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I made a startling discovery today. It's something I should have noticed a long time ago, it makes me go: Seriously, oh my God. Did it take that long to sink in?
We were discussing 'cultural imperialism' in today's seminar (which I found surprisingly interesting; I usually find Tuesday seminars absolutely tedious) and I was making my point against the notion that “West is Best.” No doubt, that Western ideas are being enforced onto Asian values, but I argued that Asian governments have successfully implented policies directed at preventing the influence of western media. Authoritarian governments like those in Singapore and Malaysia have banned satellite TV, or even those who broadcast western channels like CNN still have their own government-run news to counter the influence. So what's the deal? Asians (and all else who aren't Western) still and will continue to stick to their roots, right?
But then I realized. I am such an obvious product of globalization. I can barely speak my own language, much less read or write it, but I'm fluent in English (and, apparently, have a prominent American accent). I am unable to whip up an Asian dish successfully, yet I'm fairly proficient in cooking Western meals. The books I read, the music I listen to, and the basic lifestyle I lead is so westernized. Yet, this is only my second year living in a Western society. This is basically the essence of 'cultural imperialism', isn't it? Wiki defines it as “the practice of promoting, distinguishing or artifically injecting the culture of one society into another”, so it must be so;)
Shall I just blame Hollywood and Rupert Murdoch? It's a tough call. There are numerous western television programmes which have been adapted to fit viewing appeal in the East, such as the success of India's popular music channel, or China's culturally-specific version of 'Sesame Street.' In Taiwan, viewers can watch programs specifically tailored towards ethnic minorities. Still, if it weren't for Murdoch and western influences, I wouldn't be who I was today. I wouldn't be listening to English trashy pop, or reading American magazines and comics, and most definitely wouldn't be living in London. It's a bittersweet feeling. I wish I was more in touch with my Asian heritage, but I'm so glad to get away from it. I wish I wasn't like this, yet simultaneously, I'm pleased that I am.

The very first entry. This is it. Whatever I write here will be cast out into the interwebs for all eternity. That's a bit scary, actually.
I have decided to start this blog in order to keep all those who wish to be informed of the travels of three Americans in Europe regularly updated. We have not yet left the shores of the good old US of A, but we are finishing up the last minute preparations for the journey, a process that involves a lot of waiting on line, paperwork and minor mental breakdowns.
For anyone who doesn't know, my two friends and I are getting ready to leave our cozy homes on the East Coast of America to trek across the wild Atlantic Ocean to St. Andrews University in Scotland where we will be studying a dizzying array of topics from political science to Divinity Studies to medieval history and sociology. We will be spending the Spring semester (which St. Andrews U calls the Candlemas term) in Scotland and traveling about the UK a bit while there. After the semester ends at the end of May we head over to the Continent and will be backpacking about Europe in various states of distress and hyperventilation.
So there's the what, now here's the who:
There's me, fleasonparade, a 20 year old female college student studying at a tiny liberal arts college in the Midwest. I'm studying history and sociology with an eye toward a museum studies program in graduate school. I'm from a small town in New Jersey where I've lived all my life; a life that has not been extraordinarily exciting and perhaps a bit sheltered. I've never traveled outside the US except for Canada (which doesn't really count) and a week in Cancun, Mexico where everyone spoke English and acted more or less American. I'm mildly freaked out over the prospect of living virtually on my own in a new and foreign country, but I will have my faithful and amazing friends to commiserate with when, due to cultural miscommunication, I inadvertently buy 4 gallons of jam or insult someone's mother whilst attempting to ask for directions to the bathroom.
Then there's my travel companions who I won't say much about until I find out how much they are willing to reveal about their mysterious, enigmatic selves.
My friend K. is a fantastic writer and wants to write young adult books for a living. She is 10x the writer I'll ever be, but would never own up to it. I expect that K. will be the mild worry wart of the group and may or may not suffer from minor panic attacks when we inevitably miss a train or can't find our hotel. She will also, however, be the one who will be able to inform us about all the art and architecture we will be seeing since she is studying Art History.
A. is a crazy, loud, lovely girl who once told me that if it weren't for me and my over-preparedness and anal-retentive planning, she and K. would end up in either a crack den or Omaha. Knowing them, either is equally likely. A. will definitely be the spontaneous energy of our group and I am slightly worried about having to a.) fish her out of the Thames b.) prevent her from finding out what's under a Scotsman's kilt or c.) call the Gendarmerie when she leaves me and K. standing on a corner staring at a map after something shiny catches her eye.
So there it is. The very first post. Family, if you're reading this, I'll be sure to update with pictures and videos of our time in the Old World. Anybody else, feel free to laugh at what I'm sure will be some ridiculous situations and some horrendous cultural faux pas.

and is this conversation ongoing? despite the cloak and dagger machinations that will inevitably ensue?
am looking for a woman who transcends those typical boundaries and somehow manages to be a sweetie AND a nympho. There is nothing hotter than watching an intellectual beauty clawing the sheets between teasing thrusts and taunting licks. I guess I want a total package and I figure I am just as likely to find it here as anywhere else:)
Thank god, someone who isn't afraid to ignore the daily doings of 'celebrities'. Isn't it amazing how much media attention goes to trivia generally? Me-thinks there's a nation of people that want desperately to be distracted.
For someone who's native tongue isn't english you have an excellent grasp of the american idiom.
So, travel … I grew up travelling internationally, so people with that kind of background tend to get me better, and like-wise in reverse. I like fun and light, but am pretty up on, and into things meatier, and find it rare to be able to share that with a woman. I'm complex and multi-faceted, rather resembling Miles 'remark in Sideways about pinot, which by the way I happen to adore. I'm a lot more California than DC – spent most of the last 25 years in various parts thereof, but I'm DC enough to have some degrees in science and engineering.
Definitely into 'any situation', and rather strong on the non-verbal communication deal.
Blown away by your cunninglinguist skills and had to reply
Some of us living the most standard, conventional, happy existences have incongruent thought processes and commentary on life – but would be happily distracted frivolously with a compelling paramour, especially one with the cliche out-of-the-box thinking – regardless of whether or not we actually change the paradigm
Same zest for physical stimulation and mental engagement as you and on CL for similar karmic reason, I'd say
(5'8, 165, Mediterranean features, also born elsewhere, not single, and similarly restless)
I think anywhere short of downtown NYC, San Fran, or Chicago in the US will grow stale after some time. Kind of like a marriage …
Rio sounds lovely, and had I the funds and free time, it would be close to the top of the list of places to visit. Kudos to you, however, for maximizing your options. Happy to see pics and hear random thoughtful comments from your end whenever mood and time permits – from the brief info so far, you sound like great lover material.
Well, someone has manic energy to spare. Still, blame it on Rio … say hit to Corcovado from me, and tell the ladies on Ipanema that I will make it there one day.
Any hints towards visuals? Or psychosexual insight? Just in case falling into drinks and bed might be in our future …
It's just as hard or harder for men online as it is in vivo, but that's fair given the appeal pf the fairer sex and security issues and all the biological complications with which you have to suffer throughour a lifetime.
And would you really WANT to be a virgin all over again?
I'd stick with a few more email conversations prior to exchanging actual phone numbers and bodily fluids, but that's just me.
Look forward to your return …

Exciting football marathon.
It started at 3 am Sunday when I got up to visit Metelitsa Sportland to watch NE Patriots-Tennessee Titans game.
It continued Sunday evening when I had my football training first after holidays. At the training I was moved from nose tackle position to strong tackle position, because I lost close to 30 pounds from early December and at all 44-50 pounds since OctoberNovember, when we played Russian championship games. So I become to “light” to play nose tackle. 94 kilograms only (207 pounds).
Just after the training I went with my head coach and good friend and other coaching staff to Sportland and watched dramatic offense-dominating game between KS Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts and GB Packers vs Phili Eagles. My head coach, my offensive and defensive coaches, head coach of team Russia (Coach of the year in Europe 2003, due to double win by team Russia junior championship and adult championship at group “C”). They are all Phili supporters, because they spent some time at its training camp during their probation period at 2000.
Later our company was increased be Dmitry Khaitovsky – the commentator of American Football at our national satellite sport channel NTV +. He is an ex-Moscow Patriots player and now he is a referee. We discussed the possibility of my joint to the referee staff next season. He said that they need people, because Russia hosts European Junior championship, has some Champions league games and EFAF cup. According to the last contest Khaitovsky said: “You play this cup, right?”, And I answered: “I hope so”. So very probably I will be at referee staff of American football this spring-summer, because I know a little both rules and English.
So we spent whole night watching football. It was a great time!
I was driven home (7 minutes trip – lucky to live downtown) at 6 am. And my more than 24 hour football marathon was over.
Too bad that Im “ll watch division championships and SUPERBOWL without those great guys – they all leave to Houston to participate with team Russia Global Junior Championship VIII … I hope theym” ll kick some asses there!
Go Pats!
 

Ось я вся така гарна і доглянута, а Журнал на зиму роздягнений! Вірніше, майже рік крокує в одній і тій же одягу … Вирішила його приодягтися .. Хочеться яскравих фарб … Розкажіть мені, чайніце, як зробити, щоб фоном була моя картинка?)) А текст в журналі просто прокручувався вниз стрічкою? Ну, пожаааааааалуйста ….
Додано через 2 години:
Так, ну, додати картинку-то я змогла … Але довести до умав налаштуваннях так і не змогла .. Обіделаь і повернула все, як було! Якщо хто все ж доведе до пуття, то мені раскажите .. Я теж хотю красивий ЖЖ.
Друзі мої, але ж главноое не наявність красивого фону, а те, що тут пишеться …
P.S. І все-таки я доведу його до розуму! Ми, программісткі, шкідливі і вперті!

На сайті зібрані унікальні листи. Одне з цих листів – лист Фіделя Кастро Президенту США. Тоді Фіделю було 14 років (хоча в листі стоїть цифра 12), а Президентом був Рузвельт. У листі майбутній кубинський лідер говорить про те, що схвалює президентство Рузвельта. Він просить вислати йому десять доларів, а в кінці каже, що із задоволенням покаже кубинські копальні заліза.
Nov 6 1940
Mr Franklin Roosvelt, President of the United States.
My good friend Roosvelt I don't know very English, but I know as much as write to you. I like to hear the radio, and I am very happy, because I heard in it, that you will be President for a new (periodo). I am twelve years old. I am a boy but I think very much but I do not think that I am writing to the President of the United States. If you like, give me a ten dollars bill green american, in the letter, because never, I have not seen a ten dollars bill green american and I would like to have one of them.
My address is:
Sr Fidel Castro
Colegio de Dolores
Santiago de Cuba
Oriente Cuba
I don't know very English but I know very much Spanish and I suppose you don't know very Spanish but you know very English because you are American but I am not American.
(Thank you very much)
Good by. Your friend,
(Signed)
Fidel Castro
If you want iron to make your sheaps ships I will show to you the bigest (minas) of iron of the land. They are in Mayari Oriente Cuba.