Im a serial loser of stuff,especially "no-way could-you-lose-that-items" like cell phones,spectacles and clothes generally.In fact I lose stuff with such frequency that I have earlier written an article about it with the "clever idea" of technology to alleviate this disease of opportune-mind-wandering.I searched around online and found a system made up of an emitter and receiver which can be installed on high value items desired not to be lost.The idea is to attach the emitter on an object,say a laptop and then activate it while you safely keep a receiver.The receiver will constantly receive signals of proximity (while the owner doesnt lose the receiver) or while the object is within range.This system combo can be placed on keys,cellphones,you name it.
However,my worry this time is not finding a solution of whatever kind.Rather its concern that I store in my head innumerous amounts of information(okay,maybe my head is empty until I do an audit),but seriously speaking Im disappointed I recall all types of media garbage on US politics,celebrity culture,general gossip,latest whacky Youtube videos but not to put back my spectacle case in my bag after taking out my glasses.Are the two related?That is remembering to return to their place and what I put into my mind daily...or per minute.I think so.
I cannot change the world.Thats is to say...In all the cases that I lost my cellphones(5 or 6 so far...),keys,clothes,glasses and now my Prada spectacle case,I wish someone was honest enough to return them to the lost and found office.I know I would have.In Al Campo of Alcobendas,from the Spanair flight from Tenerife.However,it never happened,and I cannot bet on the fact that it would ever happen.Thats how it is...
So my solution shall be simpler than that.I will now do filters of information before I take it all in.My mantra and philosophy shall be GARBAGE IN = GARBAGE OUT. This is my formula for a peace of mind.Im not only talking about information I take in from the internet,newspapers or people around me.I am also referring to the material goods I accumulate.That is going to be key to my living and travelling lightly.I will give you a real example.In my hand luggageon my flight from Tenerife to Madrid yesterday, I had a bag with what I supposed was a minimal supply of cosmetics,then my specs,then sunglasses,cellphone,passport,wallet,keys,light jersey,book...My bag was pretty full,and in hindsight I didn't need to have so many things other than the essentials of air travel.Another real example is the fact that I lost a cardboard full of clothes in Calle del Pez after I unwittingly left it in the street,trying to quickly load everything onto the car on the busy street from my flat during my house moving.I simply didn't take it and got onto the car and only realised it the next day.What does this all mean?Apart from being despistada(absent-minded),what it means is that I didn't need all those clothes if I didn't realise until a day later I didnt have them.Guess,what,today...now,I STILL cannot tell you which clothes were in that box.I still have my winter,summer clothes as well as formal work clothes,without a problem.Then those clothes were a huge SURPLUS.Im not solely consoling myself or manufacturing happiness(see a title on TED.com about this topic)
My conclusion then...my answer then to all of this is,what I dont miss 24 hours later,I dont need...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Help Im Black!
Dear blogreader,
I have been living in Madrid now for four years.I usually praise Madrid for being generally colour-blind.Examples of my daily work and social life are evidence.During weekdays at lunchtime,I eat with colleagues in a restaurant close to work.I have not ever felt special attention,favour or disfavour just because of my race.I dont mean to totally claim that in Madrid race doesnt matter,because I would be lying.It does.If you dont belive me then be a black person or a black person from Africa or a person from Asia or a person from Eastern Europe or an Arab looking for a flat either to share or to own.Even for these groups of individuals there is a hierachy of acceptable races hence if any two indviduals from those races would be the last candidates for accomodation for example,one would fare better than the other.
Well,back to my realisation:Something happened to make me ask the following questions
a)Is it true?
b)If yes/no to the question above,does it bother me?
On Friday at work,I was having one of the lively chats and comments I usually have with colleagues about this and that,when suddenly a colleague mentioned that all Africans are the same.I was gobblesmacked to hear that umbrella statement but proceeded to ask my colleague what he meant.To the question he answered they speak loudly,dress in very bright colours and use a lot of hand gestures.He went on to say that when he sees me he has no doubt that Im African because all my mannerisms and physical attributes yell African from the highest peak of the Sierra Mountain in Madrid!Apparently,he had collected this information and evidence from being on the morning train to work.Come to think of it,I should have mentioned that Africans in the morning's workers train is a different profile to Africans in Canada going to work in their own cars to Africans in the United States going to work in far-away destinations on Air Force One!
I asked this colleague what would be his comment to the remark that all Spaniards are the same?He said there were not and I responded that the same applies to Africans on the train not being represenattive of all Africans(Blacks) on this planet.It then became a more uncomfortable discussion as he went on to assure me that all those attributes werent negative and I need not be ashamed or feel bad about them.I felt absolutely patronised and was flabbergasted.Needless to say,he was convinced I had an inferiority complex about being black and I believed he was ignorant and small minded.I even mentioned our common boss who is Spanish and has a loud laugh and dresses very elegantly every time in a combination of classic colours and bright feminine and flattering hues!
So to the 2 questions above,"Is it true,are all Africans the same?"Do we all speak in boisterous and voices?I know that for a fact to be untrue!
Secondly,how do I feel about people carrying and expressing these stereotypes,well I wish I would let it go.However,for now it bothers me...you know,expressions like to work like a black person in Spanish(Trabajar como un Negro) and many more stereotypes that people live and act out make me shriek.Truth be told,one of my best friends,an Italian girl from Sardegna who also happens to be a psychologist told me that we all carry prejudices one way or another.She also told me I have a laugh from the stomach which is lively and warm like water bubbling in a claypot on a fire (scene from africa:)).We agreed though that nowadays there are not really sweeping descriptions of races,communities and people...Like I told my colleague,apart from my boss with her loud laughing voice,Italians also use hand gestures(perhaps very particular ones,but visible hand gestures all the same)and so do Indian people to express different ideas.
For the obvious and subtle character traits in all of us,I bet we have more or less the same quantities.What do you think?
Till Soon!
Sarah
I have been living in Madrid now for four years.I usually praise Madrid for being generally colour-blind.Examples of my daily work and social life are evidence.During weekdays at lunchtime,I eat with colleagues in a restaurant close to work.I have not ever felt special attention,favour or disfavour just because of my race.I dont mean to totally claim that in Madrid race doesnt matter,because I would be lying.It does.If you dont belive me then be a black person or a black person from Africa or a person from Asia or a person from Eastern Europe or an Arab looking for a flat either to share or to own.Even for these groups of individuals there is a hierachy of acceptable races hence if any two indviduals from those races would be the last candidates for accomodation for example,one would fare better than the other.
Well,back to my realisation:Something happened to make me ask the following questions
a)Is it true?
b)If yes/no to the question above,does it bother me?
On Friday at work,I was having one of the lively chats and comments I usually have with colleagues about this and that,when suddenly a colleague mentioned that all Africans are the same.I was gobblesmacked to hear that umbrella statement but proceeded to ask my colleague what he meant.To the question he answered they speak loudly,dress in very bright colours and use a lot of hand gestures.He went on to say that when he sees me he has no doubt that Im African because all my mannerisms and physical attributes yell African from the highest peak of the Sierra Mountain in Madrid!Apparently,he had collected this information and evidence from being on the morning train to work.Come to think of it,I should have mentioned that Africans in the morning's workers train is a different profile to Africans in Canada going to work in their own cars to Africans in the United States going to work in far-away destinations on Air Force One!
I asked this colleague what would be his comment to the remark that all Spaniards are the same?He said there were not and I responded that the same applies to Africans on the train not being represenattive of all Africans(Blacks) on this planet.It then became a more uncomfortable discussion as he went on to assure me that all those attributes werent negative and I need not be ashamed or feel bad about them.I felt absolutely patronised and was flabbergasted.Needless to say,he was convinced I had an inferiority complex about being black and I believed he was ignorant and small minded.I even mentioned our common boss who is Spanish and has a loud laugh and dresses very elegantly every time in a combination of classic colours and bright feminine and flattering hues!
So to the 2 questions above,"Is it true,are all Africans the same?"Do we all speak in boisterous and voices?I know that for a fact to be untrue!
Secondly,how do I feel about people carrying and expressing these stereotypes,well I wish I would let it go.However,for now it bothers me...you know,expressions like to work like a black person in Spanish(Trabajar como un Negro) and many more stereotypes that people live and act out make me shriek.Truth be told,one of my best friends,an Italian girl from Sardegna who also happens to be a psychologist told me that we all carry prejudices one way or another.She also told me I have a laugh from the stomach which is lively and warm like water bubbling in a claypot on a fire (scene from africa:)).We agreed though that nowadays there are not really sweeping descriptions of races,communities and people...Like I told my colleague,apart from my boss with her loud laughing voice,Italians also use hand gestures(perhaps very particular ones,but visible hand gestures all the same)and so do Indian people to express different ideas.
For the obvious and subtle character traits in all of us,I bet we have more or less the same quantities.What do you think?
Till Soon!
Sarah
Welcome Back
Dear Reader,
I had taken such a long sabbatical from writing in my blog and consequently become ancient.I had a lot to do and Im glad I took that step.
In that time I totally took control of my finances.I even took careful note of my salary slip up to the last cent.Suprisingly,around that time my employer made a SAP related mistake reducingfrom me about 17% of my salary.Had I not being in this self-observant period,Im sure I would have missed it.
I also started to go to the gymn.A pasttime I thoroughly enjoyed though it was a trimestral contract at 68Euros per month.The story of how I joined the gymn is curious.The first time I went to ask about how it all works,the receptionist who attended me was aloof and unfriendly.Therefore though I was interested I put off the actual joining to a week later to coincide with the beginnning of the month and also to think about it all.Fortunately,the day I returned I met a friendlier receptionist who also happens to be a gymn trainer.What do you know, she even offered me a zero subscription fee so I paid for the three month's fees on the spot.My time at the BODYFACTORY gymn was enjoyable to say the least.I would arrive from work feeling fatigued with a hint of headache,and going there raised my motivation and energy levels.It was indeed a triumph.Madrid's scorching sun and bubbling heat has put me off gymn for now but Im taking part in the city races now and again.My daily lifestyle which involves taking the Metro and going up and down numerous escalators also helps.
Apart from health,vitality and finances,one of my great feat's has been recognising I have been taking massive bites off my ambitions.Its been in recognising I was approaching an escalation in stress and anxiety due to my many incomplete projects.I have now actively started to say no when I cannot and to also ask for help in my personal and professional life.
In the meantime I will get back to throwing out all trash thats filled my room in the form of daily free city newspapers like Qué,ADN(My favourite due to a columnist called Lucía Etxebarria),20 Minutos as well pamphlets about events and happenings in the city!
Till again(SOON),
Sarah
I had taken such a long sabbatical from writing in my blog and consequently become ancient.I had a lot to do and Im glad I took that step.
In that time I totally took control of my finances.I even took careful note of my salary slip up to the last cent.Suprisingly,around that time my employer made a SAP related mistake reducingfrom me about 17% of my salary.Had I not being in this self-observant period,Im sure I would have missed it.
I also started to go to the gymn.A pasttime I thoroughly enjoyed though it was a trimestral contract at 68Euros per month.The story of how I joined the gymn is curious.The first time I went to ask about how it all works,the receptionist who attended me was aloof and unfriendly.Therefore though I was interested I put off the actual joining to a week later to coincide with the beginnning of the month and also to think about it all.Fortunately,the day I returned I met a friendlier receptionist who also happens to be a gymn trainer.What do you know, she even offered me a zero subscription fee so I paid for the three month's fees on the spot.My time at the BODYFACTORY gymn was enjoyable to say the least.I would arrive from work feeling fatigued with a hint of headache,and going there raised my motivation and energy levels.It was indeed a triumph.Madrid's scorching sun and bubbling heat has put me off gymn for now but Im taking part in the city races now and again.My daily lifestyle which involves taking the Metro and going up and down numerous escalators also helps.
Apart from health,vitality and finances,one of my great feat's has been recognising I have been taking massive bites off my ambitions.Its been in recognising I was approaching an escalation in stress and anxiety due to my many incomplete projects.I have now actively started to say no when I cannot and to also ask for help in my personal and professional life.
In the meantime I will get back to throwing out all trash thats filled my room in the form of daily free city newspapers like Qué,ADN(My favourite due to a columnist called Lucía Etxebarria),20 Minutos as well pamphlets about events and happenings in the city!
Till again(SOON),
Sarah
Friday, September 5, 2008
Dont be seen in this at the gymn
Dear Blogreader,
I have decided to hit the gymn.This time I was very noticeable results.Between looking for my new shared apartment and resettling October is my get in shape month.
See here for gymn fashion protocol NO-NO´s!!!
Happy muscle toning,
Till soon...
PS:I will post before and after pics.
Courtesy:www.aol.com
I have decided to hit the gymn.This time I was very noticeable results.Between looking for my new shared apartment and resettling October is my get in shape month.
See here for gymn fashion protocol NO-NO´s!!!
Happy muscle toning,
Till soon...
PS:I will post before and after pics.
Courtesy:www.aol.com
Monday, September 1, 2008
A dedication to Marc
Sonnet 116: Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no, it is an ever-fixèd mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
William Shakespeare
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no, it is an ever-fixèd mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
William Shakespeare
Why Warren Buffet is smarter than me
Dear Blogreader,
The man behind Berkshire,Mr Warren Buffet has always fascinated me for a while.Even before he overtook Bill Gates for the title of the richest man alive.
Read about Warren Buffet´s wit analysis here
Courtesy www.msn.com
Aloha,
Sarah
The man behind Berkshire,Mr Warren Buffet has always fascinated me for a while.Even before he overtook Bill Gates for the title of the richest man alive.
Read about Warren Buffet´s wit analysis here
Courtesy www.msn.com
Aloha,
Sarah
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
10 Books To read Before you die
Dear Blogreader,
Following an aricle in aol.com you should have made your way through this list of books before the long good night....
They are here
I have actually read 2 books from that list...Guess which ones?I know 80% of the authors but dont necessarily like the genre they write.I prefer not to learn by accident hence Im reading self-development books first,then will try the rest later!
Aloha,
Sarah
Following an aricle in aol.com you should have made your way through this list of books before the long good night....
They are here
I have actually read 2 books from that list...Guess which ones?I know 80% of the authors but dont necessarily like the genre they write.I prefer not to learn by accident hence Im reading self-development books first,then will try the rest later!
Aloha,
Sarah
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Second of the month
Dear Blogreader,
Its been ages since I blogged.Many wonderful things have happened since then.I travelled to 3 countries since,read interesting books,met dynamic people and increase my intake of personal development.I have also enjoyed inflow of formidable friendships,abundance of spiritual and material wealth!
Im so grateful.The big news this month is that the company that is stimulating all this activity in my life is opening in my home coutry.So far its an exciting journey.Im getting very charged responses and through the professionalism and commitment of my sponsor we are systematically leading people to realise their DON!
I will post pictures soon,from Dubai in the United Aran Emirates,Miami in the U.S.A and Lisbon in Portugal!
Aloha!!!!
Sarah
www.getagelinfo.co.uk watch step 3 then get in contact with me...
Its been ages since I blogged.Many wonderful things have happened since then.I travelled to 3 countries since,read interesting books,met dynamic people and increase my intake of personal development.I have also enjoyed inflow of formidable friendships,abundance of spiritual and material wealth!
Im so grateful.The big news this month is that the company that is stimulating all this activity in my life is opening in my home coutry.So far its an exciting journey.Im getting very charged responses and through the professionalism and commitment of my sponsor we are systematically leading people to realise their DON!
I will post pictures soon,from Dubai in the United Aran Emirates,Miami in the U.S.A and Lisbon in Portugal!
Aloha!!!!
Sarah
www.getagelinfo.co.uk watch step 3 then get in contact with me...
Friday, June 20, 2008
Home,sweet home
Dear Blogreader,
I enjoyed reading this article the other day.It shows beautiful homes under the unpretentious title of MANSION OF THE WEEK!South Africa is really a haven for luxurious and illuminous homes whether it is beach front homes,country side Dutch-influenced homes or city pads.
Feast your eyes and prepare a check with digits followed my several zeros.The fetching prices are of course more affordable for buyers with Euro currency,US dollars,famous artists,oil barons and MLM Rockstars AKA Professional Network Marketers!
Read all about it here
Ol'e!
Sarah
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Santiago where are you?
Dear Blogreader,
I read in a South African online newsletter,that a film of the modern classic and one of my favourite books,The Alchemist,will be made soon.Apparently this was confirmed by Paulo Coehlo´s publicist at the Cannes Festival this year and Laurence Fishburne will directing and starring in it.It will be shot in Europe,the Middle East and North Africa.The only missing piece to the coming to life of this literary brilliance is of course,Santiago.Those of you who have read the book will know he is the ¨protagonista¨and central character in the book.Now,I found it exciting that there is now an extensive search for someone to take this role,happening in Spain and South America.I mean for me,this is like fast forwarding ¨The sixth sense¨ and not being able to imagine any other little boy being able to convincingly utter those immortal words,¨I see dead people...¨ the way Haley Joel Osmont does it!This time however,our expecations are enriched by our own personal journey going through the book.It will be a tough job to re-produce the work as poignantly as Paulo Coelho leads the reader to do in their imaginations.In all cases,Im looking forward to it!
NewsFlash:This classic will also be translated to a first ever African language of Xhosa for use as textbooks in South Africa´s Xhosa speaking provinces!
I will conclude with these words from the book,which made a lasting impresion for me:¨if you want something badly enough,all the universe conspires to help you get it!¨...read that again...and again..and again,until you see it!
Im celebrating already!
Sarah
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