OK I spend already one month in the some place, of course it happened before and I am enjoying it all the time even more, but it is time to travel:) finally, yupi!
OK I have 3 places on my list:
1. Vancouver and Seattle
This trip is planned for fall break so we will start at 6am from Little Rock and get to Seattle, then we will spend few days in Seattle and move to Vancouver. I still have some concerns if I will get in to Canada (where Vancouver is) because theoreticaly since 1 of March 2008 I don't need vida to Canada, but I need to have machinally readable passport and I have no idea what is that! Most probleby I have it and it will be OK:)
So Vancouver - I have heared a lot about this city, that it is nice and so one, I sill have to check what can we do there but till now looks great.
What was stressfull already - it was to buy tickets. We were buying in 3 people and we had to buy one by one. So the first one was girl from France, she manage to get the ticket very cheaply, thenwhen Mexican guy were trying to buy one it was already 3 times more expensive, but somehow on other page he did it, he bought a cheap ticket, but there was nothing left for me. ANd we were looking and looking and trying to find a solution. So the solution is that I am staying one day longer in Seattle :) missing more classes...
2. New Orleans
Being honest it is one of those places I really want to see. I think the reason why is that I am looking for a cities with specific climate, I prefere them even if they are dirty and dangerous then very good developed industrial cities like most probably Vancouver will be.
Plan to go to New Orleans is rather new but i hope I will manage. One week after the fall break there is a misic festival in this city, looks awsome, mostly rock, but as well some blues and jazz and as far as I know only very good bands are going to play, and the biggest star will be REM (I still remember their songs when I was in primary school and we were dancing to this music in the schools discos, I was maybe 10-12 yrs old).
3. Chicago and Washington
This is combine formal and informal trip. At first I am going to Chicago with my University to participate and Model UN conference:) We are going to represent India and simulate the whole conference - I am going to be a delegate to UNEP - United Nations Environmental Programme. And what is freaking me out is that I have to buy suite! Formal something and I have no idea where to find it. And most probably I would have to wear high hills! Can u imagine me on hing-hills? I can't:)
So I am going there with my university and within the group with another international student from Austra. Then after conference finished (and thanks giving starts) there are some other austrians and one french joining us to visit Chicago together, then we are all together moving to Washington.
And thats all... I still haven't seen any of those places so I cannot write more.
cheers
Aga
Monday, September 22, 2008
Finally some travels plans
Friday, September 19, 2008
how fast you can accomodate to the new place
Today it is exacky one month when I am here in USA, studying in one of the colleges here, in the south, in the "natural state", middle of nowhere - Arkansas!
After this month I can say that finally I got used to, i already developed some habits, found friends and everything is already typical. Actually I didn't go through this stage when everything was new, and I wanted to see everything, be everywhere and do as much as possible (I am talking about the stage which is in intercultural shocked theory called honey moon).
So how my typical day look like?
There are few elements which are repeating quite often, and I can call them already habits.
1. Eating in the cafeteria - even before entering cafeteria and seeing what is in todays "menu" I know what I will eat today; depends on the time I have for meal it is either vegetarian meal from "home style buffet" and in addition salad (always the some, just sometimes I am trying to change dressing and after I am saying to myself it was a bad choice). Very important element of spending time in the cafeteria is of course chatting with people. Sometimes it takes us more then one hour just sitting and discussing a day; even with friends we don't have to discuss when we are going to eat, without asking I know they will be there at 6 pm everyday:D
2. Sitting in front of Burrow - almost after each meal (if we don't have classes just after) once more we are just sitting and chatting with the some people; in the mornings mostly I am reading newspaper there and afternoons we are sitting and reading, sometimes getting crazy and doing stupid things like writing on each other bodies and so...
3. Going to WAC - this is sport center where I am trying to go as much as possible. When I have a classes, it is always the some water aerobic, and then in the evening just to have a break we are going tot he gym, and once more always the some - firstly 20 minutes on bicyckle then some exercices on my belly and hands. It takes almost one hour :)
4. Libery - I really like this place, so quite and peaceful, I have already found the place where I am usually sitting, next to the window on the small couches in the very and, totally hidden.
5. VZ 101 the meeting place - I am praud that my room became kind of meeting place where we usually have parties or just meeting and talking. I have a small firdge when almost always you can find cold beer (and for US conditions even good). I have a radio which have possibility to connect it with ipod so we have nice music as well and a lot of space just perfect to have fun and chill out a bit.
And thats all - there are different people mailing me and asking whats new, how I am doing ect. I can already say nothing, it is not that fascinating that most people imagine, but it is nice to stay finally in one place and just live a simple life.
thats all - maybe only one more message to you: don't be afraid to move to some other place, it is not that bad, don't expect that living in other place will be like holidays, no it will quickly become "normal" but in a very positive sense
After this month I can say that finally I got used to, i already developed some habits, found friends and everything is already typical. Actually I didn't go through this stage when everything was new, and I wanted to see everything, be everywhere and do as much as possible (I am talking about the stage which is in intercultural shocked theory called honey moon).
So how my typical day look like?
There are few elements which are repeating quite often, and I can call them already habits.
1. Eating in the cafeteria - even before entering cafeteria and seeing what is in todays "menu" I know what I will eat today; depends on the time I have for meal it is either vegetarian meal from "home style buffet" and in addition salad (always the some, just sometimes I am trying to change dressing and after I am saying to myself it was a bad choice). Very important element of spending time in the cafeteria is of course chatting with people. Sometimes it takes us more then one hour just sitting and discussing a day; even with friends we don't have to discuss when we are going to eat, without asking I know they will be there at 6 pm everyday:D
2. Sitting in front of Burrow - almost after each meal (if we don't have classes just after) once more we are just sitting and chatting with the some people; in the mornings mostly I am reading newspaper there and afternoons we are sitting and reading, sometimes getting crazy and doing stupid things like writing on each other bodies and so...
3. Going to WAC - this is sport center where I am trying to go as much as possible. When I have a classes, it is always the some water aerobic, and then in the evening just to have a break we are going tot he gym, and once more always the some - firstly 20 minutes on bicyckle then some exercices on my belly and hands. It takes almost one hour :)
4. Libery - I really like this place, so quite and peaceful, I have already found the place where I am usually sitting, next to the window on the small couches in the very and, totally hidden.
5. VZ 101 the meeting place - I am praud that my room became kind of meeting place where we usually have parties or just meeting and talking. I have a small firdge when almost always you can find cold beer (and for US conditions even good). I have a radio which have possibility to connect it with ipod so we have nice music as well and a lot of space just perfect to have fun and chill out a bit.
And thats all - there are different people mailing me and asking whats new, how I am doing ect. I can already say nothing, it is not that fascinating that most people imagine, but it is nice to stay finally in one place and just live a simple life.
thats all - maybe only one more message to you: don't be afraid to move to some other place, it is not that bad, don't expect that living in other place will be like holidays, no it will quickly become "normal" but in a very positive sense
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The role of possession
Since some time I am asking myself if it is really important what kind of car I drive, where I am buying my cloths, what type of mobile I have? Is it really like this that our social status is based on this? Are the material objects more important then feelings, moments, friends ect...
For me it is obvious that no! In my opinion it is important who this person is not what s/he has! I can buy stuff in second hands, take the bus or sometimes bike to go to my job, sleep somewhere on the floor instead of going to expensive hotel. That is for me "normal" - somehow some might say that this is kind of fad, style of life which is jazzy, maybe but for me that is normal, that is how I feel, what's more - I found it very negative attitude to think about possession.
What I observed lastly is that in some places (I am thinking here about Ukraine and Arab countries) people are overpaying attention to "possession"; my impression is that they are doing a lot to have as highest social status as possible. Well yes everything is around social status!
Let me give an example: 2 months ago I was sitting in the kitchen of my organization with guy from Latvia and girl from Egypt. Their were talking about their habits. He was explaining why he hitch-hike to Poland, she was asking - but it take so long, why? He was explaining why it is not so good to take shower to often, and she couldn't believe; he was telling about his attitude to consumerism and throwing out things, and she was asking where is the closest H&M store. This situation and many next once showed me how far we are (Europeans and Arabs) in issue of possession.
When I went to Arab countries I had the impression that people are concentrating how they looks like; all the time nice hair, good cloths, no way to go in pyjama to the breakfast! On the streets they were paying so much attention to cars, I cannot believe that someone might want to take the photo with car! And they did and me with them (btw that was cultural shock for me). What surprised me even more, they knew all the models of cars! I could see there also the americanization of way of life. Well, I have found there all types of behaviour which you can find in stupid american movies about teenagers.
I think that the point is what is our perception of social status. I think that who you are in eyes of others is very important. The aim of life is to increase your social status, be someone (read: position and possession = power). And that was the most difficult for me - I had the feeling that people are judging everyone, including me. I was feeling judge for this how I behaive, what I wear, who I am. It was difficult to be judge for 2 weeks, and I cannot imagine what kind of feeling it is to be judge for whole life.
I know that what is cool for me (green life style) for people from Arab countries is socially unacceptable. What is socially expected is to earn money, have a good job, own something (possession). Even I know examples that people who do not possess enough they cannot get married! And here is a gap, and here is I think the reason why the role of possession is so high. Somehow I can understand that, but for me it is not normal.
For me it is obvious that no! In my opinion it is important who this person is not what s/he has! I can buy stuff in second hands, take the bus or sometimes bike to go to my job, sleep somewhere on the floor instead of going to expensive hotel. That is for me "normal" - somehow some might say that this is kind of fad, style of life which is jazzy, maybe but for me that is normal, that is how I feel, what's more - I found it very negative attitude to think about possession.
What I observed lastly is that in some places (I am thinking here about Ukraine and Arab countries) people are overpaying attention to "possession"; my impression is that they are doing a lot to have as highest social status as possible. Well yes everything is around social status!
Let me give an example: 2 months ago I was sitting in the kitchen of my organization with guy from Latvia and girl from Egypt. Their were talking about their habits. He was explaining why he hitch-hike to Poland, she was asking - but it take so long, why? He was explaining why it is not so good to take shower to often, and she couldn't believe; he was telling about his attitude to consumerism and throwing out things, and she was asking where is the closest H&M store. This situation and many next once showed me how far we are (Europeans and Arabs) in issue of possession.
When I went to Arab countries I had the impression that people are concentrating how they looks like; all the time nice hair, good cloths, no way to go in pyjama to the breakfast! On the streets they were paying so much attention to cars, I cannot believe that someone might want to take the photo with car! And they did and me with them (btw that was cultural shock for me). What surprised me even more, they knew all the models of cars! I could see there also the americanization of way of life. Well, I have found there all types of behaviour which you can find in stupid american movies about teenagers.
I think that the point is what is our perception of social status. I think that who you are in eyes of others is very important. The aim of life is to increase your social status, be someone (read: position and possession = power). And that was the most difficult for me - I had the feeling that people are judging everyone, including me. I was feeling judge for this how I behaive, what I wear, who I am. It was difficult to be judge for 2 weeks, and I cannot imagine what kind of feeling it is to be judge for whole life.
I know that what is cool for me (green life style) for people from Arab countries is socially unacceptable. What is socially expected is to earn money, have a good job, own something (possession). Even I know examples that people who do not possess enough they cannot get married! And here is a gap, and here is I think the reason why the role of possession is so high. Somehow I can understand that, but for me it is not normal.
Monday, September 1, 2008
watch parties - Obama speech
One of the very interesting things which I am all the time in touch with in US are presidencial elections. I like that on my campus they are organizing something calles "watch parties" so meeting where people can watch some interesting events connected with elections and as well discuss it and eat something:)
Last Thuersday we were watching Obama first speech after he was formally choosen for an official candidate for president of United States by Democrats. His speech was very good and a lot of people were aplauzing it all the time during our small party, including the huge ovations in the end.
What he was talking about...
The speech was focused mostly on the domestic policy. There is a big interests in the society in economy and he spend a lot of time on this issue. For me the most controversial was his idea of reducing the taxex for families. In US they have bracket taxes, which according to my ideas is not equal at all. As well everybody knows that if one taxes will be reduced there should e ones which will increase, so why to do it?
It was talking about a lot of social issues like health care for everybody and the easier acces to education. He mentioned that everybody who is serving country or state should have possibility for collage education.
What I have really enjoyed it was his focused on sustainable development, we was talking a lot about new soursec of energy and the need of environmental protection. Afterwords me mentioned about such an issues like reducing poverty and disises and climate change.
Why I think the speech was very good one
Firstly we have to focuse on the aim of this speech, so has to get the votes of around 20% of poeple who are in the center and who are not convinces who to vote. Therefore he had to make his speech more conservative as usually and he did. For example he toucht the topic of gay and lesbians and their rights. He said that maybe there is not yet the time for gey marridges but it is the time to give rights for the partners to visit each other in hospitals or pay taxes together. What might be interpretated as his agreement on formal legalization of partherships. As well he said "we will not agree on abortion but we could agree on reducing a number of unwanted pregnencies".
So here you can see that this difficult topics he addressed to both conservative and liberal voters.
Secondly the aim for sure was to show the difference between him and McCain. What he have done is he address his speech to avarage Americans, via showing that he is one of them. We was speaking a lot abbout his family and his background (he was from devorced family raised just by working mother), which makes him understanding more needs of people. HE said as well that he doesn't have "Washington background", he didn't have any careere there and McCain did have. With this he showed that we want to be a politician who will change the country and not just make a careere in Washington.
He finish his speech with words "Elections are not about me, it's about you" and "change will come to Washington"
Lastly, the speech was not negative, he didn't want to make black campaing. As well is was very gender correct.
What I didn't like
There was once sentecne which made me angry on him. It was: "Keep nuclear weapons out of hends of terrorists". We can ask each other who has nuclear weapons? Just countris like USA, France, Israel, India, Pakistan, North Corea and Iran (and maybe more more which I forgot right now). So telling keep the nuclear weapon out of hends of terrorists is for me statemen that there are some countries which he thinks they are terroristic. Abd abviously even if in some countries terrorists live we can not say that all the people living in the country are terrorists. Because in all those countries I mentioned avarage people wants just peace!
Maybe he said that because Americans expected it. I have no idea if it was with purpose or not. If saying that it was mistake or he wanted to make this statement to fulfil americans needs.
I am looking foreward for McCain speech. I will comment is as well...
cheers
Aga
Last Thuersday we were watching Obama first speech after he was formally choosen for an official candidate for president of United States by Democrats. His speech was very good and a lot of people were aplauzing it all the time during our small party, including the huge ovations in the end.
What he was talking about...
The speech was focused mostly on the domestic policy. There is a big interests in the society in economy and he spend a lot of time on this issue. For me the most controversial was his idea of reducing the taxex for families. In US they have bracket taxes, which according to my ideas is not equal at all. As well everybody knows that if one taxes will be reduced there should e ones which will increase, so why to do it?
It was talking about a lot of social issues like health care for everybody and the easier acces to education. He mentioned that everybody who is serving country or state should have possibility for collage education.
What I have really enjoyed it was his focused on sustainable development, we was talking a lot about new soursec of energy and the need of environmental protection. Afterwords me mentioned about such an issues like reducing poverty and disises and climate change.
Why I think the speech was very good one
Firstly we have to focuse on the aim of this speech, so has to get the votes of around 20% of poeple who are in the center and who are not convinces who to vote. Therefore he had to make his speech more conservative as usually and he did. For example he toucht the topic of gay and lesbians and their rights. He said that maybe there is not yet the time for gey marridges but it is the time to give rights for the partners to visit each other in hospitals or pay taxes together. What might be interpretated as his agreement on formal legalization of partherships. As well he said "we will not agree on abortion but we could agree on reducing a number of unwanted pregnencies".
So here you can see that this difficult topics he addressed to both conservative and liberal voters.
Secondly the aim for sure was to show the difference between him and McCain. What he have done is he address his speech to avarage Americans, via showing that he is one of them. We was speaking a lot abbout his family and his background (he was from devorced family raised just by working mother), which makes him understanding more needs of people. HE said as well that he doesn't have "Washington background", he didn't have any careere there and McCain did have. With this he showed that we want to be a politician who will change the country and not just make a careere in Washington.
He finish his speech with words "Elections are not about me, it's about you" and "change will come to Washington"
Lastly, the speech was not negative, he didn't want to make black campaing. As well is was very gender correct.
What I didn't like
There was once sentecne which made me angry on him. It was: "Keep nuclear weapons out of hends of terrorists". We can ask each other who has nuclear weapons? Just countris like USA, France, Israel, India, Pakistan, North Corea and Iran (and maybe more more which I forgot right now). So telling keep the nuclear weapon out of hends of terrorists is for me statemen that there are some countries which he thinks they are terroristic. Abd abviously even if in some countries terrorists live we can not say that all the people living in the country are terrorists. Because in all those countries I mentioned avarage people wants just peace!
Maybe he said that because Americans expected it. I have no idea if it was with purpose or not. If saying that it was mistake or he wanted to make this statement to fulfil americans needs.
I am looking foreward for McCain speech. I will comment is as well...
cheers
Aga
First weeks in USA
There are already amlost 2 weeks since I came to study in USA. There miht be a problem here to write about different places, where I am travelling because actually I am in the middle of nowhere, where is no public transportation and I have classes everyday, so most probably I wont travel a lot. But... still I can write my about my "Hendrix experience".
Till now I can say that everything looks different. You might say that USA belong to the some civilization as Europe and we are not so different, but living here shows something totally different.
There are a lot of differences, starting from the obvious ones like food, ending on the way of life.
Some things that surprized me:
1. People here can go in pijama to the classes - can you imagine? Well in Europe maybe full make-up is not required but some dress code has to be; is it really so big problem to put jeans and t-shirt in the morning?
2. Still to the dress code - yesterday we had rock concert on our campus, and that I saw: girls wearing very nice dresses and high-hills!!!!!!!!! on the rock concert? how they can dance in high-hills:)
3. Food - well everyone who have seen any of american movies knows that americans are eating fast foods and food is usually very sweet and fat. I was expecting that and of course I have seen, but fortunatelly thay have as well very good vegetarian food, a lot of salads so it is not that bad, but... what is totally surprizing - there are a lot of events and the obligation is to serve free food (maybe to encourage people to come). In each invitation there is written that free food will be available :) even there was some christian event (I don't know promoting what) but it was all about ice-creams. It sounds like we are Christians, we are inviting you for free ice-creams, and maybe via eating ice-creams you will start elieving in GOD :)
4. I didn't expected either that all the parties here are particulary about getting drunk and facking. I was trying to have party few times but mostly I was ending up in such a places that I didn't want to stay at all...
OK... maybe it sounds vary bad, but it is not. My first impression was "what am I doing here" but witt the time it is getting better. With the paprties I realized that mostly freshmens (first year) are behaving like that because that theirs first year far from parents, and even not all of them, because I have already met some amazing people. I started enjoying free food and drinks, becase when the event is long it is nice to be able to take something to drink, and not to go to the shop and miss part of the event. And with the dress code, it is good to know that if I wont make my loundry on time I can enjoy walking in pyjama (but I doubt I will ever do it)
I am looking forward for upcoming weeks...
Till now I can say that everything looks different. You might say that USA belong to the some civilization as Europe and we are not so different, but living here shows something totally different.
There are a lot of differences, starting from the obvious ones like food, ending on the way of life.
Some things that surprized me:
1. People here can go in pijama to the classes - can you imagine? Well in Europe maybe full make-up is not required but some dress code has to be; is it really so big problem to put jeans and t-shirt in the morning?
2. Still to the dress code - yesterday we had rock concert on our campus, and that I saw: girls wearing very nice dresses and high-hills!!!!!!!!! on the rock concert? how they can dance in high-hills:)
3. Food - well everyone who have seen any of american movies knows that americans are eating fast foods and food is usually very sweet and fat. I was expecting that and of course I have seen, but fortunatelly thay have as well very good vegetarian food, a lot of salads so it is not that bad, but... what is totally surprizing - there are a lot of events and the obligation is to serve free food (maybe to encourage people to come). In each invitation there is written that free food will be available :) even there was some christian event (I don't know promoting what) but it was all about ice-creams. It sounds like we are Christians, we are inviting you for free ice-creams, and maybe via eating ice-creams you will start elieving in GOD :)
4. I didn't expected either that all the parties here are particulary about getting drunk and facking. I was trying to have party few times but mostly I was ending up in such a places that I didn't want to stay at all...
OK... maybe it sounds vary bad, but it is not. My first impression was "what am I doing here" but witt the time it is getting better. With the paprties I realized that mostly freshmens (first year) are behaving like that because that theirs first year far from parents, and even not all of them, because I have already met some amazing people. I started enjoying free food and drinks, becase when the event is long it is nice to be able to take something to drink, and not to go to the shop and miss part of the event. And with the dress code, it is good to know that if I wont make my loundry on time I can enjoy walking in pyjama (but I doubt I will ever do it)
I am looking forward for upcoming weeks...
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