so bring your good times, and your laughter too

I found this little entry in another blog- around these parts. I thought it was pretty fun. I'm one who is all for celebrating life. But in between the promotions, new jobs, friends visiting, weddings, and travel- there are so many smaller things that might merit a little fiesta of their own. Personally, I like to dance around the house singing... I don't think my roommates like it as much, but hey, they rejoice their way, and I mine. No judgements : )

Try this: It is easier for many of us to focus on our defeats than on our victories. We seldom celebrate the many milestones that we could. Focused on product, we ignore the process of our art. This tool asks you to celebrate your life in process. Take pen in hand and complete the following phrase as rapidly as possible:

1. If I let myself, I could celebrate_______________________.
2. If I let myself, I could celebrate_______________________.
3. If I let myself, I could celebrate_______________________.
4. If I let myself, I could celebrate_______________________.
5. If I let myself, I could celebrate_______________________.

A sense of celebration brings life joy and succulence. We are intended to enjoy the good things of this earth, including our own endeavors.

So these were my spur-of-the-moment answers. I had 7- I'm an over-achiever. : )

1. getting a proper nights sleep
2. getting to work on time
3. a fabulous evening with friends
4. cleaning my house
5. my brother returning my e-mails
6. a day without conflicts
7. not burning a meal

What would you celebrate? If you want, I'll be your back-up singer.

Don't speak, I know just what you're saying

One of my constant everyday frustrations in my life here in Dubai is the overwhelming lack of listening skills present in the general population.
Now before you berate me for being too idealist, and saying that nobody anywhere cares what anyone else has to say... at least in other places (I'm being VERY general here) - people realize that its good business to at least PRETEND to care what your customer, client, whoever, is trying to say to you.
I know this doesn't apply to everyone of course. But its more prevalent here- at least I encounter it more- than any other place I have ever been.

Usually I am a pretty polite person. I don't like to hurt other people's feelings, I try not to say things I wouldn't want said to me- usually I think a kind smile and understanding will get you farther than losing your temper. However, sometimes Dubai pushes me a little too far and I get a little persnickety. Like when the salesmen at the electronics store keep interrupting you in the middle of your question. Especially when you know that the answer they are giving you is wrong- they either don't care to ask or just want to make the sale. Or when you have to repeat things 5 times to a rep from a leading company who is supposed to be professional- "As I told you last time we spoke..."

In my humble opinion, that's the reason the sales industry is so crappy here, and HR for that matter, no one listens. I heard a tale once from an mnc here where one of the top executives in a certain dept went to a sales meeting- at the end of which the client asked "don't you need to know more about me?"
Usually not a good sign.

I won't get started on the broader topic of customer service... like the people in the grocery check outs who sit and stare at you when the price scanner doesn't work and you want to shake them and yell "Well do something about it!"...
oh, right, I said I wouldn't go there

listening.
listening is good.
even if its self serving- I won't judge you. Pretend to care what people are saying. You'll get growled at a lot less.

S.W.A.K.

One thing that I have gotten a lot better about since moving is being a good penpal.
Ok- e-mail pal- whatever you would call that.
Most of my regular friends I keep up with pretty decently- but some of those early college and high school buddies that I fell out of touch with I have been able to re-connect with through the wonders of the WWW.

Its interesting how some people are much better at maintaining a friendship than others. I'm not really sure what its about. Perhaps its about priorities. I guess most things in life are. Maybe some just don't realize how much taking 5 minutes to type that little update to a friend far away means to the reciever. How exciting it is when you left all your pals behind, and you see that one of them left a little treasure in your inbox.

Sometimes life gets away from us.
I know that there have been times for me when I see something in my inbox from 3 weeks ago that I didn't reply to right away, and got lost under all the other crap. *Although gmail helps with that, maybe those people should get gmail ; ) * Then you don't reply because you feel guilty for not replying for so long- the conflict avoidance starts in.

My grandma told my mom the other day that she hears from me more than most of her kids in the country. That made me feel good. I like to be there for my family. I guess sending a "this is what happened in the life of Holly lately" message isn't necessarily "being there"- but you know what I mean.

Its so easy to lose track of people along the road of life. Its the true friends that will make the effort as things get harder and people get farther- whether that means geography or 'life paths'. I'm so thankful for those buddies that make the extra effort. Those young mommies who find a few random moments during naptimes to type a few lines- those working gals who take their lunch breaks at their desk to let me know they care- those little sisters who find a moment between basketball, volleyball, track, school, choir, band and talking to boys (don't lie Emily, you're probably talking to one right now) to let me know what is new in the fabulous life of them.

I really do love it!

It reminds me of a book series that I used to love reading around 11 yrs. old or so. Friends Forever I think it was called- or something like that. 4 friends- one moves away- all the books are entirely composed of letters back and forth. Thats where I learned all sorts of fun expressions such as (Sealed With A Kiss) as in the title. That was before the AIM and MSN lingo LOLed its way into our lives. Good times.

I never wrote personal e-mails in the states. Cell phones were much easier. Especially with nation wide long distance. Awesome. But here, especially in a country that bans Skype... I am learning to appreciate the written word more and more.
Ok- its information age pen-pal-ing. But its still pretty sweet.


Oh- *sidenote*- if you are looking for another friend to pen-pal with through e-mail- check out e-Buddies.
Its a really awesome volunteer program that matches people with and without intellectual disabilities in e-mail friendships. I do it- it rocks!
(otherwise, if there is a Best Buddies in your area, you can be a regular volunteer too)


Anyway- that wasn't the point of the post. I'm not really sure if there was one...
That seems to happen a lot.
Oh well- thats what this is for, right? No judgements, just musings.

Daddy Mack 'll make ya

JUMP JUMP!

Tomorrow is World Jump Day.

I will be at work at the time. But you can bet I will make the office manager jump with me (the only other one here on Thursdays).

***

Send your images and videos of your jump and get the chance to win a special WORLD JUMP DAY T-shirt!

For information about uploading, emailing or sending your images/videos a special page will be available on the WORLD JUMP DAY website shortly after the jump has occurred.

Please be sure to begin jumping at the calculated time of11.39.13 GMT on 20 JULY 2006.

The duration of the jump should be no less than 2 Minutes. Timing is very criticalin this experiment. We thank you for your help.

Have a good Jump! Your WORLD JUMP DAY Team

***

(Jump is a really funny word if you think about it...)

So go ahead... Might as well Jump!

I'm sad but I'm laughing

I miss Minnesota/ns.

"I'll tell 'ya how to stay young: hang around with older people" -Bob Hope

More cultural things to get used to.

We all know that there is a big difference in international CVs and US style resumes. Of course, this is because of different ways of thinking- US resumes are shorter, and lack personal information, only the essentials.
You would never include personal details such as age, nationality, or a picture. And a company would never ask for it, becuase of course, then they are subject to a range of lawsuits based on how they use that information. Ah, Americans.

Although I resisted some of it at first, I too adapted my CV when I was job hunting to include these extra details. A girl's gotta get hired, right? And they most likely only helped me. People like to hire westerners here.
Today I had some annoyance issues with it all though.

During a meeting today- I had a woman exclaim repeatedly- "you're so young!". I went back and forth on my opinion as to whether she thought it was a bad thing relative to the topic of our meeting, or if it just made her feel old. She also asked me how I would handle resentment from others that I work with because of my age. My answer was basically that I would prove that I was in fact the best choice for the position regardless of age by producing superior work and rising above expectations. Her reply- "well that will probably make them hate you more".
Yikes.

Dubai can be an incredibly competitive 'eat or be eaten' kind of environment. I have heard stories from other people here about companies in which employees will actively try to keep their collegues down, to attempt to ensure their own success. Maybe I'm naive. Well, actually I know that. But really, I still believe that its in the best interest of everyone for the most qualified and capable person to be in positions- not based on age, rank or status.
Isn't life really just about being the best that you can be? Enabling yourself to be the best YOU possible?
Well I'm sorry, but self-development doesn't happen by getting things you want through manipulation, luck, birthright, connections, etc.
But then again, I guess at the end of the day, thats not what a lot of people care about.

Thats why I want to work in training and development. Maybe I can help some people realize that there is a better way than bitching about the 20-something newbie that came in and stole the position you wanted. Maybe I can help those 20-somethings feel like they don't have to be 35+ to get a decent job. Maybe I can help companies recognize the value in developing the staff that they have, to make them actually qualified to move up the 'corporate ladder'- ensuring lower turnover, greater productivity and a healthier business in general.

I wonder when the 'you're too young for this' thing stops haunting people. It's been following me for a while now. I remember my Life Verse that I chose for my confirmation when I was 14:

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

It struck a chord with me then. I bet I thought it wouldn't be applicable 9 years later. I guess that's why they call it a Life Verse.
I wonder if it will still resonate with me when I am 85. I suppose it will, if everyone that I interact with is 95...

you know what you never hear anyone talk about anymore?

Butterscotch ice cream