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The Kindness of Strangers

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

When we are surprised by the kindness of strangers, what does that reveal about our humanity?

Is surprise really the default human reaction? Does this suggest that humans are more naturally inclined to distrust people? Or is this a result of taking a common childhood lesson (i.e. don't talk to strangers!) to heart? And what about surprise's valence?

I wonder what the world would be like if gratitude always preceded surprise, if "thank you" and "but of course!" came before "why did he/she do that?"

Would acts of kindness be under-appreciated because they are to be expected from all people (strangers, most especially) at all times?

Am I asking too many questions and overanalyzing things again? :D (I think this is the only one I could answer!)

***

I've been on the receiving end of random acts of kindness/generosity of total strangers lately.

Scene 1: While fixing my half-asleep self in front of a public restroom mirror in New York, I noticed that a woman in her 60's was looking at me, waiting for me to finish. Since I wasn't sure why she had taken interest in me (at 5 A.M.---such an unholy hour!), I just smiled back and continued what I was doing.

Just before leaving, she approached me and handed me a brand new pack of baked eyeshadow. I must have really looked confused because she ended up explaining why she was giving it to me---"It sparkles, and doesn't really suit me, but I noticed that it would look so much better on you."

Awww. Imagine how sparkly my day turned out to be! :D

Scene 2: I was rushing to get to my stop, afraid that I might miss my ride back home. Suddenly, this lovely family walked up to me looking all concerned, but still smiling. I paused, thinking they needed help with directions.

Suddenly, they gave me their MetroCard (New York subway pass), with their family's leftover credits in it! The mom told me that it was their last day in the city and she wanted me to have the card. Before I could even fully say thank you, they disappeared with the rest of rush hour crowd, leaving me with just one, tiny instruction: "enjoy it, and have a good one."

Scene 3: The Mexican restaurant I visited the other day only offered vegetarian empanadas only. When our table’s wait staff came, I mentioned in passing that I wish they offered a meat-stuffed version, the way they do back home.

When he came back, my food had small meat pieces on the side. He just smiled, and I knew that he did what he could.

Talk about knowing the way to a hungry girl's heart. :D

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Making It Count

Monday, 13 May 2013

I made my list. I checked it ~~twice~~ five times.

Now, the wait.

2013 General Elections (Overseas Voting)

Iniibig kita, Pilipinas. Nawa'y manalo ang mga lider na may sapat na kakayahan at matapat na hangarin na maglingkod sa bayan.

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#27 - Try Acupuncture

Sunday, 5 May 2013

I've never really been afraid of needles, maybe because I grew up getting RBC counts to check against anemia. And although the sight of blood sometimes disturbs me, I enjoy watching a good phlebotomist in action... I think the whole process of blood extraction is somewhat fascinating (in a macabre kind of way, haha).

But something about the idea of sticking needleSSSS into my skin for longer than 30 seconds gives me the creeps, that's why I've never tried acupuncture... until today.

I attended the Open Space Community Acupuncture and was pleasantly surprised by the experience!

The venue---it's a lot homier in real life, I promise :)

{Via HERE}

I initially wanted to have something done about my back pain, but since it was my first time to try this 'healing technique', Katie, my licensed acupuncturist, recommended something that's more focused on relaxation.

I hardly felt anything as she stuck 9 extra-thin needles on me (about 3 on my head with one on *gasp* my forehead, 1 each on both my hands, 2 on my legs and 2 on my feet) while I sat on a lazy boy.

Nothing seemed to happen until about five minutes into the session, when I felt some kind of heat/electricity radiating from the needles. At first I thought I was imagining it, then suddenly, the 'hot ripples' got bigger and bigger, and I began feeling so much lighter, and then poof! Just like that, I was out like a light. (Read an interesting explanation about this HERE)

They had earlier requested permission to take photos of clients

for informational purposes. Who was I to say no when

they were so nice to me? I was so relaxed I didn't

even know when these were taken!

I woke up some 45 minutes later, refreshed and recharged! Amazing!

I felt the most effect on my wrists, which have been aching quite regularly from typing. My hands felt a little less stiff than usual after the session. According to my acupuncturist, there may also be other less immediate, unintended benefits. Guess I'll have to wait for those! :)

Post therapy, I was just advised to take at least half an hour of downtime to allow my body to adjust. I was also told to hydrate myself to help my body flush out toxins.

Will I do it again? Heck, yeah! I'm so ready to book my next sessions! :)

Check out Open Space Community Acupuncture

70 Union Square, Somerville, MA

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Bucket List

Saturday, 4 May 2013

What's on your list? :)

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B[oston] Strong

Wednesday, 24 April 2013

When I visited Copley Square, the site of the infamous Boston bombings, it looked eerily deserted.

No one was allowed inside the area, except for the local security authorities who were still investigating and making sure the place is safe.

Tokens proclaiming peace, strength, and love were left in front of the steel barricades...

While messages of hope from Bostonians and visitors alike were prominently written on pavements and walls of some of the buildings surrounding the blast sites.

Copley Square officially reopened earlier today, but the place will never be the same again not only for the people who participated in the marathon, but for many of us who have special memories of the place.

B strong, Boston, my current home away from home.

In solidarity,

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Happy Birthday, Maya :)

Saturday, 20 April 2013

Thank you, Maya for...

...guiding me around Boston and the US
...inspiring me to read more books
...challenging me to think more critically or objectively about situations
..."wow"-ing me with SlideRocket, Prezi, and communicating skills
...teaching me to be creative
...celebrating life (...and Valentines... and Halloween) with me
...encouraging me to live a more sustainable lifestyle (from choosing what to eat, exercising everyday, etc.)
...educating me about the theater world
...infecting me with her love for babies and dogs/puppies
...helping me set priorities when I'm overwhelmed
...listening to both my happy and not-so-happy stories
...enlightening me about what it means to thoughtful, and generous, and loving
...supporting me throughout the year

and most importantly, for...

....allowing me to become her friend :)

I thank God for you,

[Maya]'ll your dreams come true! :)

Love you lots!

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A, B, (DC), E, F, G...

Friday, 19 April 2013

Here's a quick round up of what I did in DC last week.

(A)dvocacy Summit

I've always said that if there's one sector I'll always have a heart for, it would most likely be the children's sector. Participating in Save the Children's Advocacy Summit with the other GHC fellows gave me an opportunity to remember and experience this in the most exciting ways.

I got to participate in a briefing at The White House...

Valerie Jarrett, Obama's right hand woman

And did some lobbying at Capitol Hill on behalf of the community health workers who provide life-saving services to children around the world.

(B)asilica of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America, and is one of the ten largest churches in the world. Some of this church's most famous visitors include Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, and Mother Teresa.

It's the United States' preeminent Marian shrine, dedicated to the patroness of the country—the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception. Sometimes, people refer to it as "America’s Catholic Church."

It's one of the most majestic Churches I've visited, and I enjoyed learning about the different representations of Our Lady in the small chapels around the building. (Not) surprisingly, a lot of my kababayans where there too, not only as a visitor or parishioner, but as a staff of the church too.

(C)onference - TEDMED 2013!

Gone are the days when I would salivate in front of my computer, hoping that I could watch at least one live session of these talks. Together with some 40 other individuals from ~~Boston, Seattle and DC~~ all over the country, I got to volunteer with the TEDMED staff to register people and welcome delegates/speakers to this year's event.

Aside from the actual talks, I also had a chance to try out some gadgets set to revolutionize medicine and health...

How good is your concentration?

In this challenge, a participant is hooked up to a device that

picks up your brain waves. The goal is to mentally move the

block towards the black space onscreen, and hold

the block in that position for as long as you can.

Tried it. Nerve-wracking (with people around) but fun!

I was floored by the brilliance and passion of all attendees, and I hope I can still participate next year.

As a bonus, I got to dance on the TED stage (I know, so random!) with Richard Simmons! If his face looks familiar, then you might have seen him on a couple of exercise videos like THIS one.

(D) ay trip to Old Town Alexandria and Mt. Vernon

Old Town Alexandria is a historic town that dates to 1749. Its colonial port was most important during the colonial, revolutionary and Civil War periods in America. Now, it's best known as a place that caters to the interest of history buffs, but also for tourists who would like a quick, easy but historical getaway from DC.

Mt. Vernon served as George Washington's home for 40 years. It was nice to learn about the Commander-in-Chief and first President of the United States. Several years after, this prime area is now known to be the most popular historic estate in the country.

(E)x boss - Meet up in Maryland

After months of not seeing in each other, I met up with my former chief of party and her family in Maryland.

The best part about this mini-reunion (aside from the lovely weather, mouthwatering déjeuner and cupcake) was that it made me realize that I found not only a boss and mentor in Inna, but also a friend. We also talked a lot about how we both miss the Philippines so much. :)