The Extent of Friendship

Dear Friends,

It’s been a long while since my last post. A lot of things has changed and definitely my life has become a little more smooth than it was during the past summer. Many variables in my life have fallen into its place. I’m not sure quite whether it’s the right place or not. But like Steven Jobs stated in 2005 Standford University commencement, you can’t connect the dots forward. I’m only hoping that in the future I’ll be look back to this time and realized how things have gone right.

However, what I actually want to write about is this situation with one of my dear friend. She’s a musician and such great potential and she was ready to take another step forward, go to music school and dream big. Meanwhile, she’s collaborating with her friends in a band. I just never really thought that this situation would happen to someone so close to me. Well, life is unexpected, and no matter how hard you try or how much my dad taught me otherwise when I was younger, you can’t always expect the unexpected.

Her friend took one of her songs, that she has given permission to “work on it together”. However, when she was not out of town. The rest of the band worked on this ‘new sound’ that everyone seems to love, and turned it into something, doesn’t matter whether it’s good or not, different. Definitely not like something that my friend originally has envisioned. The band showed it to the producer, and guess what… they like it. So what happened when my friend came back home? She felt like her friend just stabbed her in the back.

I wasn’t able to find the right words to say, but her inability to express one emotion at the same time, just silenced me for a while.  I listened to what happened, and I told her what I think she should do. But I understand what she was trying to explain to me. Do you ruin more than one person’s happiness and dream? Or do you ruin your own?

This really question the scope of intellectual property. There is no defined line to say what’s right or wrong? How far should we extent the notion of “friendship”, or forgiving a friend? I am genuinely sorry for her that she has to experience this situation. No matter how many times I kept telling myself, it’s okay.. this happens in the music business. It doesn’t seem to make any sense when it’s your own friends who are in this situation.

I think it’s something that we should all think about. At least after you read this. Another dilemma for all of you readers.

Sincerely,

Emily Alexandreta.

Food and Life

dear friends,

my best friends have recently been in the small (not really) quarrel lately, and yes.. I'm stuck in the middle, like most times. I have always been in the middle of things, just 'cause I'm the LOGICAL" one, they say. I think I simply tend not to get mad at people, so I'm stuck in the middle between two strong-headed friends who don't talk their problem out. the funny thing is the last time this happens was last summer with my best friends in Thailand. and now my friends here in Seattle this summer. ahh.. life!

today, however, I feel like I've accomplished something. this situation has been going on for days, and I talked to my friends (unrelated third party) who told me that it's not my problem, I can try to help but it needs to be them to talk it out. well, they are adults already, they can do that. but MAN. I get worried and stressed out during these times. anyway, my accomplishments today were my successes in keeping both of my friends calm and convinced them that they need to talk. both of them seem much happier when they talked to me. so I'm happy as well (even though I have to ruin the surprise for one of them, and another will probably kill me for that.) but hey, I manage to calm another person down. and she can sleep soundly tonight without being pissed off. I say that is a success.

totally unrelated moment, but since I'll be saying a lot of goodbyes this week. I want to cheerish the moments that my friends and I have spent together recently. I'm so going to miss Jennifer. One of my best friends in Seattle and always will be, dear.

I just want to express my accomplishments of the day. I'm still jobless and failed to work on my cover letters today, but that is exactly what I'm working on after this.

love you all,

emily alexandreta

p.s. this post is called "food and life" is because i've eaten so much today to the point that i feel fat. and life.. is just about adna and jennifer situation. and thanks to claire chan for the discussion about my crisis right now. ah, i'm so grateful for my seattle friends.