Connection - Blog Posts

Speechless thoughts 😭

Sometimes it's not possible for others to understand what's going on in you, they want to connect but it's impossible to put something's into Words...😭

Hope comes with faith. Faith is originated from past experiences, revelations and decisions, while hope in the other hand, is belief in uncertain things of the future, which could not be thought of without the first word of the sentence. Of course, without hope, what good would faith be?

There's always someone to talk to

There's always something to talk about

Family

Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined

[Image ID:

The initialized sign for Family in American Sign Language. Both hands in F handshape start with thumbs and index fingers touching each other, then twist forward ending with pinkies touching. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is white.

End ID]

- Why do you never keep an eye contact for more than a second?

- Why? No reason! That's just me.

(Jane shrugs the question off and goes back to doing what she was doing - making a ship in a glass bottle.

Myra is still staring at her, waiting for a response which she knows is futile.

Jane starts to talk again - )

- I feel like eyes are literally the windows to our souls and when we look at it for long, we travel within. We start feeling every nuance and every energetic molecule of that person. There's no barrier, no restriction, no boundaries - and there's divulgence, there's openness.

(After a short silence Myra said - )

- And you don't want that?

- These things form a connection and people start expecting things... I don't want to live up to anyone's expectations, Myra.

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Put yours in the tags.

Parts Unknown

Only 7 days remain to watch the some of the still streaming Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain episodes before they are removed from Netflix (in the US--December 26th). 

With 8 episodes per season and 5 seasons listed (seasons 7-11) it is possible to binge in the last remaining days. However, to get at the soul of Anthony Bourdain and his series of using food to show off the different parts of the world I would recommend these seven

1. The Greek Islands (Season 7 episode 3)

2. Houston (Season 8, episode 5)

3. Minas Gerias, Brazil (Season 8, episode 7)

4. Laos (Season 9, episode 3)

5. Antartica (Season 9, episode 5)

While I haven’t seen it yet, given that we are now living in seven months of Chinese unrest with the Hong Kong protests

6. Sichuan with Eric Ripert (Season 8, episode 3) 

7. Hong Kong (Season 11, episode 5)

**As previously mentioned, Buenos Aires (Season 7, episode 8) he shared a lot about his opinions and story about mental health**

Meishu, Leider, Ledare

Today, many in the US celebrate a world of chocolate, candies and fantasy. While books tells us the stories of ourselves, our community, those we don’t know and those we will never meet the public spaces we can enjoy these stories, explore and grow. But while many of these stories are true and these public spaces not all in libraries, many of the libraries would be empty if existing at all if not for...authors. 

November 1st is National Author Day, Gracia!

Krijasto

It should not be any surprise that a majority of the Happiest report countries in the world, also have the highest reported intellect, education and success. One such country, Finland, is consistently praised for various reasons. It has great access to nature (including the Northern Lights) and a clean environment, there is a real sense of community as it is not uncommon for people who have lost their wallet to have it returned and high parental leave for all parents; and there is a great freedom to express oneself as seen with the creativity that has pushed design boundaries, created mobile games and metal music.

While not the only foundation of these achievements, another instrument of this success is the love Finland has for their books and public libraries. Noted as the country that takes out/borrows the most libraries in the world these libraries truly are epicenters of the community where new and established residents may learn, explore, think, question and grow

(1) https://s3.amazonaws.com/happiness-report/2019/WHR19.pdf

(2) https://www.visitfinland.com/article/greatest-things-about-finland/

(3) https://www.buzzfeed.com/frankmartela/12-surprising-things-in-which-finland-is-the-best-fvkn

(4) https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/15/why-finlands-cities-are-havens-for-library-lovers-oodi-helsinki

Freedom, חופש, Vrijheid

While libraries should be for everyone, not everyone will be able to use them the same way. Some will use them for tutoring, others for book clubs, some for research and other for light novels readings among other uses. Here are BLANK libraries that are working with those different needs (1)

Multiple studies recently released indicated a difference in male and female brains; (2) while not specifically divided by gender, the Tromsø Library has set different temperatures on different floors allowing those who operate best or have different comfort levels for reading or needed for their focus to all use the library together at the same time. Separately, the Biblo Tøyen, is selective in it’s audience. Only open for residents ages 10-15.

While not limiting patron wise, the Levinksi Garden Library operates with a specific function and purpose, as a haven. Open 24/7 this library has no closed off structure (no walls or doors) and operates as an encouraging, open space to receive refugees and migrants in Israel. (3)

Throughout the world, many countries also have libraries specifically for prisoners as they are held within prisons. Libraries in prisons however are not universal but some countries that also provide more equality and freedom to prisoners while serving their time have libraries and librarians focused on goals for the inmates after they are released and have seen less recidivism back into the criminal justice system (as defendants).

 (1)    https://www.visitnorway.com/things-to-do/art-culture/literature/6-libraries-you-need-to-visit/

(2)    https://time.com/5592353/office-temperature-study/

(3)    https://litreactor.com/columns/the-10-most-unusual-libraries-in-the-world

Leabharlann and dhachaigh, Dhachaigh and Leabharlann

Extending what you can and cannot experience

What you can and cannot find

You take what you can get

As sometimes your connection, the community and history is only met if you don’t hold yourself to the expectations and goals and resources of others

Displaced, Deserted...Degraded?

Another library institution is school libraries, which if not more crucial to a community to a local library are at least equal. School libraries, as with education, can be a great building block and equalizer of the community and the current racial, economic, social, and other divides in our communities by bringing people together and expanding their horizons.

The city of Chicago has a lot of diversity with a portion of it having to do with it’s large immigrant communities. Separate from their history, the people of Chicago and from around the world come to see the  renowned museums mixed with avid sports fans, corporations and religious organizations. But for a community with so much action and so many people working hard and creating, there are apparently few school libraries. While people can pretend the age of smartphones, video games, and ereaders are partially to blame and make this change okay, from 2013 to 2017 the school libraries decreased by 65% (from 454 to 157)(1). This drop has been noted by students, some who didn’t even know school libraries were a thing and it’s a bigger deal than even they may understand. Similar to local libraries that can be centers of community, education, exploration, personal and community growth while promoting opportunities; school libraries do all that earlier on while also introducing children to reading. By introducing students to libraries earlier in their school years and as a part of education where they can choose their path, learning about different people’s stories and encouraging them to see reading as an expansion of their lives and can be a guide to their futures. Even something as simple as a library cart can make a world of difference, but I hope Chicago continues to work to bring back their school libraries for now and for all of our futures.  

(1)    https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/chicagoschoollibrarians 

Bibliotheque

Canada is another nation at the top of lists that look at math and science, income, education and other levels of success. Noted as more progressive, neither their progressive stature nor education balance can be seen when looking at their libraries. As stated in an article from 1948 (1) and seen when going through the, easily accessible, list of Canadian libraries, there is a discrepancy and a distinction between more populated and less populated areas (2).

This is even more concerning considering that Canada does libraries right. Three of their libraries came in the top 10 (3) because Canada has expanded their library to be a true communal spot including movie nights, helping with job seekers, being a place for new residents, public spaces for meetings and places where local business people can expand (4).

When it comes to their libraries Canada is doing very well, but as with most movements forward it’s had a bit of difficulty makings sure they are not leaving anyone behind.

http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/LibrariesinCanada-CanadianLibraries-Canadianhistory.htm

https://www.lib-web.org/canada/

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jun/15/risotto-robotics-and-virtual-reality-how-canada-created-the-worlds-best-libraries

https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/reports/canadastackup/214109cef_how_libraries_stack_up.pdf

Parts Unknown

Libraries are not just about books and education; sometimes a connection doesn’t come from a written word or common experience but the opening up of one’s experiences and becoming vulnerable. Libraries have all different mediums for these connections and sometimes the break in the sentence, flutter in the eye you experience directly adds to the depth of the spoken word that cannot be expressed by their writing. Diversity in writing, community and stories includes diversity of media.

Ugh; Anthony Bourdain’s Buenos Aires episode. I hope you can hear us all now, you did so much more than just shove food in your mouth. 

Highlighting the significance of how the food is prepared to the culture and history and individual--it’s why the show wasn’t called something generically--food “Unknown”, but parts unknown. 

Parts of diets we don’t know of, parts of the world we don’t know of, parts of ourselves we don’t know of. 

Thank you, I miss you--> I’ve been missing you

The Harry Potter film series

Harry Potter Harry Potter Harry Potter

Of course the Harry Potter films are a big deal to me, how could they not be. To get into each one could be a bit much—so I’ll just go with the highlights. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, ha, it wasn’t until just after the troll was knocked out that I stopped yelling at the screen (yes, in the movie theatre) that it had it wrong—how we didn’t get kicked out I have no idea. This is also funny because the first three films, and especially the first two, are the ones that were able to most closely represent the books before too much started happening where a good portion had to be cut.

The fourth and fifth films, the fourth being highly regarded as the WORST of the franchise, had some major issues. For starters, they cut out the most both time wise and important detail wise. The fact that Harry Potter was able to start such a feminist revolution without Hermione’s organizations of SPEW represented in the films shows just how otherwise kickass these stories were. I hope if they could go back they’d split or extend the 4th film—focusing less on the ‘action!’ of the tasks and more of the changes starting to occur as they were realizing something was going on, but not yet what. While the fourth film was the worst in the franchise by far, no one can ever rightfully deny that the scene of Harry’s return with Cedric’s body truly captured the turning point of the series, while Harry has known death and loss for a long time this year and this moment is when he really begins becoming a man and stepping up to the challenges bestowed upon him.

The 7th year of Harry Potters’ education, or what was supposed to be, split between the 7th and 8th films was done pretty well. The last two films sort of encompass all the series had to offer; drama between Ron and Hermione, the friendship between Harry and Hermione and Ron and Harry separately, the trip to Gringotts brought me back to their more youthful adventures then there are the adult aspects of Neville’s and Draco’s development and the finale of Harry and Voldemort standoff with some beloved life lost that blanketed the series.

Best Man Down

People do not like this film, I do not know why people do not like this film. I liked this film mostly for Addison Timlin, her portrayal and the character’s story. Another film I haven’t been able to see for a while, I would agree with many complaints that it’s not a comedy in a traditional sense. It’s that difference between laughing at a joke and laughing at something, just because you laugh doesn’t mean it’s funny or fun. It’s more of a drama for the fact that Addison Timlin’s character Ramsey has a pretty shitty life, especially with Lumpy gone; and the dramatics of a best friend who you don’t really know dying on your wedding day. But again it’s not supposed to be haha funny, I think it’s more just about pushing you and reminding you to laugh at things that aren’t always funny but also aren’t always serious.

Addison Timlin in this story is remarkable. Perfectly seen as shy and scared but also understanding that she’s angry at the world and because of her life is shy and scared again. Both with her character and the “Best Man” Lumpy you’re pushed to look past a first glance and dig a little deeper. Ramsey (Addison Timlin) is torn, trying to do the right thing but maybe for the wrong reasons or the wrong thing for the right reasons and it’s overwhelmingly complicated. It’s mentioned that she should’ve told the whole story in the beginning, well not only would the movie had ended earlier but we know that she like Lumpy is one that takes a bit to warm up to and without the Bride and Groom getting to know her, they would have heard the story, felt proud to have Lumpy as their friend and left—missing the final points of Lumpy’s life and the film. While the ending wrap-ups are cliché and I could do without, I disagree that the film wasn’t funny and warm; and whether you like the film, you’re crazy if you don’t love Addison Timlin after this—because her and Lumpy are pretty typical people in your life that you love—thou they usually can’t stand each other.

PS “ But he wasn't your best friend. He was your oldest friend. There's a difference. “--Hella frickin accurate

Keep Reading

When you can barely see but cannot sleep 

When everyone around you makes you feel insane

They’ll be there, they’ll call your name

All your friends and dreams will guide you home and to who you want to be

Our Shared Universe: Human Experience

What is truly beautiful and most show by JK Rowlings’ Harry Potter series, but also by many other books (Sakura and the 1,000 paper cranes and the new book-to-movie adaption To all the boys I’ve loved before, is that while our cultures are different, part of us are all the same. WE ARE ALL HUMAN. While some believe in the human being split and others believe in the red string; most of us all have similarities with those very different from ourselves and even if we cannot meet these people face to face, we meet them in the stories that reflect ours, but are just slightly different.  

At the entrance to the Peace Park people filed through the memorial building in silence. On the walls were photographs of the dead and dying in a ruined city. The atom bomb—the Thunderbolt—had turned Hiroshima into a desert. Sadako didn’t want to look at the frightening pictures. She held tight to Chizuko’s hand and walked quickly through the building. -- Sakura and the 1,000 paper cranes 

Is this not how the US currently deals with September 11th, there is respect, there is honor, there is fear and confusion. 

I need…i need

Weekend Vibes. 💜🖤

Random TMNT Thunks

I had to get my windshield replaced today, and I was chatting with the said dude when I noticed a very specific shade of green on his wallet.

My fangirl brain was like “there’s only a handful of fandoms with THAT specific shade of bright green”

Lo and behold, it was indeed my beloved masked boys. We needed up chatting about TMNT and it’s many conduits for the rest of the time.

Nearing the end of our conversation, I turned to the dude and said, “Since you’re my TMNT brother, I feel like you would be the only person to appreciate this.”

And then I proceeded to go to the back of my car and pull out not my one, not my two, but THREE of my katanas. Like the complete casual fan that I am.

I unfortunately get a lot of grief from my family because of my great love and appreciation for TMNT, but once again I was pleasantly surprised at the connections I get to make because of these silly turtle boys.

I know it’s crazy, but you can reach people by being a fan. I got the sweet privilege of being the facilitator of a smile today. Just because I was a silly little fangirl who loved family and ninja turtles, and I will be forever grateful for that.

💙💜❤️🧡🥷🏼🐢

I’d divorce him too lmao

r u really capable of being aware to the immidiate affect of climate changes on your life right now? future is allready happening

r u really capable of realizing that a minority of greedy people r robbing the planet, your health and your soul?  r u capable of realizing that u r being used and manipulated on a daily basis?

r u capable of imagining your world without elephants walking free in the wild or whales crossing the oceans? 

r u capable of understanding that u r not safe anymore?

r u capable of being connected to others as well?