“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

Beautiful.

Is it possible to be broken-hearted about leaving a city?

I just got back from Vancouver today. And let me tell you, I fell head-over-heels with that city. And not just because it gave me the opportunity to BREATHE THE SAME AIR as Apolo Anton Ohno (never mind be within FEET of this man that I have been in love with since 2002), but because it helped open my eyes and mind to a world and a life that I could be experiencing if I gave myself the chance.

That city, helped change me. And I owe it a large chunk of gratitude cake for being such a lovely host and city to this little Texas-born girl.

More to come, regarding my Vancouver 2010 excursion.

I’ve been blogging since 2001 when blogs were just started to come out, and when it wasn’t as mainstream as it is today. And while I haven’t been the best at keeping up with blogging lately, I’ve overall been a blogger for nearly ten years.

And during those ten years, I’ve told only a very small handful of people that I own and maintain a blog. My cousins mostly know (I don’t really remember how they all found out about it, because I never really said, “hey, here’s my blog” — maybe it’s remanence of our old “pamily” website), but I don’t think they’ve keep up with the reading. And only a few of my friends know (mostly, my best girlfriends from high school, and only two *three friends from my college years. And of those two, only one — Hi Dee — regularly reads. … well, “regularly” like she’ll catch most recent posts).

I don’t know why I don’t make an announcement to everyone that I keep a blog. I guess because I’ve been writing well before it was commonplace to write one. Back in the early 2000’s, it was a very strange and foreign thing to keep an online journal about one’s life, and maybe I haven’t gotten over it. Or maybe it’s something that I can never bring up in conversation.

“Oh, and by the way, I have a blog. K, bye!”

Maybe it’s just something I’ve gotten used to just keeping to myself. (And why bother keep a public journal then? I don’t know. I’m super weird and I can’t help it.) It’s just something that I’ve keep for so long and have been quiet about for so long that it’s just become natural that that’s the way it is.

I kind of like the idea that people I know don’t completely know everything about me. For the most part, I’m fairly open about what my interests are: cupcakes, Apolo Anton Ohno, Design, dogs, etc. But the idea that they don’t have me pegged as a personal blogger kind of makes me feel less figured out. And I like that a lot. I like that I’m not completely predictable, and that people can underestimate what I am capable of doing. Weird thrill, I guess.

Also, since I’m so active on facebook and twitter, it’s nice to have a place online where I’m a little more hidden.

YES, I know that my blog is not fail-proof and that I can be figured out any day now. That’s fine. I figured, if it happens, it happens. It’s still not going to change the way I write (I think I mostly maintain a safe site where I don’t necessarily embarrass or intrude the privacy of people I know), and it’s still not going to convince me that I should just come out and tell everyone that I have this thing. It’s just that one more person I know cracked the code somehow and has found a secret passageway into my odd thought processes and random synoptic firings.

… Yet, knowing this off-hand still doesn’t take away that small tinge of embarrassment when I have, indeed, BEEN discovered. Cause in a way, I feel guilty that I kept it a secret. (Who says I need to tell people about this anyway?) The one thing, though, is that when I am discovered, I don’t deny it.

So yeah, I was caught today by a really good friend from college. (Hi, E!) She called to wish me a good trip and then just brought it up. So funny. Caught me off guard, but like I said … when I’m caught, I’m caught!

… I wonder, should I tell more of my friends about this blog? Or is it better to just let them discover themselves? …

*I forgot! G reads too. Though, I didn’t tell him about this site, he found it.

In past posts, I’ve casually mentioned a book called Taking Things Seriously: 75 Objects with Unexpected Significance.

Now there is a website called Significant Objects, which is designed around the same idea — that little mundane objects can hold a significant story behind it.

… but there’s a twist with this website. The objects’ stories are not entirely true. The objective (no pun intended) of the project is pair a creative writer (the participant) with an object purchased from a garage sale or thrift shop for a few dollars. The writer writes a story about the object thus making it a significant object. Then, the object is put up for auction on eBay, with proceeds supporting the Charity 826 National which “is a family of eight nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing” according to the website.

(When the object is up on eBay, the intent is to NOT fool the buyers into thinking the story included with the object is real.)

It’s a neat way to practice creative writing skills and to really put thought into objects that are otherwise overlooked and are typically deemed as unimportant. For a designer, I can see how this kind of study can help you critically analyze an object, and how that analogy can be implemented into a design project. This would be a GREAT exercise for a design class and I can totally envision different assignments and project revolving around a single $3 object.

(Can you tell that I love the idea of becoming a design professor?)

I especially love this one by AIGA president and designer Debbie Millman (I’ve always loved her writings). Her story is shared in a handwritten letter, on lined notebook paper, circa 1992, to her friend Susan, about her breakup with Oscar. The object is a plastic paperweight that has a little globe infused in the middle. (Funny, we have one at home, and I NEVER think about it.)

What a neat little project! I’m going to keep my eye on this one.

As a bit of a positive follow up to my last post, here is an inspirational story of a 7-year-old boy from the UK wanting to make a difference for the people in Haiti.

A simple example of how kind and selfless people need to be in this world. Plenty of adults should look at this boy as a model of how to be a true human being.

I worry about the future generations, but knowing that kids like this are out there … I know there’s hope.

A couple of days ago, someone I know (an acquaintance, foremost) posted this on facebook:

Shame on you America: the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment – yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations. 99% of people won’t have the guts to copy and repost this..

Then this same person left this as a comment:

and don’t forget our economy!

And it made me feel sick to my stomach.

Ok. I get that America isn’t doing that well at the moment, but I don’t understand how such a statement can be made during a crisis caused by natural disasters to a country that lives far below the means of Americans.

Yes, we have homeless people.

Yes, we have starving peopple.

Yes, we have untreated ill.

And yes, we should not turn our back on them. But at the same time, how can we not, AS HUMAN BEINGS, reach out to an impoverished country that has suffered two forms of natural disasters in a few years time. They had devastating damage from hurricanes, and a powerful 7.0 earthquake, followed by at least 2 aftershocks. There are people currently buried under rubble. Children separated from their parents, not knowing if the other are still alive or dead. Starving people who have probably been starving well before the earthquakes struck. Thousands awaiting medical care, while living outdoors. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LOST LIVES.

How, can we worry about our economy when human life is at stake.

I’m just flabbergasted by those comments. (And the fact that people actually “liked” it on facebook.) How is it something that Americans should be ashamed about? Because TV networks were all airing a telethon? Because this money isn’t going to getting Americans out of debt?

Just because we had a telethon, doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ve turned our backs on ourselves. It’s because there is a crisis, and immediate crisis, that needs attention. Haiti alone would not have the resources it needs to save those affected.

As someone living in America, living in a house that still stands, with an income that allows me to buy the food that I want and the clothes that I need … I don’t see how I can see the wrong in helping out Haiti. In fact, because I am living a comfortable life, I feel like I SHOULD reach out to those who don’t have the means. Who are living during a disaster, or fighting to survive a disaster.

When the typhoon hit the Philippines a couple of months ago, it really hit home. Literally. I had families that LOST THEIR HOMES. Who have to start from nothing to rebuild a life that was already difficult. Living in a 3rd world country is not easy, but to see all that you have wash away, especially because of an unbeatable natural disaster, is something that will make you lose all hope in everything. What those who have been affected need is help.

It is a sad state that it takes a huge disaster for people to raise money. And yes, for that we should take a step back and re-evaluate when we reach out to others—natural disasters or not. But at the same time, I don’t think American should feel ashamed for reaching out to a country that needs help.

(And who is to say that people have forgotten about those in need here? Maybe we don’t raise millions of dollars as quickly, but there are programs that exist here that are trying to get these things done. Meanwhile, in Haiti, they simply don’t have the manpower right now to aid with the earthquake without having to reach out. Again, they were living in poverty BEFORE the earthquakes.)

Maybe instead of complaining about a cross-network telethon, you should instead focus your efforts on the issues that you believe need our attention. Instead of having people copy/paste a bit of condemnation over something as insignificant as facebook, why don’t you take that energy and DO something about the homeless here in America. DO something about the starving. DO something about the mentally ill. If you believe that Americans should now turn their attention to these issues, THAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, rather than to place “shame” on those who decided to give what they can to people who, ALSO, need assistance.

I feel extremely, EXTREMELY, lucky to be living in America. I know, it’s not perfect right now, but if my problems are that the banks are not giving out loans as easily as they used to, or that we’re suffering a housing crisis … count me lucky. Because I think that’s an easier thing to go through than to wonder if my parents are gone forever or could potentially be alive, but under tons of cement. Or if my cousins are seriously hurt, and on the verge of death. Or if a friend’s life could be spared, if only they had the medical aid they need.

It is easier to get help in America, than it is in a country where help is hard to find to begin with. It’s not a matter of helping Americans over Haitians. It’s a matter of helping life. Human life. Period.

clintonbushhaitifund.org
hopeforhaitinow.org
redcross.org
1-877-99-HAITI
GIVE to 50555 to make a $10 donation (US only)
Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross Haiti relief

Edit [1/26/10] One more thing that I forgot to mention, we are NOT the only country that has needy people that helped out Haiti. China was one of the first countries to step up to help.

“Don’t be cynical … It leads nowhere. If you work hard & are kind, amazing things will happen.”
- Conan O’Brien

NBC is losing an amazing man and talent, not only through Conan alone, but with his amazing team.

ahh … this has affected me more than I thought it would. I guess because his show makes up a part of my 20’s. I used to stay up until 1 in the morning just to watch his show. (Locally, they used to air his show at 1 in the morning. He even did a bit where he came down here to try to convince the local affiliates to move the show directly after Leno’s.) And in the early 2000’s when I was really starting to dive into my interest in graphic design and web design, one of my first layouts for my early blog was a Conan O’brien back-to-school theme. … Oh, I should try to find a snapshot of that layout. I was so proud of it! haha! It’s based on a milk ad he did.

This one, to be exact:

I am sure great things are in store for him in the future. He has too big of a following to just disappear. He’s a truly genuine comedian, writer, host, entertainer. He does everything with class and kindness, and for the most part, stays out of controversy and trouble. Truly admirable, and respectable. And he has the best hip/string dance EVER.

Koco for Coco!! (Koco is a nickname a friend of mine gave me. I’ve really taken to it. haha!)

(I don’t have cable, but if he were to move to cable, I may just get it JUST to be sure not to miss out!)