Category: freelance translation

O-H-I-O

SEPTEMBER 21, 2019 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
The Buckeye Necklace

Returning home in late August/early September put me back with the comforting feelings of being surrounded by brothers, being chill and thoughtful, now acting as hosts within their own families. There was Voyager playing on Netflix (personally, my favorite installment of Star Trek – for my brothers it’s Deep Space Nine). I enjoy that hum of our commentary as we appreciate and make fun of certain elements of shows and life from almost a purely silly, appreciative, and intellectual standpoint. There is now a mix of nostalgia. What I am reminded of is the sound in the background throughout all our growing up. There is nothing like having my 3 brothers, with our unique interests bouncing off one another with our various creative talents being played out in each other’s company or in solitude. This gift of life includes built-in friendships, not getting along and the unique bond of being raised together by the exact same 2 people with all the parenting/familial lessons they know well and maybe not so well. I’m reminded during that time (now my beloved parents are sadly gone from this world) that my parents wrote out an interesting world for our Midwestern upbringing by way of their respective southern ones. Daddy was from Alabama. Mama was from Georgia. They ended up in Middletown, Ohio, were introduced to one another there and the rest is history. That small city was where we children were born and raised. (My brothers live in surrounding cities now). I could live in DC, where I am now until the end of time and I have been told my tenure could give me the ability to claim DC similarly. Yet, the very idea of that is still laughable to me, a bit absurd, especially when I think of the roots and energy and foundation implanted in me in the swing state. I can’t not claim it, despite its also racist painful, alienating spaces and experiences and, in fact, the pain aka the dirt is also a part of my roots – what makes me thoughtful, inclusive and empathetic today.

One of the new Ohio Johnson arrivals is my vibrant 3-year-old nephew and I decided right away that he is a rough and tumble, sweet, affectionate, rambunctious, boy. He, in turn decided early on that my name is also “Mommmy”. Truly, it is as if I made him up. This is how I would have invented every detail from the long lashes surrounded by an adorable, adoring face. Even the naughtiness and respectfulness are something I would have conjured up with just the right mixtures. This is not to mention the little actions and reactions that are very unique to who he is. Playing with him, reading to him and teaching him is at times akin to a meditative level as one gets lost in the world of youth, feeling tired but uplifted, while seeing the world through their eyes – seeing what brings them joy or disappointment. Children are great teachers, magically expending our energy, while at the same time giving us life! I understand again how natural it would be to flow into being a parent, developing with children as their needs change and they grow.

On being “Mommmy”: Despite the fact of my sister-in-law and I not looking alike, I can see he has endearingly decided that we are different versions of each other. Quite the compliment! He would call to me as he was being carted off to bed very reluctantly or wanting to eat or play with something he shouldn’t have. He was quite the explorer, like many children curious about everything around them. (We can learn so much from them).  

Journey to Journey

I spent a very formative and special amount of time in Columbus, Ohio as well. I am also an alumni of The Ohio State University (yes “The” is an official part of the title which I rarely include but it is fun to know and people love to tease us about our official stance). A lot of people were impressed I chose this school as others were starting closer to southwest Ohio and I had the later knowledge of realizing just how renowned a school it is as I was enrolled there. My reasons for attending were the desire of a large campus with nice programs, of which there were many. I had quite a lot of choices. The campus was a mecca of opportunities, experiences and places nearby to explore. I learned a lot in and outside of the classroom and I also chose this academic venue for its amazing diversity-both locally and internationally represented. College life was not all glorious, not without its challenges but it led to many triumphs, fun meaningful and funny experiences, cute and painful dating experiences, included. There was some soccer – more played than watched, there was eating without gaining weight, there was dancing, there was late night studying and all-nighters, there were friends from every area of the world and so much more. Every moment, I realized early on, was one that I absolutely did not regret. I’m glad I chose to live, play and work at this school. (It also didn’t hurt that it happens to be a Big Ten Champion football school with a rivalry (vs Michigan) like no other! I play around with this with friends and even my girl boss who are fans of wrong schools. It can be fun. My COO – who is actually a Virginia Tech fan and alumni, even pretended to accidentally throw away my plushie Ohio state bobble-like head yesterday. He looked at it closer, saying he had mistakenly taken it for trash. I had joked with him long ago when I brought it in how I knew he was tempted to own it and not to steal it when I wasn’t in the office. I ain’t mad at him. I actually erupted into giggles. I have absolutely got to give folks credit for expertly delivered trash talk. Incidentally, later today, I may take in the game.

Officially official

Bye for now, readers. I wanted to bring you this lighthearted yet deep (lol) follow up post today. You may recall You May Go Home Again. I will deliver 2 more September installments to you as well. Feel free to like below and share. I look forward to sharing more travel, volunteer and random stories and thank you again for sharing your time with me!!

Atentamente,

Cassandra Johnson

Continue reading “O-H-I-O”

JANET

JULY 30, 2019 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

As I saw my life growing beyond a shy little girl, I mirrored her, signing the notes I passed to my best friend in junior high by the name Janet J. My best friend responded to those notes with her own but with the signature of Paula Abdul. We looked up to them and this is during a life stage when you really really dream. You feel all the possibilities in the world are yours because you see your role models rocking this world.

I had not actually thought I could see Janet in concert (just memorize a lot of her songs and dance and sing along) until I traveled to Vegas for work this past week. When my friend and coworker and I suggested it to one another, I still wasn’t sure if we would have the time.

Another limiting thought for me, personally, was how much it may cost! I lastly questioned if the dates had already passed. All of the above were exactly not the thoughts of the little girl (now inner child) that Janet had helped raise and mold while instilling so many moments of dazzling self-assurance. I knew I needed to get on with it and finally turned to Google, as the reliable friend it had become. My friend was doing the same from her computer at her workstation.

Right away, the description read that this was Janet’s Metamorphosis Performance in which she would be playing out her life, via her albums, via the life changes, including all her growth and transitions. She spoke to us several times, mentioning how funny that your life can become full circle. She was recalling having her debut in Vegas at 7 with her brother Randy and the many shows the children had put on. Her description was on point. She was actually playing a part in my now full circle. This included who I was, who I have become, and where I will be going.

There will indeed be some changes. I won’t be doing everything as usual. Rather, as I settle into my passion of helping others reach their potential, I will evolve. As I hopefully encourage others to honor their dreams, I will pay attention to where I am needed. I will listen to the whispers (as Oprah calls them) of what I need to be doing and how I must be.

As my face, mind and body light up, I will lean in more – write, translate, read, volunteer and lean in more. As I feel the strength of what wakes me early, keeps me up late, never drains me and gives me peace, I will lean in. I will rejuvenate myself with my efforts, seeing how I can continually take care of others and myself.

This past Friday night was unexpected. The MGM Park stage lit up the memories of what seemed boundless possibilities for a little girl like me. A multitude of thanks goes to Janet for radiating a warm inspirational energy while being a symbol of abundant opportunities to come.

Cassandra Johnson

pillow Pineridge Hollow

Outside the Box

MAY 30, 2019 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

I kept my promise to myself about two things I said I would do this week, one being to attend the stock trader meetup and the other to attend the eCommerce event that focuses on financial freedom. You can visit my blog from last week that talks about the fear that comes with embarking on a path that’s more about your passions. More than a rant, the piece turned into more of a motivation to me (and hopefully to anyone that can identify with it). I called it a rant, but I think that was in response to momentarily being a little put off that I’m not fully immersed into my translating and community organizing lifestyle. The truth is; however, I have never not had my passions somehow incorporated into my life. I still believe in so many things that mean people being good to each other and my connections for volunteering both here and abroad continue to be revisited through my network of friends and second families. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget when you get distracted by the supposed everyday obligations.

So, as I continue down this road of truer meanings, I find that it’s a drive not just for me but also for anybody that can identify with me on my journey. It won’t just be about my growth. It will mean even more of me expanding my reach and assisting others (however long or short distance my actions may go). Accordingly, I am going to keep putting one foot outside the box, a bit at a time.

I just finished up another freelance translating assignment. It was quite interesting. It was easier than some of my previous ones. I find that I really do enjoy the tourism and travel related ones. There were four short pieces I did for a client that spoke to the beauty of Mexico’s beaches, family-friendly hotels and even a piece about the skin and hair health benefits of coconut extract. I can already tell how being my own boss and setting my own varied work and community outreach schedule is going to be exhilarating. (I have an opportunity to be a linguist with an organization – but it wouldn’t exactly be freelancing – perhaps I can also work with them).

My experience at the day/swing trader meetup was quite empowering as well. It turns out that I am sufficiently learning the market and that I have a swing trade strategy that is similar to a few guys in the group. Some of the them trade equities. Some trade options. One does Forex (foreign exchange) and there were others. I have more to study. I give myself about a 70% understanding of what was going on that night. For some reason, I was the only lady within the group that attended this particular meeting. I’m pretty certain I saw some in the group on meetup.com. I guess they just couldn’t make it that night. I wasn’t intimidated at all and the guys were very cool. Still, I would love to meet the other ladies as well. Maybe next time.

There was another meetup happening at the restaurant that same night, helping to create some momentary misdirection. (By the way, the other meetups I belong to are related to embassy events, history and culture, one for English-Spanish conversation language exchange, and one known as Networking after Work). As I chatted a bit more with the incorrect contacts, it was revealed that they were not the investor group. I heard poly and want to guess a polyamorous group.  I very sweetly dismissed myself. The guy that had previously been behind me in the checkout line was a part of this group and was motioning for me to keep my seat (not realizing that I wasn’t supposed to be there at all). They were all nice, but I had stock guidance to get to.

The guys in the area of the restaurant that was closed off and reserved made more sense. Seeing them with their laptops and the premiere slide of the organizer’s presentation up on the wall made it clear this is where I belonged😉 though it was the first time I’d joined such an event.

I opened my laptop to the stock spreadsheet that is my watch list and I will say I felt extremely comfortable outside of my comfort zone for the rest of that evening. Everyone was informed and informative on various levels and I participated sporadically. Paying close attention, taking a few notes, networking for some tips and finishing off my mini lemon tart, I made a mental note to continue trading equities that represent my values and that I understand. I’m good with learning a bit more about this day by day.

My intention leans towards financial freedom while I focus on my passions. I have my lifetime investments but am open to trying new things. I’m fascinated with how others have created ideal lifestyles as I’m married to the possibilities of spending more time on creating, volunteering and sharing more time with family and friends.

As I briefly mentioned earlier, regarding my second act of stepping outside the box, I was intrigued by this eCommerce event that my friend and I attended. This was just a day after the meetup and both events caused me to think that there is something to be said for steadily challenging your mind in the proper ways.

I did agree with my friend on how the presentation of this event had a very sales pitchy feel to it. However, since we both know the results behind it are possible, I decided to sign up for the company’s upcoming 3-day workshop. I’m interested in what they say could be a potential side business, allowing me to focus more fully on writing, translation, volunteering and travel.

Following my previously posted “rant”, this is my latest update. That was a “rant” that may have incidentally coincided with reminding myself to explore and then explore some more. My heart seemed to take over my writing for a while back there. I gratefully embrace that because I don’t ever want to forget what means the most to me and to everyone with whom I have had the pleasure of connecting. Thank you again for sharing your time with me. Always appreciated!

Share and like, if you like this. I hope to have you here again soon!

Cassandra Johnson

Translate My Life: Post #16 and My First Blog Rant

 
MAY 19, 2019 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

Embarking on a path that is more about your passions is scary. Too often, we’ve been led to believe that feelings, desire and the drive for a calling is not what pays the bills or ensures a stable life, by any means. We might have been led to believe that we’re strange or even indecisive when all that is really happening is the perpetual getting back around to what really drives us. When the thoughts are, “isn’t there more” and “is this the life I really want”, then we can actually be thankful to all that is mighty that our persistent curiosity refuses to be stifled. You don’t ever want to be confused into losing this.

Compromising a couple of dreams for present security is not dire and I pause, because I don’t know if any of this is true for you, but it is a scenario with which I am all too familiar. I am describing me, so I don’t necessarily want to put this on others, but if you can identify, I am happy to be in good company. I know that all too often, it is the supposed order of the larger world beckoning us to fall in line.

However, I have to take note that the larger world’s modern technology and on demand access to certain principles have also helped fuel my focus. The nearly universal access to social media platforms like YouTube has been a blessing. Though social networks can be formidable with negativity, it has also provided the opportunity to connect to enhanced ideas and greater intentions. Many of the entrepreneurs and free thinkers I follow, (in addition to the books I’ve read and currently read) have reopened my tired eyes. The positive thinkers and generous achievers know the formula for being true to yourself, good to others and constantly striving to be better day by day. The formula is not always perfect (for anyone) but the right knowledge and intentions do help in staying grounded and again taking us forward to where we really need to be.

I don’t have to readily dissolve every grain available but putting together a lot of the ideas have gotten me back to some universal truths. I realize I am not going to be satisfied until I try all the paths along which my dreams are winding.

I plan on spending the rest of my time here, checking in on my progress. I welcome it. I continue etching out time to write, translate, travel and add in more activities as I go. One of the steps to drowning out the so-called order of stability has been growing my life as a freelance translator. I’m now happy to be translating and regularly taking part in events hosted by the National Capital Area Translators Association.

I go to my premiere stock trading meeting next week. (I’ll see if my practice reading the market is paying off as much as I feel it is. So far, I’ve made an extremely modest profit.) Following that meeting, I will attend an eCommerce, eFreedom (see update) event with my colleague. We are aware that one of the big pieces helping us focus more on community and our passions is reaching financial freedom. (I have no problem being obsessed with that goal as it translates into more time to do more of what matters to me.) There is family. There is volunteering. There are friends. There is travel. There is the global community. There is bliss on the other side of our efforts and along the proper path as well.

There are many challenges but let them not be issues simply for the sake of being a part of an ill fate, but rather let them be challenges for the sake of growing past limitations. Propel us all towards our meaningful goals. Let us not retreat into respective acceptable corners of stability with our respective creature comforts. Let us yell out through our actions of being true to ourselves and especially don’t let us be tricked because we are quite competent at our everyday non-passions.

Now that I’ve committed to this in writing and posting, I likewise challenge myself not to ride it out in the comfort zone. I have to also note when that comfort zone is cleverly disguised as familiar obstacles. (“Why is a known hell preferable to an unknown heaven?”)

It is going to be okay. It will be for me and for everyone that feels this way. We need to work that balance of not being too critical as well (of ourselves or others). It is only natural that the voices showing the path to what is deemed clear and normal are all too easy to find. This is why they are considered “normal” and they easily lay us upon the route of the least resistance. It’s easy to get sidetracked.

The future is the question to be answered. My current (aka past) goals are highlighted by my continued intentions to step outside the box.

We can help others by being true to our callings and though it may take us off the beaten track (a little or a lot), we can be forever grateful that our nagging dreaming feelings just won’t let us go.

Presently, I am happy to be participating and exploring a lot of what I only previously wondered about and I’m equally happy that I’ve taken some interesting chances with my adventures. Though I’ve been holding back, I’m glad to be putting myself out there both physically and mentally. The daring times have taught me the most about myself and what matters.

Like my post below (if you’d like😊) and share me – @riskysafetravels.com

I hope you find some useful and/or interesting information in the archives as well.

Yours truly,

Cassandra Johnson, blogger (riskysafetravels.com), volunteer, freelance translator, writer and aspiring swing trader

Update: eFreedom is something I do not recommend at all. It was a very costly and time-consuming experience and I would not want anyone to experience this as well. While I will spend money learning from entrepreneurs and teachers in various industries who are experts, this is one I would not revisit. It is very important that we make sure our sources are reputable and I want to let you know to do your due diligence.