I'm Obsolete!

After searching the Internet for job postings over the past couple of months, I have come to the sad realization that I am obsolete - I have absolutely no computer knowledge. There isn’t a reputable company out there that will hire me because of it.

I am a teacher: I have a lot of people skills, deal well in the leadership role, communicate excellently and I don’t need to be supervised. All this time, I thought that it was enough. But now I need to know how to use things like Java, Dreamweaver and e-learning software that I haven’t even heard of. Argh…my world is crashing down on me. The truth is I have been trying to ignore the onset of the computer age ever since I started teaching. Unfortunately, I can’t ignore it anymore. I’ve registered into an HTML course and will start there. There’s a lot to learn so I think I’ll start at the beginning, *Sigh…So….have any of you felt like this?

Gung Hay Fat Choy!! - Happy Chinese New Year. I had a nice day today, eating Dim Sun with friends, walking through Chinatown, taking pictures and watching the Chinese New Year parade. It's the year of the Golden Pig -(oink oink).

Particularly, I want to say thank you to a young native woman in purple that I met today while I was walking on the street. She was sitting quietly cross-legged on the sidewalk in Chinatown. I didn’t notice her until I smelled the burning sage. She looked up at me when I passed by and I quickly felt a soft tickle in my heart. By looking into me and acknowledging my being, she lifted my spirit up and gave it light. I didn’t know if she realized what she had done, but when I turned my head around to see her, she was already looking right at me. She gave me a little nod of the head. I smiled back at her. Though her intention was simply to say hello to me, it meant a lot more. It reminded me to see people beyond their physicality because humans are souls and spiritual beings. Even more, it reminded me that I am also a living spirit who has her own guides and angels all around. I’ve forgotten about my guides. I stupidly cast them off a while ago, telling them to leave me alone for a bit. But, now I’m off to go meditate (something I haven’t done for so long.) So, "thank you" young native lady in purple…"namaste!"

Perhaps, it wasn't meant to be...

“There’s nothing like rejection to make you do an inventory of yourself.”
- James Lee Burke

So I didn’t get the job. I went through the rigorous interview process, put my heart into it and said my prayers of gratitude for the opportunity. But, I was rejected. I probably should just end this post right here but I won’t…because just as life does, you gotta keep on going. If my mom were here she would say something to the tune of “next time you’ll get them!” Although I know it doesn’t serve a purpose, I am upset about it and I am dwelling. What should I do now?

Perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. There is so much in life that can be reasoned with that one sentence. Even if I don’t know what is meant for me, somehow, that expression makes me feel better.

Men with BAD MANNERS

Listen up, I am writing my first ever rant!
My girlfriends and I went out last Friday for a girl's night out and discovered unfortunately how rude some men are. Here we were, a group of girls together. All night we were stared at, touched and cussed at. Even the bouncer was barking at us. Actually in truth he was a little funny because we got snarky at him for being grumpy and then he told us we were too sensitive. Well, we ARE women, hmmm…

Nevertheless, this evening was the weirdest experience I've ever dealt with in a nightclub. One gay man called my friend a 'slit with hair' (yes my mouth dropped too!) while a presumably straight one prowled around me trying to cop a feel until we told him to "back off" and he responded with YOU BACK OFF! I was mortified at the attitude. Where have these men been learning to talk like that??? What happened to chivalry? Ok, yes one of them was gay but that's absolutely no excuse! I mean, aren't they the first group of people to be slurred at?

You know my girlfriends and I don't go out that often together, and when we do, we end up hugging a lot, dancing and bonding. I thought it was really shitty that these dumb assholes (excuse the language) couldn't respect that. Even more than that you know, just because I feel sexy and end up having fun...it isn't an invitation for a man to grab me, especially when I am walking to the bathroom! F.Y.I men…I’m not asking for it and I’m not egging you on. And I wasn't even wearing anything that revealing! Imagine if I had! The point is, I’m just with my friends and having a good time. Come on, seriously why do men grab women? (Oh gee pal, thanks for grabbing me and all...I guess you must think I'm kinda cool, huh?) Bleh!

So, if you are a man...please be more aware of how aggressive you are being. Don't ruin our nights for the sake of your egos.
And so ends my rant, thanks for reading..any questions? *(giggle)

CUBA LIBRE

It’s been a couple of weeks now since I’ve come back from Cuba. I regret not writing about my trip sooner. I’m afraid to say that the vivid memories of sights, smells and feelings are slowly dissipating. Looking back at my pictures now, I faintly recall the subtle rhythm of the island. I miss it. In facty, I’ve just finished opening a new CD of a live band we enjoyed listening to in Varadero. And so the nostalgia begins.

Flash back 2 weeks ago to Havana Vieja– a dog lies in the middle of the cracked cement, basking in the warm Cuban sun. There are groups of children in school uniforms bouncing balls against walls and running in back alleys with mothers calling after them. Every corner I turn, men are keeping themselves busy under the hoods of their old Buicks and Chevrolets. A line of Cubanos snakes down the street – they are queuing up for their ration of bread. Then, I peek at a funny looking cigar-smoking granny that is sitting on the stoop of her doorstep. She is watching us pass by.

Beauiful beats of the bongos, the guiro, even a cowbell empty out from cafes, restaurants people’s cars and random apartment windows. “Cha Cha Cha…1, 2," (I can hear an imaginary beat in my head.) It's F@*$% ing sweet. Gotta love that latin jazz!. It doesn’t strain your ear, nor push itself on you. Cuban music has a way of seducing you into hip swaying and gentle shoulder nudging.

All this history under my feet and the people don't hide it. I have to say they know who they are and where they come from. And they are still so gracious. Muchas Gracias CUBA!!! ...... it was a unique vacation.