After a LONG hiatus, I've decided. I just can't not run. If my knee is going to hurt almost everyday anyway, I want there to be a damn good reason for it. In that spirit, and armed with my knee brace, I've run three times this week, takin' it slow and steady. Maybe I'll be able to check "half marathon" and "marathon" off my bucket list after all. Keeping my fingers crossed that my knee doesn't get worse (in fact it'd be great if it got BETTER).
I read a book recently that had a section talking about letting yourself pursue the things you love. You don't have to pare down your hobbies just because you feel guilty for not spending time broadening your horizons. While I do believe in the importance of trying new things and constantly growing as a person, I agree that there's nothing wrong with getting lost in something makes your soul content. Try something at least once, give it a chance, but if you hate it, why waste your time waiting for it to grow on you when you are passionate about something else? For me, this means pursuing running (no matter how slow), books, more books, travel, exploring, food, collecting random information, psychology, and art. What are these things for you? In addition, I'm hoping to broaden my horizons within these interests. Maybe for me this means running a 5k soon, being more disciplined about writing regularly, or taking an art class. Those things will take me outside of my comfort zone but in directions I'm interested in.
There's something beautiful about people being enthusiastic about things they love, even when it's something others may ridicule (e.g. my love for the Backstreet Boys). Judy Garland said to "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." So go ahead and be proud of your Star Wars figurines or your John Travolta dance skills (Siobhan Stewart). Okay, I'm done being sappy and inspirational now. Merry December 17th.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Cheese and the nature of goodbyes
Sometimes you say goodbye to something or someone in your life, and it feels equivalent to trimming your hair. It's a big "good riddance!" to those nasty split ends, your hair is lighter, healthier, and even looks better. You might even say you feel revived, inspired to make other good changes in your life. Those tangled masses were weighing you down and keeping you from your full potential. You don't even know why you held on to them for so long. I recently said a goodbye like this.
On the other hand, some goodbyes are like breaking off the best relationship you ever had because you know you're just not going the same direction in life. You'll always think of them fondly, you'll miss them, you'll wish you could've stayed friends but you know it never would've worked to only see them in that capacity. I am currently undertaking such a goodbye. I've recently subscribed to a fitness program especially for flight crew members, aimed at helping us stay healthy in the midst of crazy hours, lack of sleep, and inconsistent access to healthy food. This program suggests (or more like strongly recommends) cutting out cheese. I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to imagine a life without cheese. I'm experiencing a bit of the grieving process, thinking back on all the good times cheese and I had together (cue slow-motion montage of me looking at a slice of brie with a glass of wine in my hand, me asking for pepperjack at Subway, me putting fresh mozzarella in my pasta, with some kind of cheesy love song as background music. Ha, cheesy love song, that was totally unplanned). Cheese, maybe a few pounds down the road, our timing will be better and we'll be reunited.
Until then, I may end up rebounding with Nutella. Forgot to forbid that, didn't you, Cabincrewfitness.com??
On the other hand, some goodbyes are like breaking off the best relationship you ever had because you know you're just not going the same direction in life. You'll always think of them fondly, you'll miss them, you'll wish you could've stayed friends but you know it never would've worked to only see them in that capacity. I am currently undertaking such a goodbye. I've recently subscribed to a fitness program especially for flight crew members, aimed at helping us stay healthy in the midst of crazy hours, lack of sleep, and inconsistent access to healthy food. This program suggests (or more like strongly recommends) cutting out cheese. I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to imagine a life without cheese. I'm experiencing a bit of the grieving process, thinking back on all the good times cheese and I had together (cue slow-motion montage of me looking at a slice of brie with a glass of wine in my hand, me asking for pepperjack at Subway, me putting fresh mozzarella in my pasta, with some kind of cheesy love song as background music. Ha, cheesy love song, that was totally unplanned). Cheese, maybe a few pounds down the road, our timing will be better and we'll be reunited.
Until then, I may end up rebounding with Nutella. Forgot to forbid that, didn't you, Cabincrewfitness.com??
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Only in dreams
I keep having dreams about Robert Downey Jr. Last night's was actually pretty long and involved. I bumped into him at the airport (literally). He was trying to propose to some girl he didn't even know, and with a pinky ring at that. He dropped the ring and I picked it up for him, and we were instant BFFs. Then he missed his train, so I had to help him get to where ever he was going. I made fun of him for having such an old computer (who brings a desktop with them on an airplane? And especially this one?), and for wearing a pinky ring. He let me try it on, which was cool. He ended up spending the weekend at my house, and when he had to leave, I tried to wash all of his dirty tupperware for him, but I only got halfway through because we were going to be late. You'd think RDJ would have enough money to throw out tupperware when he travels. Then we got to the airport and said good bye, knowing we'd never see each other again. And that's the story of how I spent the weekend with my friend Robert.
This got me thinking about how I wish there was a way to record dreams, and decide before you sleep which one you want to watch. Not every night, because everyone needs a little novelty in their life, but as someone who doesn't have good dreams very often, it'd be nice to get a break every now and then. They can track a lot of things in the brain now, so it'll be interesting to see how far technology takes us as far as mind-reading goes. Somehow it'd be nice to know that nothing can really penetrate the mind so much so that we lose all privacy, which I guess negates my Dream DVR idea.
Completely off-topic: I've decided that many New Yorkers are perpetually hungover. More on that theory later when my parents stop reading my blog, ha!
This got me thinking about how I wish there was a way to record dreams, and decide before you sleep which one you want to watch. Not every night, because everyone needs a little novelty in their life, but as someone who doesn't have good dreams very often, it'd be nice to get a break every now and then. They can track a lot of things in the brain now, so it'll be interesting to see how far technology takes us as far as mind-reading goes. Somehow it'd be nice to know that nothing can really penetrate the mind so much so that we lose all privacy, which I guess negates my Dream DVR idea.
Completely off-topic: I've decided that many New Yorkers are perpetually hungover. More on that theory later when my parents stop reading my blog, ha!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Emma and Emma's day of fun
Sometimes alone time drags me into the depths of nothingness and I start to feel like a puddle of oozing mulch that's slowly melting into the floor. In other words, gross. And other days, it all just comes together, and Emma and I have a fabulous time. Today was one of those days. Let me share with you some highlights:
-I have thus far completed seven out of the thirteen items on my to do list (one of which I've decided to put off until a later date. Who really needs clean laundry, anyway?)
-There is a beautiful old Catholic church in my neighborhood that I love to walk by. It makes me feel like I live in Europe (actually, I don't know how old it is--it could've been built last year, but I like to think it's old).
-When it's raining, and you walk under an umbrella, and then it gets really windy, your hair swirls around like you're a witch in the middle of a particularly evil spell. It's quite an extraordinary experience.
-Speaking of umbrellas and wind, I'm about to add to my bucket list that I want to be walking with an umbrella and have it spontaneously turn inside out, like in the movies.
-Bookstores make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, and it makes me a little sad that I'm contemplating buying a Kindle.
-Today as I walked past Starbucks, there was a man sitting by himself inside the window. He was on the phone. I decided to give him some intense eye contact because I think it's funny to trick people into thinking they've just had a special moment with a stranger. In my imagination, he'd be thinking, "What if she was the ONE?" and freaking out about his impending marriage.
-I got caught up in a lover's quarrel on my way home, which involved the guy saying to the girl, referring to me, "If you don't believe me, ask HER! She's been walking right behind us!" I felt strangely powerful, and also really uncomfortable.
And now I am home, sitting on my cheap Walmart couch, staring at our beautiful new rug which my roommate and I hauled home from the rug store down the street amid a barrage of amazed stares (flight attendant uniforms? Check. High heels? Check. Starbucks coffee? Check. Enormous rolled up carpet slung under our arms and suspended between us? Ch....what??). It's rainy and gray outside, and it's beautiful. It's a beautiful day.
-I have thus far completed seven out of the thirteen items on my to do list (one of which I've decided to put off until a later date. Who really needs clean laundry, anyway?)
-There is a beautiful old Catholic church in my neighborhood that I love to walk by. It makes me feel like I live in Europe (actually, I don't know how old it is--it could've been built last year, but I like to think it's old).
-When it's raining, and you walk under an umbrella, and then it gets really windy, your hair swirls around like you're a witch in the middle of a particularly evil spell. It's quite an extraordinary experience.
-Speaking of umbrellas and wind, I'm about to add to my bucket list that I want to be walking with an umbrella and have it spontaneously turn inside out, like in the movies.
-Bookstores make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, and it makes me a little sad that I'm contemplating buying a Kindle.
-Today as I walked past Starbucks, there was a man sitting by himself inside the window. He was on the phone. I decided to give him some intense eye contact because I think it's funny to trick people into thinking they've just had a special moment with a stranger. In my imagination, he'd be thinking, "What if she was the ONE?" and freaking out about his impending marriage.
-I got caught up in a lover's quarrel on my way home, which involved the guy saying to the girl, referring to me, "If you don't believe me, ask HER! She's been walking right behind us!" I felt strangely powerful, and also really uncomfortable.
And now I am home, sitting on my cheap Walmart couch, staring at our beautiful new rug which my roommate and I hauled home from the rug store down the street amid a barrage of amazed stares (flight attendant uniforms? Check. High heels? Check. Starbucks coffee? Check. Enormous rolled up carpet slung under our arms and suspended between us? Ch....what??). It's rainy and gray outside, and it's beautiful. It's a beautiful day.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
How Not To Piss Off Your Flight Attendant
Here are a few tips for the next time you fly:
1. If you have a smaller piece of luggage (maybe like the one "personal item" you're allowed in addition to your carry-on), if at all possible, just put it under your seat. This especially applies to purses, laptop cases, briefcases, and that plastic bag with your leftovers in it from last night's restaurant.
2. If you can manage to never have odd-sized luggage, that'd be great. And by that I mean suitcases that are kind of long and flat, but which don't really provide any space-saving advantage when put in an overhead bin, backpacks with hats/blankets/enormous hiking boots strapped to the outsides of them, sombreros (I can't make this stuff up), and empty cardboard boxes (again, I can't make this stuff up).
3. If you have a book/laptop/jacket/anything else you might need in the middle of the flight, please DO get it out during those two and half hours you were twiddling your thumbs on that uncomfortable bench at the gate--don't wait until you're in the aisle with thirty people behind you.
4. If you've brought a jacket or suit coat, try to slide it on top of your suitcase in the overhead bin, or just fold it neatly and put it under your seat. For the love of God, do NOT take up half of a bin by laying it flat and lengthwise across it.
5. This one's just a travel tip--pack in such a way that your bag isn't stuffed full and you have to sit on it to get it to close. Especially if you plan on getting your book/laptop/jacket/anything else you might need in the middle of the flight out of it while standing in the aisle. This also cuts down on the four smaller bags of souvenirs that you could've fit inside your one big bag had you not brought that sombrero that you knew you wouldn't wear. Sidenote: never use the expander zipper on a carry-on, and still expect to fit it into a regular-sized overhead bin. Because c'mon, you don't want to be that embarrassed idiot pulling your dirty underwear out of your bag just so you can undo the expander.
6. This one is especially to the ladies--if you can't lift your bag yourself, then you shouldn't have put so much in it. Also, if YOU can't lift it without hurting yourself, then neither can your flight attendant. You packed it--you lift it. This of course excludes children, pregnant mothers, those with injuries, and the elderly.
7. If you're going to fish for a free drink, do it by being genuinely nice to your flight attendant. Also, have your credit card already out so it's not obvious that you were just trying to get a free drink out of us.
8. Do continue to compliment us and be in awe of the fact that we can walk up and down those tiny aisles in four-inch heels while the airplane is already moving.
9. Understand that it's not MY fault that God decided to generate a hailstorm in the middle of September and you might just miss your connecting flight. It is also not my fault that your bag is definitely not carry-on size, didn't fit in the bin, and now we have to check it. Also, in general, I have no idea why we've been sitting on the runway for an hour and a half either, and cussing me out will not get us there faster, it will just get you kicked off the plane.
10. Finally, if it's a 45 minute flight, don't ask for three beverages. Also, it takes forever for the foam on Diet Coke to fizz down, so feel free to just ask for the whole can and save us the hassle of waiting 20 minutes until you've got your full cup.
I assure you that following these simple guidelines will make your next trip SO much more pleasant. That's right, you're welcome. Now go explore, you little explorers. :)
1. If you have a smaller piece of luggage (maybe like the one "personal item" you're allowed in addition to your carry-on), if at all possible, just put it under your seat. This especially applies to purses, laptop cases, briefcases, and that plastic bag with your leftovers in it from last night's restaurant.
2. If you can manage to never have odd-sized luggage, that'd be great. And by that I mean suitcases that are kind of long and flat, but which don't really provide any space-saving advantage when put in an overhead bin, backpacks with hats/blankets/enormous hiking boots strapped to the outsides of them, sombreros (I can't make this stuff up), and empty cardboard boxes (again, I can't make this stuff up).
3. If you have a book/laptop/jacket/anything else you might need in the middle of the flight, please DO get it out during those two and half hours you were twiddling your thumbs on that uncomfortable bench at the gate--don't wait until you're in the aisle with thirty people behind you.
4. If you've brought a jacket or suit coat, try to slide it on top of your suitcase in the overhead bin, or just fold it neatly and put it under your seat. For the love of God, do NOT take up half of a bin by laying it flat and lengthwise across it.
5. This one's just a travel tip--pack in such a way that your bag isn't stuffed full and you have to sit on it to get it to close. Especially if you plan on getting your book/laptop/jacket/anything else you might need in the middle of the flight out of it while standing in the aisle. This also cuts down on the four smaller bags of souvenirs that you could've fit inside your one big bag had you not brought that sombrero that you knew you wouldn't wear. Sidenote: never use the expander zipper on a carry-on, and still expect to fit it into a regular-sized overhead bin. Because c'mon, you don't want to be that embarrassed idiot pulling your dirty underwear out of your bag just so you can undo the expander.
6. This one is especially to the ladies--if you can't lift your bag yourself, then you shouldn't have put so much in it. Also, if YOU can't lift it without hurting yourself, then neither can your flight attendant. You packed it--you lift it. This of course excludes children, pregnant mothers, those with injuries, and the elderly.
7. If you're going to fish for a free drink, do it by being genuinely nice to your flight attendant. Also, have your credit card already out so it's not obvious that you were just trying to get a free drink out of us.
8. Do continue to compliment us and be in awe of the fact that we can walk up and down those tiny aisles in four-inch heels while the airplane is already moving.
9. Understand that it's not MY fault that God decided to generate a hailstorm in the middle of September and you might just miss your connecting flight. It is also not my fault that your bag is definitely not carry-on size, didn't fit in the bin, and now we have to check it. Also, in general, I have no idea why we've been sitting on the runway for an hour and a half either, and cussing me out will not get us there faster, it will just get you kicked off the plane.
10. Finally, if it's a 45 minute flight, don't ask for three beverages. Also, it takes forever for the foam on Diet Coke to fizz down, so feel free to just ask for the whole can and save us the hassle of waiting 20 minutes until you've got your full cup.
I assure you that following these simple guidelines will make your next trip SO much more pleasant. That's right, you're welcome. Now go explore, you little explorers. :)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Home
I'm sitting here typing profusely then deleting profusely everything I type as I try to come up with something profound about this subject that has been on my mind so often these days. Home. Belonging. Connecting. Meaning something.
This new direction in my life has taken me on many adventures and granted me the opportunity to meet so many new people and experience so many things (one of which involved having a homeless man in Denver yell, "GO LONG!" then proceed to chuck a bottle at my head). While I wouldn't trade the glamour of sleeping on an airline blanket on the floor of my unfurnished apartment, eating stale cheerios with no milk because it's gone sour while I was away on a trip, and sitting on the edge of my bathtub soaking my feet because I'm standing in heels for 12 hours, I am trying to navigate the reality of this kind of existence, knowing that if I don't make some sense of it, I'll get lost in it. The truth is, most of the time, no one in my life ever really knows where I am. When I have time off on a layover, it's with a crew that I will likely never see again after this trip. When I go back to my crash pad, I'm lucky if I can catch up with one or two roommates who I haven't seen in a good two weeks. When I finally make it back to LA, it's to friends and family who have lives of their own that I try to squeeze a bit of catching up into.
Not to say that I don't love what I do. I'm not complaining. This is an opportunity that I never would've passed up, regardless of these complications. The trick is to figure out how to accept that this isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle. I have to create little pockets of "home" where I can. I have to appreciate that I'm able to see loved ones who are normally far away. I have to embrace my independence, while still striving to stay connected with those I love and miss. I have to be intentional about taking care of myself, because I can't rely on good habits and a regular routine.
So there you go, some recent thoughts out of Emma Cole's head. P.S. If anyone would like to text me daily and remind me to take my multivitamin, I'm now accepting volunteers.
This new direction in my life has taken me on many adventures and granted me the opportunity to meet so many new people and experience so many things (one of which involved having a homeless man in Denver yell, "GO LONG!" then proceed to chuck a bottle at my head). While I wouldn't trade the glamour of sleeping on an airline blanket on the floor of my unfurnished apartment, eating stale cheerios with no milk because it's gone sour while I was away on a trip, and sitting on the edge of my bathtub soaking my feet because I'm standing in heels for 12 hours, I am trying to navigate the reality of this kind of existence, knowing that if I don't make some sense of it, I'll get lost in it. The truth is, most of the time, no one in my life ever really knows where I am. When I have time off on a layover, it's with a crew that I will likely never see again after this trip. When I go back to my crash pad, I'm lucky if I can catch up with one or two roommates who I haven't seen in a good two weeks. When I finally make it back to LA, it's to friends and family who have lives of their own that I try to squeeze a bit of catching up into.
Not to say that I don't love what I do. I'm not complaining. This is an opportunity that I never would've passed up, regardless of these complications. The trick is to figure out how to accept that this isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle. I have to create little pockets of "home" where I can. I have to appreciate that I'm able to see loved ones who are normally far away. I have to embrace my independence, while still striving to stay connected with those I love and miss. I have to be intentional about taking care of myself, because I can't rely on good habits and a regular routine.
So there you go, some recent thoughts out of Emma Cole's head. P.S. If anyone would like to text me daily and remind me to take my multivitamin, I'm now accepting volunteers.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Greetings, loved ones. Let's take a journey...
It's crazy to think about how perspective changes everything. Everything. Have you ever seen a peacock from the back? Not that it doesn't look sort of interesting, but it's NOTHING compared to the beauty that you see from the front. Maybe you need to walk around a situation to see the beauty in it. Just think about THAT for thirty seconds. By the way, someday I will get this tattooed on my back (okay, probably not, but my shadow archetype wants to).
Today it's hitting me, once again, how the little things really are the big things. It's not the big moments in life that make your whole life worth living. They do provide highlights, and you may always look back and remember them the most distinctly, but what makes your day-to-day existence worthwhile? Figure out what cultivates that inner calm and surround yourself with those things. There will always be more than enough negativity to deal with, so stop waiting for the next big moment and start stringing together as many little moments as you can. In fact, maybe sometimes you can try to BE a little moment for someone else. Yes, go be little rays of sunshine (some of you won't need to try as hard, since you tend to blind people with your...we'll call it "radiance," *ahem* Siobhan Stewart). Happy Hump Day, everyone.
Today it's hitting me, once again, how the little things really are the big things. It's not the big moments in life that make your whole life worth living. They do provide highlights, and you may always look back and remember them the most distinctly, but what makes your day-to-day existence worthwhile? Figure out what cultivates that inner calm and surround yourself with those things. There will always be more than enough negativity to deal with, so stop waiting for the next big moment and start stringing together as many little moments as you can. In fact, maybe sometimes you can try to BE a little moment for someone else. Yes, go be little rays of sunshine (some of you won't need to try as hard, since you tend to blind people with your...we'll call it "radiance," *ahem* Siobhan Stewart). Happy Hump Day, everyone.
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