10 Things We Can Learn From Dogs

Ever notice the uncontrollable pure bliss of a dog as you barely step foot through the door? Dogs never fail to take pleasure in the simplest of things. Just seeing you, and they become ecstatic.

I've never had a dog when I was little because my mom always told me she was allergic. However, now that I'm older and gave it some more thought, I have become suspicious that those allergies were all just a scam because she didn't want to get stuck doing all the work.

Over the last few days, I've been hard at work dog-sitting two adorable pooches. My job description entailed ball tossing, smothering the pooches with attention, napping, swimming in the pool, and strutting my stuff.. err I mean, walking the dogs around the block. Spending my days with these pooches, they've taught me a thing or two. Or ten...


Here are 10 things that I've learned from these simple furry creatures:

1. Be hysterically excited to see everybody. The second you hear the doorknob turn, jet uncontrollably towards the door an jump all over the person in front of you. I mean, doesn't everyone want to be greeted with such enthusiasm every time? If we humans could add a little (or a lot) more pizzazz into our greetings, I think the world would be a better place.


2. Your good looks can let you get away with anything. I mean, who can resist that adorable puppy face? At the very least, it's always worth a try. 


3. Smell everything. A dog's nose is always twitching, sensing the world around them. We, too, should be smelling everything- food, flowers, treats, new people, potential mates and everything else in between. 


4. You're never too old to learn a new trick, or two. Yea, it's always hard in the beginning, but in the end, it may bring you never-ending amusement and satisfaction.


5. Nobody wants to be left alone. A quick run to the store left my dogs in despair. I couldn't even sleep in another room or take a shower without them scratching at the door. 


6. If it's not wet and sloppy, it's not a real kiss. Can't argue with that.


7. Always be curious. Who knows what you may find around every corner, under the rock or behind the bush? The world is a fascinating place, so never stop exploring.


8. Grooming is important, but sometimes you just gotta get down and dirty. Don't slack off on your personal hygiene, nobody around you likes that. But sometimes you may be offered with an opportunity to run wild, play in the dirt or swim at a beach. Don't ever pass up those moments of diversion and revelry.


9. Take lots of naps. A nap is the answer to any problem. Whether you're overworked, underpaid, overwhelmed, or undersexed-- a nap lets you recharge and gets you ready to tackle anything. 



10. Cuddle whenever possible. Period!

Trying to do some work on my computer, but somebody strongly insists we go for a walk instead.

La Vie En Rose (Paris)

"Parlez-vous français?'

Qui qui...

Eh...

... nope. Uh uh. Absolutely not. That accent is way too hard to learn. The best that we Americans can do is just to make fun of it. (oh-hoh-hoh-hoh)

Boy, who doesn't love the French? ... French fries, French toast, French dressing, French horn, and even French kissing. This country has got it goin on.

It was a real treat to visit the glamorous City of Lights. Paris (pronounced "pah-ree" in a nasally ostentatious voice) sure brings all the style, glitz and glamour that you see on tv and in magazines.

Paris is the world's most visited city, bringing millions of camera-strapped travelers to this city each year. And the Eiffel Tower is the most famous landmark in the world. I, too, joined the herds who flock to see this gigantic metal concoction. "You have to see it to believe it," and I must admit, standing in front of this protruding internationally-known structure made me feel speechless as I gazed in awe admiring its powerful presence in the sky.

Standing underneath the Eiffel Tower

The best part (and I'm not sure who's idea it was but it's friggn' brilliant!) was the thousands of strobe lights that were installed inside the tower. During the evenings, on the hour, every hour, for a couple minutes all the lights go off and the whole tower just glitters, like diamonds dancing in the sun. It was absolutely captivating! I tried taking photos and videos, but they don't even come close to capturing the true essence of the spectacle. You have to experience this breathtaking view in person. 

The Tower was originally supposed to be built in Barcelona but the idea was rejected because it did not "fit in" with the infrastructure of the city and was too expensive. Instead, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel and his company entered a competition to build this design as the entrance arch to the Worlds Fair in Paris. They won and the tower being built as  temporary structure that was supposed to move with the fair to different cities. The tower sparked a major controversy in the city because many Parisians did not want the cold metallic structure within the beautiful artistic city. However, it turned out that the structure attracted so many visitors and the French, too, fell in love with the tower so much that they didn't let it go and Paris remains the permanent home to this iconic modern structure. The Eiffel Tower is nicknamed "La Dame de Fer," meaning 'the Iron Lady." And I must admit, I couldn't help but blush as I walked underneath it's legs. Looking up, you could see all the layers, arches, stairs, elevators, and thousands of metal rods that are all so perfectly placed to hold up this magnificent structure.

On the steps of La Basilique du Sacré Coeur / Sacre Coeur Basilica

I continued with the tour of the city. I loved the city, but  the tour was killing me. I was the only non-lovey-dovey-honeymooner (puke) and ended up being each couples' photography slave as we visited the different landmarks around the city. 


When not being photo monkey, I did get a chance to stare up at the gargoyles of the Notre Dame, pass through the biggest art museum Louvre, see the monument of the Joan of Arc, stroll through the major retail Avenue des Champs-Elysees, and admire the tokens and trinkets at overpriced souvenir shops. I also attended a French mass at the Sacre Coeur Basilica. I find it rather amusing that this famous holy catholic church overlooks Quartier Pigalle, aka "Pig's Alley," aka "the redlight district." Down the hill from the holy Basillica are streets lined with sex shops, clubs, a gigantic Sexodrome and the world famous cabaret, the Moulin Rouge.

In front of the Moulin Rouge

Put on your art appreciation hats. At the Louvre alone, thousands and thousands of pieces of art are in display. Rumor has it that if you just spend 30 seconds at each piece, you would be there for a few months to get through everything. So, much like the rest of the crowd, I joined the masses and went straight to see the famous Mona Lisa. The painting is a whole lot smaller than I always have imagined it to be in my mind.

A typical day of Mona Lisa at the Louvre

One of my favorite parts of the city were the romantic love locks that clung to various bridges throughout the city, symbolizing each couples the eternal love for another. How romantic!


As I strolled through the streets in Paris, I devoured delicious pastries for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The pastry shops in Paris are around every corner and each offer their own unique delicacies. I also ate exorbitant amounts of cheeses and drank too much wine. Boy, if I ever lived in this city, I would either A) become a pastry chef apprentice and eventually open up my own shop B) become a snobby wannabe wine connoisseur C) lose all self-restraint and become an overweight drunken cat lady, or D) all of the above.


Finally, I also learned that you don't need a wine opener to open a bottle. You can just put the bottle in a shoe and bang it against the wall and eventually the cork comes out. I swear, it works! You can probably find some instructional videos online if one is really interested, or desperate.


P.S.


Thank you, thank you, thank you, Scott, for kindly letting me crash at your place, as well as graciously offering your time to show me around the gorgeous city!

Olena and Scott

My Love Affair With Dance

You are standing in a dark crowded room. You feel the beat of the music pulse through your veins. You slowly scan the room, taking in the surroundings, when suddenly you lock eyes with a stranger from across the floor. You flash a smile, as he extends his hand to you. You squeeze the palm of his hand and slowly follow him to the dance-floor.

You stand face to face as you put your hand around his shoulder.You listen. You feel. You take a small step as you begin to sense the feel and rhythm of each others bodies.

There is a fire burning inside of you. You're enveloped by the senses- the look of his gaze, the feel of his touch, the smell of his cologne, the sound of the music, the thirst for another breath of air.

You lose complete control as you give in to the beat of the music. You don't think, you just feel. It's raw emotion. It's pure passion. Your feet flawlessly fall into step, your arms swing around each other, your hips move to the beat of the drum, your back arches, your hair sways, you breathe harder and harder. 

You twist. And turn. And dip. And twirl.

Your heart is beating a thousand times a minute as you desperately grasp for air. The world around you blends with colors and the images becomes abstract.

Your bodies are completely consumed by the rhythm.

Your spirit soars.

That beat, that rhythm, the connection, the movement, the passion- that is what creates the magic in dance.

It's style. It's art. It's my inspiration.

The Lens Through Which We View The World

"It's not necessarily the reality that shapes us, but the lens through which your brain views the world that shapes your reality."

Shawn Anchor, a positive psychologist and Harvard lecturer, shares some funny stories and offers some great advice in helping us understand the happy secret to better work. He argues that actually happiness inspires productivity, rather than the other way around. And we can control our happiness  through the lenses in which we view the world. 

This is one of the best speaker videos I've seen. I hope you like it.

Around Town Chicago With OJ [VIDEO]

Lights. Camera. Action!

Featuring my first on-camera debut:

Whether you're a thousand miles away from home or in your hometown, we never stop exploring. Join me as I show you around my hometown, Chicago.

On my way to becoming a TV travel host, maybe?

A special thanks to my devilishly handsome cameraman, Zach, and personal English coach, Nick. We ended up with 30 minutes of footage, but only a small portion of the actual content was used to create this 90second rated-G clip, as all the background inappropriate comments and shots from the very mature and professional aforementioned production crew had to be cut out. Always a blast! Stay tuned for the blooper video...

Chicago skyline aerial view