NYC Diaries: Falling in love with…myself

This topic was totally Melissa’s idea. She recently wrote a beautiful post about body image on my blog, where she talked about the top 5 things she loves about her body. I think that having a positive body image is so important, but it can also be pretty difficult when you’re working in NYC and bumping into gorgeous supermodels on occasion. So it helps to focus on the parts of myself that I love and that make me unique. Here’s my take on body image and what I love about myself…
 
Hair
When I was little, my grandmother used to tell me an old wives’ tale about how eating bread crust would make your hair really curly. So I spent years eating crustless sandwiches and using straightening irons in hopes that I’d just wake up with naturally straight hair one day. I didn’t. But I’ve definitely learned to appreciate my Taylor Swift curls now as an adult.


Legs
As useful as the transportation system is in New York, I find myself having to do a LOT of walking to get to and from the train station every day for work. And with all that exercise comes a workout that can rival even the most strenuous treadmill jogging session at the gym. My legs are very muscular and shapely as a result, and I love highlighting them in skirts and leggings. I’m proud of my athletic legs because they bear the signs of a long commute and a healthy body.

 
Smile
As a kid, I always envied my friends who wore braces and were allowed to pick different-color rubber bands to decorate them every month. Now that I’m an adult, I realize how fortunate I was that I never needed to wear braces or to feel the pain of getting them tightened all the time. My teeth are perfectly straight and won’t be needing any work done anytime soon.
 
Hips and thighs


I used to think that my ample hips and backside made me fat, but I’m far from overweight. I now see them for what they really are: A sign of femininity and an expression of my Latina roots. I’m tall and pale, so most people are shocked when I mention that I’m 100% Hispanic. I may act like a Taylor Swift, but my shape definitely leans more toward a J.Lo. And I’m cool with that.
 
Limb difference
This one hasn’t always been easy for me to love or even accept. I was born without my left arm just below the elbow and often wear a prosthetic to cover it up. I used to think my limb difference made me undesirable or unattractive to the opposite sex. But I realized how wrong I was and now see my small arm as capable and strong. I see it as something unique that only adds to my character. It doesn’t define me, but it doesn’t detract from who I am, either.
 
So there you have it — 5 things about me that have really taught me to love and believe in myself. I hope this post inspires you to look for all the positive things you should celebrate about yourself because, trust me, there are many. You can read my blog and follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
 
–By Caitlin from Stream of Caitlinness

NYC Diaries: Lessons from Hurricane Sandy

I want my Internet back.
 
That thought kept floating in my head as I sat in the dim candlelight on a cold Thursday night. I’d been without any power or electricity for a few days, and I was growing bored and impatient. As a Social Media Coordinator, my job requires me to be online almost 24/7. And with the threat of a hurricane looming over the tri-state area, I was stuck working from home just outside NYC (where my office is located) the Monday that Sandy hit. Until the power went out. Without my laptop and the Internet, I couldn’t get any work done. So my mind went into a panic as the impatient and workaholic New York mindset took over.
 
The winds were violent and there was quite a bit of rain, which was to be expected, but the worst part of the storm was the destruction it left in its wake. Of course, I had no way of knowing what was going on because I was (quite literally) in the dark. I didn’t realize how dependent we are as a culture on the Internet and on electricity until I didn’t have it that week. Isolated from the rest of the world, I had no qualms about being upset over my situation. I whined about being cold and not having Internet and not being able to charge my cell phone. I complained about how I couldn’t make it to work because the trains and subways were all flooded and the office had no power. Needless to say, it was not a pleasant experience. But when I was later able to watch the news and check my Facebook account, I saw post after post about people who had it way worse than I did.
When tragedies and emergencies strike, it’s easy to focus on your own inconveniences. Admittedly, not having any phone service or power to work from home is a pretty big problem. But it was nothing compared to the pain of the people who lost lives, loved ones and homes to the storm. It was jarring to hear the real-life horror stories that came from Hurricane Sandy’s path of destruction. My heart and prayers go out to those who are still hurting because of Sandy’s devastating effects. But it was also beautiful and heartwarming to see people come together via social media networks and work for good. I heard about people using Web sites like Facebook and Twitter to organize clothing donations and food drives. These were locals who did what they could to help out their neighbors in need. New Yorkers have a reputation for always being on the go and on to the next thing without skipping a beat, so it was inspiring to see people reach out and help others as soon as they could log into their favorite networking sites.  
So I know now that I was being selfish complaining about everything I didn’t have, especially when there were people hurting so much more. But the storm certainly brought with it a lesson in patience, gratitude and paying it forward. Seeing people gather for good online also made me realize how important the Internet is in connecting people and creating community. And it showed me that sometimes, you just need to take some time out of a crazy/busy day to care and help in whatever way you can. So I have not uttered a negative word about the even-more-crowded-than-usual NYC trains or the fact that buses are still not running on the right schedule. Instead, I’m thankful that my family and I are okay after the storm and that people are helping their fellow New Yorkers because, at the end of the day, what matters most is how we love and how we act toward each other as a community.
 
–By Caitlin from Stream of Caitlinness

So About What I Said’s new contributor…

So, after four years of blogging, I am so proud of what So About What I Said has become — a safe, welcoming place where we can come together, share our stories and most importantly, be who we are. And to keep a good balance, we also indulge in more light-hearted fare. As a blogger, I’m always brainstorming ways to blend the two — the serious with the fun — into one powerful punch, which is why I’m so excited to introduce Caitlin as a new So About What I Said contributor! She’ll be writing about her disability and life in New York City. Look for her weekly column, NYC Diaries, to debut next Tuesday, but in the meantime, I’ll let Caitlin say hello…
Hi — my name is Caitlin, and I am a Social Media Coordinator in New York. I’m a bit obsessed with Starbucks, shopping and glossy fashion magazines. I’m also a huge bookworm who wants nothing more than to unwind after a long day with a good book and my trusty guitar. Follow me on Twitter and check out my blog Streams of Caitliness, where I write about taking on the world single-handedly.
 
How awesome is she? So excited to welcome you aboard, Caitlin!! xoxo