I was talking to my friend on gchat and I said something along the lines of,

"I think I have an adversity towards it."

He replied,

"You mean aversion..."

I ignored him and while he was responding with advice, I quickly googled the word 'adversity,' positive I had still used it correctly and hoping to point out that I wasn't wrong.

While reading the definition, I realized I was indeed mistaken, but along the way somehow accidentally pressed the Facebook "like" button on the page.

A minute later he wrote,

"Facebook informs me that Rakhee likes the word 'adversity' found on merriam-webster.com?"

Today after hearing my mother talk to my dog like he was a little baby, I decided to never coo or rhyme or talk to my dog like that again. He's not a baby. He's a just a wonderfully cute and spoiled dog, and don't want him to go through the same identity crisis that this cat has been subjected to:

Yes that is a cat in a bunny outfit.

Only in Beijing.

job-search-zania

Today I decided to ask for help.

When living and traveling abroad I was forced into situations where I had two choices: to take a chance or not.

If you decide to take it, something great *might* happen, and if you don't, you'll probably always wonder.

Before leaving I never felt that urgency to take chances in everyday life, be completely open and to expose myself and my insecurities honestly without regard for what others might think of me -- with the exception of when I did theater. I'm glad that I have since shed that fear because now I am free!....or maybe just oblivious haha.

So despite believing I think I know everything about everything, I asked for help with landing a job. I have reviewed my cover letter and resume with various people but am still not getting interviews.

So I decided, screw it, I'm going to sign up for one of those resume and cover letter building workshops. It might be a waste of time where they tell me things like: don't attach a picture, or, don't use your hot_babe69@hotmail.com email address. But it can't possibly hurt right?

WELL, turns out, they did give me those "don't" points, but they also gave me a ton of incredibly helpful information and I highly recommend it. Maybe not too highly because then we might be competing for the same job...and I want it more.

Take a chance guys.

This song will be in your head all day.

You're welcome.

Something Else: Marcel Marceau

"Mime throws full light on man alone in an instant of truth, torn among space, silence, and time in an attempt to capture love, life, and beauty before the supreme moment of death. The mime is also one who, after giving brilliance and significance to attitude and action, throws out the inner cry of the soul. It is the mime in this dark world who, having sewn up his mouth and torn out his tongue, has received in exchange the grace of silence; that is why the mime will remain the true witness of the human condition."

-Marcel Marceau 

This clip isn't the best quality but I really enjoy it because the scenes are from an older Bip, and as Marceau matured, so did his style.

These scenes feel more poetic than his earlier work that was choreographed for traditional farcical and comedic value.

Today I made the decision to (re)start up my blog. There has been a gap since I left for China because it was increasingly difficult to access and publish on the page (which is a whole different story in itself). I changed the name to rakheedecides after remembering something my best friend Sara told me. See Sara, Emily and I are the worst at making decisions, and when we are together it gets a bit out of control. There have been multiple occasions where we've ordering three different dishes at a restaurant, cut them into portions and shared because none of us are able to settle on one meal we were completely satisfied with. Sara’s roommate, Jack, became frustrated with this charming trait we all possess and would ask Sara to make one simple decision a day. This blog will be my Jack.

words of wisdom much needed

Now, as for the "what am I gona do?" -- welcome to my life. I'll tell you what you're gona do. You're gona come home and ask me that question while I ask you that same question. Listen, you've been working on this adventure away from home for almost a year. You'll be allowed some down-time to figure stuff out. We'll job hunt together, and do what poor ppl do for entertainment after we find out what that is.
- @MonaBesharati

After being sick, homesick and finding out some crap news about my potential future academic life - I needed to vent. The above response is what I got. I know its crap of me to complain when I have a pretty good gig here, but I'm glad I have friends who will still console me when I'm being a brat.
Thanks mo.

The Holidays

Christmas is definitely more toned down in Beijing, but we refuse to let that stop us from celebrating our brains out.

Exhibit A

Recently, Emily decided it would only be appropriate to get her nails painted Christmas inspired colours. After much deliberation on sparkles/non sparkles, she settled on alternating red and green nails. At the last minute she enthusiastically chose to throw in one more colour; white on her middle finger.

pinky - red
ring finger - green
middle finger - white
pointer finger- red
thumb - green

She was very pleased with her 60 kuai ($ 10 CAD) manicure and scurried off to have dinner. Amidst a sea of drinks and rice, Chris, a dear friend and avid sports fan chuckled and said, "Emily, why did you paint your nails the Italian Flag?"

Woops.

Merry Christmas Emily. Ciao.