Life Changes
Though I would hardly call celebrating Halloween life-changing, as I found myself ending the evening early by purging on Santa Monica Boulevard behind a plant, it was another wake-up call in my progress with my quest to settle down and avoid being so extreme in my consumption of alcohol. Though these nights out are few and far in between nowadays, I definitely have to learn how to pace myself better. I’m getting older, and my body can no longer handle intense nights of debauchery.
Regardless, I had a fantastic night on my favorite holiday. I met new, fun folks who I will hopefully party with again, rocked a Rainbow Brite outfit (thanks sis!), and danced to a fabulous set, courtesy of Garth Trinidad.
I’ve spent the last few weeks a bit more lowkey, spending quality time with some friends and getting some personal things done. I really need to focus on my priorities for the rest of the year and my 5-10 year plan for personal and professional growth.
Attending a V-Day Activist workshop the day after Halloween got me thinking (again) about what excites me… and how I want to use my expertise in technology to serve these areas.
My true American Idol, Eve Ensler, hosted the workshop where about 50 community organizers around the country dedicated to the cause of violence prevention against women were in attendance. She spoke of her concern over the crisis in the Congo and encouraged us to educate others on the severity of the violence against women and girls in the DRC. She told stories of her experience with a Congolese girl that brought the entire room to tears. She discussed her work with women inmates at a maximum security prison and talked about how she was able to get them to open up about what brought them to commit heinous crimes. We watched a powerful film that focused on their self-discoveries during their workshops with Eve. The workshop was intense, eye-opening, and empowering. Before Eve left, she gathered the group in a circle, where we held hands and asked what word came to mind when we thought of the end of violence against women. Mine was “fantabulous.” We then danced to “I Will Survive” and I got a few minutes with Eve to thank her being such an inspiration.
A few nights later, I celebrated the Election Night results with some friends on the Westside. Despite the current state of our country, I am filled with so much hope as Dubya hands the White House over to the Obama administration. As I was with Eve, I listened to his acceptance speech in awe, proud of my country for electing this magnificent man yet scared of the expectations that now lie on his shoulders.
I am still so impressed by the thousands of volunteers who, through grassroots efforts, helped bring Obama to victory. They were all connected online via a brilliant technology team. Coincidentally, I know someone who worked on his iPhone application.
Between being pumped for V-Day, studying up on how Obama’s technogy campaign broke records in political fundraising, and starting to prepare for my one-month fellowship to Europe, I’ve got a lot of things to think about.
Let the holidays begin.
