Words, words, words

Also known as: Some musings on my passion for words

Last Saturday, I was invited to join Bronze Age Media‘s Author At Once Part 2 workshop to be a part of the panel. The workshop was about how budding authors can market their novels, and I was there to speak for the book bloggers and book club members. I came there without preparation, as usual (by preparation, I meant a presentation, outline, etc), save for the things I know, which is kind of how I have been doing things lately. ((I realize that’s not really a good way to go all the time…but that’s for another post)) It was a very productive afternoon, and I stayed longer than I intended, partly because I was sitting at the other end of the room and leaving would be quite disturbing for everyone especially while someone was talking and because it was a very interesting workshop, even if I have no novel to start marketing (not anytime soon, anyway).

Author at Once, Part 2
Author at Once, Part 2 (Photo credit: Reev Robledo)

Anyway, the afternoon reminded me of some things that I really kind of know about myself, mainly this: I love words. It’s no secret, with how much I talk and how much I read and write. I mean, I even like lyrics more than the music whenever I listen to songs! There is nothing like words strung together in the right way to give me a little thrill. It’s like…when I see a beautiful sunrise/sunset (depends on my shift :D), or when I hear from a friend that I haven’t heard from a long time — there’s a flutter in my heart that tells me: I am made for this.

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Expectations

Also known as: That thing that ruins our relationships. At least, I think it does.

What are your expectations?

Oh come on, you probably thought of this too. ;) (Image from we heart it)

This question often comes up whenever I attend trainings at work, or whenever there are big meetings with people I don’t know. Shortly after the introduction part, everyone is asked to give an expectation for the session, so the facilitator or teacher would have an idea on what others want to get before they leave the class or go out the door. With all the trainings and the classes I attended, I should be used to that already, right?

May I be totally, absolutely honest?

I hate setting expectations.

Mostly it’s because I normally don’t set expectations, or I just don’t think about it much. I mean, in classes or trainings like that, everyone has the same expectation: to learn. So hearing that several times can get quite boring, you know? Plus, I feel like it’s putting a certain pressure on someone when you set expectations and that just makes things…well, weird and awkward when you don’t get it.

Oh wait. I don’t think I’m talking about the trainings anymore.
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Half-Year

Also known as: A mid-year check point

Hello, July.

Look at that, we’re done with the first half of the year.

Image from we heart it

It didn’t hit me that it’s really already July until yesterday, when I (quietly) celebrated my fifth year at my current job. Other than being slightly bewildered that I have been with my current company for five years, I only truly felt that the year was half over and then…panic!

For all my claims of not being spontaneous and liking goals and control, there’s a part of me that seems like like winging it for certain things, particularly in some of my goals. Or maybe, winging it isn’t the right term. Perhaps going with the flow? Cruise mode?

Something like that.

But you know, growing up means you’re going to have to be accountable to yourself and setting check points and such if you want to accomplish certain goals. It’s not just cruising around, even if I feel totally lazy and going with the flow is way easier than you know, checking on yourself. Cruising along at my age is…well, kind of immature, don’t you think?

Okay then, let’s do this.

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