My birthday weekend was beautiful! So, so impressed with how many people remembered! Thank you for the love!
This trip has been *really* good for me. I feel like I'm learning a whole lot.
On the 'work' side, I went to the Asian American Theater Conference representing YAWP!, the performance workshop where I mentor and teach. Spent some quality time with the youth, which was great. Also, I met some of the professors at UCLA- (I don't know yet, but the grad program is still a possibility.) Helped out with the Artwallah festival- got to paint a gallery wall red- and finally met Chamindika. And, it turns out I might actually get paid for teaching creative writing at a summer workshop (an income would be a step in the right direction!)
On the 'marathon training' side, yes, Mom, I'm keeping up. My runs are now up to 12 miles (!!!). For one of the runs, I hiked through Pasadena instead. Ended up swimming in a waterfall we discovered at the end of the trail. The moment was surreal.
On the 'super fly fantastic' random side (Greg's existential phrase), I randomly ran into a Raju in LA (a guy I worked with at my first exhibition at Manav Sadhna, India). He and his friend, Scrubs, made it their mission to make sure my b-day was unforgettable. So, through them, I met my first encounter with 'saki bombs' AND found my newest surfing teacher.
Also, I'm getting to spend some quality time with Kristi + Josh, Moni and co., Anup, and Ankur. Pankaj is flying in tomorrow.
Life has been really good to me.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Love from CA
Now *this* is a doctor.
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California is surreal. I think the state should be elected its own planet. Apparently, some car and highway companies made a deal with the govt. to pump the state's money into highways instead of public transportation. It's crazy to see the aftermath one supposed deal between probably a few key players a long time ago. Traffic is insane, yet cars are the only way to get around.
And, I've come to an exciting discovery: I can skateboard. (!!) Yay, latent skills!
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California is surreal. I think the state should be elected its own planet. Apparently, some car and highway companies made a deal with the govt. to pump the state's money into highways instead of public transportation. It's crazy to see the aftermath one supposed deal between probably a few key players a long time ago. Traffic is insane, yet cars are the only way to get around.
And, I've come to an exciting discovery: I can skateboard. (!!) Yay, latent skills!
Monday, June 05, 2006
It's hard not to be upset with the world sometimes...
... especially when big systems make me feel small and helpless, like today. How do you stay positive and constructive and pushing forward? How do you choose your fight? How do you focus when there is so much to do?
The bill for a recent overnight hospitalization (not me) were just under $9,000! For people who have health insurance, it's usually covered. But what about those who are uninsured? The health insurance industry is a huge machine in the US. Does our current system cover and effectively watch out for the majority of the population? The thought that it may not upsets me.
Another thing that upsets me is general apathy and entitlement when it comes to the environment... everything seems to be getting bigger, more durable, and yet more disposable. I run in the mornings before the garbage is picked up, and over the past 2 weeks I've seen people throw away a foozball table, three tv's, a still-white sofa set, a not-broken sled, two mountain bikes... why don't they spend five minutes finding a place to donate this stuff? Or have a garage sale? Or sell it on Ebay? Is it laziness? I just don't get it. Maybe garbage dumps need to be more visible to show people that garbage doesn't just disappear? It makes me a bit angry.
but then Vince will remind me that nothing good comes from being angry. And Nikhil will remind me that I have to do as much as I can. ... maybe I have to learn how to let go of trying to be everywhere at once. I guess it's easier said than done.
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Speaking of Vincenzo- Feel better soon buddy!!! I'm sorry you hurt. :( Huge hug to you.
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Quote of the day: "Hey, what do you care about more: gay rights, immigration, or the effect of gay immigrants on gas prices?" (by someone anonymous, who may or may not be my brother...)
The bill for a recent overnight hospitalization (not me) were just under $9,000! For people who have health insurance, it's usually covered. But what about those who are uninsured? The health insurance industry is a huge machine in the US. Does our current system cover and effectively watch out for the majority of the population? The thought that it may not upsets me.
Another thing that upsets me is general apathy and entitlement when it comes to the environment... everything seems to be getting bigger, more durable, and yet more disposable. I run in the mornings before the garbage is picked up, and over the past 2 weeks I've seen people throw away a foozball table, three tv's, a still-white sofa set, a not-broken sled, two mountain bikes... why don't they spend five minutes finding a place to donate this stuff? Or have a garage sale? Or sell it on Ebay? Is it laziness? I just don't get it. Maybe garbage dumps need to be more visible to show people that garbage doesn't just disappear? It makes me a bit angry.
but then Vince will remind me that nothing good comes from being angry. And Nikhil will remind me that I have to do as much as I can. ... maybe I have to learn how to let go of trying to be everywhere at once. I guess it's easier said than done.
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Speaking of Vincenzo- Feel better soon buddy!!! I'm sorry you hurt. :( Huge hug to you.
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Quote of the day: "Hey, what do you care about more: gay rights, immigration, or the effect of gay immigrants on gas prices?" (by someone anonymous, who may or may not be my brother...)