today or in 50 years), celebrate and nurture yourself and the person you know you are. We are all beautiful, good and with purpose! Know yourself and all else will fall into place.

Leave a comment | posted in Morning Tea, Ramblings