my dual blogging personalities
It's been awhile since I've posted and I've been feeling the pressure of not posting. Okay, so no one's been asking me to post, I guess I just know that there are people who actually read this stupid thing and my journalistic instinct is to keep people informed, even when I'd rather not. I guess this is why I didn't want to start this dumb thing in the first place. It creates this weird inner struggle between my journalistic side where I want everyone to read, enjoy and be thoroughly engrossed in my writing and the other, more private and neurotic side of me that says this blog is too personal and too much of a responsibility. This is why I've only told like a few people about this blog. The irony is that I have a sneaking suspicion there are many people who read this who have no friggin idea who I am. Like you guys who read this and live on the east coast. I don't know you. And some weirdo in Alaska. I don't know you either.
Okay, okay, I'm scaring myself and probably alienating all of my loyal readers. Just kidding, I didn't mean it. I don't care who you are, just keep reading. I mean, I care who you are, but... oh, nevermind.
10/27/2003
10/18/2003
communication and stuff
A large part of my job is to set up training sessions for the Americorps members in my program. Today we had a workshop on communication that turned out to be this huge philosophical conversation around what it means when we communicate. Here are few things to crunch on:
* I am the expert of my intentions and you are the experts of my impact.
* Using "I" statements means that we take ownership of our feelings and opinions (ex. When you go to the store and you feel uncomfortable when you see those weird.... vs. When I go to the store, I feel uncomfortable when I see those weird...) even though sometimes it feels like you're trying to relate your experience to others
* When in conversation, we should be listening FOR each other, not simply listening to each other
During this training, a few of my old cohorts from my Americorps year came by the office. One of them spent a year doing the program in the mountains of Colorado. We sat down to talk and he was totally overcome by emotion. He's still processing his intense experience over there and it was so crazy to see him struggle with this. It was an intense experience for me as I didn't really know how to support him. It was also intense because I've spent this week supporting another friend who was going through some stuff.
Phew, this week has been so intense on so many levels.
A large part of my job is to set up training sessions for the Americorps members in my program. Today we had a workshop on communication that turned out to be this huge philosophical conversation around what it means when we communicate. Here are few things to crunch on:
* I am the expert of my intentions and you are the experts of my impact.
* Using "I" statements means that we take ownership of our feelings and opinions (ex. When you go to the store and you feel uncomfortable when you see those weird.... vs. When I go to the store, I feel uncomfortable when I see those weird...) even though sometimes it feels like you're trying to relate your experience to others
* When in conversation, we should be listening FOR each other, not simply listening to each other
During this training, a few of my old cohorts from my Americorps year came by the office. One of them spent a year doing the program in the mountains of Colorado. We sat down to talk and he was totally overcome by emotion. He's still processing his intense experience over there and it was so crazy to see him struggle with this. It was an intense experience for me as I didn't really know how to support him. It was also intense because I've spent this week supporting another friend who was going through some stuff.
Phew, this week has been so intense on so many levels.
10/09/2003
post-election stress disorder
This election has given me a new outlook on the bay area. While I will always say that my hometown is the best place to be, I really appreciate the progressive nature of this area.
Just to add some humor to the situation...In a recent totally-biased-Bay-area-is-better news story from sfgate.com, the phrase "Shock and Awe" was part of it's title. I'm glad this time, we're using the phrase to accurately represent the situation. In the story, a guy said that he had post-election stress disorder. Me too, man. Me too.
This election has given me a new outlook on the bay area. While I will always say that my hometown is the best place to be, I really appreciate the progressive nature of this area.
Just to add some humor to the situation...In a recent totally-biased-Bay-area-is-better news story from sfgate.com, the phrase "Shock and Awe" was part of it's title. I'm glad this time, we're using the phrase to accurately represent the situation. In the story, a guy said that he had post-election stress disorder. Me too, man. Me too.
mourning
Stop laughing. I know all of you California-haters are laughing at us. Please don't rub more salt in our open wound. Giants aside, this week has been a sad day in the history of my beloved state. I spent 4 years in college trying to prove to all of my friends that California was a bit of paradise. I even planned a trip so that 20 of my closest pals could experience 80 degree weather in January. When my friends were considering where to go to grad school or residency, I tried to woo them with good Asian food and palm trees. Now, I hang my head in shame. This recall election has shaken my belief in the California that I loved and missed when I was at NU. I suppose moving up to the progressive bay area (where 62% of us said NO on the recall) and working in non-profits insulated me from realizing how IDIOTIC we can be. Why, California, why?
My one consolation: Prop 54 bombed. Nice try Ward Connolly, or should I say, Mr. Crazy Man?
Stop laughing. I know all of you California-haters are laughing at us. Please don't rub more salt in our open wound. Giants aside, this week has been a sad day in the history of my beloved state. I spent 4 years in college trying to prove to all of my friends that California was a bit of paradise. I even planned a trip so that 20 of my closest pals could experience 80 degree weather in January. When my friends were considering where to go to grad school or residency, I tried to woo them with good Asian food and palm trees. Now, I hang my head in shame. This recall election has shaken my belief in the California that I loved and missed when I was at NU. I suppose moving up to the progressive bay area (where 62% of us said NO on the recall) and working in non-profits insulated me from realizing how IDIOTIC we can be. Why, California, why?
My one consolation: Prop 54 bombed. Nice try Ward Connolly, or should I say, Mr. Crazy Man?
10/05/2003
a whole lotta nothin'
I should be heading off to sleep right now, but I'm not feeling tired. I have a lot of work to do when I get into the office tomorrow morning, but I'm really trying not to stress myself out when I'm not in the office. This is the new worry-free me! Plus there are other things to stress about -- namely, the recall election. Because of some bad timing issues and confusion with my address (as it's always changing), I may not be able to vote. This sucks because I'm very ANTI-RECALL and a definitely NO on prop 54. I feel like so many people will vote just because it's exciting to vote, not because it's part of their civic duty. Thus, we'll be getting tons of idiots who think it's cool to vote for the terminator. I know that all of you who live in other states are laughing at us right now. Yes, go ahead. My laughter is mixed with tears.
Speaking of tears, I'm currently mourning (no tears, as "There's no crying in baseball") the Giants' loss to the Marlins. Some people blame a certain player with the last name starting with a C and ending with a RUZ JR. I can't say since I wasn't able to watch all of the games. It's a pretty big deal when I, Wai-Ling, become sad because of sports. The Ironman Triathlon made me teary, but it was only because of those inspirational stories. Hey, stop laughing at me.
There are a lot of thoughts going through my head right now. I will spare you the details since this post is filled with so many extraneous thoughts. I should just go to sleep now.
I should be heading off to sleep right now, but I'm not feeling tired. I have a lot of work to do when I get into the office tomorrow morning, but I'm really trying not to stress myself out when I'm not in the office. This is the new worry-free me! Plus there are other things to stress about -- namely, the recall election. Because of some bad timing issues and confusion with my address (as it's always changing), I may not be able to vote. This sucks because I'm very ANTI-RECALL and a definitely NO on prop 54. I feel like so many people will vote just because it's exciting to vote, not because it's part of their civic duty. Thus, we'll be getting tons of idiots who think it's cool to vote for the terminator. I know that all of you who live in other states are laughing at us right now. Yes, go ahead. My laughter is mixed with tears.
Speaking of tears, I'm currently mourning (no tears, as "There's no crying in baseball") the Giants' loss to the Marlins. Some people blame a certain player with the last name starting with a C and ending with a RUZ JR. I can't say since I wasn't able to watch all of the games. It's a pretty big deal when I, Wai-Ling, become sad because of sports. The Ironman Triathlon made me teary, but it was only because of those inspirational stories. Hey, stop laughing at me.
There are a lot of thoughts going through my head right now. I will spare you the details since this post is filled with so many extraneous thoughts. I should just go to sleep now.
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