Most of my blogposts these past few weeks have been about my styling at work: trying to put together fashionable and chic outfits for a professional office environment.  One of my friends even asked me if I was trying to become a “fashion blogger” ;)  Of course, I have been following fashion and trends ever since I have been a toddler trying on my mom's Chanel pumps, but the real purpose of this blog was just to express my reflections - the confessions of a young professional.  This morning I read a letter to the editor published in the Daily Princetonian from alumna Susan A. Patton, which has prompted me to go back to expressing my latest musings.  Ms. Patton basically expressed her opinion to the “daughters I never had” that they should meet and marry a Princeton prince by the time they graduate from college, otherwise they are doomed for life.

At first, I felt that the opinion piece was very elitist and anti-feminist, but after re-reading it, I must agree that, as women, this is the reality of our lives.  I look around to all my highly educated, intelligent female friends who have been striving to be the best professionally, as doctors, dentists, attorneys, entrepreneurs, businesswomen, engineers, etc., and also trying to maintain some sort of balance in their communities and their lives by “having it all” and perhaps, in the end, to women, the social world matters more than the career world, that as much as we struggle to grow professionally, we probably will not be satisfied until we find a committed partner, whom we can grow with and potentially create a family with.  It also reminds me of this quote from Julie Delpy: “I always feel this pressure of being a strong and independent icon of womanhood, and without making it look my whole life is revolving around some guy. But loving someone, and being loved means so much to me. We always make fun of it and stuff. But isn't everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?”

It is hard to find eligible men to marry, and though some females might think that the world of dating is exhilarating, more often than not, it is just terrible.  I had a great time in college, and would not trade any of my adventures, exploits, friendships and triumphs.  But, I do feel a pang of resentment when I hear that a couple met in college, got married, and were able to get out of dealing with the horrible dates, the weird texts, the strange suitors, the lonely moments, and the questioning looks.  To me, those couples were able to be happy, sooner.  Obviously no one has a perfect life, and even those women that we envy or strive to be like have their own desires and problems.  No woman should marry a man for the sake of marrying someone and settling.  However, this opinion piece drives the point home about life.  Life is not easy, life is painful, life can hurt.  There are beautiful moments, but there are also hard moments, and it is our purpose to take each day at a time and deal with them, in the best ways that we can, with steadfastness and trust in God.  And through all of these moments, how much more amazing would it be to have a partner by your side, who loves you, and who you love ... that is what makes life worth living.  We are not isolated beings, we are social beings, and are meant to share the human experience. 

Dear Universe:

For the past five years I haven’t wanted to acknowledge my birthday. Not because I don’t like presents, cupcakes, flowers, balloons or attention, but because with every passing year it made me realize I was getting older, farther away from my dreams. This year is no exception. I have planned an afternoon dessert party for Sunday, but suddenly, I am lost on what the point is. To celebrate another year of not accomplishing the goals I have set out for myself? I am trying to stay positive, appreciating the people and things in my life, including my health, family, friends, education and Faith, yet, sometimes I need a reminder of what is important. Show me a sign?

putting it out there,
Tala

Dear Egyptians:

I'm all for change too, but please make sure your revolution has a worthy goal and an unified democratic end-result. Let Iran be a lesson to you. A 2,500-year-old monarchy collapsed into a totalitarian and fanatical theocracy with a despotic ruler.

Be safe and do not be fooled by fake rhetoric and empty promises.

watching Persepolis again,
Tala

My love letters to LA often arrive in the form of weekend visitors. Something about when others travel to Los Angeles tends to bring out my enchantment with the city, from the views atop the Getty, to walking along the flats of Hollywood, gazing at the stars in the sky and spotting the stars in the streets. With endless places, LA is like a real life choose your own adventure book. If you don’t like where the story is going, flip back to the last choice and make the other one. Of course, as I learned this past weekend, the right choices always include great friends and Yogurtland ... Thank you, Los Angeles, for your alluring and delicious nourishment, the romantic fragrance of your cosmopolitan embrace, and your never-ending, glorious sun-filled days.

Dear Rest of the World:

Probably you have already heard it from your other friends in Los Angeles, but I wanted to make sure that I drove the point home. It has been over 80 degrees lately here. New York, Paris, Toronto, Munich, and Moscow, enjoy your highs of 20. Chicago and Montreal, good luck out there with -5 today. I hesitate to mention that I am headed to a patio at this time to barbecue. Outside, of course. Now carry on with whatever it is you do out there in the cold.

keep warm,
Tala

PS. Although having fun in the sun, we did lose a dear friend to Los Angeles today. R.I.P. Indie 103.1 – I was pretty bummed to hear the news. Joe Escalante, Jonesey, and the rest of the Indie 103.1 team, thank you for years of awesome music.
PPS. This news does not deter me from putting my Ipod on full blast and lounging out by my pool in the middle of winter. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Dear China, the International Olympic Committee, and all the amazing athletes: Thank you! I had the best two weeks watching images of courage, strength, perseverance, goodwill, valor, magnificence, compassion, resolve, determination, beauty, admiration, and humanity. Now, the games are over, and the only tv shows I will be watching have more to do with scandal than honor. Both Gossip Girl and 90210 premiere in one week. Stay tuned for appalling, outrageous, and shocking behavior from America’s teenagers (teenagers who, judged by their behavior, are evidently not getting any sportsmanship awards, either in the Olympics or elsewhere). YES!

Thank you, John McCain, for bringing Paris Hilton and Britney Spears into the presidential elections. Due to your recent “Celeb” campaign ad, the mindless masses are now paying attention. Your ad has had more than 1.8 million hits on YouTube, it has been played on network and cable news stations, and it has raised comments from hundreds of watercoolers across the nation. The thousands of references to this ad, the rebuttal by Paris Hilton, and the free air time would normally lead me to conclude that this was a genius advertising move. It is better to have bad publicity than no publicity, right? Wrong. Perhaps that is true for actual “celebrities” like Paris and Britney, but not for someone trying to become the President of the United States. Barack Obama is not a celebrity – he is a “symbol”. And what about other “icons” turned “politicians”? Ronald Reagan? Arnold Schwarzenegger? Aren’t they from your own political party? Don’t you think if Paris and Britney can bring more attention to a campaign than even the most fierce battle over taxes and foreign policy, then there is something already amiss going on? My condolences for your impending loss.

An Open Letter to Britney Spears

Dear Britney:

You don’t know me. We’ve never actually met (but I did almost meet you on three occasions: Trisha and I saw you from afar when you did a press conference at the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany; Vanda and I ditched a meeting – which we later got in trouble for – to come to your movie premiere of “Crossroads” at the Mann, where I shouted your name from across the street – and you ignored me; last year Lisa and I went to a club in Atlanta because we heard K Fed was performing, and you were there, hanging out with Usher). For almost ten years I have kept up with your work, your relationships, your ups and your downs. And Britney, I have to say – right now – this is a definite down. So, please. Sit down. We gotta talk. Do you wanna a Red Bull and Cheetos? Sure, go ahead. Enjoy. But, just listen.

What happened? Once, a long time ago, you were the Madonna of my life. I posted your very first Rolling Stone cover on my wall. “…Baby One More Time” was on complete replay in my head. You were America’s number one pop princess. I danced to “I’m A Slave 4 U” over and over again. When I heard you were the new Pepsi girl, I actually sat and watched the entire Superbowl just to see your ad. And Britney v. Christina? Puhlease. Christina had nothing on you. “Everytime” remains to be my favorite song and favorite video ever. Even after you and Justin broke up, I still loved you. While in London, I bought the same earrings you wore in the “Toxic” video for Samar. Rauz and I bought food at SBarro’s because it came with a free Britney single. I stalked my friends who had HBO just so I could watch your “Dream Within A Dream Tour” on tv. I bought your perfume “Curious,” although it made me smell like a sixteen year-old cheerleader. I almost cried when Leonard told me he was going to be a back-up dancer for the “My Prerogative” video and that I couldn’t come with him. Your forty-eight hour wedding in Vegas? I thought it was amusing. Vivian and I saw Jason Alexander at a club in Hollywood and went up to him just so we could say he would never have anyone better than you.

And then came K Fed. I knew it wouldn’t last. No matter what anyone said though, I still supported you. I made Negin drive back early while in Santa Barbara so we could watch the premiere episode of “Chaotic.” It was bad. But, I didn’t care. I thought you were trying to show the world you were a regular person – another girl from middle-class America – no makeup, no manners, no style. With the divorce I thought that you and Justin could finally get back together. Yalda and I prayed for this day. However, alas, I fear that is never going to happen now. For the first time, Brit, I am worried. You shaved your head. You don’t wear underwear. You look sad. I knew that you always did drugs (who in Hollywood doesn’t?) but this is out of control. I know that the paparazzi are vicious, but try to be strong. Please stay in rehab. Please get better. I love Christina’s music, but she’ll never be America’s pop princess like you were. Focus on your music, reinvent yourself, don’t date anyone for a while, and start paying attention to stylists.

Britney, I want you to be happy. I want you to sing more songs. I want to see you perform again on MTV. I want you to have your hot body again. There is life after teen pop. Ask Christina, ask Justin, even ask Jessica Simpson. Take a cue from Madonna. You always have.

with love,
Tala

P.S. Yes, you can have another Red Bull.