Tag: onggoing

Happy TunesDay: Collection 15

Happy TunesDay: Collection 15

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Sometimes, I just want to slink away, pack a few things, and lay out under the stars in a place where I can actually see the stars, not lights from too many cars and streetlamps.

I want to drink crap coffee from a thermos and cozy up next to a campfire, be wrapped in a flannel shirt and sweatpants.

I guess I should learn how to start my own fire sans lighter first.  But, I’ll figure it out later.  No time this week!

I take the GREs tomorrow (cue gasps and mandatory wishes of luck) and I’m utterly terrified, but need to find some way to keep my resting heart rate at a relatively healthy level.

This week’s set of tunes is an alternative, indie, folksy getaway from the stresses of our everyday.  There’s some non-English surprises in the mix, so let me know how you feel about it!

Wherever you are or whatever you have on your plate this week, take some time to try and relax.  I’ll be drinking lots of coffee and pretending my apartment’s scented candles are a campfire until this week passes.

Lots of love to you all,

Christina

*Special thanks to Design Love Fest for the whimsical campfire collection background*
Happy TunesDay: Collection 14

Happy TunesDay: Collection 14

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

February is soon drawing to a close.  Already.

The constant rate at which time progresses never ceases to amaze, and horrify, me.  I always have to remind myself to take advantage of the days ahead and not sleep my mornings away.  But, dreaming is such an appealing alternative to living the life we want, especially when that life is seemingly confusing and full of decisions to be made.

Hopefully this set of tunes will jolt us all out of the sedentary lifestyles, both physically and mentally, and remind ourselves to seize every opportunity possible.

Several Tuesdays of 2016 have already come and gone, and there are so many more wonderful Tuesdays ahead–we just have to remember to not be weighed down by the everyday.

Tell me how you keep motivated and focused during seemingly stressful & overwhelming times.  Does music help?  Does having company & friendships help?

Keep on moving and grooving until next Tuesday, friends.

xo,

Christina

Thanks to Jessica Chow for the sophisticated marbled background image.
Magic Mic: On Community Organizing as Art

Magic Mic: On Community Organizing as Art

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I have been reflecting on the words of Melissa Harris-Perry as of late.  When she came to speak at UCI several months ago, I didn’t think her words would still be floating over and under the thoughts in my mind.  She posed the question, albeit a rhetorical one, of why schools cut funding for art and music first out of every other extracurricular.  Why is it that those forms of expression, of truth telling and soul-baring, are the first to go in any underserved community?

From my limited experiences and exchanges with those entrenched in the struggle against multiple forms of oppression, I am convinced that organizing and activism are artistic expressions—that living and being, surviving, in the skin and body we are born in is in itself an act of art.  And like any form of art, there is always competition, always a battle of what group is more oppressed, what group deserves to take up this space and why.  But those who work in the struggle, who dirty their hands and engage in unpopular, unpretty forms of art, are true testaments to why we continue to do what we do.  This form of art is no competition and we have to remind ourselves that we are not like typical artists who battle for spots in museums or amphitheatres.  We are always the painter and the painted, the oppressed and the oppressor, the survivor and the ally.  We do not exist in vacuums or in antigravity chambers.  We remain hopefully grounded and groundedly hopeful.

It is my understanding that our very voice and body is the only thing we have control over.  And as such, in any struggle, we have to reaffirm our own abilities to create art, even when the powers at be refuse to acknowledge our talent.  And, like any good artist, we have to know when our space needs to be given to another.  We have to know when to step down, hand the brush over, and let someone grow into their own form of expression.

That form of expression is not, does not have to be, happy, carefree, understandable to everyone.  I don’t know any artist that isn’t unhappy at times, displeased with status quo or commenting on the state of society.  Organizing is no exception.  One of the most frustrating things that I come across when explaining resistance and the struggle is how people perceive movements as unhappy: too serious, too dramatic.  One response I have is that oppression is dramatic, living is dramatic.  If you can’t understand that, then you don’t understand art.  But more than that is the simple fact that organizing and resisting is a loving act for and with communities.  That those who continue to struggle for justice and acknowledgement of their very humanness must seek joy in the darkest of places and times.  That when we fail to do this, we fall into a darker place than whence we came.  If art is about a reflection on life and survival, then we in the struggle are all goddamn Van Gogh’s and Picasso’s in the making.

Because I don’t care what form of injustice you are fighting against.  I don’t care if you’re bad at drawing or painting or singing or dancing.  You are an artist.  You are survival and joy and anguish wrapped into one.  You are deserving of painting your life on a canvas, even if that canvas is the street and your paintbrush is a marker on poster board.  And if anyone, ever, tells you differently, know that the only form of art they’ll ever understand is one they have to pay for. And that is not your fault, they are not your audience, and you should never apologize for your right to exist as an artist, activist, human being.

Happy TunesDay: Collection 13

Happy TunesDay: Collection 13

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

A long weekend always gets me in some type of mood.  I’m anxious for the upcoming weekend, but know I shouldn’t be since I just had such a good break.

This past weekend was full of quality Galentines fun. For those of you living under a rock and/or have not ever been exposed to the wonder & awe that is Parks & Recreation, Galentine’s Day is celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day and is supposed to celebrate friendship with your best and closest gal-pals.  Seeing as I don’t have a typical romantic Valentine, I spent the long weekend amongst my close friends.  I gave myself some proper self-care and rejuvenated myself in the presence of those I love.  We ate good food, drank coffee, shopped, strolled the beach, and fell asleep lulled by the simple company of truly wonderful people.  I am, for lack of a better term, lucky.  I don’t know how else to explain the reasons for why I am surrounded by magnificent and good people–like truly good and brilliant people. (s/o to my roommate and old roommates and their friends and sig. o’s.)

Despite the hardships that come and pick at me, weekends like this past one remind me to be grateful and to take advantage of the time we have together with our friends.  They are, after all, the family we get to choose.

This TunesDay, I put together some feel-good tunes that hopefully get you through this minimized work week so you can spend the upcoming weekend fully present with those you love.  I know Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day is over, but that doesn’t mean the lovin’ has to stop!

How will you keep the love going this weekend and beyond?

xo,

Christina

Big thanks to the lovely Piper Winston for the simply wondrous background image.

Happy TunesDay: Collection 12

Happy TunesDay: Collection 12

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Starbucks rolled out a limited edition line of Valentine’s Day inspired drinks.  I guess like the multibillion dollar franchise, I’ll hop on this love bandwagon.

This week’s playlist is a series of tunes that I turn to when I need to feel hyped up about this little thing we call love.

Just as an aside, my playlist for heartbreak and sad, mushy feelings is entirely different, but maybe we’ll save that for another time.

To listen to some lovely tunes, click below!

Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or it’s complicated, love yourself and treat yourself right! How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

As per usual, credits for the fun background image goes to Design Love Fest.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 11

Happy TunesDay: Collection 11

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s February, it’s February!

I apologize for not sending out a TunesDay collection last week.  Things got hectic (read: I got a little lazy and didn’t want to push out a TunesDay collection too late in the day).

But, a new month means new tunes and hopefully I won’t fall behind at all.

Last week was Peace & Justice Week at UCI, so I was busy with that.  But to keep the social justice goodness going, this week’s music is inspired by some amazingly talented and soulful artists that remind me to push on and persevere through the world’s craziness.

What are some songs that keep you motivated and down for the cause?  Let me know in the comments below!

*Beautiful banner background by Kristine Claghorn via Design Love Fest*
Happy TunesDay: Collection 9

Happy TunesDay: Collection 9

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s 2016.  It’s 2016.  It’s 2016.

I have to remind myself over and over when I write the date, or else it becomes some weird 5 with a messy loop at the end.  Y’all know what I’m talkin’ about.

This week has been particularly difficult for me to focus already (I know, it’s only Tuesday, for the love of all that is good.)  I’m sick and just want to sprawl in my teensy twin bed all day.  But, this week’s tunes will hopefully help me gather what energy I have and refocus on my tasks for the week: studying for the math section of the GREs, reading some books on poverty & violence for my research, and finally doing some errands (grocery shopping, cleaning my room, and sorting out my medical benefits situation).

I hope your week is as or more productive than mine!

Sending lots of love and good listens your way,

Christina

*Cute watercolor graphic for my featured image comes from Angie Makes.  Send her some love!*
Happy TunesDay: Collection 4

Happy TunesDay: Collection 4

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Tuesday is such a whatever kind of day.  It’s not the beginning, not the middle, not the end.  It’s just sort of…there.

Make the most of your whatever days by listening to good tunes.

Tell me what kind of music you want for your whatever days!

*credits to DesignLoveFest & Lindsay Gardner for the lovely background of my TunesDay image*

On Reinventing and Finding Self

On Reinventing and Finding Self

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I am doing my utmost to remain positive, or neutral. I’m not sure which.

It has only been a day in Canada, traveling for the first time really on my own, and I am faced with an overwhelming sense of everything and nothing at all.  Everything in the sense that the world is big and people are many and they all have ideas, some good and some bad.  Nothing in the sense that I feel as though despite my best efforts, I may not contribute anything worthwhile.

I thought that coming to a new environment, away from the normalcy of my everyday life, would provide clarity–that I would, in essence, become a different person, wracked with new ideas and newfound confidence.

Much to my chagrin, and I will reemphasize that yes, it has in fact only been a day, I am not a different person from when I was on US soil to when I stepped into the friendly land that is Canada.

I think I romanticized the notion of the intellectual and that by surrounding myself with esteemed academics, I too would be able to bounce off my ideas and criticisms of the injustices of the world.  Throughout the day, however, I found myself second-guessing everything I thought and everything I wanted to say.  I desperately wanted to contribute to the dialogue, ask a question, or provoke further conversations.  And in my desperation, I think I holed into a shell of my normally vocal and vivacious self.  (I have never described myself as vivacious…I probably won’t do that again.)

Even though I was sent here through a career grant given to me by Keds, appropriately titled the Brave Life Grant, I don’t feel so brave.  I don’t know what it will take for me to stop feeling self-conscious and really believe that I too have something worthwhile to give to the room, regardless of where that room may be and whoever may be in my company.

I guess only time, and a lot of self reflection, can move me forward.

Because There Can Never Be Too Many Self-Reflections

Because There Can Never Be Too Many Self-Reflections

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s been a while, my friends.  I have neglected this blog, much as I have neglected caring for myself.

Maybe it’s a reflection of my priorities–myself always falling last on the laundry list of things I need to get done.  Because somehow, “self-care” is not something that appealing when I’m writing my to-do list.  It’s not enough syllables to sound important to me.

And now, 2015 is essentially half over.  Already.  And as astonishing as that is to me, it also isn’t surprising at all.  What is surprising is how much I have accomplished, and yet how little I feel like I have progressed (and how much I still make excuses for my lack of perseverance and direction in both my research interests & my “personal projects”).

When I graduated almost exactly one year ago, I was sure that I would make the most of my “last summer of freedom”.  I thought I’d find myself.  I thought something would find me.  I really don’t know what I talked myself into believing, but I really and truly thought that my life would somehow dramatically shift into adulthood and that things would just happen for me.  I also thought I’d stop making run-on sentences a regular occurrence in my writing.

As it turns out, none of that happened.

What I learned instead is that adulthood and post-graduate life is hard.  I even wrote a blog post about it. You’d think that would be enough to teach me.  But alas, dear friends.  I inherited my father’s wit, but not his foresight. (Shout out to my pops if you’re reading this.  Love you, babs…and as a sidenote, I have never called my father “babs” before, but I think he’d find it endearing.)

When people tell you that working life is hard, they are not joking.  It is equal parts exhausting and liberating and confusing.  Colleges should make How To Survive Being In A Full-Time or More-Than-Full-Time-If-You’re-In-Non-Profits Job 101 course a pre-requisite for graduation.  But that would be a whole lot of paperwork to enforce, so instead, we’re stuck learning life the hard way–by actually living it.

And it is not that I thought working full-time would be easy or smooth-sailing 100% of the time.  But I did not know how tired you can get.  And how easy it is to get derailed and not put the effort into caring about yourself and your aspirations because you’re just too tired all the damn time.  Because working an 8-5 job is not like the three different clubs and organizations you used to juggle like a pro.  You can’t do a job and fifty million side projects without getting burnt out.  You just can’t. And I think that when I realized that (and am still realizing that), it hurts for someone like me.  Because I am a somebody who gets excitement and a unique sense of euphoria and doing multiple things at once successfully.  Having to put projects that I am passionate about to the wayside gives me a really visceral reaction.  It is a very real, raw kind of hurt that I can’t really explain except that it feels like you’re breaking up with the person you thought you loved, but didn’t really because you’re thirteen years old and not Justin Bieber, so you don’t actually know what love is.  And again, there’s that run-on sentence.

Really though.  I think that when I realized how exhausting it is to try and accomplish everything all at once and be everything to everyone, you’re kind of left with nothing for yourself.

I’m slowly figuring out what really matters to me and how I can use my skills and interests to provide real, impactful change.  It’s hard, but so worth it.  I know that I would rather spend five years building something I’ve done the research on and I know won’t be detrimental to target communities than get my hands on everything I have a remote interest in.  I’ve done that and seen others do it before and I know how bad it can be for those you’re trying to help–including yourself.

And I know that one day, I will be a professor that cares and be so many things for so many people. (I’ll also get the damn chile pepper on RateMyProfessor… y’all know what I’m talking about.)  But until then, I am understanding that I can’t beat myself up over not being at a certain place or having accolades that I know others my age may have.

And maybe this summer I’ll finally experience the magical summer that Disney Channel always produces movies about, minus the musical numbers.  Maybe I will finish writing my book(s) or explore a new place by myself.  And I’ll surround myself with people who care and do good things and make me laugh.   I’ll stop striving for perfection and start embracing uncertainty.  And I will finally know what it means to care about yourself–that being selfish in this context is one of the most selfless things you can do.