Delight 16: Introversion vs. Isolation

Some people are surprised to find out that I’m an introvert. And granted, I’m a little surprised at how much I’ve changed too.

I used to be much more outwardly visible as an introvert – didn’t speak up much, was shy around strangers, vanished at parties after a while.

Lately, I’m much more likely to speak up and meet new people (though inwardly a lot of the time I’m still cringing about how much I don’t like doing these kinds of things). But honestly, I am getting better at it. I’m not quite the awkward turtleduck in conversation that I used to be – I even, dare I say it, enjoy it sometimes?

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Delight 15: “Noise”

Stray Kids brew up a storm in Thunderous new music video [WATCH]

Warning: Nerd Post Alert.

With that out of the way, to no one’s great surprise, I love music (I mean, don’t we all love some form of music?). But more than that, I like “noisy” music. And I like learning about the writing/producing process behind albums.

So you can imagine my delight when my favorite kpop group, Stray Kids (yes, they’ve replaced BTS), came out with a new album named Noi(ea)sy. Even better when I found out they made it as a response to criticism that their music was “noise.”

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Delight 10: Home

(Awesome globe art thing I found in Incheon Airport)

The past week and a half has been a whirlwind – scrambling to check in resources, making sure my suitcase is packed, running to get police permission to travel. Finding out I don’t need police permission to travel. Running to another police station to double check – yes, no need for police permission if you take a Grab driver. Making copies of my passport. Printing off plane tickets, getting a COVID test to travel, printing off the COVID test results for traveling. Saying goodbye to all of my classes in back to back Google Hangout meetings, crying over all the people who left.

And then…travel.

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Delight 1: Burnished Skies and Kitty Paws

It’s been a rough couple of months and I haven’t been wanting to write, but a couple of years ago I read The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay (thanks to my friend, Sarah, for her amazing book recommendations!). I have always wanted to try something similar.

If you’re not familiar with the book, it follow Ross Gay as he tries to write about a “delight” that he finds every day. Not in a toxic positivity, “everything is amazing” way, but rather, what’s something, even if it’s the smallest little thing on the worst day, that delighted him? He covers some amazing topics, including how he finds delight even when he’s experiencing racism or prejudice. He’s deep and you should give him a read.

So, I thought I’d try something similar. Something to lift my spirits and help me not focus so much on the things that are depressing me right now. Something to help me appreciate the little joys and delights a bit more.

It’s not going to be as deep as Ross Gay’s musings. There’s probably not going to be a post every day because I’m struggling to just get work done and finish the school year out as best as I can in a pandemic-ridden world and I know I won’t be able to write every day.

But, if you’re interested, stay tuned. Here’s my first “delight” from a few days ago.

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Reconciling with History like a Fire Nation Prince

blm fist" Pin by sofiakkkk | Redbubble Zuko | Avatar Wiki | Fandom

This is going to be a long one, folks, but I got headings if it helps. 😀 I would also like to insert a little disclaimer here – there’s a LOT of ground to cover and I’m really giving a broad overview of several different topics, so please know that any one of these topics has a lot more to unpack and I’m limited, still ignorant, and definitely unskilled in addressing most of them. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I want to be having these conversations and engaging in discourse, because silence should not and cannot be the answer anymore.

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