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by PAM
The last five days have been quite a 'roller coaster ride', wherein health kept getting in the way in getting things done... and it was impossible to avoid annoying individuals who refuse to be team players because their personal agenda is bigger than the Institution's thrust. And what is worst is that when you try to pull them back on track, they 'yelp' loudly and play the 'victim'... and just like that, they divide the Team - the Team built for a long time with tears, joy and common vision... thriving in camaraderie and love. While
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| Smiling in optimism regardless of odds. |
There were saving graces, so many of them, actually, thank goodness! I do love the commitment, and the innocent and sincere thirst for knowledge of my undergraduate students, especially my research students. They cling to their vision of contributing something substantial to the body of knowledge in our area of research, and they maintain optimism as they look forward for this contribution to be making positive impact on the lives of farmers and other workers in the grassroots. Yes, they subscribe to the wisdom of bringing Science & Technology to the grassroots... and it simply is inspiring to experience their dedication, optimism and unwavering perseverance no matter how challenging their circumstances are, and no matter how the odds seem to be against them most of the time. Ah, to be young, idealistic and pure of heart - essential in a beautiful and rewarding life!
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See a feel-good movie, and feel truly good
But, yes, the staggering 'ups and downs' of the past five days have been emotionally taxing, no matter how huge the happiness dosage that my students provide. Therefore, time to whip up some mindless entertainment to rid the thoughts of negative elements. So, I went for my trusty feel-good Hallmark TV Movies, and I found this...
"Manhattan is the best, but you gotta manage it.
Move faster, push harder, talk louder. It's the survival of the fittest here...
You're cool, Ohio. Just remember, just be yourself."
The tv movie is called, "Summer in the City", and it stars two actors that I'm not too familiar of: Julianna Guill (Taylor Morgan) and Marc Bendavid (Philip Bartell), with support from the trusty actress, Vivica A. Fox (Alyssa Stone). Taylor is this talented and smart gal from a small town in Ohio with a lovely personality. She dreamt of becoming a big player in the fashion industry of New York City (NYC). While she waited for that dream to become a reality, she worked in a women's clothes store in her town... until this NYC high fashion store owner, Alyssa, walked in. Impressed by the apparent 'fashion psychic' in Taylor, Alyssa offered her to become the manager of her NYC store, A Line. Hoping to expand her business, Alyssa pinned her hopes on Taylor to come up with a 'game changing' plan to bring in more customers and investors to A Line. It was all going good... so much so that Taylor's honest and lovely 'small town' Ohio gal personality was not only winning new customers but also won the attention of Philip, a young realtor who was set to inherit his family's business... although his heart was somewhere else: to own a chain of food trucks, with a menu of his own creations. Being both kind and of lovely personalities, the two clicked right away, encouraging one another to pursue each other's dreams. It was all going good until Taylor had a falling out with Alyssa, and she decided to go back to Ohio.
After realizing how Taylor was right in her assessment of A Line, and how it should move forward - carrying Alyssa's own designs - Alyssa went to Ohio to offer Taylor partnership in A Line. Later, with encouragement from Philip, Taylor proposed a business plan to Alyssa that made the latter drop a pending big money agreement with an investor that was about to completely change A Line from a high fashion icon to a store of mass produced cheap clothes but with huge return of investment. Alyssa favored Taylor's proposal over the investor's, and they both work towards the attainment of their common goal. With Alyssa's encouragement, Taylor sought Philip to admit her feelings for him and accept Philip's offer to bring their relationship to the next level. She didn't find him in the Realty Office. Disappointed, she turned away... only to be stopped by a call from the driver of a food truck - Philip! And they lived happily ever after.
Hmmm... it was a simple feel-good movie, but it was special in that it was well-acted. The characters are very good people with real concerns, making one realize that one can be in challenging situations and still retain good nature and kindness - a lesson for me, actually. Taylor's looks, voice and kindness also reminded me of a very good friend of mine back in my days in Cornell University, Julia Fritsch from Brazil... who even have similar name as Julianna! So, it inspired very good and warm memories... I love it, if only for that!
The verdict: Instead of being idle and broody, go for it... it'll be worth your while.
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Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
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Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
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