I need a hug...

One Day

Being brought up with bands like Doves, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Lush & The Cure, I never really got into Hip Hop. I've never been a fan of mainstream Hip Hop- the simple beats and aggressive lyrics. When it comes to music though, I always keep and open mind. A few years ago I came across the following, a song that has been one of my favorites ever since:



tru-paz

"One day this love will find us
And racial barriers will no longer divide us.
One day, we'll be free so free
And what is done for you will be done for me"

...

The Balance of Things

I was sick again today, or I'm still sick for that matter. Did I even ever recover? Yesterday at work I was unusually tired and went to bed as soon as I got home.



This morning I woke up on the verge of tears because I knew what was coming... It seems like every year I go through something similar. Two years ago I couldn't hold anything down for 10 days in a row and lost almost a pound a day. One thing I've learnt is that one of the most important things in life, and quite possibly one of the most difficult to achieve, is balance. This has always been hard for me, and today I realize it's because I have a fragile system, prone to sickness when things get overwhelming. During school I only studied and neglected any form of social life. The period of time that I was the fittest, I was also unemployed. I blame my fragility and not my lack of willingness to achieve that balance. I often feel like that man, teetering, straining not to fall... sick.

Animalia

by Mikel Uribetxeberria

1 Year Anniversary

Today marks the one year anniversary of my official employment at The Bank. I honestly didn't think I would last this long. It's a simple job that entails, for the most part, helping clients who have been inconvenienced by our systems. Hard for a shy girl whose sensitive to others' tone of voice.

I've been working evenings (4:30-12:30) and just last week graduated to the 3:30-11:30 shift. At first I appreciated the schedule as it allowed me to enjoy the hot summer days and attend my noontime spin sessions at the Y. Fall came and my bedtime moved to early mornings. I inadvertently caused drama which ruined some friendships between boys and now I feel like I may have lost a close friend as well. Christmas time was busy, winter nights were long. I stopped working out and eating balanced meals.

But I stayed. I value my job and the sense of accomplishment received by knowing I “paid my dues” as they say. I value receiving a regular paycheck. I also value the experience of talking to clients all day- forcing me to overcome my shyness. I also met Benjamin which makes everything I went through this year all worth it.

Things can only get better from now on. My confidence can only grow, my nutritional intake can only improve, my schedule can only move from night to day, and exercise can only become more frequent (the gym membership still remains intact)!

Hommage to Chocolat

This Easter Sunday, my work schedule is allowing me to spend some Q (music listening) T with my dad. As it is, I go to bed just a few hours before he wakes up, which leaves room for some very limited bonding time: the 8 minute car ride when he drives me to the bus terminus on Weekends. So I'm looking forward to tonight, and of course, in indulging in some oh so satisfying chocolate!

How A Penguin Feels

It has been really cold these past few days... uncomfortably so. The weather is more than frustrating at this point, it's demoralizing. We're all ready for a little natural heat!






Pictures by David Burdeny

Cuba

Pictures by Michael Eastman

Content

Today was cloudy and rainy, and felt exactly how the the first Monday of April should feel. As monotonous as my job can sometimes get, it's still a new spring day tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it. So now, after having my fill of mom's tomato soup and dad's chocolate cookies, I'm finally ready for bed.

Casey Roberts

Sick

I've been sick since Tuesday. Maybe it started a month prior, with a simple cold, then a persistent sore throat. Regardless, it has escalated into something much worse: me on the bathroom floor at the AMC with my poor boyfriend just outside, listening, feeling helpless. Now I have to go to work and all I want to do is crawl back into my warm bed.