The answer to job searches

Yes, we have all been there. Sending countless e-mails to job openings and not getting a single reply. I remember going on countless job sites trying to find job openings each day but unsuccessful. Recently I came across a site called www.consultingcrossing.com and I must say my first impression was a success. This site is so resourceful. My personal favorite is a map of the United States where it mentions how many jobs are there in each state. I also like the automatic counts for how many jobs have been added each week.

Basically, visit the site and who knows, somewhere in there, your dream job may be waiting just for you.

a new beginning, a new me

Hi everyone,

I think I have been away from Koffee Shop for a long long time. Almost a year isn't? Wow, but the funny part is I kept reviewing other people's blog everytime I got bored (failing to leave a comment or updating my own).

Since one year, lots has changed! It's a new beginning for me, I am still excited and can't wait to share my stories. I can see most of you are still keeping your blogs alive unlike me. I also noticed that some of you have created privacy settings and Koffeeshop is not recognized:( I would love to keep reading the posts like all times.

Now that my life has finally slowed down from all the excitement, I will take out time to enter my own koffeeshop. Make it lively once again.

In the meanwhile check out this link

Regards, Shama

Back, back, back!!!!

My fellow bloggers! How is everyone doing? It feels so exciting to post after such a long time! I am getting the same feeling I got when I posted my first post.

Wow, it has been a long vacation. I came back a few months ago, though it took me a while to settle into the life here in Toronto. Yet I still feel homesick...more than I have ever felt before.

I think I have been away from the blog for too long. However, though I abandoned Koffeeshop, it's something that I don't want to let go for sure. For me, Koffeeshop is a space where I created myself discreetly. It really is an accomplishment for me because I have made such awesome friends, whom I have never met, yet have a sense of bond with them. Our stories hold us together, and that's something I want to hold onto.

Before re-starting my blog, I wanted to change a few things. Some of you have noticed my new blog header (Harsh, Sunrise). Thank you. It's a start, I am still not final on the design. And yes, my peotry blog has definitely been given a new makeover! I have some new poetry to share with you all. So do drop in your comments.

Thank you again to all of you for your continuous patience. Thank you for the e-mails and the messages when you dropped by. It just showed me that koffeeshop matters.

I will keep my stories from India for my next entry. Trust me, you will crave for more!

Best Regards,
Shama

p.s. fellow bloggers, I will catch up on your blog, forgive me if I take a bit of time, but I promise I will pay a visit.

a new year...a new beginning

Many of you are probably surprised to hear from me. You see I got busy. But in the midst of a new job, exams, and even moving to a new home, I never once forgot about koffeeshop. I never thought of abandoning it, but it happened. Now I am back again, though this time, a short farewell to all of you.

My fellow bloggers, I have some good news. Finally my dream is coming true. I am going back home. That's rite, I am coming to India. Ah, I just can't wait. Perhaps koffeeshop will take a new turn as I embark upon a new journey in the new year. Many more stories to share, many more reactions, and oh many more contemplations. I just hope while I am away, Diya would be able to keep the blog going. Someone asked me, and yes, I do blog more than her. Perhaps, my going away would give her a chance to put her presence more.

Right now, I am busy packing. The excitement! *jumping in joy* I may post again, or maybe not. But do remember, whenever I get a chance, I will drop by. I have come across such awesome bloggers, that it's hard to keep away from you guys for too long :). Till I return, adios from my side. Oh and before I leave, one last comment - make the new year, a new beginning.

Peace, Shama

At no cost...

I am not the kind of person who participates in online contests or giveaways from companies. I mean really out of the millions, is there any chance that I would get anything?

Last month, I visited a web site of a magazine that I read online. They had a new section on "Fun Stuff". Tempted to see what this was, it was basically a new feature on their site - Giveaways. Not just any giveaway, but daily giveaways of full-sized products (not samples). The catch? Well there was none, except one had to give their name, address, birthday (to make sure you were 18) and to sign up for newsletters (optional).

As much as I didn't want to, the giveaway that day was a dual eyeshadow from Neutrogena (funny, I didn't know Neutrogena had beauty products??) Anyway, me being a total eye shadow obsessed freak, just HAD to fill out the form. So I did, except I faked my birthday (hey, I had to lie about something). I hit submit and was quite anxious about receiving this free gift. The next day, completely forgot about it, went on with my life.

Now the best part. A few days ago, I received a bubbled envelope in my mail. Not having one bit of hint, I opened it and my eyes lit up. Voila...it was the eye shadow...and yes it was a full size! Yeah okay, it's not like winning something highly prized but hey free is free :P

I want to know if any of my fellow bloggers have received anything for free, whether as a giveaway or because he/she won something. It would be nice to hear some stories.

p.s. The web site now has replaced it's daily giveaways to contests. Perhaps there were just too many cheap people out there ;)

Making a mountain out of a molehill

Ok so imagine this, you have an argument with someone, scream on top of each other's voices, turn around and walk away 10 minutes later. Next thing you know, that someone is telling someone else about what happened and totally distorting the story.

In my opinion, when fights happen between two people, it should remain between them. Sure we all want to tell our close ones about what happened, but that just elevates us in the argument. How many times do we admit our mistakes when we tell someone what happened? Most of the time, the blame is always one sided. You end up telling not only the story but also throw in other previous negative encounters with them to emphasize the cruelty of this person. And eventually the person listening to your story starts to feel the same way without even hearing the other side.

I am not saying don't talk to anyone about what happened. I mean we all need someone to talk to, to calm us down, to advice us. But if you are not going to admit your mistakes and put down the other person, then its worng. You want to say something, say it to the person, not behind them.

Anorexic beauty

Yes, long time indeed. However, I have organized myself and am back on track :)

One thing that I have been conscious about since the past few weeks is the way how women are represented in the media. My social work class on eating disorders is to be blamed. I have learned that nowhere are women depicted as thin flawless creatures than in Western society. I have also learned that out of those people who develop eating disorders, 90% are women.

Wherever I look, from television to billboards to magazines, all women look the same. They are all thin, flawless, and are proud of it! Nowhere do I see normal looking women being advertised. Why? Is it because being healthy is not valued in our society?

Every single reality show from Bachelor to America's Next Top Model have skinny models. People say that outer appearance is not as important as your inner beauty. But how is one suppose to believe that if outer beauty is valued so much around us? Women are criticized for having abnormal facial features, having unhealthy skin, being chubby, etc. Why is it that men are not depicted in the same way. Why is it that men can be any way they like but when it comes to women, all women have to look the same? In a society where men and women are treated equally, I think we have still not moved ahead from our double standards.

I remember watching a hindi movie and listening to this dialogue which I think sums it all up:

Ladka chaahe kaise bhi raho, ladki usse gori hi chahiye
(No matter how the boy is, all want a fair girl)

I personally don't think we are moving ahead. In fact we seem to be going backwards. The standards set for women have never been stronger.

- Shama