Well, why?
I've moved!
Pop on over to the new Tales of a Yank website and see what you've been missing!
Questionnaire for everyone who stopped talking to me
5 months ago
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Moving On Up
So, I have some exciting news... I have moved to my own self-hosted site!
Please join me and update your readers: www.talesofayank.com
Hope to see you there!
Please join me and update your readers: www.talesofayank.com
Hope to see you there!
Monday, April 20, 2009
What Do You Value?
DISCLAIMER: This may read a bit jumbled, but welcome to my brain.
I'm fairly certain that it's no secret that I'm having a mini identity crisis.
"What am I doing in Australia?" (Getting away from Philly)
"Why did I decided to come here again?" (Mythos + Greek Salad + Santorini Sun)
"Where am I going to go from here?" (Only time will tell)
Part of this anxiety is coming from the fact that I don't have a real job. The thing is, I can't seem to make myself look for a job because I don't know what I want to look for. I am working on a side project at the moment, so that is providing some income for the time being. My job dilemma isn't really about money though (I would work at a cafe in a second if it was about paying my rent), it's about where I'm going now that I don't have my college crutch to hang on to.
A few years ago during a time when I was having a crisis about one thing or another (I believe it was the What-The-Hell-Is-My-Major-Going-To-Be Debacle of 2006), I was given a task to complete that would help me sort out my priorities.
I was given a list of 100 values, ranging from family to integrity to rationality. I was to sort these values into 3 categories:
Anyway, for some unknown reason, this listing of values ended up in my bag of miscellaneous shit that made its way with me to Oz. I decided to try the value sort again to see what I currently deemed to be most important.
Lindsay's Top 10* Values (in no specific order):
Now, I'm aware that has nothing to do with PR, but diving is one of my passions and becoming an instructor is something that I've wanted to do for about 10 years. It's easy for me to get caught up in black and white thinking and convince myself that I have to do X because of Y, when really I can do whatever the hell I want. I do eventually want to advance my career in public relations, but honestly, what's the rush?
What values do you hold important to you? Have you ever consciously thought about them?
*Okay, so I may have cheated and grouped a few together, but I'm indecisive. Sue me.
I'm fairly certain that it's no secret that I'm having a mini identity crisis.
"What am I doing in Australia?" (Getting away from Philly)
"Why did I decided to come here again?" (Mythos + Greek Salad + Santorini Sun)
"Where am I going to go from here?" (Only time will tell)
Part of this anxiety is coming from the fact that I don't have a real job. The thing is, I can't seem to make myself look for a job because I don't know what I want to look for. I am working on a side project at the moment, so that is providing some income for the time being. My job dilemma isn't really about money though (I would work at a cafe in a second if it was about paying my rent), it's about where I'm going now that I don't have my college crutch to hang on to.
A few years ago during a time when I was having a crisis about one thing or another (I believe it was the What-The-Hell-Is-My-Major-Going-To-Be Debacle of 2006), I was given a task to complete that would help me sort out my priorities.
I was given a list of 100 values, ranging from family to integrity to rationality. I was to sort these values into 3 categories:
- Not Important to Me
- Important to Me
- Very Important to Me
Anyway, for some unknown reason, this listing of values ended up in my bag of miscellaneous shit that made its way with me to Oz. I decided to try the value sort again to see what I currently deemed to be most important.
Lindsay's Top 10* Values (in no specific order):
- Passion
- Compassion
- Courtesy
- Automony/Independence
- Purpose
- Dependability
- Friendship/Family
- Solitude
- Acheivement
- Integrity
Now, I'm aware that has nothing to do with PR, but diving is one of my passions and becoming an instructor is something that I've wanted to do for about 10 years. It's easy for me to get caught up in black and white thinking and convince myself that I have to do X because of Y, when really I can do whatever the hell I want. I do eventually want to advance my career in public relations, but honestly, what's the rush?
What values do you hold important to you? Have you ever consciously thought about them?
*Okay, so I may have cheated and grouped a few together, but I'm indecisive. Sue me.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Quote of the Week - Seneca
There are more things to alarm us than to harm us, and we suffer more often in apprehension than reality.
It's too true.
It's too true.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Run Melbourne
If you follow me on Twitter, you have have most likely heard me mention joining a gym and hiring a personal trainer (yes, I'm that bad ass). It's all part of my mission to develop myself this year, both personally and professionally.
Ignoring the fact that my cardiovascular health* is apparently equivalent to that of a 37-year-old (do NOT even get me started on how depressed I was to see that my heart is 15 years older than I am!), I have decided to sign up for Run Melbourne. Actually, I had been planning on registering, but getting a Biggest Loser-style** wake-up call has pushed me to officially commit to the 5K.
Run Melbourne allows you to sign up in groups or run for a cause of your choice. I have decided to raise money for The Butterfly Foundation. The Butterfly Foundation is "dedicated to changing the culture, policy and practice in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders."
Eating disorders are misunderstood, deadly diseases. The effect that they hold over their sufferers (and their families) often last a lifetime. I feel very strongly about raising awareness and re-educating the public about these mental illnesses. I am hoping to raise a minimum of $500 for the cause.
I would really appreciate the support! I know that in times like these it may not be possible to donate. However, if you could take the time to post a link on Twitter or make a mention on your blog, every little bit will help!
Example of Tweet: Help @lmchugh raise money for eating disorder treatment and awareness by donating to her 5K run! http://tinyurl.com/cfxox2
Please visit my fundraising page and pass the word along!
72 days until the race!
*In case anyone was wondering, my overall fitness age is 25, which isn't bad considering my lack of exercise as of late.
**Did you know that they play The Biggest Loser six days a week? Six days! It's complete overkill.
Ignoring the fact that my cardiovascular health* is apparently equivalent to that of a 37-year-old (do NOT even get me started on how depressed I was to see that my heart is 15 years older than I am!), I have decided to sign up for Run Melbourne. Actually, I had been planning on registering, but getting a Biggest Loser-style** wake-up call has pushed me to officially commit to the 5K.
Run Melbourne allows you to sign up in groups or run for a cause of your choice. I have decided to raise money for The Butterfly Foundation. The Butterfly Foundation is "dedicated to changing the culture, policy and practice in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders."
Eating disorders are misunderstood, deadly diseases. The effect that they hold over their sufferers (and their families) often last a lifetime. I feel very strongly about raising awareness and re-educating the public about these mental illnesses. I am hoping to raise a minimum of $500 for the cause.
I would really appreciate the support! I know that in times like these it may not be possible to donate. However, if you could take the time to post a link on Twitter or make a mention on your blog, every little bit will help!
Example of Tweet: Help @lmchugh raise money for eating disorder treatment and awareness by donating to her 5K run! http://tinyurl.com/cfxox2
Please visit my fundraising page and pass the word along!
72 days until the race!
*In case anyone was wondering, my overall fitness age is 25, which isn't bad considering my lack of exercise as of late.
**Did you know that they play The Biggest Loser six days a week? Six days! It's complete overkill.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Lindsay Holidays: Passover
Last week I hosted my first of many "Lindsay Holidays" in Australia: Passover (stay tuned for the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and of course, Halloween). Do you know how hard it is to find Matzah in Melbourne? Now, I did venture out to St. Kilda this weekend where all the Orthodox Jews live, but Brunswick is like Turkey by way of India. Subsequently, I was unsuccesful on the Matzah front.
Anyway, I was able to find egg noodles and I made a damn good pasta sauce to go with. I know they weren't "Kosher for Passover" noodles, but I tried. It was as Kosher as dinner was going to get at that point. I am still unequipped to cook an authentic Jewish meal full-on, but one day my kitchen will have all the necessary supplies to do so.
Traditionally during the Seder, The Four Questions are asked to help remind us "Why this night is different from all other nights." During our dinner, one of our guests turned to me and asked "So, what do you Americans think of Australians?" I had to stop and think about it, and after a minute I said "Honestly, we don't."
When there's any mention of an Australian, there are one of two images that comes to mind:
I turned the question around to the Aussies: What do you think of Americans? In asking this question, I braced myself for a response along the lines of "fat" and "redneck" and "obnoxious" - but that was not the case:
"I think of Sex and The City"
"Is it true that everyone in America has a therapist?"
Um, what? In Europe, I was told by a (now) friend that she was surprised that she liked me because I was American (meaning she didn't think I was overtly selfish - shocking!). In Israel, I was told by Israeli soldiers that all Americans "eat McDonalds, own guns, and drink Miller Lite."
It was refreshing to hear some not-so-negative perceptions for a change. I much prefer the funny ones.
Anyway, I was able to find egg noodles and I made a damn good pasta sauce to go with. I know they weren't "Kosher for Passover" noodles, but I tried. It was as Kosher as dinner was going to get at that point. I am still unequipped to cook an authentic Jewish meal full-on, but one day my kitchen will have all the necessary supplies to do so.
Traditionally during the Seder, The Four Questions are asked to help remind us "Why this night is different from all other nights." During our dinner, one of our guests turned to me and asked "So, what do you Americans think of Australians?" I had to stop and think about it, and after a minute I said "Honestly, we don't."
When there's any mention of an Australian, there are one of two images that comes to mind:
- A mixture of a Crocodile Dundee, Steve Irwin, Outback-living hick; OR
- A tan, blonde surfer dude.
I turned the question around to the Aussies: What do you think of Americans? In asking this question, I braced myself for a response along the lines of "fat" and "redneck" and "obnoxious" - but that was not the case:
"I think of Sex and The City"
"Is it true that everyone in America has a therapist?"
Um, what? In Europe, I was told by a (now) friend that she was surprised that she liked me because I was American (meaning she didn't think I was overtly selfish - shocking!). In Israel, I was told by Israeli soldiers that all Americans "eat McDonalds, own guns, and drink Miller Lite."
It was refreshing to hear some not-so-negative perceptions for a change. I much prefer the funny ones.
Monday, April 13, 2009
What Next?
From a young age, by family and friends, we are always asked what our next move will be:
What are your plans for the summer?
What are your plans for after high school?
What are your plans for after college?
It's commonplace to ask these sorts of questions and to be looking toward the future. I have always felt a lot of pressure to have a concrete answer because, damn it, I feel like I should know what I'm doing.
I feel guilty when I don't. I also feel like a freak if the right thing doesn't come out of my mouth. My move abroad "just because" didn't exactly get me the most welcomed of reactions (more like an abundance of confused stares). Obviously, reactions didn't impact my decision, but I'm at a point where I pretty much have no idea what I'm doing. At all. In any capacity.
I may be having a freak out, but I do know what I'm going to do next: I'm going to try and enjoy today.
I'm going to practice living in the present because what comes next isn't as important as what comes now. And right now, I'm going to continue my Monday TV on DVD marathon and not feel bad about not reading up on the latest business trends one bit.
What are your plans for the summer?
What are your plans for after high school?
What are your plans for after college?
It's commonplace to ask these sorts of questions and to be looking toward the future. I have always felt a lot of pressure to have a concrete answer because, damn it, I feel like I should know what I'm doing.
I feel guilty when I don't. I also feel like a freak if the right thing doesn't come out of my mouth. My move abroad "just because" didn't exactly get me the most welcomed of reactions (more like an abundance of confused stares). Obviously, reactions didn't impact my decision, but I'm at a point where I pretty much have no idea what I'm doing. At all. In any capacity.
I may be having a freak out, but I do know what I'm going to do next: I'm going to try and enjoy today.
I'm going to practice living in the present because what comes next isn't as important as what comes now. And right now, I'm going to continue my Monday TV on DVD marathon and not feel bad about not reading up on the latest business trends one bit.
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