Wednesday, February 24, 2010

My inspiration=my brother

I have been thinking a lot about motivations and inspirations, and I have been thinking about people who inspire me. One of the people who inspire me is my brother. We don't have a big age gap, so he is more like a buddy to me. And the reasons for him being an inspiration aren't because he is my brother, but because he is that impressive. For example, he is the most ambitious, he knows so much. If he had a choice, he would major in everything and work in all the industries! He is positive and optimistic, almost to an extreme--we call it think the impossible! He has this thirst for knowledge, he wants to know everything, and he will work overtime, giving up sleep to learn as much as possible. He is there for everyone, he goes out of his way to help people, and money is no object. This sometimes worries me sometimes because I don't want people taking advantage of him. He is a nurturer, every one in his family and friends circles can vouch for that.

I have never met anyone else who is as intelligent, ambitious, affectionate or generous as my brother, Shreenath. You are my star! Go on, win the world!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Obsessions...

Since I moved to the United States, the one thing that stands out in the media is the obsession with weight. All the advertisements in the mass media talk of diets, workout plans, and complete transformation packages-- Atkins diet, K diet, South Beach Diet, the Insanity workout plan, Gillian Michael's, etc etc.
The advertisements invariably talk about a fairly heavy person who loses weight, becomes thinner, and suddenly is transformed-- they get a makeover starting from wardrobe, hairstyle, and attitude. I get that if you like how you look, then you feel good, but somehow this takes it to a whole new level. My jobless self counted that for every advertisement slot, there are 3 advertisements, and at least 1 or 2 talk about diets.

The question I have do these really work?Are they long term?
I worry about how this has become propaganda, and someone who is a bit more than the perfect 36-24-36 stereotype feels the pressure to transform themselves to fit in. Should being healthy the message as opposed to being thin?

This isn't just digital media, but magazines as well. All covers are airbrushed, even the ones of stunning models and actresses. Most of them are fairly fit, and still they have to modified to look perfect on the cover. Anytime a celebrity gains weight, or has a holiday belly, its front page covers on newsstands!

Even after we have discovered disorders like bulimia and anorexia, and the pressure body image issues puts on young adults, especially teenagers and children, there is still no control or regulation. Shouldn't there be some sort of balance to ensure there isn't societal pressure created to fit a body type? Shouldn't the media be more responsible?

Friday, February 5, 2010

thoughts about interviews......

I remember the movie Groundhog Day, where Bill Murray's character lives the same day over and over again till he gets good at it, almost perfecting that one day!

Somehow interviews remind me about the same scene, I end up reliving the same interview over and over again... I only wish I have the option of going back, changing answers, and getting to the point where I know my answers were perfect, and I would nail the job!