gabriellephant

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Help! Save the date!

This is the more adorable Save The Date. So creative & cutely done :)
No, I do not know these people. A co-worker sent this to me. I feel a bit like a creeper...but who cares.

International Women's Day 2011

[img via The Adventure Project]

From Jumo:
• Women perform 66% of the world’s work and produce 50% of the world’s food, yet they earn only 10% of the world’s income and own only 1% of the world’s property.
• According to the United Nations, girls make up the majority of the estimated 72 million children who are not in school.
• Close to 70% of the world’s 759 million adults who cannot read or write are women.

Today is International Women's Day! Unfortunately, this week is an insanely busy week for me so as much as I want to write a proper post dedicated to women, it will have to be slightly delayed.

However, I have been tweeting (or rather, RTing) for a good portion of today with posts revolving around #IWD11 :) When I get the time later this week to sit down and compile my thoughts, I will do so.

Before I go (and study my brains out about macroeconomics for international affairs), I just want to say that women should most certainly be celebrated, not oppressed! Honor the women in your life by pledging to make a difference in the lives of women across the globe :)

For a start, you can visit Google's IWD page (accessible by clicking on Google's doodle today) and seeing the various organizations dedicated to positively impacting our world through putting women's issues on the agenda.

And now I'm off. Have a fabulous rest of the week, folks! And remember that all of March is Women's Month!

Appreciation

It's so true, isn't it -- you never know what you have until it's gone.

My friends are looking out for me

Advice from the lovely Jeanne Huang.

Puppy sitting

Meet Sumo.


Meet Lilo.


Meet Brian :)


Slobbery Sumo.

Hatch

"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad."

- C.S. Lewis

Jacqueline Novogratz: Inspiring a life of immersion

Amazing woman.

If you don't want to watch the whole thing, I'd recommend going to 14:25 -- one of many of the great stories told by Jacqueline in this clip.

Valentine's

Home cooked dinner.
Mussels, pasta, garlic bread, wine.

Slightly tamer than last year's festivities...









Happy post-Valentine's Day, folks.

X-Men: First Class (Trailer)

YES.

Yes, yes, yes.


"Excited" does not begin to cover my feelings towards this trailer. "Stoked" barely even does.

Yes.



Edit

...And I realize that on June 3, I will NOT be in the country. Or possibly in an area that has a legitimate theater that will play this.

$*&#^*@^#@*#!!!!

Must. Watch.

R.I.P, Bo-Bo

Love.<3

Bubbly

The rain is falling on my window pane
But we are hiding in a safer place
Under covers staying dry and warm
You give me feelings that I adore

I'm caught in Your grace...

A thousand times I've failed,
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again,
I'm caught in Your grace...


I feel like the last quarter of my life so far has been filled with a lot of mistakes. I have the inexplicable ability to continually screw things up. Unfortunately, my mistakes bear consequences that not only affect me but also often [negatively] affect people around me. It would be easier if my consequences were really just my consequences. But they're not. And worse, I'm pretty sure that the fact that people are hurt by me is incredibly hurtful to God too.


For some reason, I lost it tonight. Thinking about how often and how badly I've messed up in the past number of years always brings me back to the question: why am I such a terrible person.


I need to continue reminding myself of the idea of grace and redemption. I marvel at these concepts; they are so beautiful in nature, which is partly why I find God so awe-inspiring. Yet, I can't fully accept His grace.

Today was the end of my three week food fast. It was truly an amazing experience and so happened to be the perfect time for me, as the weeks following the start of the fast were incredibly tough and trying. But God is good and carried me through. I'm considering extending my fast, though I think food fasting specifically may be unwise for me to continue. I need to contemplate a bit more but would definitely like to keep fasting and seeking.


I keep saying that I want to stop screwing up, that I'm tired of constantly making mistakes and making things worse and hurting people and etc etc etc. But I don't think I can stop making mistake after mistake if I can't first stop berating myself, accept grace, and forgive. It's only then that I can have some forward motion. So let's work on that for now...

Maroon 5: Sunday morning

Adam Levine: definitely a top celebrity crush.

Trading in metal rings

There was a father who took his daughter to the playground at the nearby park one day. The daughter found a metal ring with a plastic rhinestone in the pebbly ground near the slides. Excited at her discovery, she ran to her father and shouted, "Daddy, look what I found! It's so beautiful! I love it!" The father smiled and said that it was indeed pretty but maybe she should just leave it at the playground. She begged to keep it, saying that she loved it so much. The daughter put it on and refused to take it off.

She wore the ring for days and proudly took care of it. Soon, however, the metal of the ring began leaving an ugly green stain around her finger. Still, she adored the shiny metal band and the sparkle of the plastic rhinestone and thus the ring remained on day and night, as did the stain.

Finally, her father went into her room one night to tuck her in. He asked her, "Do you love me, honey?"

And she replied, "Of course, Daddy!"

He asked her, "How much do you love me?"

"More than anyone else in the whole wide world!" she smiled.

"More than anything too?" he asked.

"Yep. You're the best daddy ever."

He smiled and added, "And you know I love you too, right? More than anyone or anything."

The little girl nodded.

The father then took her hands and said, "Sweetie, do you love me enough to give me your ring?"

The girl's smile flattened out and she looked confused and worried. "But Daddy," she started saying in a quiet voice, "I love my ring too..."

Her father nodded and said, "It's okay, honey. I understand." The girl nodded again, this time slowly and sadly, and the father kissed her forehead, tucked her in, and wished her a good night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following night, he asked her again if she loved him and the girl excitedly replied, "Yes!"

"Do you love me enough to give me your ring?" he inquired.

The girl got upset again and stated that her ring was pretty and she liked it on her hand. "Plus, Daddy, you wouldn't like it anyways!" The father nodded and said he understood. Again, he kissed her forehead, tucked her in, and wished her a good night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By the third night, the little girl's smile left her face as her father started to ask her if she loved him. She quickly answered, "Daddy, you know I love you! I just want my ring too."

The father said, "I know you love your ring, sweetie. I just want to know if you love me enough to give the ring to Daddy."

This time, the girl thought about it for a long time as her tears streamed down her small face. Finally the daughter said, "Okay, Daddy. You can have my ring. Please take care of it though. It's so pretty and I love it."

As she took off her ring, he held out his left palm to take it. With his right hand, he pulled out a small box and placed it into the little girl's now-bare hand. The girl, with tears still trickling down her cheeks and nose still sniffling, took the box and opened it. As she did, her eyes grew wide and a large smile came to her face. For inside the small box was a real ring -- a silver one with a real gem in it that shined and sparkled far more greatly than the one that was now in her father's palm.

"Daddy, thank you so much! I love it and I love you!" the little girl squealed with excitement. "It's so much prettier than my other one!"

The father smiled with joy as he took the ring and placed it on the girl's tiny finger. He told her that the green mark from the metal ring will soon fade and that her new ring will not leave any stains on her hands because it was made especially for her delicate fingers with good material.

The girl, now tearing from excitement and joy, hugged her father tightly.

"Didn't I tell you," he whispered in her ear, "that I love you more than anyone or anything. I will always take care of you and give you better than the best."

The little girl kissed her father on the cheek and crawled back under her covers. He kissed her forehead, tucked her in, and wished her a good night.

Fasting: Week 2

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Phil. 4:6

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine mentioned that she was going to do a 3-week fast as she sought guidance and clarity about her future and certain things in her life. I decided to support her by joining her in her fast. Not surprisingly, I've been greatly impacted in the past week or two. What started as just an act of support to a friend and some relaxing meditation time with God turned into...something more. I don't know how to describe it.

Within a week, I've been hit with a lot of turmoil and trials. I have cried more in the past days than I have in a very long time. I have prayed the most sincere, selfless, humbling, and broken prayers I have prayed in a very long time (maybe ever). I have been more desperate for God and His presence than I have been in a very long time.

Even so, I think maybe I have been too passive in waiting for Him.

Another friend of mine who is going through a lot right now repeatedly asked me the other day if anything was worth fighting for. I was then reminded of Jacob wrestling with God -- one of my favorite passages. He wouldn't let go, and even injured himself, because he so desperately plead and fought to be blessed and to see God's glory in his life.

I need to fight even more. This desperation is becoming overwhelming, I'm not sure how to handle it. But I think pleading for blessings is one way to go for now.

More ellephant love

Mammoths Were Hippies

Found on Threadless.

My cry, my one desire

Sovereign God,
my Peace and my Joy.

The one thing I ask of You, Lord --
this is what I seek --
that I may dwell in Your house all the days of my life,
to gaze upon Your beauty, O Lord, and to seek You in Your temple.

My cry, my one desire
is to be where You are, Lord,
where there is no pain and no suffering, no hurting people, no confusion or chaos;
where we will rejoice and sing with the angel voices all the days of our lives.

Sovereign God,
my Peace and my Joy,
my hope is in You only.

Early morning thought: too little, too late

Up writing my proposal paper on trafficking issues in NYC. Typical.
Got distracted by my early morning thoughts. Also typical.

The phrase "too little, too late" is such a sad one. I would never want anyone to experience this phrase, either on the "too little" end or the "too late" end. But undoubtedly just having "too little" is better than an experience that encompasses the entire phrase. With just "too little," it's implied that only one party gets hurt whereas with "too little, too late," it's likely that both parties are hurt at some point by the end.

Potentially overemotional week: day 1

Scathed a bit but surviving.


I lift my eyes up
to the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from You,
Maker of heaven,
Creator of the earth.

MTV EXIT: The Killers - Goodnight, Travel Well

"I'm pasty!"

As Reese Witherspoon exclaims in Pleasantville.

I was cleaning out some folders on my computer when I came across this picture from high school -- taken for Burtner as an inside joke, I believe -- and I was in shock as to how tan I was back then. I was pretty much this color all year round. And then college changed my pigments, apparently.



I'm so sad. And the thing is, I'm not even pale. Pale is nice. I'm not pale. I'm pasty...and sometimes an unhealthy/malnourished tone. 2011, I will eat better, get some vitamin D absorbed in, and have a normal skin tone!

Write

It's probably good discipline for me to 1) upload my 365 days of pictures every day -- or at least every week -- and 2) write more. When I was younger, my blogs were text-heavy novels documenting trivial things of my daily life but with little personal touch to it. Over the years, my blogging style has evolved more towards minimalism -- pictures, videos, and few words. Perhaps it happened because I'm a visual person and I feel that words rarely adequately capture ideas or feelings...or perhaps it's because I got lazy and more emotionally reclusive.

Regardless, I think I should start writing more. And not just vague phrases or obscure quotes or re-edited lyrics. Mainly, I hope to document my journey in 2011 (cliche, I know). It'll be a discipline for me to practice actively thinking through my life and formulating coherent thoughts.

So here goes.

2011 will probably be the biggest transition year of my life. A year is a long time -- much can happen in 365 days -- and every year is a major milestone, really. But this coming year will be the first where things aren't so clearly mapped out; I have no route or plan, but I'll be making major moves (figuratively & literally).

I've never been one to worry about my future or over-care about school, grades, career paths, love life, salaries, residence, etc. My mom has said since I was a child that the first words she'd describe me with are laid-back, easy-going, and independent. Lately, however, I've been finding myself more and more concerned (but not quite worried) about my future. This whole being concerned thing is very unsettling, let me tell you. I much prefer smiling and possessing that feeling that things will be fine and will work themselves out.

As I figure things out -- future goals, spiritual journey, and even my summer travels -- I'm hoping to be able to write them out. The more I leave it in my mind, the more jumbled things become. I'm a visual and organizational person so perhaps this blog will actually become a blog and something of use finally.

Weekend plans: Day trip

Cannot wait to see this little bugger.

Intel Visual Life: Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist

Great short film about Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist and his visual life.

Around 3:40 to 4:10 is my neighborhood (in the Mr. Roger's feel of a neighborhood) and the apartment that I lived in at Union Square with Jeannie and the girls (love).

Arianna Huffington & Sheryl Sandberg: On women & success

I watched two TED Talks so far this week. I highly recommend both, but if you don't have much time, at least check out the first one by Arianna Huffington (Huffington Post). It's only 4 minutes long.

Arianna Huffington: How to succeed? Get more sleep.
"We are literally going to sleep our way to the top."





Sheryl Sandberg: Why there are so few women leaders.
"I learned something today. I learned that I need to keep my hand up."

The wisdom of Enzo

2011

1. 365 days of pictures:
   In middle school and high school, I took a billion pictures; I was never without a camera (I had gone from disposable cameras to a point-and-shoot film camera to a beautiful Minolta xd-7 to a Canon G5, which was pretty much permanently attached to my hand from 10th grade until 12th grade). And then college hit and my camera suddenly stopped joining my on my daily adventures. Even after I purchased a Canon Rebel XS and a Canon SD780, my photo-taking increased a bit but still stayed at a significant low in comparison to my younger years. This year, I will document my life more -- because life is precious and my memory is seriously shot (note to self: take more fish oil capsules). Also, I'll try to post the week's pictures up.


2. Speak more than English:
   I will improve my Spanish significantly. I will learn to do more than read & write the Bengali alphabet -- I will actually learn words so that I can understand what I am reading & writing. I will improve my Cantonese. I will pick up more Mandarin. I will attempt French and Portuguese (again). The last sentence is a huge maybe.


3. Travel:
   Hong Kong. Macau. Nanning. Shanghai. Dhaka. Kolkata. Hyderabad. Mumbai. Rajasthan. Delhi. Kopila Valley. Dubai. Anywhere inspiring.


4. Read at least a double-digit amount of books:
   This excludes assigned academic texts and the Bible.


5. Read the Bible. Like, really read it:
   I once had about 10 books of the New Testament memorized word for word, references and all. And not just zombie-memorized; really studied and memorized. I sadly cannot say that I can recite most of them to you anymore. Time to brush up. Maybe not memorize word for word, but definitely take this reading way more seriously than I did in 2010.


6. Cultivate creativity:
   I will paint more than one piece this year. I will actually use my sketchbooks for more than propping up things and collecting dust. I will Sculpey. I will design. I will innovate. I will dance. I will get inspired in any way I can. I will spray paint. I will take photographs, not just pictures and snapshots. I will write. I will be someone's muse and model.


7. Listen to more music:
   I used to be a music junkie. The whole indie-punk stereotype. In 2011, I will discover new music and listen to it more. If you have recommendations, send them over. Music inspires me; I think that's why I stopped creating as much in college. I stopped listening to music like I used to.


8. Go on more daily adventures:
   This pertains specifically to my city. I don't know how much longer I will be in New York City, the best place ever. I may be here forever...but I may not. I already go on a good amount of excursions on these streets but I want to continue it and do it even more this coming year.


9. Listen to more sermons online:
   At least twice a month.


10. Select and maintain friendships better:
    In the past, I've gotten into a lot of trouble because of people misinterpreting my actions -- either I act too much and end up being seen as demanding or I don't act enough and I'm told I'm ignoring people. I will be more conscious of my friendships, make dates with people, enjoy company, be aware of girls' cattiness and boys' idiocies, and mold myself more to be a better friend who understands, accepts, and loves her friends around her. In an almost paradoxical attempt at a balance, I will also be more careful in choosing who I spend my time with and who I let into my heart. Not everyone should be so intimately deemed a friend, otherwise there may be a lot of hurt and heartache. Noted.


11. Say yes to dates/give him a chance:
    Since I was twelve, I have had some terrible stigma against the male population. I don't know if it's some need to prove I don't need a guy...that's likely it...but who knows. Guys who have shown interest in me I have shot down almost immediately. As I got older, the reaction time got faster too. And my reactions got meaner (ashamedly so).
    "Hey, are you friends with --"
    "Bugger off. I'm not interested."
    "But --"
    "BUGGER. OFF."
    "I was just --"
    "I'm a lesbian. And I have 5 kids. Go away."
    "Okay...nice chatting..."
    "Idiot."
    Okay, I exaggerate. I'm not that mean ever. But I really don't give guys much of a chance. It seems very counter-my-personality though to be so cold. With most new people, I'm cheery and excited to meet them. I think I just get turned off as soon as a guy shows interest. Anyways, I think it's time to melt the ice queen a bit (I was actually called that twice the past month) and start giving *some* guys a chance. It's unlikely (I reallyyy emphasize that word) anything will transpire beyond a coffee or a dinner but I don't see why we can't enjoy that coffee or dinner before realizing we're really nothing but acquaintances who like frapps or salmon rolls more than we like each other's company. It may be...nice. And who knows, a friendship may come out of it instead. Though guys almost never want to be friends with girls...whole 'nother story.


12. Take care of my physical self:
    Hopefully this means that I will work out more than once a month. But this definitely means that I will watch what and how I eat as much as possible (eat slower, chew more, go organic whenever fiscally possible, smaller portions, etc). I will drink more water and tea. I will take my vitamins and supplements (fish oil!!!). I will eat even more fruits and veggies than I already do. I will meditate. I will not sit on my butt all day. I will moisturize. I will definitely wear sunscreen (Baz Luhrmann).


13. Call home more:
    Or gchat or email or text. Whatever. And subresolution to this is to make sure I talk to Timothy more. I love my family and I want them to know that.

I think that's a pretty decent list for now. Broad enough to cover most things I want to do but specific enough to give a picture...actionable...measurable...timely...okay, yeah, I've been working on policy and business plan developments too much.