I love this picture. I wasn’t even there and it brings me so much joy. Imagine the joy the picture brings that couple. That is a situation you cannot recreate. Or at least it would be extremely difficult to recreate. The article led me to the National Geographic “daily dozen” photos where this picture was submitted. On this website, anybody can submit tnheir photos of adventure or everyday life. I was deeply moved by each photo. I was witnessing peoples’ favorite moments captured forever.
I should take more photos. Yes there is such a thing as taking too many photos, my father is the perfect example of that. But I don’t blame him, he just wants to capture moments of his family. Is that such a bad thing?
I have missed many opportunities to capture moments of my life. It’s not a bad thing. I don’t want to be bogged down by interrupting a moment to get a camera. But it’s so nice to relive and share those moments. One of my favorite memories I have encapsulated in pictures is my baptism 5 months ago. It was only 5 months ago, but I experienced a feeling I’ve never felt before. And when I look at those pictures, I can re-experience a fraction of that feeling. What is something you like to re-live through pictures/memories/storytelling? Take a picture of something today.
I know you are all waiting to hear about the Civil War Re-enactment, but something very exciting just happened!
Let me preface, we all have something “lame” that we are proud/excited about. It is not lame to us because we think its exciting, but its definitely lame to other people. Think about your “exciting for you but lame for others” something before I tell you mine.
So my goal has been to have a famous person tweet me on Twitter. I have an odd fascination with fame. Probably because I don’t understand it. But anyways, my childhood television show was Full House. So on Twitter, I am following the actress that played Kimmy Gibbler on Full House. If you don’t know any of the terms I just used, imagine a cheesy television show from childhood and the token over-the-top character. So here was our conversation on Twitter:
TinaLeena07: @AndreaBarber Kathy Santoni: Friend of Frenemy?
AndreaBarber: @TinaLeena07 LOL! Friend, always.
OMG! So only a very select breed of people will understand what that conversation meant. If you do, I am proud of you. If you don’t, I too am proud of you.
AND I just got bangs! I haven’t had bangs since 7th grade. It’s something new.
Lame, but exciting.
So moral of the story, get excited for simple things. Embrace your lame self. It’s a nice feeling. And remember, you are not lame.
I just found a flash mob that I can participate in before I leave for London. So of course I have to blog about it! What is a Flash Mob you ask?
It’s exactly what it sounds like. Well not really because there would probably be more nudity involved if it were exactly what it sounded like. In case you don’t know what a flash mob is (and don’t worry, many people don’t) check out the Wikipedia entry on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob
Its something you have to experience by either participating or witnessing. It shows how much power one individual can have. Without these individuals, flash mobs would not work.
Not sure where you can find out about them, but if you do, go. Both times I have found them, it’s been by being at the right website at the right time (Facebook first then Craigslist). I am excited to hopefully do another one before I leave the states. A nice send off from the United States.
Tina the intern here and I can check something off my "things to do" list. Go to a concert by myself.
So my favorite artist is Jack White (from The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather). I’ve been a fan of him since 8th grade or so, and I have never personally known another fan of him. Only me. I know fans exist, but I just have not met any. All of my friends like different music like John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and The Fray. So I’ve never had anyone to talk about my favorite music with and I’ve missed multiple Jack White affiliated concerts because I had no one to go with. Recently, Jack White formed a new band called The Dead Weather and they were coming to town! Of course I don’t have anyone to go with. Should I let the fact that I’m solo for this concert hold me back? …No! Old Tina would have missed this show because she was alone. New Tina will go to this concert and see a show she really wants to see. (I’m done with the writing in 3rd person. I promise.)
My solo concert experience:
The biggest nerve racking part of going to the concert alone was the actual going to the venue. It’s entirely psychological. It feels like people know that I’m alone. 1. They don’t. 2. What’s wrong with them thinking that you're alone?
When I went to enter the venue and the bouncer looked at my real ID and gazed at me. Sighed and then gave me a wristband. I was so confused. I went and got my spot in the crowd. I wasn’t front row, but second row is just as good. I assumed that I couldn’t drink, but I saw people around me with the usual black X’s on their hands. I didn't have the black sharpie X's on my hands. …I put 2 and 2 together. I have a drinking wristband! I didn’t think it was a big deal that I had a drinking wristband, but it was funny to think that I have a drinking wristband. I wasn’t going to leave my spot in the crowd to go to the bar. But then a venue employee walked by with a cardboard box filled with beers. How often do I get a drinking wrist band and a man with a cardboard box full of beers walks by? Not very often. Ok, now I’ll get a drink.
The show rocked! I am so glad I went to the show. I realized that nobody cared that I was alone. We were all there to see The Dead Weather perform. It was nice to be around people “like me”. Never again will I let being alone hold me back. No regrets!
Tina the Intern here and E>V has inspired me to do some of the things I have always wanted to do. So I have put together a quick list of things I have always wanted to do.
Take a look:
-Be an extra in something
-Be an actor in a cheesy educational video
-Be on a game show
-See the White Stripes in concert
-Meet someone famous (because I’m not sure how I would react)
Happy Friday! To celebrate Friday, you get 3, count 'em, 3 blog posts today! / I also wanted to wrap up the California blogs because so much more has happened since then that I would love to share with you (and sadly, I only have 2 more weeks of this beautiful internship)! So it may take you a few tries to get through these 3 blog posts, but you can do it! I believe in you!
Tina is getting hers
Intern Tina on the Road: Part 7 of 9
Since this vacation, I’m getting mine. (Getting what? My life.) When I got back from California, I didn’t think that the vacation would last even though e>v was saying that it could. It can’t be possible, I’m back in boring Minnesota and I have to work. Well, when I got home, my friend Nathan called me up to hang out. I was transitioning into normal life, and we were driving to rent a movie like usual when he asked if I’ve been to “Hot Sam’s” lately. I didn’t know what that was. He told me to take a right. I did without asking questions and we arriving to a few acres of land that seems like it would only be seen in movies. Words cannot adequately explain this place. Hot Sam’s is an “antique store” with not so average antiques. There are old circus carts, plastic pink flamingos, a giant submarine (that was only sold after being promised that it would never be painted yellow), baseball cards, and so much more. This is a picture of me posing next to one of the sharks from Jaws and a picture of me in an ancient jail cell. I’ve lived my whole life in this town and never been to this crazy place. Vacation can be anywhere. Old Tina that would just work and be a hermit crab is no more.
My life has been reinvigorated.
I saw the crap I used to eat before vacation (fast and cheap food) and made my first trip to the co-op for local, quality food. I went to a drive-in movie. I’ve gone out and met new people. Thrown a few dance parties, and tried a Lebanese French fry sandwich. Much more to come.
Things Tina has discovered
Intern Tina on the Road: Part 8 of 9
I discovered something interesting about my evolution through vacation.
My Hot Spots during prep (for those who have read this section in the e>v guide):
1. Play – North America 8 (Humor, Witty, Satire, Sarcastic, Entertainment)
2. Expression – Europe 8 (Free, Open, Variety, Easy to explore, Foreign)
1. Spirit – North America (Purple mountains majesty, Sweet land of liberty, Be grateful for being here and safe)
2. Health – Asia (loyal, roots, family)
3. Purpose – Europe (exciting, open personalities, adventure)
And my last three Hot Spots were: Play, Relationships, and Expression.
Before vacation, I thought my Hot Spots were ones that would help me please people. After vacation, my Hot Spots are ones that focus on me, and the continents stayed the same (I came up with my adjectives for “Spirit-North America” after listening to my Grandma’s stories about growing up in Vietnam and how I should be grateful for the USA). I was able to drop “Passive, People-Pleasing Tina” for “New and Improved Tina”. I hope New Tina sticks around.
Tina’s Life Mantra
Intern Tina on the Road: Part 9 of 9
An acronym one of my jobs lives by is “BUBIA! Be Unreasonable, Be in Action!” I have found my own spin on this:
Ultimately, this was a vacation where I got to disconnect from technology, reconnect with family, relax, and experience life. It could not have been better (and I even got to avoid driving in LA traffic. Bonus.). But I also experienced things I would never do in Minnesota. I ate chicken and waffles, wore ugly Christmas sweaters in the redwood forests (it was cold and was the only thing we could find), and watched a break dance competition. My “bravery” was subtle- I did not go sky diving or anything, but it still made a difference. The small things add up.
Late at night in southern California, we watched Travel Channel Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam and then Andrew Zimmern in Minnesota (aw, roots and home). I realized that I would love to have a food/adventure show. Travel and eat. It doesn’t get better than that. Well, I don’t need to host a tv food/adventure because I just lived one:
Sunday: Vietnamese Food (Bún bò Huế, Bánh bèo, Café sua da), Vegan restaurant (Vegan Southwest Chikin Sandwich with vegan chipotle mayo and sweet potato fries)
Monday: Vietnamese Food (Pho, Cơm tấm, rice porridge), Rosco’s Chicken ‘N Waffles (Fried chicken with waffles)
Tuesday: Vietnamese Food (Banh Mi), In-N-Out Burger (I would lead a movement for a franchise to come to Minnesota)
Wednesday: Fish Tacos (for the first time), family barbeque
Thursday: San Francisco Clam Chowder and Sourdough bread bowl, Fresh Sushi
Friday: Fresh figs, apricots, and plums off trees at John Muir’s house, Indian food (for the first time)
Saturday: French/Creole Soul food (Banana bread pudding French toast with bourbon syrup), Oyster Bar, and end the vacation with a family barbeque
This food adventure brought me back to my roots, let me experience some new cultures, and was a great thing to experience with the people I love.
I found a new portal to connect to people: food. Everybody has to eat, make it a joyous occasion and enjoy new and favorite foods while connecting with new and favorite people.
I love this game. Think of a question and put your iPod on shuffle. Look into how the next song “answers” your question. I probably love this because I love thinking about “signs.” I can convince myself that everything is a sign. This game came in handy when I was being a worried mess about my sister’s dog in his kennel while we were out (is he okay? Should we have put that bone in the kennel? What if he chokes? What if he’s thirsty?). I was listening to my iPod on shuffle while on a ferry to San Francisco and the next song that came on was “Don’t Panic” by Coldplay. Sign. I can relax.
So many people out there have distinct personalities. They are either passive or aggressive, creative or analytical, shy or outgoing. I find that I can be all of those listed adjectives at the same time. Well not at the same time, but that my personality can be the extremes of things. I can be either extremely passive or extremely aggressive. The same goes for the other adjectives. So I can’t really find a happy medium. Wrap this all around my other trait that I am a people pleaser and it is a recipe for me being walked all over or me taking charge. Except when “Avoid Confrontation Tina” is around it can be bad news. So how do I confront all of these “shadows”? Well one step at a time. Whichever wants to show up first.
Today: passiveness.
Say Hello to passiveness. One would think that I would be able to take the aggressive side of me to dilute the passiveness. But then that would make life easy.
On the plane, a man was sitting in my seat. The coveted window seat. I sat in the seat next to him. This seat was not comfortable. How do I tell the man that he is in my seat? I literally go over this in my mind for 5 minutes. Old me would have sat in the uncomfortable seat that was not mine because I would be paranoid that confrontation would erupt. I have to do it or I’m stuck in discomfort for 4 hours. I told him that I thought he was in my seat and even went a step further and showed him my ticket. He was very nice about it and moved into his seat. Yes, I was still passive, but success! Baby steps. I see that the upside of alls of this is that I am not always passive. Aggressive Tina hangs out too. So instead of only being one adjective, I can be somewhat flexible in different situations.
Passiveness is sticking around though. My next fear is driving in LA traffic. I am praying that I won’t have to.
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