sense of well being

Something is in the air.

I always know when good things are happening. I sleep better, and I am joyous.

This is the best kind of happiness. The kind that permeates into all areas of my life. It is the motivation I need to give unconditionally to others and to try to make the world a better place. This is me being myself.

Lately, been having a lot of these moments. Is this what it means to be in my 30s? This incredible feeling that everything is going my way because I just naturally go down the path that is meant to be.

Oh yeah, life is good.

feeling unstoppable

Sometimes life is easy, and right now, it's as good as it gets. Yesterday was a bit down b/c I had to do some really silly things, like "chaperon" two checks through to make sure some consultants get paid. At the end of the day, things get done. Got to focus on that.

Round 3 of interviews with a company tomorrow.

After the offer, am going to bring up doing my own outside consulting work. I might not have to quit completely. Stay tuned.

baby

I have a college roommate who lives in Brazil. She and I were friends for one semester when she came to the US to study masters in material engineering.

That was 1993.

We stayed friends all these years and kept in touch via e-mail and letters. We visited each other. I went to Rio, and she came to SF. That visit to Rio changed me. Now I want to spend some time in South America. Maybe move to Buenos Aires to work.

Next month, she will be a mother. I am excited because she is such a wonderful person and will make the world a better place by her contribution as a mother. I am looking forward to meeting a new friend.

SBC/ATT phone customer?

I received a privacy notice from AT&T. AT&T will sell my information to its family of companies unless I opt out.

Today, I tried to opt out, but the website in the mailing led to a "no longer exist" page.

It took a some researching, but I was able to find the actual page:
https://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=3990

What exactly is "family of companies"? I am sure anyone who pays AT&T mega bucks can be in its family. Still, it'll be interesting to see if I do get more junk mail now that I am a land line phone customer...

making a living

Went to see the Peking Acrobat Sunday. A perfomer fell during the last act, but I doubt many people noticed. She was in the back row, jumping down from a human pyramid. She fell on her side and was in so much pain and could not get up. Her fellow performer carried her off and left her in the wing.

Given where I was sitting, I could see her feet as she laid in the wing before someone could attend to her. :(

It was a good performance, but there is a part of me that thought about what a hard life it must be. To practice endlessly, to travel all the time and be away from families, and to be at risk of injury or death.

In comparison, my life is amazingly cushy. My work is much more mental and social than physical, and I take risks to have fun. I am truly grateful.

popularity contest

I like trying new things, and this weekend, it's going to be paintball. A friend suggested it, and I set up the evite, inviting about 60 people.

So far, only 3 of us responded yes.

The idea originator is a bit discouraged, e-mailing me that only 3 people are going.

I've never let the lack of company stop me before. I went skiing once and snowboarding twice all by myself in Tahoe when no one had time to go. All three trips were fine. I got to do what I wanted.

Sure, it's more fun to do things with people, but sometimes, not everyone else is willing to take advantage of the opportunities at hand. I am very lucky to be able to do so many things, either with people or on my own.

Yes, it would be great to always have someone the to accompany me. After so many solo adventures, including international travel, it's all the same to me. I am here to live it up, and if someone joins me for the ride, great. If not, I'll see you in the rear-view mirror!

get that look

Several friends have asked me about how to get toned abs and arms. Yes, there are plenty of exercises you can do, and I am happy to give some one-on-one training sessions.

However, the diet is just as important if not more important.

Take lunch. Today, I made a salad with the following:
spinach
carrot
avocado
apple
orange
sunflower seed
honey
kiwi for dessert

It took more time to cut up all the vegetables and fruits than to eat them, but there was no cooking, so no oil. Usually, I would add extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for taste.

Three hours later, and I am not at all hungry b/c my taste buds were fed with so many flavors. Eating well does take a lot of time, but it sure is yummy. It's nice to be able to look fit, but I will settle for just being healthy.

buy, buy, buy

I live close to a Best Buy retail store, and every so often, I see a line outside the store of people lining up to get the latest gadget.

Now, I am all for cool electronics (I love my XM!), but spending precious time in order to get stuff??

What is happening to our culture? Why is there a priority placed on the act of consumption?

I buy stuff mostly out of need and efficiency. For instance, XM elimates the need for CDs and saves time on music selection. What the people waiting at a store after hours tells me is that we now have created a need to consume. Rather than consume to satisfy other needs, the act of buying something has gained importance as a value.

Whoa! That is alarming because consumption is not an intrinsic need. The act of consumption satsifes a personal urge, and that's it. There isn't any positive externalities. When someone buys an object, that transaction satisfies the consumer's internal urge. The act of consumption then served its purpose.

It's time that we make more conscious choices as a world in how we spend our money and time. Let's learn more about each other and ourselves. Let's buy wholesome food and support local farmers. Let's recycle and save Planet Earth.

I am stingy with my time and money because I want to do more with my life and change the world.

In comparison, in the time that the people waiting for the Wii were in line, I supported six farmers at the Farmers' Market. All these people did was stood around in the cold while I bought groceries for the entire week...