2-Patmei&Barack

A Young Woman in an Older Man’s World

My career in media and politics has thrown me into the inner corridors of the so-called “Old Boys’ Club.” I was allowed in because either I was their executive assistant or their speech writer or their political campaign manager or their chief-of-staff.

These are positions that are crucial to any politician’s life, the type of job that practically allows you to  manage not only their public lives, but also their private ones. So they have no choice but to let me into their world.

Of course, being young and female, people automatically assume either of two things: (1) I was related by blood to the boss (daughter or niece or granddaughter); or (2) I was the girlfriend or mistress of the boss.

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IMG_0141

Politics is Just A Stepping Stone to My Showbiz Career

Hi, my name is Patmei and I am addicted to entertainment news.  And apparently I am not alone.

Last weekend, over dinner with some of my closest friends from high school, I learned that we have more entertainment gossip websites bookmarked in our personal computers than any other, uh, so-called useful (by our parents’ standards, at least) websites on the World Wide Web.

Even the online news websites of CNN.com and Time.com are bookmarked primarily for the entertainment news and their headlines only as an afterthought. “Oh, there was bombing in Syria…let’s see what Angelina wore when she was asked about the refugees and if Brad was with her….”

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dancingkitchen

Patmei’s Chicken & Broccoli Recipe: The Musical

I cook if I am in the mood. And those who have tasted my cooking tell me I’m pretty good at it. But I am much better at ordering for delivery. On days when I am not really in the mood to cook, I make it a musical and make a production number out of it. I dance and sing along as I chop, stir, and sauté.

For my chicken and broccoli stir-fry dish, I choose Today’s Top Hits playlist on Spotify. I chop the boneless chicken breasts into cubes while Rita Ora is singing “I Will Never Let You Down” (3:23 minutes).

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grateful-heart

Deeply Grateful at 44

This is what 44 looks like

This is what 44 looks like

It has been an amazing and fabulous year. Did a lot of traveling around the world and partaking of a lot of divine food that nourished not just my body but also my soul.  Reconnected with favorite old friends, forged stronger bonds with ever-present ones, reconciled with those I was estranged from for reasons I can barely even remember, and made new delightful discoveries of kindred spirits who have been waiting to cross paths with me. Have been introduced to new music and been captivated by new stories.  There’s a spectacularly-lit movie montage with a killer soundtrack unfolding in slow motion in my overwhelmed mind right now of the more than 40 greatest hits — unforgettable moments — of the year just passed.

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defygravity

Defying Gravity at 40

I am writing this while listening to “Defying Gravity” from my favorite Broadway musical, “Wicked.”  This song is my anthem in turning 40 this year and the soundtrack of my life for 2010. So allow me to use the song lyrics as an accompaniment while I take stock and share some important insights I gained this year.

“Something has changed within me. Something is not the same. I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game. Too late for second-guessing. Too late to go back to sleep. It’s time to trust my instincts. Close my eyes and leap!” 

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