Undivided attention...for the moment

On a global level, it’s amazing how short our attention span can get with news being fed every second.

So, right now, it’s all about Haiti and how they are coping with the effect of the 7.0 earthquake that hit on January 12, 2010. And rightly so. For better or for worse, the eyes of the world are upon this little country. Many have hit out as to the “cause” for such a blow; many have rushed to her shores to help; many have been stalled in their efforts. (The irony is that the influx of immediate help has caused huge logistic problems in getting help directly to those who need it most.) And, there are many who’ve set out to write about Haiti; put things in context etc. How poignant the sentiment I read a couple days ago: “We are in a moment of disaster.”

Generally, though, many have been giving – no passing of judgment; no hope for anything in return – just giving. And that, is heartening!

Perhaps next month, when something else would have arisen to shift our attention, help for Haiti will still occupy a prominent position on the world’s action – not To Do – list.


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
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...and counting!

Well, whaddya know? The previous post was the 50th one! I'm like, wow, who would've thunk it? I'm pretty psyched about that, as you can guess, as it means I've held the commitment to writing.

I would be the first to admit it (if asked:) Sometimes the writing isn't the most interesting piece of work I put out there, but, always, it's honest. And that has to count for sopm, right?

In my book it does :) (OK. Lemme tone down the self aggrandizement a bit :) Truth is, though, I'm glad I've kept at it. That's 50 posts and counting...right into the new year, too!

What a glorious way to start 2010? I love, (did I mention this before?) just loooove the beginning of a new year! It's like, the scales of the old year (I somehow always think of it using this metaphor) are immediately peeled off and reveals a fresh, new, vibrant, exciting, radiant, shiny, bright and hopeful time. It's as if I'm given a brand-spanking new canvass and I have the opportunity to do excellent work with it!

And so I shall! I rang in 2010 at a church service and what a way to do it, too?! I s'pose that also adds to my feeling of "starting out on the right foot". I now look forward to the new position/role I will be filling come next week. I've been assured that it's an exciting one ("not your usual government desk job"); one that promises to draw from my strong communication, education and outreach suite of skills.

My mission? To perform my job with excellence, doing it as unto God.

For right now, though, I shall continue to enjoy the company of my niece in the last few days of my 3-wk vacation. Her parents have been kind enough to allow her to sleep over :-) and it's been a blast.

Oh, one of my Rotties, Tara, had pups. I got here when they were still under a week old. Mother and pups are doing well. Haven't yet introduced them to papa. In time. In time. Now, they're growling and barking up a storm.

And, maybe, just maybe, this is the year when I'll fall in love. Again. This time, meet the man who's right for me, at the right time...

It'd be nice to fall in love, actually.


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

Wonder and delight

Oooh,this month has been...hectic. Notice I didn't keep my appointment for the 18th? I was travelling (and I hate scheduling posts - probably have done it just once already). Anyway, I was on the way to Jamaica and once I got here, it got even crazier.

However, all that was with good reason. Busy planning the 40th anniversary celebration for my parents; busy executing the plans; busy attending and participating, but all with pleasure.

And they loved it! And that just makes my day. My sisters and I are glad that they enjoyed it - as did the friends who were invited. But, I think my parents enjoyed it more. They did the whole renewal of vows and exchange of rings - and this time, I was there! That was touching.

I'm mos def looking forward to the new year! It will be wonderful and delightful and exciting and my dreams will come true.

Yes!


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

Heads-up! We’re bottoming out.

Are we getting too low for comfort? Well, it seems that those who are getting that low (IMO), are clearly comfortable with it. Perhaps, in that thought process, it’s not a measure or judgment of “low-ness” or fnoabw, depth. It may well be, perhaps, simply a matter of a new territory. There’s no hole being dug, no ladder being climbed. It’s just …virgin territory.

We live on a planet that has become tough, cynical, insatiable, impatient, (instant-coffee-is-too-slow), with numerous persons walking around individually-wrapped in a very real fear of being lost in the crowd. So, what do they do? Try – even if it means being egregious – to stand out from the other six billion plus people.

At one point or another, most people have pondered the why-am-I-here? question. And, along the continuum of that thought, may come the will-I-be-missed-when-I’m-gone? question. So, somewhere in-between, you try to “do something” that will attest to the fact that you were here, and hope that that “something” is the purpose for which you were placed here. (“Hope is not a method” as the General’s book is so aptly titled. But that’s for another time.)

Now, my question is: Does that “something” that you do to distinguish you from every other human being before, during and after your presence here have to be as obtuse as tweeting to the social media community at the very moment that you are doing something as serious as, say, being pronounced husband to your new wife? Hmm? Seems like some are willing to do whatever it takes to make some record or the other. Doesn’t matter which one. Just have history recording that, “I was the first to …”

You know what’s scary? The kinds of stunts that this guy’s protégés are going to pull to try to top that.

I’d say we’re bottoming out – and, where is the bottom, anyway?


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

Just a thought of her

Now and again, my mind glows at the thought of things or people extraordinary.

You might enjoy this. I did.

Entertaining, heartwarming and educational piece on the beloved Miss Lou.


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

I can do this

It’s kind of hard to believe, but, I’m winding down to my personal deadline as I wind up preparations for the application package. Ah! English.

All I need to do now is deconstruct all I’ve come to know about writing resumés, try to make sense of it all and learn about writing a curriculum vitae (the course of one’s life – in this case, the course of my life!)

It has been quite a task – partly because I’m kinda anal and partly because, well, quality preparation – especially for a Ph.D. application package – does take work!

So, carry on I shall. This has to be in by Monday! (I am actually trying to submit it by Friday – nuff time to spare before the December 1 deadline.) There goes another weekend, but, I know it will be worth it in the not-so-long run. I try to keep my focus and energy up by envisioning the words along the lines of: “…are pleased to let you know that you have been accepted to the Ph.D. program…”

I can do this I can do this I can do this – especially through Christ who strengthens me.


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

Here's to you, Mommy and Daddy

Okay. Here’s the thing: I’d like to continue writing on the 8s, but, my Internet connection at home has gone funky. And it’s not like me to have an entry-in-waiting. I prefer to write on d-day.

So, the deal is that I shall still try to honour the commitment to the 8s. But, if I miss by a day or two – depending on whether it falls on a Sat. or Sun. – I’ll make every effort to make up for it on the earliest work day after that.

Yesterday (Nov.) was an absolutely lovely day weather wise and otherwise. My youngest sis and me had an impromptu dinner and a (home) movie. It was a sunny 16C and I enjoyed every minute of it. Well, except for the part where I had to do laundry – I hate doing the laundry, man! At the end, though, it felt good to have it all done and be stacked with clean clothes again. 

Last week, a number of milestone events happened. I got the first draft of the Statement of Intent done and sent it off for review by a couple of my former professors. That was a big deal for me – one of the few pieces of academic writing since I completed my Masters, but the one with the most weight, to date.

Also, (drum rrrrooooollll), my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on the 5th. Zowie! No big mystery to the longevity of their marriage, though. I’m incredibly happy for and proud of them. God has really blessed them with everything needed to make theirs a long, lesson-filled, strong and good relationship and they’ve used it. They’re friends. And they’ve raised us within that circle of love and trust. They’re our friends and we are theirs, too.

Here’s to you, Mommy and Daddy, with lots of love!


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro