I went from zero summer prospects to way too many in 1 weeks time....
Option #1: Pace Summer Internship Program: High-intensity, obscure internship specifications, NYC history and culture courses, all with a rigorous global culture and leadership development focus
Option #2: Assistant to the Artistic & Administrative Director at NY ARTISTS UNLIMITED
founded in 1982, is dedicated to taking professional theatre to under-served audiences. The
company focuses on works that evoke dignity of the indivi-
dual and sanctity of the human spirit. A multicultural nonprofit
company, we tour self-contained to the ethnically-specific and
-diverse neighborhoods of New York City and the Northeast.
Option #3: Intern with the Artistic Director of a Spanish theater company at Teatro IATI
Teatro IATI (International Theater arts Institute) is a New York based, non-profit theatre organization established in 1968 dedicated to the production of theater works in Spanish for children and adults audiences, which it performs on its home base of NYC and on tour in the US and abroad. Teatro IATI specializes in the performance and promotion of contemporary Latino and Hispanic playwrights through play readings, workshops, and full theatrical productions. Teatro IATI serves as bridge between these playwrights and the increasingly mobile Spanish-speaking community in NYC, in the US and around the
world.
I sat here seriously torn in two polar opposite directions, and each one represents a field I'm passionate about and could seriously dedicate my future to. Do I take the structured, high-intensity international business route, or the riskier route-less-travelled of the vibrant theater world of NYC, all while developing my Spanish skills? This is incredibly daunting to decide, because it forces me to prioritize between two completely opposite and equally inticing paths, each that could potenially open future doors.
This brings me right back to choosing my major. I entered into college with intentions to major in Theater and Poli sci...I wanted to have it all...Reality check: not enough hours in the day for a double major with theater if you want to have a social life, and especially if you want to have an AIESEC life. So, a choice was made, classes dropped, auditions stopped, and in my gut, it was the right thing to do.
Now I find myself pulled in that direction once again. It took me a phone call to a teacher, a second-mom, a mentor, and a friend to put things into perspective. To help me sort my thought process out. To show me where my gut is.
I'm almost ready to make a decision.
Almost
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Saturday, April 29, 2006
For Lack of a Better Word...
This isn't an accurate description, because I'm not necessarily referring to a specific location called home, but rather to the people whose presence creates a feeling closely linked to the feeling one would attribute to the idea of "home."
If that makes sense.
So, for lack of a better word, I will just have to settle on describing myself as a tad homesick these days.
If that makes sense.
So, for lack of a better word, I will just have to settle on describing myself as a tad homesick these days.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Dripping with Irony
LTM is this weekend, and instead, I sit here writing page 5 of 20 for my Organizational Management course.
The Title: Change and Restructuring: A Consultant’s Perspective on the Management of Change at Organizational, Group, and Individual Levels
The Title: Change and Restructuring: A Consultant’s Perspective on the Management of Change at Organizational, Group, and Individual Levels
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Akward Encounters: Kenya Style
I asked Burbach to share an awkward story from Kenya.
As per your request a moment of awkwardness. It was difficult to select, but here's one of my favorites. So I'm sitting by the fire with my host sister cooking dinner, as the brother is drinking tea. She looks at me and asks, "So when are people initiated in the US?" This question caught me completely off-guard as my mind was wondering and I wasn't really with it...what a surprise right? Anyways, my brilliant reply, "What kind of initiation?" She makes a motion signifying circumsion. Ohhhhh. I told her that it wasn't as big a ceremony in the US, that babies usually have it done to them when they are a few days old. I explained that it is a big ceremony in Jewish culture however. Then the awkwardness begins when she tells me that her brother, who is 14, is not circumsized but that he desperately wants to be. He is obviously both verbally and visually embarrassed by this. Then comes the finale..."So are you circumcized?" Keep in mind she is 22 and even in Kenyan culture that's a taboo subject. There is awkward silience. "So how's that rice lookin?
He did not disappoint.
As per your request a moment of awkwardness. It was difficult to select, but here's one of my favorites. So I'm sitting by the fire with my host sister cooking dinner, as the brother is drinking tea. She looks at me and asks, "So when are people initiated in the US?" This question caught me completely off-guard as my mind was wondering and I wasn't really with it...what a surprise right? Anyways, my brilliant reply, "What kind of initiation?" She makes a motion signifying circumsion. Ohhhhh. I told her that it wasn't as big a ceremony in the US, that babies usually have it done to them when they are a few days old. I explained that it is a big ceremony in Jewish culture however. Then the awkwardness begins when she tells me that her brother, who is 14, is not circumsized but that he desperately wants to be. He is obviously both verbally and visually embarrassed by this. Then comes the finale..."So are you circumcized?" Keep in mind she is 22 and even in Kenyan culture that's a taboo subject. There is awkward silience. "So how's that rice lookin?
He did not disappoint.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Leadership and Improvisation
Leadership explained in language that's rusty, yet native to me. Man I miss theater.
On Dahab
I sat in bed yesterday feeling physically sick at the news of another bombing...I can't get over the fact that this shit is getting more and more frequent, and we are living in a world that, I'm disgusted to say, has grown accustomed and in a way numbed to the fact.
People Have Died.
I am not ok with letting the increasing number of these events numb my reaction to each and every one of them. I refuse to detach myself from the fact that so many people have lost their lives too early, too young, for nothing. I refuse to live in a world so tainted with blood, hatred, and irrationality, that a gutwrenching act such as this one is just another blurb in the news, heard but not internalized, leaving people unphased and apathetic.
I sat in bed yesterday anxiously waiting for my mom to call me back with news about my family and friends. I am so relieved to say that they are all okay, and so sorry for those that can't say the same.
I wish I could make more sense of all of this.
People Have Died.
I am not ok with letting the increasing number of these events numb my reaction to each and every one of them. I refuse to detach myself from the fact that so many people have lost their lives too early, too young, for nothing. I refuse to live in a world so tainted with blood, hatred, and irrationality, that a gutwrenching act such as this one is just another blurb in the news, heard but not internalized, leaving people unphased and apathetic.
I sat in bed yesterday anxiously waiting for my mom to call me back with news about my family and friends. I am so relieved to say that they are all okay, and so sorry for those that can't say the same.
I wish I could make more sense of all of this.
Friday, April 21, 2006
You are Always on my Mind
Maddie Ice, a friend from high school, has never left the country. I talked to her online for the first time since I've been abroad, and shared some stories, pictures from my little adventures around SE Asia, my AIESEC conference, my future AIESEC plans of conferences and traineeships. Maddie ICE was blown away. ICE has wanted to travel. She's wanted an opportunity to live abroad, see the world. She has no direction, and no place to start, aside from study abroad programs or semester at sea. She has no network around the world to provide her advice on, say, crossing the Thai-Cambodian border . I told her a little bit about nomadlife, and a touch about AIESEC. My stories and experiences with this organization, the incredible people I've met through it, and my relentless passion, evident through the poor medium of AIM from half way across the fucking world, have pushed Maddie ICE to CREATE experiences of her own. I could just feel her passion building, the possibilities formulating and expanding in her mind. The seed's been planted in yet another potential change agent. I can FEEL it. And it feels good!
Since APXLDS in the Philippines, AIESEC has been a constant on my mind. I anxiously await the chance to dive back in. Shake things up. Create CHANGE. I'm itching to take action. Every day my vision for where I would like to see Madison head becomes more vivid and tangible, the steps toward that vision more concrete. We hold so much potential as an organization that it's sometimes overwhelming and difficult to grasp. We have so many resources at our fingertips that we need to be taking Advantage of...
I read Sarah's incredible post about her experiences in AXLDS Colombia and I am completely struck by just how much six days at an international conference can impact an individual.
I read Nicky's post about her first FACI experience at an Australian conference and the HUGE progress she's made in developing as a leader.
I read Betsy's inspiring blog on taking hold of the direction of our organization and creating leaders better than ourselves.
I want to see more people jumping at the opportunity to attend an international conference. I want EVERY member at my LC to have the chance to experience what Sarah did without costs holding them back. Arthur, LCP Cornell, made it happen for his LC. Madison can too. I want ALL of us to feel ourselves taking huge strides toward our leadership development and SEE the results like Nicky's epiphany. Most of all, I want us all to TAKE OWNERSHIP of our organization and towards developing future leaders within it Like Betsy is.
I am so fucking proud of so many leaders within AIESEC these days. I feel the PASSION, and I'm loving it.
Let's blow shit up my friends.
Since APXLDS in the Philippines, AIESEC has been a constant on my mind. I anxiously await the chance to dive back in. Shake things up. Create CHANGE. I'm itching to take action. Every day my vision for where I would like to see Madison head becomes more vivid and tangible, the steps toward that vision more concrete. We hold so much potential as an organization that it's sometimes overwhelming and difficult to grasp. We have so many resources at our fingertips that we need to be taking Advantage of...
I read Sarah's incredible post about her experiences in AXLDS Colombia and I am completely struck by just how much six days at an international conference can impact an individual.
I read Nicky's post about her first FACI experience at an Australian conference and the HUGE progress she's made in developing as a leader.
I read Betsy's inspiring blog on taking hold of the direction of our organization and creating leaders better than ourselves.
I want to see more people jumping at the opportunity to attend an international conference. I want EVERY member at my LC to have the chance to experience what Sarah did without costs holding them back. Arthur, LCP Cornell, made it happen for his LC. Madison can too. I want ALL of us to feel ourselves taking huge strides toward our leadership development and SEE the results like Nicky's epiphany. Most of all, I want us all to TAKE OWNERSHIP of our organization and towards developing future leaders within it Like Betsy is.
I am so fucking proud of so many leaders within AIESEC these days. I feel the PASSION, and I'm loving it.
Let's blow shit up my friends.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Monday, April 17, 2006
Ramblings From Krabi
This trip has been incredible, and there is no way I can sum it up in a blog entry. Cambodia was unlike any place I've ever seen; Siem Reap the incredible temples of Angkor,Three year old girls who's first few words are probably "postcards 10 for 1 dollar" in five different languages...Dinners with tuk tuk drivers in front of humble homes. Watching the tuk tuk driver get drunk on homemade rice wine and slowly watch his personality morph before our eyes. 14 hour border crossings, shitty bus rides, sketchy hostels, getting thoroughly ripped off and loving it. Endless bus rides through fields and shacks. Phnom Penh: the eerie silence and energy of a school-turned-torture center 30 years ago during the Khmer Rouge regime. The realization that every Cambodian you meet has some relation to one of the 2 million people who were killed, A local free hospital being told that it's facilities, which save hundreds of lives, are too high tech for the economic realities of Cambodia...Like I said, I've never been anywhere like Cambodia, and it completely blew my mind.
And just like that, I was flown out to Bangkok and then to the south of Thailand for a week of incredible beaches, snorkeling, white sands, and Thai New Years. Thai New Years is celebrated like no other new years. Streets turn into the Water war of all Water Wars, and anything is fair game. Supersoakers, buckets, and hoses are in full force, and Patong Beach in Phuket is unreal. Motos and pickups pile people on and drive up and down the beach pouring buckets and super soakers at each other, while others wait alongside the road fully equipped to attack. After the festivities, we hitched a pickup and a 20 minute drive took one full hour and by the end, the pickup was filled with water and we were drenched and covered in white powder and loving it.
I can't possibly describe all the experiences I've had here. The amazing people I've met. The eerie energy of Cambodia followed by the postcard island, limestone, white beaches of Thailand, and the impact the juxtaposition of these two opposite experiences created. There's just no way to put it all into one simple blog post. All I can say is that it's been incredible and will happily provide more ramblings in person.
The trip is nearly over. My semester is nearly over. I sit here in Krabi and have time to just pause for a bit and let some of this soak in. I spent a great deal of the semester expecting to stick around Southeast Asia for the summer. Then I seriously considered following some of the most passionate AIESECERS I've met and learning a bit from them in Australia. I've thought into this a lot, and realized that right now, I really need time to process everything that's happened this semester, and a whole lot has happened...
I need to be in a place where I feel grounded. I need to be doing something where I feel like I am directly impacting at least other people, even in a simple way. I need to be with friends who are inspiring, ambitious, and supportive. I need to be away from Madison. And I need to let myself saturate all this before plunging into whatever comes next.
So, on June 10th I fly into NYC, and plan on doing volunteer work there for the greater chunk of the summer.
I'm not sad to be going back to the US soon. I'm actually inspired. I'm inspired by everything I've seen here. By people I've met... In Hong Kong, at AXLDS, on my trips. Right now, I'm incredibly blown away by a few amazing leaders back in the US, who are stepping up in a huge way and steering the direction of an organization we've all invested so much into.
One more month of Hong Kong, and then it's time to step up...I'm ready for it.
And just like that, I was flown out to Bangkok and then to the south of Thailand for a week of incredible beaches, snorkeling, white sands, and Thai New Years. Thai New Years is celebrated like no other new years. Streets turn into the Water war of all Water Wars, and anything is fair game. Supersoakers, buckets, and hoses are in full force, and Patong Beach in Phuket is unreal. Motos and pickups pile people on and drive up and down the beach pouring buckets and super soakers at each other, while others wait alongside the road fully equipped to attack. After the festivities, we hitched a pickup and a 20 minute drive took one full hour and by the end, the pickup was filled with water and we were drenched and covered in white powder and loving it.
I can't possibly describe all the experiences I've had here. The amazing people I've met. The eerie energy of Cambodia followed by the postcard island, limestone, white beaches of Thailand, and the impact the juxtaposition of these two opposite experiences created. There's just no way to put it all into one simple blog post. All I can say is that it's been incredible and will happily provide more ramblings in person.
The trip is nearly over. My semester is nearly over. I sit here in Krabi and have time to just pause for a bit and let some of this soak in. I spent a great deal of the semester expecting to stick around Southeast Asia for the summer. Then I seriously considered following some of the most passionate AIESECERS I've met and learning a bit from them in Australia. I've thought into this a lot, and realized that right now, I really need time to process everything that's happened this semester, and a whole lot has happened...
I need to be in a place where I feel grounded. I need to be doing something where I feel like I am directly impacting at least other people, even in a simple way. I need to be with friends who are inspiring, ambitious, and supportive. I need to be away from Madison. And I need to let myself saturate all this before plunging into whatever comes next.
So, on June 10th I fly into NYC, and plan on doing volunteer work there for the greater chunk of the summer.
I'm not sad to be going back to the US soon. I'm actually inspired. I'm inspired by everything I've seen here. By people I've met... In Hong Kong, at AXLDS, on my trips. Right now, I'm incredibly blown away by a few amazing leaders back in the US, who are stepping up in a huge way and steering the direction of an organization we've all invested so much into.
One more month of Hong Kong, and then it's time to step up...I'm ready for it.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
From The streets of Phnom Penh
I'm safe and doing well. Cambodia is blowing my mind. Details and pictures to come after this crazy ride is over.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Chloe's Story
Exerpt from Chloe's email, OZ @er, about happenings at APXLDS post departure...
Did you hear that Mel Mel, me, the Bangladeshi guys, the UAE guys, the OC and the Faci were all held hostage on the 29th when we were supposed to be leaving? Well the story goes... we all got in the car on the 28th to go to another hotel to stay the night together and then catch the ferry in the morning to Cebu to get our flights. Well so our luggage was supposed to be coming later. 1am roles around that night and I have my luggage but none of the Bangladeshi or Mel Mel have their luggage. We are told - typical Philippine style "don't worry it will all be resolved in the morning!" Morning comes and we are supposed to catch our ferry at 8:30am. We catch the bus back to Bohol Tropics because apparently our luggage is still there waiting for us... weird but ok...
We get to Bohol Tropics and find out that our luggage, with the Bangladeshi guys passports in it are being held hostage at the resort, along with the Faci and the OC. ie. these guys aren't allowed to leave the hotel or open their luggage because the hotel staff won't let them. After waiting 2 hours and the Bangladesh guys missing their flight we find out that apparently until the OC pay the hotel the account for the conference $25,000 US in cash they will not let the OC or Faci out of the hotel and were holding our luggage as assets. Time was ticking down till me, Mel Mel and the UAE guys had to catch our flight and catch the ferry so we wouldn't miss our flight. Luckily we eventually got our bags and caught the last ferry. We had to call the airline and get them to hold the gates open for an extra 15 mins for us! Luckily we made it.
Ridiculous
Did you hear that Mel Mel, me, the Bangladeshi guys, the UAE guys, the OC and the Faci were all held hostage on the 29th when we were supposed to be leaving? Well the story goes... we all got in the car on the 28th to go to another hotel to stay the night together and then catch the ferry in the morning to Cebu to get our flights. Well so our luggage was supposed to be coming later. 1am roles around that night and I have my luggage but none of the Bangladeshi or Mel Mel have their luggage. We are told - typical Philippine style "don't worry it will all be resolved in the morning!" Morning comes and we are supposed to catch our ferry at 8:30am. We catch the bus back to Bohol Tropics because apparently our luggage is still there waiting for us... weird but ok...
We get to Bohol Tropics and find out that our luggage, with the Bangladeshi guys passports in it are being held hostage at the resort, along with the Faci and the OC. ie. these guys aren't allowed to leave the hotel or open their luggage because the hotel staff won't let them. After waiting 2 hours and the Bangladesh guys missing their flight we find out that apparently until the OC pay the hotel the account for the conference $25,000 US in cash they will not let the OC or Faci out of the hotel and were holding our luggage as assets. Time was ticking down till me, Mel Mel and the UAE guys had to catch our flight and catch the ferry so we wouldn't miss our flight. Luckily we eventually got our bags and caught the last ferry. We had to call the airline and get them to hold the gates open for an extra 15 mins for us! Luckily we made it.
Ridiculous
The big 50
That's right. Through the whirlwind of it all, my dad just turned fifty.
Is fifty a year of reflection? A year of looking back at your past and gauging your triumphs and challenges, successes, Mistakes? Of evaluating the person you were, the person you are, the person you wished to be? Maybe it's just about being with the people you love. With the people that love you. Maybe it's just a day to capture the whole of your life, at that very moment, and to let it sink in. A day to just pause it all for a fraction of a second and redirect your path, if you so choose.
Is fifty too late for change? Does a person reach a certain point where their inner-self, their habits, relationships, mindset, are so deeply ingrained that the task of self-growth and redirection is as monumental as moving a fucking mountain?
Is a birthday just another day that's meant to be this great milestone in your life, only to leave a person sorely disappointed when the golden day doesn't live up to that picture perfect Kodak moment?
Somewhere between my 6th and 20th birthdays, things got complicated. As much as I'd like for my dad to have had a glorious BIG 50...life doesn't always happen like we want it to. But hey, I guess we're even now. The padre and I. Birthday for birthday?
Is fifty a year of reflection? A year of looking back at your past and gauging your triumphs and challenges, successes, Mistakes? Of evaluating the person you were, the person you are, the person you wished to be? Maybe it's just about being with the people you love. With the people that love you. Maybe it's just a day to capture the whole of your life, at that very moment, and to let it sink in. A day to just pause it all for a fraction of a second and redirect your path, if you so choose.
Is fifty too late for change? Does a person reach a certain point where their inner-self, their habits, relationships, mindset, are so deeply ingrained that the task of self-growth and redirection is as monumental as moving a fucking mountain?
Is a birthday just another day that's meant to be this great milestone in your life, only to leave a person sorely disappointed when the golden day doesn't live up to that picture perfect Kodak moment?
Somewhere between my 6th and 20th birthdays, things got complicated. As much as I'd like for my dad to have had a glorious BIG 50...life doesn't always happen like we want it to. But hey, I guess we're even now. The padre and I. Birthday for birthday?
Sunday, April 02, 2006
The simple things
I love confidence.
I hate arrogance.
I love parity.
I hate insincerity.
I love to dance.
I hate insecurity.
I love independence.
I hate feeling naive.
I love intuition.
I hate pride.
I love a good hug.
I hate being misread.
I love passion.
I hate pessimism.
I love a hearty laugh.
I hate being hurt.
I love a good joke.
I hate being belittled.
I love laughing til my eyes water.
I hate frumpy moods.
I love a good challenge.
I hate guilt trips.
I love opportunity.
I hate indecisiveness.
I love being in love.
I hate accepting compliments.
I love holding my own.
I hate not feeling grounded.
I hate arrogance.
I love parity.
I hate insincerity.
I love to dance.
I hate insecurity.
I love independence.
I hate feeling naive.
I love intuition.
I hate pride.
I love a good hug.
I hate being misread.
I love passion.
I hate pessimism.
I love a hearty laugh.
I hate being hurt.
I love a good joke.
I hate being belittled.
I love laughing til my eyes water.
I hate frumpy moods.
I love a good challenge.
I hate guilt trips.
I love opportunity.
I hate indecisiveness.
I love being in love.
I hate accepting compliments.
I love holding my own.
I hate not feeling grounded.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Congratulations, Friend!
Everyone should congratulate ADAM for receving the Hilldale Fellowship, his ticket to pursuing his goal of doing research in Uganda for the summer! For those of you who don't know this guy, he works his ass off tirelessly, has an AMAZING drive and passion, and still manages to be the crazy goofball that he is. The dork follows "work hard play hard" like no other. I couldn't think of a more fitting way for you to spend your summer....you totally fucking deserve this! Looks like I should be seeing you in Hong Kong, buddy!!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Blind Ticket
By that I mean no serious planning was involved, I'm clueless as to the itinerary that may or may not be in the works by my fellow companions, and I'm just goin with the flow. I'll be backpacking through Thailand and Cambodia from April 6-April 19.
We'll see how all this turns out.
We'll see how all this turns out.
Conference After-thoughts
A room-full of inspiring people from every end of the world brings on an incredible high.
The only way to make the most of an Intl conference as a US delegate is to enjoy the people and ignore the politics.
When a person's native tongue isn't English, participating in a conference means listening to English coming from nearly twenty different accents, translating it to their own language, reflecting and forming opinions, and translating those opinions back to English. Tough stuff.
One incredible speaker can shake up an entire room's perspective.
A note scribbled away on a dinner napkin at 5 in the AM is better than any sugar cube or business card.
AIESECing is the one thing that can completely block out situations cluttering life at the moment.
When a plenary activity involves the chucking of uncooked eggs, keep the purse away!
Kareoke's not complete without over-enthusiastic backup dancers.
A conference may be described as life-changing by some. The best way I can sum it up is mind-jolting.
The fireman's dance is as brilliant internationally as it is in the Madtown.
Jumping high to Numa Numa is contagious. Once a person Starts, they infect the entire delegation.
Tanuk tanuk has countless line dance versions, all which are stubbornly performed simultaneously.
When a certain faci hints that an object for the scavanger hunt is hidden in the pool, he lies.
My realm of sight in the AIESEC world for my not-so-distant future has drastically expanded.
Friendships formed at this conference will stay strong across oceans and borders.
That was one hell of a ride. Now it's back to reality...
The only way to make the most of an Intl conference as a US delegate is to enjoy the people and ignore the politics.
When a person's native tongue isn't English, participating in a conference means listening to English coming from nearly twenty different accents, translating it to their own language, reflecting and forming opinions, and translating those opinions back to English. Tough stuff.
One incredible speaker can shake up an entire room's perspective.
A note scribbled away on a dinner napkin at 5 in the AM is better than any sugar cube or business card.
AIESECing is the one thing that can completely block out situations cluttering life at the moment.
When a plenary activity involves the chucking of uncooked eggs, keep the purse away!
Kareoke's not complete without over-enthusiastic backup dancers.
A conference may be described as life-changing by some. The best way I can sum it up is mind-jolting.
The fireman's dance is as brilliant internationally as it is in the Madtown.
Jumping high to Numa Numa is contagious. Once a person Starts, they infect the entire delegation.
Tanuk tanuk has countless line dance versions, all which are stubbornly performed simultaneously.
When a certain faci hints that an object for the scavanger hunt is hidden in the pool, he lies.
My realm of sight in the AIESEC world for my not-so-distant future has drastically expanded.
Friendships formed at this conference will stay strong across oceans and borders.
That was one hell of a ride. Now it's back to reality...
Friday, March 24, 2006
Challenge the Unchallenged
I've just sat through a mind blowing session given by Jose Andres Sotto, an individual who has worked extensively in the United Nations, is a Doctor in psychology, consultant to the Philippine government on crisis intervention, a graduate professor, and a man with an incredible love for AIESEC. This speaker embodied wha every external should and well beyond. With a relationship with the organization that's lasted over 10 years, he knew our goals, understood our mission. He's spoken at past ICs and IPMs, and even threw around our accronyms with ease. His skills with communicating, engaging and continuously reading his audience and the inspiration, passion, and energy he spread throughout the entire room was incredibly empowering. There are now three of us typing ferociously at computers in attempts to capture the knowledge and insight gained in the past hours.
"God is Dead"
The words were plastered on the powerpoint. Just three bold words, and silence. We are left to contemplate the idea, let it simmer. Soak in the feeling and energy those words bring us. Sotto then opens the Nietzche challenging an entire continent's worldview and being a catalyst to the post-modernist mentality. As I sat and listened to Sotto lay out a picture of our post-modernist mentality and prevelant youth trends throughout the world, I wondered how he would tie it all back to the key topic of development. We are subjective individuals. We question the world and cringe from the idea of absolute Truths. We are skeptical. We are narrative. Through our stories and experiences, we bring others into our different worlds. We like our relationships without costs, yet we value community. In our worldview, things are simply not quantifiable. We identify with all these qualities, although perhaps we haven't articulated all of them.
relationships without costs . That blew my mind. It embodies a huge concept that I identify with, yet never articulated, in three simple words.
Deconstruction
Sotto simply refused to jump into the topic of education and development. Why? He wanted to lay a foundation of critical thought. We need to be aware that every viewpoint in that room is seeing things from a different worldview and position in society. We can all read the same exact book, and we would all interpret it differently based on our worldviews, opinions, cultures, organizational affiliations, etc. We need to harness the process of deconstructing opinions, beliefs, opposing opinions, strategies, and institutions. Only then can we address huge issues such as development and education.
"AIESEC Is Dead"
Again the words were plastered on the wall, Bold and offensive. We uncomfortably sat and stared at these words and let the tension build within the room. Let those words sink in. Only when AIESECERs sieze to ask questions, engage in critical thought, and challenge the unchallenged will the organization be dead. By willingly handing over our opinions, conforming to the ideas and institutions surrounding us, and complacently following strategies, believes, or the opinions of others without seeking to understand and challenge those ideologies, we willingly surrender the ability to become the leaders and change agents that AIESEC is meant to build. The single most important quality within this organization is that very ability to question and requestion. Form opinions and challenge them.The moment when we stop questioning, being skeptical, and challenging viewpoints and institutions that surround us, both outside our organization and within, is the moment AIESEC Is Dead.
"God is Dead"
The words were plastered on the powerpoint. Just three bold words, and silence. We are left to contemplate the idea, let it simmer. Soak in the feeling and energy those words bring us. Sotto then opens the Nietzche challenging an entire continent's worldview and being a catalyst to the post-modernist mentality. As I sat and listened to Sotto lay out a picture of our post-modernist mentality and prevelant youth trends throughout the world, I wondered how he would tie it all back to the key topic of development. We are subjective individuals. We question the world and cringe from the idea of absolute Truths. We are skeptical. We are narrative. Through our stories and experiences, we bring others into our different worlds. We like our relationships without costs, yet we value community. In our worldview, things are simply not quantifiable. We identify with all these qualities, although perhaps we haven't articulated all of them.
relationships without costs . That blew my mind. It embodies a huge concept that I identify with, yet never articulated, in three simple words.
Deconstruction
Sotto simply refused to jump into the topic of education and development. Why? He wanted to lay a foundation of critical thought. We need to be aware that every viewpoint in that room is seeing things from a different worldview and position in society. We can all read the same exact book, and we would all interpret it differently based on our worldviews, opinions, cultures, organizational affiliations, etc. We need to harness the process of deconstructing opinions, beliefs, opposing opinions, strategies, and institutions. Only then can we address huge issues such as development and education.
"AIESEC Is Dead"
Again the words were plastered on the wall, Bold and offensive. We uncomfortably sat and stared at these words and let the tension build within the room. Let those words sink in. Only when AIESECERs sieze to ask questions, engage in critical thought, and challenge the unchallenged will the organization be dead. By willingly handing over our opinions, conforming to the ideas and institutions surrounding us, and complacently following strategies, believes, or the opinions of others without seeking to understand and challenge those ideologies, we willingly surrender the ability to become the leaders and change agents that AIESEC is meant to build. The single most important quality within this organization is that very ability to question and requestion. Form opinions and challenge them.The moment when we stop questioning, being skeptical, and challenging viewpoints and institutions that surround us, both outside our organization and within, is the moment AIESEC Is Dead.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Tomorrow I shall dance: @ style
I heard "ojos asi" at the sheesha bar yesterday, and @ was on my mind...
Tomorrow I take on my first international conference.
They are said to change lives.
I was warned.
But right now, all I can think about isJumping til I'm gasping for air to "numa numa" for the girls, Busting out the fireman's dance for the dork, And tanook tanooking the nights away.
Will I dance?
You bet your sweet ass.
Tomorrow I take on my first international conference.
They are said to change lives.
I was warned.
But right now, all I can think about isJumping til I'm gasping for air to "numa numa" for the girls, Busting out the fireman's dance for the dork, And tanook tanooking the nights away.
Will I dance?
You bet your sweet ass.
Friday, March 17, 2006
The Kid Brother
Fully equipped with a custom-tailored white suit and a folex, the bro departed HK feeling pretty dominant. He's on the lookout for a white top hat and cane to complete the look. Then he can take his lady friends out in style. Hilarious.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Tanja's News
After dragging myself out of class post dismal-midterm-performance and forcing my sleep-deprived body to make the oh-so -treacherous 5-escalator and 3-elevator journey to my dorm room, I open my inbox to find an email patiently waiting to be read.
On May 22-June 8, Hong Kong will open its arms to an AIESEC buddy, future roommate, fellow goofball, and one of my best friends. The arrival of this email seriously couldn't have been more perfectly timed.
And, even though I'll get rocked just as hard for midterm numero dos in T minus 2 hours, I can see the silver lining that lies only a few short months ahead.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU TANJA!
I'm quoting Garden State. Deal with it.
You know that point in your life when you realize that the house that you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of the sudden even though you have some place where you can put your stuff that idea of home is gone. It just sort of happens one day one day and it's just gone. And you can never get it back. It's like you get homesick for a place that doesn't exist. I mean it's like this rite of passage, you know. You won't have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for you kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I miss the idea of it. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people who miss the same imaginary place.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Comfort Songs
In rocky times, when the people that bring you comfort are oceans away, a good playlist is a necessity.
Tears in heaven: Eric Clapton
Do you realize?: Flaming lips
Such great heights: Iron and Wine
You can close your eyes: James Taylor
Just call out my name: James Taylor
Fast Car: Tracy Chapman
The promise: Tracy Chapman
A Case of you: Joni Mitchel
Waste: Phish
The only living boy in New York: Simon and Garfunkel
Almond Kisses: Spacehog
Remember: Ten Mile Tide
Facing West: Ten Mile Tide
Sometimes, on rare occasions, cheesy is okay.
Tears in heaven: Eric Clapton
Do you realize?: Flaming lips
Such great heights: Iron and Wine
You can close your eyes: James Taylor
Just call out my name: James Taylor
Fast Car: Tracy Chapman
The promise: Tracy Chapman
A Case of you: Joni Mitchel
Waste: Phish
The only living boy in New York: Simon and Garfunkel
Almond Kisses: Spacehog
Remember: Ten Mile Tide
Facing West: Ten Mile Tide
Sometimes, on rare occasions, cheesy is okay.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
HK economy: Hands Tied Tight?
Wow, an actually interesting day of classes. I love when professors take the time to apply the very basic concepts we're learning (I should say re-learning) to what is happening here in Hong Kong. I'm just begining to grasp the predicament in which the Hong Kong economy finds itself. With one hand tied by the Fed and and the other by Basic Law , there's little room for flexibility. The Fed needs to raise interest rates to cut back on spending in the US economy. Now, HK interest rates are raised in response, even though the HK economy isn't in a position where it needs to be cutting back on spending. So, their economy contracts and GDP falls. Adjusting through Fiscal Policy is severely limited by HK Basic Law in the sense that HK can't dip into budget defecit for an extended amount of time...I'm not sure if that's explicitely stated, or why, but apparently Basic Law is nearly as difficult to ammend as the US Constitution according to my prof, so changes would be difficult to say the least.
Now Shenzhen comes along and makes things messier by grabbing at HK's market share of the shipping industry by building a port which has swiftly stolen Hong Kong's title as world's 4th busiest port as of 2005. Because of its convenient location near factories in Guangdong province, by-passing Hong Kong's hub completely and going through Shenzhen makes a lot more sense logistically to exporters.
Ok, so yes, my understanding is fairly elementary at this point, but man, definitely seems like HK has little to no flexibility in making economic adjustment, and that it's getting bullied by Shenzhen hardcore.
Adam, you're probably the only one still reading at this point...I am saddened by the lack of dorks around here to have this conversation with, so I've resorted to blogging it. I hope you appreciate.
Now Shenzhen comes along and makes things messier by grabbing at HK's market share of the shipping industry by building a port which has swiftly stolen Hong Kong's title as world's 4th busiest port as of 2005. Because of its convenient location near factories in Guangdong province, by-passing Hong Kong's hub completely and going through Shenzhen makes a lot more sense logistically to exporters.
Ok, so yes, my understanding is fairly elementary at this point, but man, definitely seems like HK has little to no flexibility in making economic adjustment, and that it's getting bullied by Shenzhen hardcore.
Adam, you're probably the only one still reading at this point...I am saddened by the lack of dorks around here to have this conversation with, so I've resorted to blogging it. I hope you appreciate.
LDS Philippines: Officially Accepted!
The cards have magically fallen into place, and on March 23-28, I will find myself developing my leadership on the lovely islands of Cebu and Bohol in the Philippines.
AWESOME
AWESOME
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
LDS Philippines may pass me by
This is not by choice. The delegates list is out, and I'm not on it.
Hmph.
To pouter-haters: go take your rage out on a piñata.
Hmph.
To pouter-haters: go take your rage out on a piñata.
Monday, March 06, 2006
The Story of the Snake
At 4 AM this morning, In response to a massive snake creeping up my leg, I jolt out of bed, toss my sheets to the ground, and let out a prolonged shrilling scream. My roommate follows suit. Within 20 seconds time, both our sheets are knocked to the floor and we're outdoing each others' manic shrills.
It took us all of two minutes to realize that, of course, there was no snake. But man, in my dream the thing was out to get me. Why was the roommate screaming at a figment of my imagination, you ask? Coincidentally, she was having an equally horrific dream, and my scream came in at a quite convenient time in her dream's plotline. Our dreams intertwined and the result: two screaming idiots at 4 AM.
I've been laughing at myself all day. Feel free to do the same.
It took us all of two minutes to realize that, of course, there was no snake. But man, in my dream the thing was out to get me. Why was the roommate screaming at a figment of my imagination, you ask? Coincidentally, she was having an equally horrific dream, and my scream came in at a quite convenient time in her dream's plotline. Our dreams intertwined and the result: two screaming idiots at 4 AM.
I've been laughing at myself all day. Feel free to do the same.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Hiking Lantau
It's the moments when the task at hand requires your energy, strength, endurance, and determination that you're brain just clears itself from all the clutter.
You're hiking up Lantau peak with three fit, fast-paced males.
Shit, it's not so bad...you've been working out right? The elliptical and the treadmill? Sure, you're in peak condition to hike Lantau. I mean, it's only a tenth the size of Everest, and You started at the Buddha. This things practically a hill. You're just getting started man. You're feeling cocky.
The steps get steeper, the trail more winding, the pace picks up. How long is this hike?
Half an hour later, you're just trying to fucking hold your own. Shit this is hard. You pause to take a breather and realize that you are surrounded by rolling green mountains, the ocean, and silence. You look ahead and all you see are winding endless steps, And you're asking yourself if the two full sheeshas single-handedly smoked the night prior were really necessary. Your lungs hurt. Your legs wobble. Shit, you're out of shape. Lingering thoughts of turning back seep into the crevices of your brain. Maybe it'll do to just enjoying the tranquility of the very step you stand on.
Suck it up man, suck it up.
And you just push each leg forward, one step at a time. The men sprint ahead and you're left alone, just you and endless rolling hills and winding steps. And the quiet. Now it's just you. Nothing to push you forward but your own determination. It's a game now. A game of endurance, of strength, of willpower. Of proving to yourself that you're not about to turn back.
That you're stronger than that.
And you play the game until the last winding step.
Lantau Peak.
Overlooking the island at 934 meters.
Damn. That feels good.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Frumpy to the Max
Today was an entire waste of 24 hours of my life in a state somewhere in between awake and asleep, never satisfied with one or the other. I don't know if I've ever been this wound up for no real reason. WTF man, WTF. And the lack of heat in this dingy room doesn't help. I'm not here to freeze my ass off as I huddle under my mediocre blanket wearing two sweatshirts with the hoods up, two pj pants, and a pair of wool socks. You'd think kicking my own ass at the gym every day would make me want to pass out in bed every night. You'd think. Instead I'm stuck with a brain that's going a mile a minute through anything and everything. I find this Highly Obnoxious.
Obviously.
Man, I could really use some comfort food, family guy, a good friend. And a couch to plop on.
Lacking all of the above.
Awesome.
Obviously.
Man, I could really use some comfort food, family guy, a good friend. And a couch to plop on.
Lacking all of the above.
Awesome.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Should I Stay or Should I Go
To our Dear Delegates,
Greetings from AIESEC Philippines!
Everyone is currently aware of the political situation in our country today. We would like to assure everyone that despite what is being featured in the news, everything is under control with regards to the security of the conference and the security here in the Philippines. The situation here in our country has not endangered anyone nor has it affected any of the conference plans.
The actual conference will be held at the south of the country in the peaceful islands of Cebu and Bohol, located over 600 kilometers away, in islands separate from Manila where the protests occurred last week. While the areas where the protests occurred had been highlighted by the media, this does not reflect the true situation in the city. The protests were isolated in the areas seen and not widespread, Manila contines to be safe and peaceful. The protests lasted only a day have now been contained and controlled. Rest assured that security measures continue to be observed to ensure the safety of all Filipinos and tourists. For AIESEC and the rest of the country, it's business as usual. We continue to work very hard to make sure that APXLDS will be a memorable event for everyone. Upon your arrival, AIESECers will be present to welcome and assist you in your connecting flights and other transportation needs
Greetings from AIESEC Philippines!
Everyone is currently aware of the political situation in our country today. We would like to assure everyone that despite what is being featured in the news, everything is under control with regards to the security of the conference and the security here in the Philippines. The situation here in our country has not endangered anyone nor has it affected any of the conference plans.
The actual conference will be held at the south of the country in the peaceful islands of Cebu and Bohol, located over 600 kilometers away, in islands separate from Manila where the protests occurred last week. While the areas where the protests occurred had been highlighted by the media, this does not reflect the true situation in the city. The protests were isolated in the areas seen and not widespread, Manila contines to be safe and peaceful. The protests lasted only a day have now been contained and controlled. Rest assured that security measures continue to be observed to ensure the safety of all Filipinos and tourists. For AIESEC and the rest of the country, it's business as usual. We continue to work very hard to make sure that APXLDS will be a memorable event for everyone. Upon your arrival, AIESECers will be present to welcome and assist you in your connecting flights and other transportation needs
Monday, February 27, 2006
All in a weekend
I passed up travel plans for the weekend to "rest," seeing as I've been sick about half the time I've been here. Apparently, the logic behind that move was a bit flawed, seeing as how the atmosphere for exchange students on this campus is not so conducive to passing up a weekend. I'm still amazed that within Hong Kong, you can feel like you're in the heart of one of the great cosmopolitan cities of the world one day, and the next day, just a short ferry ride away you can find yourself on Lantau Island, home to beautiful peaks, the biggest Buddha in the world, and Tai O fishing village. Can this city ever get old?
Friday: Some fancy shmansy media party at Shaw movie Studio
Saturday: My friend sheesha and I hangin in Wan Chai
Sunday: Lantau Island and big Buddha
Sunday: Lantau Island, Tai O fishing Village
Good news is, I'm all "rested" up and ready for another weekend of travels. Where I'll take of to is yet to be determined...
Friday: Some fancy shmansy media party at Shaw movie Studio
Saturday: My friend sheesha and I hangin in Wan Chai
Sunday: Lantau Island and big Buddha
Sunday: Lantau Island, Tai O fishing Village
Good news is, I'm all "rested" up and ready for another weekend of travels. Where I'll take of to is yet to be determined...
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
The ticking clock
The number one question I've been asked is: If you're a spanish major, what the hell are you doing in Hong Kong? That question was just racking my brain the week after I got off my 16 hour plane ride. How the hell did I end up here? I can finally articulate a semi-coherent response.
I'm here for the very reason people expect me not to be here. It's a region that has always been off my radar. Probably the one region in the world I had never given a second thought about visiting. It had little to do with my majors, and less to do with my aspirations for the future. And that's why I am here. Of all the places, this culture was the one most foreign to me, the place that was the most outside my comfort zone. It's the region of the world that I was least comfortable approaching.
Some people might find that a bit ridiculous. I'm on a study abroad program through the business school of a prime university in a highly developed, urbanized high tech society. And what, I was expecting some huge mind-blowing cultural leap? My campus is more high tech than I could have imagined, with a total of 3 elevators and 6 escalators to get to any given class. I am not deprived of any material or "western" luxuries. If anything, they're more accessible. But the challenge in this study abroad is the challenge of the culture and all of its subtleties. Of taking the vibrant life of Hong Kong and melding to it and making it my own.
I've been an aiesecer for just about a year now. And now I'm here because of it. Because of the people I've met in it that have pushed me to push myself. It's weird to think that just a year ago two timid newbies took on a little project that we were slightly pushed into thanks to T-rent and the Mix. And now, one year later, Kaitlin's on the US MC working with Salaam in Egypt, and I'm here, in a place I never thought I'd be.
But all these are baby steps. I've barely made a dent, both in Hong Kong and in AIESEC.
I'm just getting my feet wet.
I'll end with a thank you to the aiesecers who've impacted me and inspired me to push myself and to blow some shit up. I'm on the brink of delving in full force...in due time, in due time.
But first, four more months of taking in everything I can from this place.
And the clock ticks.
I'm here for the very reason people expect me not to be here. It's a region that has always been off my radar. Probably the one region in the world I had never given a second thought about visiting. It had little to do with my majors, and less to do with my aspirations for the future. And that's why I am here. Of all the places, this culture was the one most foreign to me, the place that was the most outside my comfort zone. It's the region of the world that I was least comfortable approaching.
Some people might find that a bit ridiculous. I'm on a study abroad program through the business school of a prime university in a highly developed, urbanized high tech society. And what, I was expecting some huge mind-blowing cultural leap? My campus is more high tech than I could have imagined, with a total of 3 elevators and 6 escalators to get to any given class. I am not deprived of any material or "western" luxuries. If anything, they're more accessible. But the challenge in this study abroad is the challenge of the culture and all of its subtleties. Of taking the vibrant life of Hong Kong and melding to it and making it my own.
I've been an aiesecer for just about a year now. And now I'm here because of it. Because of the people I've met in it that have pushed me to push myself. It's weird to think that just a year ago two timid newbies took on a little project that we were slightly pushed into thanks to T-rent and the Mix. And now, one year later, Kaitlin's on the US MC working with Salaam in Egypt, and I'm here, in a place I never thought I'd be.
But all these are baby steps. I've barely made a dent, both in Hong Kong and in AIESEC.
I'm just getting my feet wet.
I'll end with a thank you to the aiesecers who've impacted me and inspired me to push myself and to blow some shit up. I'm on the brink of delving in full force...in due time, in due time.
But first, four more months of taking in everything I can from this place.
And the clock ticks.
Liberating
I have tucked away that third watchful eye. The one that creeps up on the sketchy late night walks home crossing the railroad tracks. The intensity of being completely aware you are physically weaker than the passerby across the street on a late night. Fumbling for the keys as you scurry through the parking lot.
I may sound irrational, overexaggerated, paranoid, but I can gaurantee you most women have dealt with this feeling to a certain degree.
You know what struck me today? As a woman, I am just as safe on the HK subway during the day as I am late at night. Within the city of Hong Kong, that third eye has just evaporated. Maybe I'm being naive, perhaps overly confident, or maybe this is actually a really safe large scale urban city.
What a liberating feeling.
I may sound irrational, overexaggerated, paranoid, but I can gaurantee you most women have dealt with this feeling to a certain degree.
You know what struck me today? As a woman, I am just as safe on the HK subway during the day as I am late at night. Within the city of Hong Kong, that third eye has just evaporated. Maybe I'm being naive, perhaps overly confident, or maybe this is actually a really safe large scale urban city.
What a liberating feeling.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
A Heineken for Vday
My roomate and her boyfriend wear matching outfits.
They buy themselves matching shoes.
They nap together in their matching attire.
They wake up.
They see I am not in the festive Vday spirits.
Something must be done.
Boyfriend gets up.
Unzips his bag.
Hands me his beer.
A heineken for my Valentine's day.
They happily skip out the door in their matching outfits.
They feel good.
And here I am
left to unravel
The layers of hilarity that just ensued.
Happy Vday everyone
From Hong Kong, With love.
They buy themselves matching shoes.
They nap together in their matching attire.
They wake up.
They see I am not in the festive Vday spirits.
Something must be done.
Boyfriend gets up.
Unzips his bag.
Hands me his beer.
A heineken for my Valentine's day.
They happily skip out the door in their matching outfits.
They feel good.
And here I am
left to unravel
The layers of hilarity that just ensued.
Happy Vday everyone
From Hong Kong, With love.
Monday, February 13, 2006
My friend: the Cab Driver
I'm thoroughly convinced that cab driver convos are the best way to get an inside look at a new place if your crunched for time. Absorbing the culture of both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur didn't happened through tour maps and major attractions, but instead through my taxi ride convos to and from them.
There's a few tricks to the taxi game, simple, but crucial. The first and most important question to ask yourself: Is this a real cab?
This brings me to lesson learned number one: If you're hassled by 5 different equally sketchy "cab drivers" for what you are certain is the naive tourist price at an ambiguous transfer hub of sorts, you're not quite sure where you are, and are then taken out back to a black, obscure unmarked car...This is probably not a real cab. If the driver's wife shows up, smirks at the naive tourists in the back seat of her husband's car, this is definitely not a real cab. You have two choices at this point: either kindly remove yourself from the untaxi, or just accept the sad fact that you have fallen victim and suck it up...We shamelessly did the latter.
After you've mastered identifying sketchy uncabs, you want to break down the wall between the cab driver and yourself, which is tougher for some drivers than for others. Scope out the car. What's this guy about? Background? Language? Religion? Take whatever information you can process from the cab's decorated interior and relate it to a personal experience or story to share with your new-found friend. A language barrier is ok, sometimes preferred. This gives you a chance to pick up some key phrases and prove your interest in their culture. Ask questions, flash a smile, confess ignorance. Show genuine interest. These men are the experts in their city. They know every winding road, every local hole-in-the wall overlooked by the average tourist. Restaurants, sites, and temples not listed in your trusted lonely planet. Don't let their inside knowledge go untapped. Rarely will this experience fail you.
You may even:
-Pick up some Cantonese from a Singaporean who speaks 4 different dialects of Chinese.
-Learn about Thaipusam from a man who hiked the 272-staired temple of the Batu Caves four times in the last 24 hours
-Be invited to stay with a Malay Muslim family the next time you roll into Singapore
Not too shabby for a weekend trip.
There's a few tricks to the taxi game, simple, but crucial. The first and most important question to ask yourself: Is this a real cab?
This brings me to lesson learned number one: If you're hassled by 5 different equally sketchy "cab drivers" for what you are certain is the naive tourist price at an ambiguous transfer hub of sorts, you're not quite sure where you are, and are then taken out back to a black, obscure unmarked car...This is probably not a real cab. If the driver's wife shows up, smirks at the naive tourists in the back seat of her husband's car, this is definitely not a real cab. You have two choices at this point: either kindly remove yourself from the untaxi, or just accept the sad fact that you have fallen victim and suck it up...We shamelessly did the latter.
After you've mastered identifying sketchy uncabs, you want to break down the wall between the cab driver and yourself, which is tougher for some drivers than for others. Scope out the car. What's this guy about? Background? Language? Religion? Take whatever information you can process from the cab's decorated interior and relate it to a personal experience or story to share with your new-found friend. A language barrier is ok, sometimes preferred. This gives you a chance to pick up some key phrases and prove your interest in their culture. Ask questions, flash a smile, confess ignorance. Show genuine interest. These men are the experts in their city. They know every winding road, every local hole-in-the wall overlooked by the average tourist. Restaurants, sites, and temples not listed in your trusted lonely planet. Don't let their inside knowledge go untapped. Rarely will this experience fail you.
You may even:
-Pick up some Cantonese from a Singaporean who speaks 4 different dialects of Chinese.
-Learn about Thaipusam from a man who hiked the 272-staired temple of the Batu Caves four times in the last 24 hours
-Be invited to stay with a Malay Muslim family the next time you roll into Singapore
Not too shabby for a weekend trip.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Friday, February 03, 2006
So much to say, so little time
Roommate status: She's finally here! My roommate Lu duo, is from Shenzhen in mainland China. This is awesome because
A) she speaks both Mandarin and Cantonese, and is chatty and wants to teach me.
B) she can take me into town to help me buy cool toys such as DVD's and seven jeans that apparently "fell off the truck" (whatever that means) All while avoiding some of the sketchiness of Shenzhen
C) she invited me to stay with her and her family for a weekend!
Other reasons she is so cool: She was just in New Zealand on exchange for winter break. She requested exchange roommates both semesters because she thought it would be a good cultural experience. Her boyfriend is Malaysian. She wants to hang out and watch movies with me. Her boyfriend and her help me enroll in classes and find which of the 30 lifts to take to get to them. She wants me to teach her how to put on make up. She wants to go into lang Kwoi Fong with me, even though she's never been. She has already given me a Mandarin Lesson. It took place 20 minutes after I met her.
Class Status: What? Class? Psh.
That was my initial reaction. Then I actually had to go to classes, and it finally hit me that HKUST is a pretty demanding university. Not a resort. Although this campus setting is deceiving. It's ok though, I've got 4 straight powerlecture on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which leaves me 4 day weekends aside from a disco on Monday afternoons. Prime traveling schedule. Wednesdays for day trips in HK, long weekends for everywhere else. As for Tuesday and Thursday nights...a little beach time, a little time down at central...ah the demanding life of the exchange student.
Food status: Few hits, few misses. The misses can be brutal. I find limiting my noodle intake to one meal a day and sticking to western style breakfasts makes it easier. When there's sushi or seafood, I am happy.
Shopping Status: Problematic. After 5 hours at Prince Edward today led to the mindboggling revelation that everything costs nearly nothing, I already fear packing for my return home. Another concern: fashion here is crazy. The girls here can pull it off. By the end of the day, we were all losing any sense of judgment for what we could and could not pull off. Multicolored fishnets? Metallic blazers? Hello kitty watches? How about flashy yellow pumps?
Its hard to resist buying anything and everything....As soon as I picked up sneaker style stilletos, I knew I had to cut myself off for the day...I feel addiction to materialistic objects and trendy fashion brewing...Who am I!
Friend Status: I have friends! Seriously...I swear.
Ok so honestly, this campus is so international with its exchange students that I'm getting to practice my Spanish with a hilariously entertaining Mexican fellow named Sergio, hanging with a German with her crazy Australian english, finding out much more about Canadians than I probably ever intended to (eh Jess, eh?), and doing the frosh year game all over again. Only no one is from small town Wisconsin, unlike my entire floor freshman year. A bit more refreshing this time around. And of course with @ contacts, (Devrim and his crew) I think I'm well taken care of in this part of the world.
AIESEC Status: I met the gang today! They host a party every semester for exchange students, and are a great bunch. They're so eager to include me on everything, including their @ role call (yes I was the only non Asian). They are pushing for me to go with them to LDS in the Philippines...If all works out with my midterm schedule, I'll be @ dancin in the Philippines come Mid March...
Travel status: tentative plans
Singapore in a week, possibly two...
Thailand for spring break: how safe is it to motorbike across Thailand? Hmmmm
Mainland of course, but more planning is necessary.
Cambodia and Vietnam.
A few other ideas brewing...We shall see. Any suggestions or useful hints are appreciated.
I have most of my final exam times scheduled so Tanj and I are plotting. She shall come around May 17th for some time in the HK, and after my last exam (somewhere last week of May) We shall take off, to wherever I have yet to visit (possibly Cambodia and Vietnam?) Anyone eager to join our crazy adventures, let us know (Lichtenheld...)
As for tomorrow, day tour to Victoria's peak.
And the rollercoaster continues...
A) she speaks both Mandarin and Cantonese, and is chatty and wants to teach me.
B) she can take me into town to help me buy cool toys such as DVD's and seven jeans that apparently "fell off the truck" (whatever that means) All while avoiding some of the sketchiness of Shenzhen
C) she invited me to stay with her and her family for a weekend!
Other reasons she is so cool: She was just in New Zealand on exchange for winter break. She requested exchange roommates both semesters because she thought it would be a good cultural experience. Her boyfriend is Malaysian. She wants to hang out and watch movies with me. Her boyfriend and her help me enroll in classes and find which of the 30 lifts to take to get to them. She wants me to teach her how to put on make up. She wants to go into lang Kwoi Fong with me, even though she's never been. She has already given me a Mandarin Lesson. It took place 20 minutes after I met her.
Class Status: What? Class? Psh.
That was my initial reaction. Then I actually had to go to classes, and it finally hit me that HKUST is a pretty demanding university. Not a resort. Although this campus setting is deceiving. It's ok though, I've got 4 straight powerlecture on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which leaves me 4 day weekends aside from a disco on Monday afternoons. Prime traveling schedule. Wednesdays for day trips in HK, long weekends for everywhere else. As for Tuesday and Thursday nights...a little beach time, a little time down at central...ah the demanding life of the exchange student.
Food status: Few hits, few misses. The misses can be brutal. I find limiting my noodle intake to one meal a day and sticking to western style breakfasts makes it easier. When there's sushi or seafood, I am happy.
Shopping Status: Problematic. After 5 hours at Prince Edward today led to the mindboggling revelation that everything costs nearly nothing, I already fear packing for my return home. Another concern: fashion here is crazy. The girls here can pull it off. By the end of the day, we were all losing any sense of judgment for what we could and could not pull off. Multicolored fishnets? Metallic blazers? Hello kitty watches? How about flashy yellow pumps?
Its hard to resist buying anything and everything....As soon as I picked up sneaker style stilletos, I knew I had to cut myself off for the day...I feel addiction to materialistic objects and trendy fashion brewing...Who am I!
Friend Status: I have friends! Seriously...I swear.
Ok so honestly, this campus is so international with its exchange students that I'm getting to practice my Spanish with a hilariously entertaining Mexican fellow named Sergio, hanging with a German with her crazy Australian english, finding out much more about Canadians than I probably ever intended to (eh Jess, eh?), and doing the frosh year game all over again. Only no one is from small town Wisconsin, unlike my entire floor freshman year. A bit more refreshing this time around. And of course with @ contacts, (Devrim and his crew) I think I'm well taken care of in this part of the world.
AIESEC Status: I met the gang today! They host a party every semester for exchange students, and are a great bunch. They're so eager to include me on everything, including their @ role call (yes I was the only non Asian). They are pushing for me to go with them to LDS in the Philippines...If all works out with my midterm schedule, I'll be @ dancin in the Philippines come Mid March...
Travel status: tentative plans
Singapore in a week, possibly two...
Thailand for spring break: how safe is it to motorbike across Thailand? Hmmmm
Mainland of course, but more planning is necessary.
Cambodia and Vietnam.
A few other ideas brewing...We shall see. Any suggestions or useful hints are appreciated.
I have most of my final exam times scheduled so Tanj and I are plotting. She shall come around May 17th for some time in the HK, and after my last exam (somewhere last week of May) We shall take off, to wherever I have yet to visit (possibly Cambodia and Vietnam?) Anyone eager to join our crazy adventures, let us know (Lichtenheld...)
As for tomorrow, day tour to Victoria's peak.
And the rollercoaster continues...
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
PS
I should mention that I saw Jean Claude Van Dame in Lan Kwai Fong the other day... I'm sure that will impress some more than others. I didn't even know who he was, but apparently people here think that's a big deal. Celebrity status and whatnot. Psh.
Santa on a helicopter tossing croissants
Setting: Chinese New Year's Parade.
friend: Oh look! It's Santa clause riding a helicopter!
Guy: that's the god of good fortune.
friend: Oh...is he tossing croissants?
Guy: I think that's gold.
friend: Oh wow, what's that symbolic of?
Guy: Nothing. It's just gold...
Yeah, I'm badass
I snuck on a boat tour today. Yeah that's right, I'm badass. While the guys reading off names, I casually climb on the bus after a friend, make myself comfortable and wait for someone to notice. For a bit it looks like I'm in the clear...then I look out the window. I count the number of people, I count the number of seats. There are definitely more people than seats. I think of the horror of shamefully getting kicked off the bus for not being on...THE LIST. I keep my cool. There's confusion in the front. Not enough seats. Will they check THE LIST? Ha. No. The suckers have to squeeze together up front. I feel a tinge of guilt...and debate turning myself in. My unquenchable thirst for living on the edge hampered my need to do good.
Result: fresh seafood dinner and a boatride to witness the New Year's fireworks while surrounded my Hong Kong's skyline.
I'm like Dicelaws, only crazier, and without the molestache.
Result: fresh seafood dinner and a boatride to witness the New Year's fireworks while surrounded my Hong Kong's skyline.
I'm like Dicelaws, only crazier, and without the molestache.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Along for the ride
After arriving to Hong Kong and experiencing confusion, frustration, and an overwhelmingly heavy dose of culture shock, the best thing to do was escape to Boracay Island in the Philippines for my first pseudo-exotic adventures. I say pseudo because Boracay is an island for the tourist, designed for their comfort and catering to their needs...exactly what I needed for my first trip out of HK, as pampered as that may sound.
To be honest, the first two days were brutal. My anxiety ran rampant after a small health concern escalated to a situation of panic. Knowing something is alarmingly off with your health and being isolated from medical care is just scary...I guess I was a bit lucky, because my body decided it wasn't really into the whole being sick thing. Good thing... And I was begining to think I'd miss out some crucial beach time.
And the beach: It goes without saying that a 5 day trip of too much time, sun, and food on a strip of beautiful white sand and clear blue waters forces a person to destress. If a person is resiliant, just throw in the hour long full body massage, which costs a whopping seven us dollars.... Although, that hour involved some awkard instances, such as ass punching. Yes, ass punching. I've never gotten a massage before, so perhaps I'm not an expert, but, I was NOT expecting that.
Here's the point: The extent of culture shock I experienced initially was highly unexpected. But, I am finally relaxed and ready to be here. I've met some cool people, taken some time to adjust, pampered myself a bit, and am back in Hong Kong ready to learn and flow with the culture.
Everyone needs a good punch in the ass every once in a while.
Keeps you on your toes.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Sunburnt and Soaking
Im in Boracay in the Philippines, I'm at an internet cafe, and I'm dripping wet. After a kilometer sprint through mud puddles and street vendors, I've reached the glorious halfway mark to my hostel...the internet cafe. Now I must take off, only 80 pesos left to get myself off this island. More details to come.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Out of my element
The language barrier is rough. The cultural barrier, rougher. It hit me last night that this is the first time I've been so completely removed from familiarity. I have nothing from my own personal experiences to relate Hong Kong culture to. Attempting to break down the language or pick up the main jist would be completely impossible at this point. And deciphering culture...I feel ignorant, loud, and American. I can't gauge the tone of someone's voice, their mannerisms or actions...I'd be using a completely skewed perspective. I have to throw it all out and start from scratch. I left behind any sense of knowledge and comfort... I know this will be hard, I know I'll be frustrated and pushed to my limits. I'll probably offend some people, create numerous awkward situations, get my directionally impaired ass lost countless times.
It's 2:30 AM, I'm in the lobby, sleepless , confused, overwhelmed, and jetlagging...a security guard just walked over.
"lady, good drink for you!"
And he buys me a refreshing soy milk. I try to remember how to say thank you in cantonese.
I fail. He laughs.
And life is good.
It's 2:30 AM, I'm in the lobby, sleepless , confused, overwhelmed, and jetlagging...a security guard just walked over.
"lady, good drink for you!"
And he buys me a refreshing soy milk. I try to remember how to say thank you in cantonese.
I fail. He laughs.
And life is good.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
And 16 hours later...
I'm finally in Hong Kong.
I've been here all of 3 hours and Already I have:
1) Surrendered to the fact that no one knows what Wisconsin is, so I'm now from outside Chicago
2) attempted to take in a quick lesson in Cantonese from my taxi driver
3) Met @ers, and of course, experienced an awkard moment while saying goodbyes (I guess hugging is a no?)
If sources are correct...come daytime I should be able to see the ocean outside my dormroom window.
Perfect.
I've been here all of 3 hours and Already I have:
1) Surrendered to the fact that no one knows what Wisconsin is, so I'm now from outside Chicago
2) attempted to take in a quick lesson in Cantonese from my taxi driver
3) Met @ers, and of course, experienced an awkard moment while saying goodbyes (I guess hugging is a no?)
If sources are correct...come daytime I should be able to see the ocean outside my dormroom window.
Perfect.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Am I five? Because I don't feel five...
What will Egypt be like in 5 years? 10 years? It honestly scares me reading people's blogs about the gaining power of the Muslim Brotherhood. It just hit me how real their hold on Egyptian people is. How much their power could change the lives of my family and friends. How uncomfortable it would make me to go back.
But you know what pisses me off? The watered-down, indifferent answers I get when I ask family about it. The people-pleasing answers, Denial, disregard, and a lack of urgency. A complete disconnect from reality.
Ridiculous.
But you know what pisses me off? The watered-down, indifferent answers I get when I ask family about it. The people-pleasing answers, Denial, disregard, and a lack of urgency. A complete disconnect from reality.
Ridiculous.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Gratitude
I'd like to pay tribute to the students who created the massive snow penis that stands proudly on my campus this morning. Your laborious efforts have brought humor to the lives of many sleep-deprived, overstressed badgers.
I'd also like to thank the person who keeps pulling the fire alarm every night at college library. Although I find you highly obnoxious, your dedication to gauranteeing routine study breaks for the masses is admirable.
I'd also like to thank the person who keeps pulling the fire alarm every night at college library. Although I find you highly obnoxious, your dedication to gauranteeing routine study breaks for the masses is admirable.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Mostly for Adam
I'd like to take a moment to express my hatred for a song called "MY HUMPS." I could go on, but this review does a pretty great job at it.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
SO AWKWARD!
So I'm sitting in the Senate Page room...And in the background we're playing the radio for the public hearing going on upstairs. There's a push to amend the Wisconsin constitution to define marriage as being between a male and a female...And man, pretty popular day for people to want to voice their opinions.
So how this little shindig is working out...They let people speak both for and against, and back and forth and back and forth. Senators on both sides then respond with near vomit-inducing sweetness... "Wow we thank you for sharing your story, and respect you for it"
But you know inside they're about ready to just kick the shit out of a chair or something...Or ask a senate page to kick one for them.
I digress.
Back to the page room. We're all seudo-listening, half-assedly attempting classwork, surfing them internets, you know, the senate page deal. So the first highlight: A 17 year old girl comes on saying something like, "Hi I just came here to say I was raised in a very loving and healthy family and believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, and every child deserves both a mommy and a daddy. blablabla...When she's through, a senator says "wow, that was very brave of you, I don't think I could have done this at 17-and wow you must have taken time off of school to be here!" Nope. Homeschooled.
As it continued...we started to notice...The stories were getting a bit weirder, the two sides a little more emotional, the senators a bit less chummy...Then someone busts this baby out.
So there's a man, he's married, has a loving family of three children.
Oh, and he has multiple personalities.
Right now, he tells everyone, He is speaking as Rebecca.
The room gets pretty fucking quiet.
Rebecca goes on to state that yes she's technically a man, and that she's legally married to her wife, even though she is a lesbian when she is Rebecca...Awkward silence...The speech continues, and keeps busting out those pindrop silence, jawdropping, gasping kind of moments, one of which included being castrated...Which I hear made every guy in that room wiggle in their seats just a tad.
Ok, yes,
defining marriage as man and wife simplifies a much more complex society and deprives people of their rights.
I completely agree.
But HOLY SHIT! How many fucking bombs did this person drop on an audience who I'm SURE had quite a few people feeling prettttty fucking awkward (see 17 year old homeschooled girl)! Ha.
Man, I totally wish I'd seen it.
Especially Reynolds' face.
I do love awkward situations...
So how this little shindig is working out...They let people speak both for and against, and back and forth and back and forth. Senators on both sides then respond with near vomit-inducing sweetness... "Wow we thank you for sharing your story, and respect you for it"
But you know inside they're about ready to just kick the shit out of a chair or something...Or ask a senate page to kick one for them.
I digress.
Back to the page room. We're all seudo-listening, half-assedly attempting classwork, surfing them internets, you know, the senate page deal. So the first highlight: A 17 year old girl comes on saying something like, "Hi I just came here to say I was raised in a very loving and healthy family and believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, and every child deserves both a mommy and a daddy. blablabla...When she's through, a senator says "wow, that was very brave of you, I don't think I could have done this at 17-and wow you must have taken time off of school to be here!" Nope. Homeschooled.
As it continued...we started to notice...The stories were getting a bit weirder, the two sides a little more emotional, the senators a bit less chummy...Then someone busts this baby out.
So there's a man, he's married, has a loving family of three children.
Oh, and he has multiple personalities.
Right now, he tells everyone, He is speaking as Rebecca.
The room gets pretty fucking quiet.
Rebecca goes on to state that yes she's technically a man, and that she's legally married to her wife, even though she is a lesbian when she is Rebecca...Awkward silence...The speech continues, and keeps busting out those pindrop silence, jawdropping, gasping kind of moments, one of which included being castrated...Which I hear made every guy in that room wiggle in their seats just a tad.
Ok, yes,
defining marriage as man and wife simplifies a much more complex society and deprives people of their rights.
I completely agree.
But HOLY SHIT! How many fucking bombs did this person drop on an audience who I'm SURE had quite a few people feeling prettttty fucking awkward (see 17 year old homeschooled girl)! Ha.
Man, I totally wish I'd seen it.
Especially Reynolds' face.
I do love awkward situations...
This is all I'm gonna say
Flash back to high school:
I was at a restaurant. And with a person, who if nothing else, left with me a comment that just stuck. Maybe because it was harsh, offensive, or just brutally honest. It went a little something like this:
You know what it is about you? You're happy sticking to what you know, going to the same restaurants, traveling to the same places. You settle for what makes you comfortable. You're scared to try new things.
I doubt said person meant to trigger some crazy revelation. Ehhh...Little did he know...
So, some changes were made. Priorities adjusted. Goals clarified.
The following summer I was off to Nicaragua. Now I joined AIESEC. In a bit I'll be off to Hong Kong. HONG KONG!
I'm not much for reflecting on THAT path not chosen . But, now I hit a time where, under certain family circumstances, I don't have much of a choice.
And this is what I have to say:
I am SO fucking glad.
I was at a restaurant. And with a person, who if nothing else, left with me a comment that just stuck. Maybe because it was harsh, offensive, or just brutally honest. It went a little something like this:
You know what it is about you? You're happy sticking to what you know, going to the same restaurants, traveling to the same places. You settle for what makes you comfortable. You're scared to try new things.
I doubt said person meant to trigger some crazy revelation. Ehhh...Little did he know...
So, some changes were made. Priorities adjusted. Goals clarified.
The following summer I was off to Nicaragua. Now I joined AIESEC. In a bit I'll be off to Hong Kong. HONG KONG!
I'm not much for reflecting on THAT path not chosen . But, now I hit a time where, under certain family circumstances, I don't have much of a choice.
And this is what I have to say:
I am SO fucking glad.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Ticket: purchased
Ok so the loving Madison feeling has worn off pretty damn quick. So, best thing to do: buy my ticket out of here. My Hong Kong ticket has been purchased.
January 12-16: New York City
January 16-June 10: Hong Kong
That feels good.
January 12-16: New York City
January 16-June 10: Hong Kong
That feels good.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Life is good
It's been a while since I've been in this city and felt so happy.
It was a beautiful day outside, sunny, perfect temperature, and I am just giddy smiley and...back to being myself. My last few weeks have been so crazy and bogged down with the pressure of exams, and the self-induced pressure of proving to myself that I'm capable of doing well if I just work at it hard enough... I pulled through the insanity of my last week, and it's such a fabulous feeling when all the hard work pays off. I had a really great weekend full of flopping and watching Harry Potter and spending time with people I love...a perfect way to melt away the stress and anxiety of the week before. And It's almost turkey day, and I'm relaxed and stress free and ready to throw on my sweats and eat for four days straight and see my girls and watch MORE movies.
Man. Life is good.
It was a beautiful day outside, sunny, perfect temperature, and I am just giddy smiley and...back to being myself. My last few weeks have been so crazy and bogged down with the pressure of exams, and the self-induced pressure of proving to myself that I'm capable of doing well if I just work at it hard enough... I pulled through the insanity of my last week, and it's such a fabulous feeling when all the hard work pays off. I had a really great weekend full of flopping and watching Harry Potter and spending time with people I love...a perfect way to melt away the stress and anxiety of the week before. And It's almost turkey day, and I'm relaxed and stress free and ready to throw on my sweats and eat for four days straight and see my girls and watch MORE movies.
Man. Life is good.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Uganda Idea status: freakin awesome
Dody's idea for AIESEC gaining mass distribution rights is almost reality. The day after this man's brilliant commenting, Adam and I sat down and busted out an email to the makers of the film. And here's their response:
I just finished reading your email and I am now staring at the
screen not knowing what to write because I am so excited about
what I just read. Wow... AIESEC is an incredible organization and
I am so stoked that you have a desire to help the children of
northern Uganda. And not only do you want to help the children of
northern Uganda, but you want to do it through helping show
Invisible Children. That is so great.
As far as your basic idea... I think something like that can totally work out. How many DVD's are you thinking of trying to distribute? And I don't really know what we would "negotiate" to give you non-exclusive distribution rights, because offer anyone the right to watch and spread the film as they so please. However, I guess because this is on such a larger scale we might have to draw up some sort of legal agreement. So, I would love to talk with you about this over the phone, I will give you a call tomorrow during the day sometime, or you can call me anytime
Awesome.
More updates to come.
I just finished reading your email and I am now staring at the
screen not knowing what to write because I am so excited about
what I just read. Wow... AIESEC is an incredible organization and
I am so stoked that you have a desire to help the children of
northern Uganda. And not only do you want to help the children of
northern Uganda, but you want to do it through helping show
Invisible Children. That is so great.
As far as your basic idea... I think something like that can totally work out. How many DVD's are you thinking of trying to distribute? And I don't really know what we would "negotiate" to give you non-exclusive distribution rights, because offer anyone the right to watch and spread the film as they so please. However, I guess because this is on such a larger scale we might have to draw up some sort of legal agreement. So, I would love to talk with you about this over the phone, I will give you a call tomorrow during the day sometime, or you can call me anytime
Awesome.
More updates to come.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Invisible Children: What now?
My coach group met today and had a really great conversation regarding the Uganda Event our Madison LC hosted this last Thursday...From our meeting, we decided that our @ network can do more, lots more, to spread awareness. We have a huge tool, a network to 91 different countries, with passionate, motivated students interested in bettering the global future. The question is, how can we utilitze it?
We started brainstorming and came up with an idea I'm dedicated to making a reality. How can we educate people, Aiesecers, not just within the US, but throughout all the @ countries on this issue? How can we have a direct impact and spread awareness worldwide??
Here's the idea:
We have members traveling to different LCs all over the world. If we can somehow purchase a massive amount of Invisible Children videos (which in itself is a fundraiser for Uganda awareness by the makers of the documentary) and send them with willing exchange participants so they can host Uganda events in the @ countries they will be visiting, we will potentially be spreading awareness of this under reported crisis on a large scale level, to people just as passionate and motivated as ourselves.
This is just the tentative idea. We need to work out the kinks, figure out fund raising ideas to purchase a massive supply of these documentaries. Anyone interested in getting this going with me, comment away.
I'd like to get this rolling before the semester ends. i plan on taking a documentary to the Hong Kong @ers and setting up an event just like ours on that end of the world.
How many people can we impact?
We started brainstorming and came up with an idea I'm dedicated to making a reality. How can we educate people, Aiesecers, not just within the US, but throughout all the @ countries on this issue? How can we have a direct impact and spread awareness worldwide??
Here's the idea:
We have members traveling to different LCs all over the world. If we can somehow purchase a massive amount of Invisible Children videos (which in itself is a fundraiser for Uganda awareness by the makers of the documentary) and send them with willing exchange participants so they can host Uganda events in the @ countries they will be visiting, we will potentially be spreading awareness of this under reported crisis on a large scale level, to people just as passionate and motivated as ourselves.
This is just the tentative idea. We need to work out the kinks, figure out fund raising ideas to purchase a massive supply of these documentaries. Anyone interested in getting this going with me, comment away.
I'd like to get this rolling before the semester ends. i plan on taking a documentary to the Hong Kong @ers and setting up an event just like ours on that end of the world.
How many people can we impact?
Friday, October 21, 2005
Mid semester thoughts
You're thrown into these schedules, you go from one thing to the next, not knowing where you'll be in the next few hours without pulling out the old calendario, scrambling to finish up what you are already a week behind on, losing track of time and place and feeling a bit zombiesque. I've attempted to impose some sort of regularity to this semester. I've failed. There's definitely a sense of disconnect, in many junctures. Things change, friends move, come back, go abroad. They come back changed, or maybe they're exactly the same, and its you who's changed. Families change, the dynamic changes, expectations change, responsibilities accumulate. The city stays the same, but the people that define the city and what it means to you are missing.
Case and point:
I've just been in Madison too long.
It's time to get away.
Case and point:
I've just been in Madison too long.
It's time to get away.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
A little questionable...
So, Tanj and I were walking back from a rough day of econ... Walking to and from class, we see these odd-shaped specimens scattered on our path, some whole, some smashed up, but due to sleep deprivation, in depth convos, the hustle and bustle, we never process the peculiarity of these objects..until today. On our walk back, we witness a man scattering around collecting them, and then hurrying off into the distance. We try to follow him, but he disappears out of sight. This is when we decide to tackle the mystery of the questionable fruit. We return to the main path scattered with these oddly shaped, lime green...fruits?. We look up...there are no trees in sight growing them. Tanja is brave enough to pick one up. It's a bit sticky. It smells like a tangerine. We take it home for further investigation.
Not difficult to cut, but perhaps unripe. The inside smells like a pumpkin. What is this thing?! Someone out there has got to know...I will not rest until I find out the mystery of this questionable fruit.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
New hardest part about Ramadan:
I can't take study breaks to get food.
There's no valid reason to get out of this chair.
my one solid excuse is gone.
Procrastinating has hit an all time low.
Weird.
There's no valid reason to get out of this chair.
my one solid excuse is gone.
Procrastinating has hit an all time low.
Weird.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Blogworthy: A revelation
"I win by means of nothing but logic, and I surrender to nothing but logic" (Atlas Shrugged)
When I read this book, this quote really stuck out at me. It was a concept I found fascinating at the time- to be able to make all decisions based on logic, control all emotions, and think with a clear head 110% of the time.
Well, sorry to burst that pretty bubble, but I don't think in absolutes. And perhaps those that do have a far too simplistic view of the world. While you may try to have a completely objective view, emotions WILL play a part, personal experiences WILL affect your decisions, your world view WILL determine the decisions you make. While decisions you make may feel completely justified by logic, chances are, a part of your decision was also based on instinct, a gut feeling, a subconscious SOMETHING. We just aren't smart enough to consciously process everything that goes through our mind into making decisions.
And who is to say that's a bad thing?
I've learned that:
-I thrive on my PASSION. If I'm not passionate about something, I won't do it. And the word passion doesn't fall completely in line with a solid, tangible explanation for decision-making. It's just there.
-I am not rash, irrational or naive, nor do I make decisions without extensive thought.
- I don't have hyper-sensitive emotions that I follow blindly, nor do I blindly follow the opinions of people in my life that I trust.
-Making decisions based on a label or theory that, because of the Land of Academia and a little concept called Group Think, you feel you should agree with takes the crucial aspect that differentiates humans,CRITICAL THOUGHT, and throws it out the window. Plug yourself into an equation, add some numerical analysis bullshit, and out pops generic thought number 1257. HMMM.
-I reject romanticism as a way of life...Then again, I believe realism overly simplifies the world. There's a grey area in between, an area which requires a mixture of both logic and instinct. That is where I fall.
-I am not a genius; I'm no where close. But you know, that makes me work twice as hard to figure shit out. So I won't approach things I don't know about with an egotistical, judgmental, absolutist attitude based on some preconcieved notion of what is RIGHT and WRONG. THAT would be naive.
So, that's it. Yes, I'm going to Hong Kong. Yes, I love AIESEC. Yes I am passionate about both, and plan to dedicate myself to both, to a point where it may seem irrational, naive, and spontaneous to some.
Tough.
When I read this book, this quote really stuck out at me. It was a concept I found fascinating at the time- to be able to make all decisions based on logic, control all emotions, and think with a clear head 110% of the time.
Well, sorry to burst that pretty bubble, but I don't think in absolutes. And perhaps those that do have a far too simplistic view of the world. While you may try to have a completely objective view, emotions WILL play a part, personal experiences WILL affect your decisions, your world view WILL determine the decisions you make. While decisions you make may feel completely justified by logic, chances are, a part of your decision was also based on instinct, a gut feeling, a subconscious SOMETHING. We just aren't smart enough to consciously process everything that goes through our mind into making decisions.
And who is to say that's a bad thing?
I've learned that:
-I thrive on my PASSION. If I'm not passionate about something, I won't do it. And the word passion doesn't fall completely in line with a solid, tangible explanation for decision-making. It's just there.
-I am not rash, irrational or naive, nor do I make decisions without extensive thought.
- I don't have hyper-sensitive emotions that I follow blindly, nor do I blindly follow the opinions of people in my life that I trust.
-Making decisions based on a label or theory that, because of the Land of Academia and a little concept called Group Think, you feel you should agree with takes the crucial aspect that differentiates humans,CRITICAL THOUGHT, and throws it out the window. Plug yourself into an equation, add some numerical analysis bullshit, and out pops generic thought number 1257. HMMM.
-I reject romanticism as a way of life...Then again, I believe realism overly simplifies the world. There's a grey area in between, an area which requires a mixture of both logic and instinct. That is where I fall.
-I am not a genius; I'm no where close. But you know, that makes me work twice as hard to figure shit out. So I won't approach things I don't know about with an egotistical, judgmental, absolutist attitude based on some preconcieved notion of what is RIGHT and WRONG. THAT would be naive.
So, that's it. Yes, I'm going to Hong Kong. Yes, I love AIESEC. Yes I am passionate about both, and plan to dedicate myself to both, to a point where it may seem irrational, naive, and spontaneous to some.
Tough.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Destination: Hong Kong
I'm going to Hong Kong.
I just found out I got in today.
Trying to let it soak in.
Awesome.
I just found out I got in today.
Trying to let it soak in.
Awesome.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Brain Barf!
I must love and accept my awkardness! There is just no other way around it, so, I must flaunt it.
A good laugh at myself is probably needed.
Life can be taken a little too seriously.
Once in a while, stop planning. A little go-with-the-flow action.
Dabble in the creative side. Pull out the old sketchbook.
People watch, scribble it all down
Read some Doctor Seuss, only out loud and with Fun Voices!
Laugh. Do a cartwheel here and there. More giggle fits where tears stream down the cheeks.
Need to heighten the optimism, downplay the stress!
A little genuine fun, like the Waterballoon fighting, slip and sliding, rollercoaster kind of fun.
Do your shoulders feel lighter yet? A little more skip in your walk?
Can you Dance? Can you shake it like Nobody's Business?
Well, good.
A good laugh at myself is probably needed.
Life can be taken a little too seriously.
Once in a while, stop planning. A little go-with-the-flow action.
Dabble in the creative side. Pull out the old sketchbook.
People watch, scribble it all down
Read some Doctor Seuss, only out loud and with Fun Voices!
Laugh. Do a cartwheel here and there. More giggle fits where tears stream down the cheeks.
Need to heighten the optimism, downplay the stress!
A little genuine fun, like the Waterballoon fighting, slip and sliding, rollercoaster kind of fun.
Do your shoulders feel lighter yet? A little more skip in your walk?
Can you Dance? Can you shake it like Nobody's Business?
Well, good.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
The superhumans
There are incredible, hard-working, motivated, ambitious people in AIESEC. I wouldn't be in this had I not been surrounded, pushed, and inspired by them. These are the superhumans...the ones that can just keep taking more on, the energizer batteries. Seeing someone this incredible on the cusp of burning out...that scares me. While it may seem like these mentors,leaders,and friends, are capable of anything and everything, they simply can't do it all. If a person this motivated starts burning out,we all need to step it up a notch...They may think they can carry the weight of the world, and perhaps they can, but they shouldn't have to.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Monday, September 12, 2005
Characters
I'm a people watcher. It's been ingrained through the endless hours spent studying body language, facial gestures, tangible actions, subtle and not so subtle mannerisms, and on and on and on in theater I, II, III, IV,...I can't help it. But, It definitely will provide some high entertainment value this semester.
My micro TA: the quintessential econ nerd, wears his pants way too far past his belly button, has overly large red-rimmed glasses, and awkwardly annunciates every single word. "Now most TAs might preface their intro discussion with a little information on their interests and hobbies," he began..."I'm sorry to inform you that I am a pitifully boring human being. I don't do anything. I wake up between the hours of 5:30 and 6:00 am, sleep between the hours of 10 and midnight, and in between I eat, sleep, and do economics"....He also wears a special band around his left arm (yes he's a lefty, as am I) to prevent his hand from feeling like cement when he writes on the chalkboard. He takes a sip from his coffee cup every thirty seconds, and has already attempted a few jokes, only to face a silent classroom staring back at him awkwardly. Seriously, if this guy was in a movie, I'd call him too generic...But in real life he's highly amusing, sadly not purposely so.
I then have "Hot Rod" Matthews for International business, and man does that guy look like a cartoon caricature! His deep set wrinkles on his forehead and his frumpy stance can't be complete without the disarray of white hair piled on top of his head, but the best part is he can make the funniest faces, and completely on accident! His eyes will buldge just a little too far, his shoulders will shrug up past his ears, he'll crinkle his forehead, pucker out his lips and prolong the "who knows" look he's trying to convey just a wee bit longer in case anyone didn't catch the hilarity of it sooner.
You know when you're in a situation, and it's really not meant to be funny, but you have to hold back your giggle fit because letting it out would just be completely inappropriate? I'm interested to see how many more days like that I'll have this semester...
My micro TA: the quintessential econ nerd, wears his pants way too far past his belly button, has overly large red-rimmed glasses, and awkwardly annunciates every single word. "Now most TAs might preface their intro discussion with a little information on their interests and hobbies," he began..."I'm sorry to inform you that I am a pitifully boring human being. I don't do anything. I wake up between the hours of 5:30 and 6:00 am, sleep between the hours of 10 and midnight, and in between I eat, sleep, and do economics"....He also wears a special band around his left arm (yes he's a lefty, as am I) to prevent his hand from feeling like cement when he writes on the chalkboard. He takes a sip from his coffee cup every thirty seconds, and has already attempted a few jokes, only to face a silent classroom staring back at him awkwardly. Seriously, if this guy was in a movie, I'd call him too generic...But in real life he's highly amusing, sadly not purposely so.
I then have "Hot Rod" Matthews for International business, and man does that guy look like a cartoon caricature! His deep set wrinkles on his forehead and his frumpy stance can't be complete without the disarray of white hair piled on top of his head, but the best part is he can make the funniest faces, and completely on accident! His eyes will buldge just a little too far, his shoulders will shrug up past his ears, he'll crinkle his forehead, pucker out his lips and prolong the "who knows" look he's trying to convey just a wee bit longer in case anyone didn't catch the hilarity of it sooner.
You know when you're in a situation, and it's really not meant to be funny, but you have to hold back your giggle fit because letting it out would just be completely inappropriate? I'm interested to see how many more days like that I'll have this semester...
Sunday, September 04, 2005
"Hurricane prompts awkward questions"
The social and racial divide is finally impossible to ignore, and all it took was a disastrous hurricane...Imagine that.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Take it easy
My goal for the year: to go on the Business School study abroad program in Hong Kong this coming spring semester. In order to apply, you need 9 business/economics credits completed by the time the program starts. There is currently one opening for this program, and I'm doing everything I possibly can to get it...this means taking two econ classes, and an international business class all in one semester...Now on top of that, I signed up for a modern spanish lit course as well as a writing intensive comparitive politics course. That is a total of 17 credits. Today, I applied for a job as a messenger with the Sergeant at Arms for the State Senate...which is a 15 hour a week commitment. I just got an email saying I have the job. This is all aside from all the AIESEC that consumes my life (which is not a negative statement, but is an essential part of my life that I have to make sure to make time for)...Now, I am an overachiever, yes. I don't mind working my ass off, this is true...but Today, I simply realized there just aren't enough hours in the week to do everything I want, and to do it well. I mean, I debated...I kept thinking just suck it up for a semester...but, I think back to people telling me I'm going to burn out if I keep pushing myself this hard, and I'm not ready to burn out quite this early...So, I dropped a class, am down to 13 credits, and I'm giving myself permission to take things easy...It's tough, let me tell you...I don't like feeling like I can't accomplish everything I want, but I've just had to face that it's the right thing to do...right?
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Lunch at Lulu's
So yesterday, my mom and brother and I headed to lunch at one of our fav mideast restaurant...Lulu's. On the way in, we ran into my friend Abbie...now Abbie is an awesome girl (who I am recruiting for @ hopefully)...she took off a year and lived in Israel after high school, volunteers a ton, does all these crazy camp counceling shindigs, and is majoring in Jewish studies and philosophy...Now, we bump into her with her family...and we all ended up having lunch together. Ok seriously this was great...a Jewish family and a muslim family that don't know each other having lunch together at a middle eastern restaurant because their daughters are good friends...and it was awesome, because even though our parents might have never gotten to know each other or had the conversations we had during that hour, they kind of stumbled into it because of us...and ok so yeah I have lots of Jewish friends big deal, but seriously, this is a bigger deal for the rents. I mean, yes my parents have a few friends that are Jewish, but they probably tiptoe around very real conversations...Yesterday, they not only had lunch together, but actually TALKED about her trip to Israel and my trip to Egypt,They were actually interested in our personal experiences of the two places...They were put in situation that they probably found slightly uncomfortable, actually learned from it, and maybe even enjoyed it?... I think that's just fabulous.
Keeping Busy
All summer I felt like I had something to do, and usually, it felt somewhat purposeful or significant. I am now moved into my apartment, have purchased all my textbooks, finished Harry Potter (which was intense), bustled around campus "exploring" my new surroundings I am running out of errands!...This is the first time this whole summer where I have cable tv to watch, and the time to do it, but that feels like a waste! I may be crazy, but I hate not feeling like I have something to do or work towards...AIESEC feels like it is paused for the next two weeks, and I guess I have time to be lazy?? Which is lameeeee...
But no worries, I am already making a new list of things to get done before summer is over...and damn it, this list is going to be both purposeful AND significant!
ok my rant is over.
ALI GILMAN COME HOME
But no worries, I am already making a new list of things to get done before summer is over...and damn it, this list is going to be both purposeful AND significant!
ok my rant is over.
ALI GILMAN COME HOME
Friday, August 19, 2005
CAFTA
Ok, so in my super liberal, hippy, intellectual West High School, I took a Latin American History class...In that class, I learned that NAFTA was a cruel horrible trade agreement that solely benefited the States, and exploited Mexican workers...I learned of the Maquiladoras, of the poor working conditions, of workers that felt there only way to survive was to illegally cross the border into the states. I know that I learned a completely one-sided view on the issue, and am putting together bits and pieces of a much more complex issue, but now that CAFTA has passed, I have this sinking feeling...I don't know if I have enough information to base it on, and I could just be relying on the very emotionally-based curriculum of my high school course, but I just feel uneasy... I guess more information would be greatly appreciated, and from all sides of the story.
Apartamento
I am officially starting the new semester today by moving into my apartment! I have been counting down until this day for a greater chunk of the summer, and it is finally at my fingertips, muahahahaha. After coming back from SSC, I really can't wait to get started on next semester. SSC, like everyone said, completely refueled my passion and energy...It has officially remedied any pessimism and jaded sentiments that had built up in the streets of Cairo, and has replaced those feelings with a conquer the world sort of attitude...which is fabulous. This next semester going to be a lot of hard work, both with classes and with aiesec, but, it should also bring along a lot of fun times, and I am ready for both. I have had the greatest summer, and I honestly don't feel like I wasted a single day of it, but now I am ready for something new and nearly impossible to get thrown my way...I'm ready to work my ass off, ready to multitask, to pull all nighters, to be in two places at once, to SYNERGIZE, to learn how to cook anything other than premade mac and cheese (which, for anyone who knows me, knows this may be a bit of a challenge)...Today, I'll be sleeping in my apartment for the first time, and will officially set off this crazy semester, here I go!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Favorite Things
A Favorite Things List was started
under the Siwa midnight sky
It goes something like this
*Shooting Stars
*Tidal Waves
*Going Commando
That's as far as we got
The list is open to suggestions.
under the Siwa midnight sky
It goes something like this
*Shooting Stars
*Tidal Waves
*Going Commando
That's as far as we got
The list is open to suggestions.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
I'm back!
I am back in Madison...It feels good to see GREEN...I think I have decided that is my favorite color (not shit brown)...does that mean that my identity crisis is over? You may think I am joking, but in a way it's true...This past year has been such a phenomenal experience for me; If you were to ask me last summer who I would be in a year, I would have drawn a blank and answered offhandedly that I would most likely be the same person, just one year older... I have spent a great part of this past year breaking down my values bit by bit, and seperating my family's from my own. I have struggled with huge concepts; religion, relationships, independence. I was a mess first semester, and was lucky to have a huge support system and an amazing friend to walk me through it. But, not until I joined AIESEC and met the incredible people within it did I finally feel like I had successfully begun sorting out my priorities, my goals, my passions.
I went back to Egypt for the first time in two years, and for the first time, I didn't mold into the person they wanted me to be. I held my own, I argued, I debated, I gave my family a glimpse of the person I am and the things I stand for, and it felt GREAT! I had my fair share of frustrating conversations, days when my sarcasm took over, and days when I felt completely jaded. At times it just feels easier to slip into their world and be the person they want you to be just to make everyone feel comfortable, but...to hell with comfortable! That's what we're here to do right? Raise some questions, think about the world in a new way, and make others do the same...stir it up, little darling stir it up...(sorry marley took over) I have had the most eventful three and a half weeks in Egypt, and for the first time, I have finally gotten to SEE Egypt; I experienced the world of Siwa, camping under the stars in a desert oasis, completely different than the hectic lifestyle in Cairo that had come to define this country for me for the past decade and a half...Thanks to everyone that made this trip what it was...To the AIESEC crew in the homeland, especially the inspirational KAITLIN, who is about to begin a new chapter, BEST OF LUCK! To my Madison LC, I am so excited for this next semester! And to the person who keeps me motivated, you're the John Galt in this story.
So, yes, my favorite color is green
And I am back.
Friday, SSC In Denver...and the journey continues...
I went back to Egypt for the first time in two years, and for the first time, I didn't mold into the person they wanted me to be. I held my own, I argued, I debated, I gave my family a glimpse of the person I am and the things I stand for, and it felt GREAT! I had my fair share of frustrating conversations, days when my sarcasm took over, and days when I felt completely jaded. At times it just feels easier to slip into their world and be the person they want you to be just to make everyone feel comfortable, but...to hell with comfortable! That's what we're here to do right? Raise some questions, think about the world in a new way, and make others do the same...stir it up, little darling stir it up...(sorry marley took over) I have had the most eventful three and a half weeks in Egypt, and for the first time, I have finally gotten to SEE Egypt; I experienced the world of Siwa, camping under the stars in a desert oasis, completely different than the hectic lifestyle in Cairo that had come to define this country for me for the past decade and a half...Thanks to everyone that made this trip what it was...To the AIESEC crew in the homeland, especially the inspirational KAITLIN, who is about to begin a new chapter, BEST OF LUCK! To my Madison LC, I am so excited for this next semester! And to the person who keeps me motivated, you're the John Galt in this story.
So, yes, my favorite color is green
And I am back.
Friday, SSC In Denver...and the journey continues...
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Monday, August 01, 2005
Una semana mas...
I was rescued by kaitlin Mike and Ryan. The rest of my stay in 3ageeba was as it should be, pleasant and relaxing.
Kaitlin and I were asked if we were engaged or married by two ten year old strangers, and when we answered that we were single, they softly shook their heads and said, "haram, rabenah yesahel" loosly translated to I'm sorry, may God make it easier for you.
My tolerance for crazies is just about at its peak...pictured above is a prime example
Feeling a little too cynical lately
A few restless nights, disturbing dreams, pesky flies
A bit of mental exhaustion
I miss State Street
Is it bad that I'm ready to go back?
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Less than stellar
Any place this beautiful, no matter how remote the surroundings, should lead to good times with the right company...Let's just begin by saying the company is less than stellar...
This is a view from our cottage..This beach, 3ageeba, right on the Med Sea is one of my favorite places. I actually like the fact that there isn't a café-filled, disco-teched out night life, and that I can swim all day, nap read and walk around outside at night...But apparently my idea of a relaxing trip is not what others would call enjoyable...My Texan cousins are on this trip...I think the quote that best sums up my cousin's personality is..."wouldn't it be cool to have a hummer in Egypt?!"...she actually said that...ya, that's what I am faced with. Reading is apparently an absurd hobby, and good music consists of Britney Spears and other pop bands...my music taste is ridiculous, my ambition is strange to say the least, and my sarcasm is outright cruel. According to these cousins from down south, what this place is missing is air conditioning, a night life, and a few hummers here and there just to make things really good.
I haven't even started on the Egyptians...There are now two men that tell bad Egyptian jokes, sing much more often than they should, and push buttons way past their limits, my father and his best friend. That's right, I now have to deal with two of my father. When they get together, they tell corny joke after corny joke, and everyone actually laughs, except of course my brother and I...they all then realize we're not laughing, decide we don't understand arabic well enough to get the hillarity of the said joke, and explain why it is so great...this happens after every joke...every single one. The fact that we just find the jokes as painful as rusty nails gouging our eyes out just never really occurs to them...
I am then shoved into a room to greet more family friends, and as I'm shaking my mom's friend's hand she says, "Oh my God what happened to your face?!" I stare back blankly trying to figure out what the hell she's talking about, and she continues, "your face! Oh my God you poor girl! What are all those dark spots on your face! This is just not right, you have permanent scars!," I finally figure out she's talking about a small scar that has tanned darker than the rest of my skin...and she continues doing so for about ten minutes as I awkwardly stare back trying to grab my hand away....
Their daughter then decides it is time she tells me about the ways of love...I am, of course, the naive American girl who is sadly driven by ambitions and careers and success, and who doesn't realize the importance of romance, loving unconditionally, sacrifice, emotional dependence, and marriage...apparently marriage should be one of my top priorities at this point...I should realize that love at first sight could hit me at any moment, and that when it does, I should be able to drop everything to make my husband happy...my husband is, of course, the head of the household, so wherever he decides to move me (which will obviously be Egypt since he will, of course, be Egyptian), i will have to agree to in order to please his every need, because his career is obviously more important than my own. God gets upset, I was reminded, when a perfectly good man comes along and we turn him away because he is not everything...we are in fact put on this Earth to procreate, and although careers are a fun little hobby, the job at hand is of course to make babies. She, of course, can speak from experience, since she has been in one relationship 3 years ago, and she is now at the wise wise age of 22.
I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kaitlin, Williams, and Ryan...this place is too beautiful to be spent with people like this...
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Adventures in Hurghada
It's three in the morning and I just got back from Hurghada...
My sleep schedule is all confused; I don't think I will make much of an effort to fix it for the next three weeks...
Any who, Hurghada...a tourist magnet on the Red Sea where there are fewer Egyptians than topless Europeans and old men in Speedos...soooo awkward. We got there by taking a microbus. Let me just say that the only way I survived that trip without dying of a heart attack was attempting to sleep the whole way there. I woke up, several times, only to notice that we were driving into oncoming traffic...but we made it, which is good. This was not the typical Sadek family vacation, which usually consists of waking up somewhere between noon and two and bumming around on the beach...everyone was surprisingly ready to actually DO something, which I found amazing.
The first day we were up by seven...SEVEN! The day consisted of banana boating and windsurfing and such...Adam and Trent, this windsurfing instructor was determined to prove that he was a better teacher than hoofers...he wasn't by any means, and would say odd phrases like "do macarena macarena," expecting us to understand what that meant.... Another odd thing...When we started the whole windsurfing ordeal, they asked us if we were Egyptian (Egyptians get better deals apparently)...now my Egyptian cousins are the ones dealing with this, so they of course say yes, but then my cousins and I start babbling in English and the guy feels like he has been cheated. Throughout the lesson, he proceeds to tell me how much he hates America and Americans, and I found myself constantly feeling like I had to prove to him that I was more Egyptian than American...which is ridiculous, especially since I identify more with being American than Egyptian. The good thing is, I was able to hold my own, express myself in Arabic, and basically make him feel like an ass...which I couldn't really do a week ago...which is good.
Now the fun stuff...I went scuba diving for the first time. At first it felt panicky and claustrophobic, because breathing under water defies any sense of logic...but, then I got the hang of the whole breathing in and out business (which is tricky, let me tell you!). Saw three huge eels, one which was probably within 10 feet, and a shark off in the distance (which I tried to run away from, but the instructor wouldn't let me...damn him)...
Overall, this has probably been one of the most productive trips to Egypt I've had...and I've been here less than a week...Thursday, off to Siwa with the AIESEC crew...
More later
My sleep schedule is all confused; I don't think I will make much of an effort to fix it for the next three weeks...
Any who, Hurghada...a tourist magnet on the Red Sea where there are fewer Egyptians than topless Europeans and old men in Speedos...soooo awkward. We got there by taking a microbus. Let me just say that the only way I survived that trip without dying of a heart attack was attempting to sleep the whole way there. I woke up, several times, only to notice that we were driving into oncoming traffic...but we made it, which is good. This was not the typical Sadek family vacation, which usually consists of waking up somewhere between noon and two and bumming around on the beach...everyone was surprisingly ready to actually DO something, which I found amazing.
The first day we were up by seven...SEVEN! The day consisted of banana boating and windsurfing and such...Adam and Trent, this windsurfing instructor was determined to prove that he was a better teacher than hoofers...he wasn't by any means, and would say odd phrases like "do macarena macarena," expecting us to understand what that meant.... Another odd thing...When we started the whole windsurfing ordeal, they asked us if we were Egyptian (Egyptians get better deals apparently)...now my Egyptian cousins are the ones dealing with this, so they of course say yes, but then my cousins and I start babbling in English and the guy feels like he has been cheated. Throughout the lesson, he proceeds to tell me how much he hates America and Americans, and I found myself constantly feeling like I had to prove to him that I was more Egyptian than American...which is ridiculous, especially since I identify more with being American than Egyptian. The good thing is, I was able to hold my own, express myself in Arabic, and basically make him feel like an ass...which I couldn't really do a week ago...which is good.
Now the fun stuff...I went scuba diving for the first time. At first it felt panicky and claustrophobic, because breathing under water defies any sense of logic...but, then I got the hang of the whole breathing in and out business (which is tricky, let me tell you!). Saw three huge eels, one which was probably within 10 feet, and a shark off in the distance (which I tried to run away from, but the instructor wouldn't let me...damn him)...
Overall, this has probably been one of the most productive trips to Egypt I've had...and I've been here less than a week...Thursday, off to Siwa with the AIESEC crew...
More later
Friday, July 15, 2005
Blogging from the Homeland
So I'm finally in Cairo. Our airport experience quickly reminded me of the lack or organization in this city...After two of our six bags (yes six, only three of us...the explanation: my mother is crazy) were frantically thrown onto a vacant bus which then took off without us, the following hour consisted of my mother throwing a hissy fit about the disorganization of the airport system, the city of Cairo, as well as the entire Egyptian government, screaming at airport managers left and right until we finally got our bags...I never knew my mother had it in her...
This situation also made me realize how frustrating the language barrier is for me...I was asked to explain the situation and through my anger and frustration I just couldn't articulate nearly as well as I wanted to just how pissed off I was, and ended up instead looking like a stammering spoiled American idiot...so my goal is to speak arabic whenever possible here, no easy way outs...
But despite the minor setbacks, I love it here.
It's been two days and so far it's surreal. I have spent time with my family, gone out to cafés with my cousins, and met up with Kaitlin for some much needed comfort. The hardest part has been leaving behind something that was so amazing and that made me so happy, knowing that when I return it won't be there anymore...Being so far removed from Madison has made the situation especially difficult...I keep looking for something tangible to hold onto...luckily, Egypt itself is just that...the smell of the shisha at the cafés, the references to places I've heard amazing memories about, and my own plans to explore a new side of Egypt for the next three weeks make me feel connected and in a way comforted.
It's hard, but at the same time it is perfect. I'm looking forward to whatever comes my way in the next three years...I have ambitious plans, and know that I will be pursuing them 110%...
As for the future, I hope it will lead me towards what has made the past three months incredible, but right now, it's time to be independent, be strong, and blow some shit up...
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Egyo
I fly to Cairo July 13th...here is the tentative plan: The July 16-20th in Gharda2a, 20-22 back in Cairo, 23-29 in 3ageeba near Marsa Matrouh, and the rest of my sweet sweet time will be spent with AIESECERS (get ready Kaitlin!) I come back the 6th...It has been an amazing summer in the Mad city...class, work, sailing, windsurfing, aiesecing, taking our awesome trainee around with ALI, buying art and feeling really cool, and bumming around with a wanna-be Egyo...It's hard to think that I won't be coming back to the comforts of Gilman street, but I guess the best way to look at this is this:
I am setting higher goals for myself than I ever thought possible
I am having the best few months of my life
I am making the most out of the time I have
I am happy
If nothing else, I will always have my memories of this summer
All I have to say is, my flight to Cairo will be a long one...
I am setting higher goals for myself than I ever thought possible
I am having the best few months of my life
I am making the most out of the time I have
I am happy
If nothing else, I will always have my memories of this summer
All I have to say is, my flight to Cairo will be a long one...