Because Looking at Contracts Being Projected on the Walls Bore Me...Terribly

Why hello!

     It's been a while I know. I'm sure many of you have missed the random musings of the life of a 20-and-change American gal...(hint: sarcasm). Needless to say I've been involved in that slow drowning process called graduate school. Things have happened, good, bad, and ugly. This semester is the most difficult studio in the sequence of 7 studios. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a doozy and I'm not too sure if I am glad it's coming to an end or not. It will be another race down to the wire, requiring an all-too-un-grand photo finish.

     This post is for those who are/have suffered through it with me....it's been done before, but here is my list of:

 "You Know You are a Third Year M.Arch Student When..."

Why hello!

     It's been a while I know. I'm sure many of you have missed the random musings of the life of a 20-and-change American gal...(hint: sarcasm). Needless to say I've been involved in that slow drowning process called graduate school. Things have happened, good, bad, and ugly. This semester is the most difficult studio in the sequence of 7 studios. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a doozy and I'm not too sure if I am glad it's coming to an end or not. It will be another race down to the wire, requiring an all-too-un-grand photo finish.

     This post is for those who are/have suffered through it with me....it's been done before, but here is my list of:

 "You Know You are a Third Year M.Arch Student When..."

Why hello!

     It's been a while I know. I'm sure many of you have missed the random musings of the life of a 20-and-change American gal...(hint: sarcasm). Needless to say I've been involved in that slow drowning process called graduate school. Things have happened, good, bad, and ugly. This semester is the most difficult studio in the sequence of 7 studios. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a doozy and I'm not too sure if I am glad it's coming to an end or not. It will be another race down to the wire, requiring an all-too-un-grand photo finish.

     This post is for those who are/have suffered through it with me....it's been done before, but here is my list of:

 "You Know You are a Third Year M.Arch Student When..."

Why hello!

     It's been a while I know. I'm sure many of you have missed the random musings of the life of a 20-and-change American gal...(hint: sarcasm). Needless to say I've been involved in that slow drowning process called graduate school. Things have happened, good, bad, and ugly. This semester is the most difficult studio in the sequence of 7 studios. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a doozy and I'm not too sure if I am glad it's coming to an end or not. It will be another race down to the wire, requiring an all-too-un-grand photo finish.

     This post is for those who are/have suffered through it with me....it's been done before, but here is my list of:

 "You Know You are a Third Year M.Arch Student When..."

Note to Self:

     I’ve been told I can write. I never thought I was any good at it. I tend to ramble, drift off topic, and write in a stream-of-conscious-I-don’t-give-a-damn-about-grammar kind of way. I can’t spell to save my life - I’m seriously not kidding, ask anyone who knows me. However, despite this, I’ve been told I can write by people that don’t know me as any better than “Marlene’s daughter.” Speaking as someone who has trouble spelling ‘grammar,’ I take this as a compliment.

            I still don’t think I’m that good at it. In the grand scheme of things my opinion is worth nothing more than the wisdom of a 20-something graduate student in the crumbling economy of another world empire. What do I really know about the world? Who knows, or cares. All I know is that if you asked me what I could actually see myself doing after I graduate I’d answer you with either working with C to ‘save the world, one bamboo stick at a time’ or write.

I enjoy the stories of the people I meet, especially the ones people tell without even realizing it. As of right now, writing is my back up plan. I have no idea how I would go about, or even fund either of these endeavors, but that’s all part of the thrill for me. I can’t see myself thriving in an office environment. I’m too restless. Although I know that beggars can’t be choosers in this environment, I also feel that now is the time because of this environment. It isn’t like the job market in the west is going to magically change drastically in the next year so what do I have to lose?

The way I see it? Screw how things are ‘supposed’ to be done; just go for it. If it’s an idea worth pursuing, the rest will follow.

I know I usually give you a little something extra if you make it through my posts so this has been on my playlist lately enjoy!

     I’ve been told I can write. I never thought I was any good at it. I tend to ramble, drift off topic, and write in a stream-of-conscious-I-don’t-give-a-damn-about-grammar kind of way. I can’t spell to save my life - I’m seriously not kidding, ask anyone who knows me. However, despite this, I’ve been told I can write by people that don’t know me as any better than “Marlene’s daughter.” Speaking as someone who has trouble spelling ‘grammar,’ I take this as a compliment.

            I still don’t think I’m that good at it. In the grand scheme of things my opinion is worth nothing more than the wisdom of a 20-something graduate student in the crumbling economy of another world empire. What do I really know about the world? Who knows, or cares. All I know is that if you asked me what I could actually see myself doing after I graduate I’d answer you with either working with C to ‘save the world, one bamboo stick at a time’ or write.

I enjoy the stories of the people I meet, especially the ones people tell without even realizing it. As of right now, writing is my back up plan. I have no idea how I would go about, or even fund either of these endeavors, but that’s all part of the thrill for me. I can’t see myself thriving in an office environment. I’m too restless. Although I know that beggars can’t be choosers in this environment, I also feel that now is the time because of this environment. It isn’t like the job market in the west is going to magically change drastically in the next year so what do I have to lose?

The way I see it? Screw how things are ‘supposed’ to be done; just go for it. If it’s an idea worth pursuing, the rest will follow.

I know I usually give you a little something extra if you make it through my posts so this has been on my playlist lately enjoy!

     I’ve been told I can write. I never thought I was any good at it. I tend to ramble, drift off topic, and write in a stream-of-conscious-I-don’t-give-a-damn-about-grammar kind of way. I can’t spell to save my life - I’m seriously not kidding, ask anyone who knows me. However, despite this, I’ve been told I can write by people that don’t know me as any better than “Marlene’s daughter.” Speaking as someone who has trouble spelling ‘grammar,’ I take this as a compliment.

            I still don’t think I’m that good at it. In the grand scheme of things my opinion is worth nothing more than the wisdom of a 20-something graduate student in the crumbling economy of another world empire. What do I really know about the world? Who knows, or cares. All I know is that if you asked me what I could actually see myself doing after I graduate I’d answer you with either working with C to ‘save the world, one bamboo stick at a time’ or write.

I enjoy the stories of the people I meet, especially the ones people tell without even realizing it. As of right now, writing is my back up plan. I have no idea how I would go about, or even fund either of these endeavors, but that’s all part of the thrill for me. I can’t see myself thriving in an office environment. I’m too restless. Although I know that beggars can’t be choosers in this environment, I also feel that now is the time because of this environment. It isn’t like the job market in the west is going to magically change drastically in the next year so what do I have to lose?

The way I see it? Screw how things are ‘supposed’ to be done; just go for it. If it’s an idea worth pursuing, the rest will follow.

I know I usually give you a little something extra if you make it through my posts so this has been on my playlist lately enjoy!

     I’ve been told I can write. I never thought I was any good at it. I tend to ramble, drift off topic, and write in a stream-of-conscious-I-don’t-give-a-damn-about-grammar kind of way. I can’t spell to save my life - I’m seriously not kidding, ask anyone who knows me. However, despite this, I’ve been told I can write by people that don’t know me as any better than “Marlene’s daughter.” Speaking as someone who has trouble spelling ‘grammar,’ I take this as a compliment.

            I still don’t think I’m that good at it. In the grand scheme of things my opinion is worth nothing more than the wisdom of a 20-something graduate student in the crumbling economy of another world empire. What do I really know about the world? Who knows, or cares. All I know is that if you asked me what I could actually see myself doing after I graduate I’d answer you with either working with C to ‘save the world, one bamboo stick at a time’ or write.

I enjoy the stories of the people I meet, especially the ones people tell without even realizing it. As of right now, writing is my back up plan. I have no idea how I would go about, or even fund either of these endeavors, but that’s all part of the thrill for me. I can’t see myself thriving in an office environment. I’m too restless. Although I know that beggars can’t be choosers in this environment, I also feel that now is the time because of this environment. It isn’t like the job market in the west is going to magically change drastically in the next year so what do I have to lose?

The way I see it? Screw how things are ‘supposed’ to be done; just go for it. If it’s an idea worth pursuing, the rest will follow.

I know I usually give you a little something extra if you make it through my posts so this has been on my playlist lately enjoy!

Just can't help myself...

      Adjustment to a life back in the States has proven harder than I originally thought. I often find myself trapped in my own little world, with my own little thoughts, looking around at a backdrop that was once familiar like the back of my hand. Now, the backdrop has its familiar wrinkles, but there is a sense of unfamiliarity, of displacement, of lines that I don't quite remember being there three months ago.

     Who can blame me really? I've gone from a place where possession of marijuana is punishable by death via hanging, to the city that boasts more dispensaries than Starbucks. I once inhabited a country with a 3% unemployment rate and returned to the one that is creeping slowly towards 10%. My age group is even higher. People here are active, outdoors frequently, and dog-enthusiasts. Can't say the same for the majority in Malaysia. I used to pay $5 for a beer ($3 at one spot) and that was considered cheap; here you can get 64oz of craft beer for a mere $4. On the flips side, don't ever expect to get a $2.50 lunch in this country that will taste like a million bucks. I can actually figure out where the hell I am now, not by landmarks, but by a city grid (albeit, Denver's is a little odd). Freedom of expression, dress, and behavior here are not confined to the much more omnipresent social pressures that un-deniably exist in Malaysia. I realize I'll offend some with this statement; however, you would be lying to yourself if you said they were non-existant. I've seen 'growth' on an astronomical scale. Here we are just hoping that Denver's numbers continue to stay above average.

I know it's tough to read, but trust me, this type of 'gas station' does not exist in Malaysia

     Despite all of those differences, the other side of the coin gives a much more 'same-same' feel. One can easily substitute Bangladeshi, Burmese, Filipino, and Indonesian illegal labor forces for those of South and Central America. We both have politically controlled mass media (ours less obvious than MY); as well as governments that truly believe they are being clandestine, but the educated know otherwise. Denver and KL both share an enthusiasm for food and local eateries. Our beer is your durian. Car dependency goes without saying. Branding here is more about outdoor sporting companies and less about Louis Vuitton, but it's the same idea. Lastly, who can deny that our flags are strikingly similar? I still don't know why this is...

Durian tasting, beer tasting? Same thing...well almost...

     With all of this being said, there is one thing that really bothers me about my experiences this past summer. A common conversation, had by both strangers and friends started off like this...

'Why did you come to Malaysia?'
'For work.'
'Why didn't you want to work in the United States?'
'There are no jobs for architects in the US.'
'Really?'
'...'

     I also kept hearing about how Malaysia wants to become like the West. Emulates the West. To this I have one thing to say: WHY?!? Seriously, WHY? For whatever reason, there is this un-realistic stereotype about Western, particularly American society. I don't get it. Yes, we have done some things right, but in case you haven't noticed (or choose to ignore) we have done A LOT of wrong. Some things (see photo) are irreversible. We have dug ourselves a large hole. Currently, we are clawing at these walls of damp soil to simply get a leg up to get out.

This is one of countless 2-mile-long coal trains that pass by me every day

     I saw building after building go up with no regards to what existed there before. The whole situation is  sad, unsustainable, and - to put it bluntly - thoughtless. I have often heard the excuse, 'well the west did it this way, so it's your fault.' No, that is simply an immature response to pass off guilt to another party. Two wrongs don't make a right. I find it hard to believe that the US is forcing Malaysia to build in this manner (Indonesia, well that's another story). First of all, the US has (finally) begun to realize the value in what is already there and the absolute importance of changing the design paradigm to one that focuses on a more sustainable approach. Second of all, name one large (in population) US city that doesn't have a vibrant and thriving historic district. We saw the value in a pre-existing, sound structural system with open floor plates and adapted.

   So I say this to you Malaysia. Be your own country, your own people, and your own culture. If you truly believe in becoming a nation the world can follow, do not ruin this one shot you have by trudging down the same path we did on steroids. It won't get you anywhere. Instead take this opportunity to slow down and think. Be a global leader in a sustainable manner, this will attract attention. Yes, I realize money, in the end, is what talks. However, you will spend much more fixing your mistakes than you will if you do it right the first time. Learn from the west's failures. Don't buy into 'the faster the better' argument, it's simply not true. Just because China built a huge damn in record time isn't going to rid them of the extreme environmental problems that they now face with flooding and destruction of precious farm land. Good things come to those who wait...and think.

-M

 

PS...on a personal note: Back to normal face, hair, and nose (although it's still a bit sore).

 

      Adjustment to a life back in the States has proven harder than I originally thought. I often find myself trapped in my own little world, with my own little thoughts, looking around at a backdrop that was once familiar like the back of my hand. Now, the backdrop has its familiar wrinkles, but there is a sense of unfamiliarity, of displacement, of lines that I don't quite remember being there three months ago.

     Who can blame me really? I've gone from a place where possession of marijuana is punishable by death via hanging, to the city that boasts more dispensaries than Starbucks. I once inhabited a country with a 3% unemployment rate and returned to the one that is creeping slowly towards 10%. My age group is even higher. People here are active, outdoors frequently, and dog-enthusiasts. Can't say the same for the majority in Malaysia. I used to pay $5 for a beer ($3 at one spot) and that was considered cheap; here you can get 64oz of craft beer for a mere $4. On the flips side, don't ever expect to get a $2.50 lunch in this country that will taste like a million bucks. I can actually figure out where the hell I am now, not by landmarks, but by a city grid (albeit, Denver's is a little odd). Freedom of expression, dress, and behavior here are not confined to the much more omnipresent social pressures that un-deniably exist in Malaysia. I realize I'll offend some with this statement; however, you would be lying to yourself if you said they were non-existant. I've seen 'growth' on an astronomical scale. Here we are just hoping that Denver's numbers continue to stay above average.

I know it's tough to read, but trust me, this type of 'gas station' does not exist in Malaysia

     Despite all of those differences, the other side of the coin gives a much more 'same-same' feel. One can easily substitute Bangladeshi, Burmese, Filipino, and Indonesian illegal labor forces for those of South and Central America. We both have politically controlled mass media (ours less obvious than MY); as well as governments that truly believe they are being clandestine, but the educated know otherwise. Denver and KL both share an enthusiasm for food and local eateries. Our beer is your durian. Car dependency goes without saying. Branding here is more about outdoor sporting companies and less about Louis Vuitton, but it's the same idea. Lastly, who can deny that our flags are strikingly similar? I still don't know why this is...

Durian tasting, beer tasting? Same thing...well almost...

     With all of this being said, there is one thing that really bothers me about my experiences this past summer. A common conversation, had by both strangers and friends started off like this...

'Why did you come to Malaysia?'
'For work.'
'Why didn't you want to work in the United States?'
'There are no jobs for architects in the US.'
'Really?'
'...'

     I also kept hearing about how Malaysia wants to become like the West. Emulates the West. To this I have one thing to say: WHY?!? Seriously, WHY? For whatever reason, there is this un-realistic stereotype about Western, particularly American society. I don't get it. Yes, we have done some things right, but in case you haven't noticed (or choose to ignore) we have done A LOT of wrong. Some things (see photo) are irreversible. We have dug ourselves a large hole. Currently, we are clawing at these walls of damp soil to simply get a leg up to get out.

This is one of countless 2-mile-long coal trains that pass by me every day

     I saw building after building go up with no regards to what existed there before. The whole situation is  sad, unsustainable, and - to put it bluntly - thoughtless. I have often heard the excuse, 'well the west did it this way, so it's your fault.' No, that is simply an immature response to pass off guilt to another party. Two wrongs don't make a right. I find it hard to believe that the US is forcing Malaysia to build in this manner (Indonesia, well that's another story). First of all, the US has (finally) begun to realize the value in what is already there and the absolute importance of changing the design paradigm to one that focuses on a more sustainable approach. Second of all, name one large (in population) US city that doesn't have a vibrant and thriving historic district. We saw the value in a pre-existing, sound structural system with open floor plates and adapted.

   So I say this to you Malaysia. Be your own country, your own people, and your own culture. If you truly believe in becoming a nation the world can follow, do not ruin this one shot you have by trudging down the same path we did on steroids. It won't get you anywhere. Instead take this opportunity to slow down and think. Be a global leader in a sustainable manner, this will attract attention. Yes, I realize money, in the end, is what talks. However, you will spend much more fixing your mistakes than you will if you do it right the first time. Learn from the west's failures. Don't buy into 'the faster the better' argument, it's simply not true. Just because China built a huge damn in record time isn't going to rid them of the extreme environmental problems that they now face with flooding and destruction of precious farm land. Good things come to those who wait...and think.

-M

 

PS...on a personal note: Back to normal face, hair, and nose (although it's still a bit sore).

 

      Adjustment to a life back in the States has proven harder than I originally thought. I often find myself trapped in my own little world, with my own little thoughts, looking around at a backdrop that was once familiar like the back of my hand. Now, the backdrop has its familiar wrinkles, but there is a sense of unfamiliarity, of displacement, of lines that I don't quite remember being there three months ago.

     Who can blame me really? I've gone from a place where possession of marijuana is punishable by death via hanging, to the city that boasts more dispensaries than Starbucks. I once inhabited a country with a 3% unemployment rate and returned to the one that is creeping slowly towards 10%. My age group is even higher. People here are active, outdoors frequently, and dog-enthusiasts. Can't say the same for the majority in Malaysia. I used to pay $5 for a beer ($3 at one spot) and that was considered cheap; here you can get 64oz of craft beer for a mere $4. On the flips side, don't ever expect to get a $2.50 lunch in this country that will taste like a million bucks. I can actually figure out where the hell I am now, not by landmarks, but by a city grid (albeit, Denver's is a little odd). Freedom of expression, dress, and behavior here are not confined to the much more omnipresent social pressures that un-deniably exist in Malaysia. I realize I'll offend some with this statement; however, you would be lying to yourself if you said they were non-existant. I've seen 'growth' on an astronomical scale. Here we are just hoping that Denver's numbers continue to stay above average.

I know it's tough to read, but trust me, this type of 'gas station' does not exist in Malaysia

     Despite all of those differences, the other side of the coin gives a much more 'same-same' feel. One can easily substitute Bangladeshi, Burmese, Filipino, and Indonesian illegal labor forces for those of South and Central America. We both have politically controlled mass media (ours less obvious than MY); as well as governments that truly believe they are being clandestine, but the educated know otherwise. Denver and KL both share an enthusiasm for food and local eateries. Our beer is your durian. Car dependency goes without saying. Branding here is more about outdoor sporting companies and less about Louis Vuitton, but it's the same idea. Lastly, who can deny that our flags are strikingly similar? I still don't know why this is...

Durian tasting, beer tasting? Same thing...well almost...

     With all of this being said, there is one thing that really bothers me about my experiences this past summer. A common conversation, had by both strangers and friends started off like this...

'Why did you come to Malaysia?'
'For work.'
'Why didn't you want to work in the United States?'
'There are no jobs for architects in the US.'
'Really?'
'...'

     I also kept hearing about how Malaysia wants to become like the West. Emulates the West. To this I have one thing to say: WHY?!? Seriously, WHY? For whatever reason, there is this un-realistic stereotype about Western, particularly American society. I don't get it. Yes, we have done some things right, but in case you haven't noticed (or choose to ignore) we have done A LOT of wrong. Some things (see photo) are irreversible. We have dug ourselves a large hole. Currently, we are clawing at these walls of damp soil to simply get a leg up to get out.

This is one of countless 2-mile-long coal trains that pass by me every day

     I saw building after building go up with no regards to what existed there before. The whole situation is  sad, unsustainable, and - to put it bluntly - thoughtless. I have often heard the excuse, 'well the west did it this way, so it's your fault.' No, that is simply an immature response to pass off guilt to another party. Two wrongs don't make a right. I find it hard to believe that the US is forcing Malaysia to build in this manner (Indonesia, well that's another story). First of all, the US has (finally) begun to realize the value in what is already there and the absolute importance of changing the design paradigm to one that focuses on a more sustainable approach. Second of all, name one large (in population) US city that doesn't have a vibrant and thriving historic district. We saw the value in a pre-existing, sound structural system with open floor plates and adapted.

   So I say this to you Malaysia. Be your own country, your own people, and your own culture. If you truly believe in becoming a nation the world can follow, do not ruin this one shot you have by trudging down the same path we did on steroids. It won't get you anywhere. Instead take this opportunity to slow down and think. Be a global leader in a sustainable manner, this will attract attention. Yes, I realize money, in the end, is what talks. However, you will spend much more fixing your mistakes than you will if you do it right the first time. Learn from the west's failures. Don't buy into 'the faster the better' argument, it's simply not true. Just because China built a huge damn in record time isn't going to rid them of the extreme environmental problems that they now face with flooding and destruction of precious farm land. Good things come to those who wait...and think.

-M

 

PS...on a personal note: Back to normal face, hair, and nose (although it's still a bit sore).

 

      Adjustment to a life back in the States has proven harder than I originally thought. I often find myself trapped in my own little world, with my own little thoughts, looking around at a backdrop that was once familiar like the back of my hand. Now, the backdrop has its familiar wrinkles, but there is a sense of unfamiliarity, of displacement, of lines that I don't quite remember being there three months ago.

     Who can blame me really? I've gone from a place where possession of marijuana is punishable by death via hanging, to the city that boasts more dispensaries than Starbucks. I once inhabited a country with a 3% unemployment rate and returned to the one that is creeping slowly towards 10%. My age group is even higher. People here are active, outdoors frequently, and dog-enthusiasts. Can't say the same for the majority in Malaysia. I used to pay $5 for a beer ($3 at one spot) and that was considered cheap; here you can get 64oz of craft beer for a mere $4. On the flips side, don't ever expect to get a $2.50 lunch in this country that will taste like a million bucks. I can actually figure out where the hell I am now, not by landmarks, but by a city grid (albeit, Denver's is a little odd). Freedom of expression, dress, and behavior here are not confined to the much more omnipresent social pressures that un-deniably exist in Malaysia. I realize I'll offend some with this statement; however, you would be lying to yourself if you said they were non-existant. I've seen 'growth' on an astronomical scale. Here we are just hoping that Denver's numbers continue to stay above average.

I know it's tough to read, but trust me, this type of 'gas station' does not exist in Malaysia

     Despite all of those differences, the other side of the coin gives a much more 'same-same' feel. One can easily substitute Bangladeshi, Burmese, Filipino, and Indonesian illegal labor forces for those of South and Central America. We both have politically controlled mass media (ours less obvious than MY); as well as governments that truly believe they are being clandestine, but the educated know otherwise. Denver and KL both share an enthusiasm for food and local eateries. Our beer is your durian. Car dependency goes without saying. Branding here is more about outdoor sporting companies and less about Louis Vuitton, but it's the same idea. Lastly, who can deny that our flags are strikingly similar? I still don't know why this is...

Durian tasting, beer tasting? Same thing...well almost...

     With all of this being said, there is one thing that really bothers me about my experiences this past summer. A common conversation, had by both strangers and friends started off like this...

'Why did you come to Malaysia?'
'For work.'
'Why didn't you want to work in the United States?'
'There are no jobs for architects in the US.'
'Really?'
'...'

     I also kept hearing about how Malaysia wants to become like the West. Emulates the West. To this I have one thing to say: WHY?!? Seriously, WHY? For whatever reason, there is this un-realistic stereotype about Western, particularly American society. I don't get it. Yes, we have done some things right, but in case you haven't noticed (or choose to ignore) we have done A LOT of wrong. Some things (see photo) are irreversible. We have dug ourselves a large hole. Currently, we are clawing at these walls of damp soil to simply get a leg up to get out.

This is one of countless 2-mile-long coal trains that pass by me every day

     I saw building after building go up with no regards to what existed there before. The whole situation is  sad, unsustainable, and - to put it bluntly - thoughtless. I have often heard the excuse, 'well the west did it this way, so it's your fault.' No, that is simply an immature response to pass off guilt to another party. Two wrongs don't make a right. I find it hard to believe that the US is forcing Malaysia to build in this manner (Indonesia, well that's another story). First of all, the US has (finally) begun to realize the value in what is already there and the absolute importance of changing the design paradigm to one that focuses on a more sustainable approach. Second of all, name one large (in population) US city that doesn't have a vibrant and thriving historic district. We saw the value in a pre-existing, sound structural system with open floor plates and adapted.

   So I say this to you Malaysia. Be your own country, your own people, and your own culture. If you truly believe in becoming a nation the world can follow, do not ruin this one shot you have by trudging down the same path we did on steroids. It won't get you anywhere. Instead take this opportunity to slow down and think. Be a global leader in a sustainable manner, this will attract attention. Yes, I realize money, in the end, is what talks. However, you will spend much more fixing your mistakes than you will if you do it right the first time. Learn from the west's failures. Don't buy into 'the faster the better' argument, it's simply not true. Just because China built a huge damn in record time isn't going to rid them of the extreme environmental problems that they now face with flooding and destruction of precious farm land. Good things come to those who wait...and think.

-M

 

PS...on a personal note: Back to normal face, hair, and nose (although it's still a bit sore).

 

Most likely confrontational, but I mean no harm, my opinion is just that

     Today is an odd day. Woke up to a pack of feral dogs fighting in the hills behind my apartment, I felt horrible because I could hear one yelping. The office was extremely quite all day. There was some big client meet and great/schmooze/network thing that a bunch of people attended in the am, and a funeral for a former co-worker in the pm. I didn't go to the funeral, I don't know the person and I thought it would be rude to show up to a funeral (never mind depressing). Although it is of interest to note that the woman died of food poisoning. She was in the hospital for some time, but still it is rare for something like this to happen. It's also not the way to go (trust me on this one). I feel bad for her family and friends. Thus it was pretty much the interns and the newer expats in the afternoon. I'm quite tired from staring at a computer screen, moving lines around/fixing diagrams and plans all day. I need to be out and about. I need to be active. That's where I struggle with architecture. Always have really. The modern day attachment to computers scares me in many ways.

     After work I was going to go to yoga, but my tummy doesn't feel well (the mee goreng I had for lunch was quite spicy). I'm also trying to save some money, as tomorrow I'm going with a few co-workers to the largest pasar malam (night market) in Malaysia tomorrow night.

     There are a few new interns at work now. Four guys from Saudi Arabia have joined the company for three weeks. They are extremely shy/stick to themselves, but the other interns keep asking them to lunch to get them to come out of their shells so to speak. It is tough to do when only 2 of them are comfortable speaking English, although one speaks quite well. There is a lot of translating that goes on (I'm currently helping out on the same competition). It's been interesting working with them, I would love to know what they think about taking directions from two women. The guy who speaks good English (whose name is, interestingly enough, Osama) has been surprisingly open in terms of speaking about the Arab world and life in Saudi Arabia.

     If there is one thing I've learned about Arab culture it is that I will never be able to wrap my head around it. I understand some things, on a very superficial level. Whether I agree with them or not is a different story. I have been told that the woman is seen as a fruit or a flower. If it is left out in the open with no protection, the flies (or men) will swarm around it and ruin it. Therefore, women need to be protected. On one level this is rather charming, but on another, doesn't that give men the excuse to act like flies? If not, then why is it every time someone speaks about the Arab world the differences of the sexes is brought up? My friend's sister (who is Iranian) put it nicely saying that she questions Islam because in the modern world it seems to have become a discussion about the differences and rights of men and women. Religion shouldn't be about these issues. I agree. However, it is not my place to preach, say, or do anything about the way other cultures and religions go about their business. I was not born into that society, culture, country, region, race, whatever you want to call it. I can't possibly understand the issues surrounding it, and quite honestly, it isn't my business. Yes I'm a woman, but I'm an American woman, brought up within a different social construct. I have no right to do anything more than state my opinion within the context in which I have been brought up in. In essence, it is not my place, nor do I want it to be.

     With all of that being said, the guys who work with me have not treated me with any disrespect or rudeness whatsoever.  If anything, they are shy which comes across as intimidated by the fact that men and women who are not related or married hang out together. When I put myself in their shoes, there are definitely things they couldn't understand about my culture as well. It goes both ways. I give them credit for hanging out with the other interns at lunch and they seem to be opening up a bit. They came all this way and my hope is that when they go back they at least learn something about each of us or at least Malaysia.

     Today at lunch I told O the importance of the West and the Middle East (people, not government) making an effort to learn from one other. It's so important because due to our respective media, we don't get any sense of reality of each other's lives, homes, and culture. Both sides just hear about the worst situations and stories, not about reality. Propaganda is rampant and the only way to begin to understand each other's cultures is to experience and learn about them. The conversation went from that to our economies and job markets. I found it surprising that they have similar employment issues as we do back home. Both countries are going to experience a severe brain drain if something isn't done soon. Theirs goes one step further to say that the only jobs that can be found are those with foreign companies. These companies only employ foreign workers. If a local workforce is hired, it's for the shit jobs no one else wants. So think about this for a second folks. Obviously the people are going to develop a distrust of the west if the western corporations are coming in and essentially denying their equally qualified workforce a chance at a job. I would be pissed too.

    Another interest (especially to those back in the states) is the oil prices. I asked them (as well as the Malaysians) how much they pay for gas. In Saudi Arabia gas is $0.15 per liter...there are about 4 liters in a gallon making a grand total of $0.60 per gallon...astounding. Seriously astounding. How much do you pay in California these days? On that same token, a Big Mac in Saudi Arabia costs roughly $6 from what I've been told. I suppose you could call that a trade off....wait...probably not. In Malaysia gas is roughly RM 2 and change per liter which is about $2.60 a gallon. That is still significantly cheaper than what most Americans pay to fill up. Both nations are a part of OPEC. Crazy isn't it? I'm not suggesting that cheaper oil prices are good or anything like that. I think that a rising price is a good thing because people need to stop being dependent on a limited resource with negative environmental impacts, but weening the world off an oil dependency is no easy task, and I have no solution.


     That's all for today.


-M

  

     Today is an odd day. Woke up to a pack of feral dogs fighting in the hills behind my apartment, I felt horrible because I could hear one yelping. The office was extremely quite all day. There was some big client meet and great/schmooze/network thing that a bunch of people attended in the am, and a funeral for a former co-worker in the pm. I didn't go to the funeral, I don't know the person and I thought it would be rude to show up to a funeral (never mind depressing). Although it is of interest to note that the woman died of food poisoning. She was in the hospital for some time, but still it is rare for something like this to happen. It's also not the way to go (trust me on this one). I feel bad for her family and friends. Thus it was pretty much the interns and the newer expats in the afternoon. I'm quite tired from staring at a computer screen, moving lines around/fixing diagrams and plans all day. I need to be out and about. I need to be active. That's where I struggle with architecture. Always have really. The modern day attachment to computers scares me in many ways.

     After work I was going to go to yoga, but my tummy doesn't feel well (the mee goreng I had for lunch was quite spicy). I'm also trying to save some money, as tomorrow I'm going with a few co-workers to the largest pasar malam (night market) in Malaysia tomorrow night.

     There are a few new interns at work now. Four guys from Saudi Arabia have joined the company for three weeks. They are extremely shy/stick to themselves, but the other interns keep asking them to lunch to get them to come out of their shells so to speak. It is tough to do when only 2 of them are comfortable speaking English, although one speaks quite well. There is a lot of translating that goes on (I'm currently helping out on the same competition). It's been interesting working with them, I would love to know what they think about taking directions from two women. The guy who speaks good English (whose name is, interestingly enough, Osama) has been surprisingly open in terms of speaking about the Arab world and life in Saudi Arabia.

     If there is one thing I've learned about Arab culture it is that I will never be able to wrap my head around it. I understand some things, on a very superficial level. Whether I agree with them or not is a different story. I have been told that the woman is seen as a fruit or a flower. If it is left out in the open with no protection, the flies (or men) will swarm around it and ruin it. Therefore, women need to be protected. On one level this is rather charming, but on another, doesn't that give men the excuse to act like flies? If not, then why is it every time someone speaks about the Arab world the differences of the sexes is brought up? My friend's sister (who is Iranian) put it nicely saying that she questions Islam because in the modern world it seems to have become a discussion about the differences and rights of men and women. Religion shouldn't be about these issues. I agree. However, it is not my place to preach, say, or do anything about the way other cultures and religions go about their business. I was not born into that society, culture, country, region, race, whatever you want to call it. I can't possibly understand the issues surrounding it, and quite honestly, it isn't my business. Yes I'm a woman, but I'm an American woman, brought up within a different social construct. I have no right to do anything more than state my opinion within the context in which I have been brought up in. In essence, it is not my place, nor do I want it to be.

     With all of that being said, the guys who work with me have not treated me with any disrespect or rudeness whatsoever.  If anything, they are shy which comes across as intimidated by the fact that men and women who are not related or married hang out together. When I put myself in their shoes, there are definitely things they couldn't understand about my culture as well. It goes both ways. I give them credit for hanging out with the other interns at lunch and they seem to be opening up a bit. They came all this way and my hope is that when they go back they at least learn something about each of us or at least Malaysia.

     Today at lunch I told O the importance of the West and the Middle East (people, not government) making an effort to learn from one other. It's so important because due to our respective media, we don't get any sense of reality of each other's lives, homes, and culture. Both sides just hear about the worst situations and stories, not about reality. Propaganda is rampant and the only way to begin to understand each other's cultures is to experience and learn about them. The conversation went from that to our economies and job markets. I found it surprising that they have similar employment issues as we do back home. Both countries are going to experience a severe brain drain if something isn't done soon. Theirs goes one step further to say that the only jobs that can be found are those with foreign companies. These companies only employ foreign workers. If a local workforce is hired, it's for the shit jobs no one else wants. So think about this for a second folks. Obviously the people are going to develop a distrust of the west if the western corporations are coming in and essentially denying their equally qualified workforce a chance at a job. I would be pissed too.

    Another interest (especially to those back in the states) is the oil prices. I asked them (as well as the Malaysians) how much they pay for gas. In Saudi Arabia gas is $0.15 per liter...there are about 4 liters in a gallon making a grand total of $0.60 per gallon...astounding. Seriously astounding. How much do you pay in California these days? On that same token, a Big Mac in Saudi Arabia costs roughly $6 from what I've been told. I suppose you could call that a trade off....wait...probably not. In Malaysia gas is roughly RM 2 and change per liter which is about $2.60 a gallon. That is still significantly cheaper than what most Americans pay to fill up. Both nations are a part of OPEC. Crazy isn't it? I'm not suggesting that cheaper oil prices are good or anything like that. I think that a rising price is a good thing because people need to stop being dependent on a limited resource with negative environmental impacts, but weening the world off an oil dependency is no easy task, and I have no solution.


     That's all for today.


-M

  

     Today is an odd day. Woke up to a pack of feral dogs fighting in the hills behind my apartment, I felt horrible because I could hear one yelping. The office was extremely quite all day. There was some big client meet and great/schmooze/network thing that a bunch of people attended in the am, and a funeral for a former co-worker in the pm. I didn't go to the funeral, I don't know the person and I thought it would be rude to show up to a funeral (never mind depressing). Although it is of interest to note that the woman died of food poisoning. She was in the hospital for some time, but still it is rare for something like this to happen. It's also not the way to go (trust me on this one). I feel bad for her family and friends. Thus it was pretty much the interns and the newer expats in the afternoon. I'm quite tired from staring at a computer screen, moving lines around/fixing diagrams and plans all day. I need to be out and about. I need to be active. That's where I struggle with architecture. Always have really. The modern day attachment to computers scares me in many ways.

     After work I was going to go to yoga, but my tummy doesn't feel well (the mee goreng I had for lunch was quite spicy). I'm also trying to save some money, as tomorrow I'm going with a few co-workers to the largest pasar malam (night market) in Malaysia tomorrow night.

     There are a few new interns at work now. Four guys from Saudi Arabia have joined the company for three weeks. They are extremely shy/stick to themselves, but the other interns keep asking them to lunch to get them to come out of their shells so to speak. It is tough to do when only 2 of them are comfortable speaking English, although one speaks quite well. There is a lot of translating that goes on (I'm currently helping out on the same competition). It's been interesting working with them, I would love to know what they think about taking directions from two women. The guy who speaks good English (whose name is, interestingly enough, Osama) has been surprisingly open in terms of speaking about the Arab world and life in Saudi Arabia.

     If there is one thing I've learned about Arab culture it is that I will never be able to wrap my head around it. I understand some things, on a very superficial level. Whether I agree with them or not is a different story. I have been told that the woman is seen as a fruit or a flower. If it is left out in the open with no protection, the flies (or men) will swarm around it and ruin it. Therefore, women need to be protected. On one level this is rather charming, but on another, doesn't that give men the excuse to act like flies? If not, then why is it every time someone speaks about the Arab world the differences of the sexes is brought up? My friend's sister (who is Iranian) put it nicely saying that she questions Islam because in the modern world it seems to have become a discussion about the differences and rights of men and women. Religion shouldn't be about these issues. I agree. However, it is not my place to preach, say, or do anything about the way other cultures and religions go about their business. I was not born into that society, culture, country, region, race, whatever you want to call it. I can't possibly understand the issues surrounding it, and quite honestly, it isn't my business. Yes I'm a woman, but I'm an American woman, brought up within a different social construct. I have no right to do anything more than state my opinion within the context in which I have been brought up in. In essence, it is not my place, nor do I want it to be.

     With all of that being said, the guys who work with me have not treated me with any disrespect or rudeness whatsoever.  If anything, they are shy which comes across as intimidated by the fact that men and women who are not related or married hang out together. When I put myself in their shoes, there are definitely things they couldn't understand about my culture as well. It goes both ways. I give them credit for hanging out with the other interns at lunch and they seem to be opening up a bit. They came all this way and my hope is that when they go back they at least learn something about each of us or at least Malaysia.

     Today at lunch I told O the importance of the West and the Middle East (people, not government) making an effort to learn from one other. It's so important because due to our respective media, we don't get any sense of reality of each other's lives, homes, and culture. Both sides just hear about the worst situations and stories, not about reality. Propaganda is rampant and the only way to begin to understand each other's cultures is to experience and learn about them. The conversation went from that to our economies and job markets. I found it surprising that they have similar employment issues as we do back home. Both countries are going to experience a severe brain drain if something isn't done soon. Theirs goes one step further to say that the only jobs that can be found are those with foreign companies. These companies only employ foreign workers. If a local workforce is hired, it's for the shit jobs no one else wants. So think about this for a second folks. Obviously the people are going to develop a distrust of the west if the western corporations are coming in and essentially denying their equally qualified workforce a chance at a job. I would be pissed too.

    Another interest (especially to those back in the states) is the oil prices. I asked them (as well as the Malaysians) how much they pay for gas. In Saudi Arabia gas is $0.15 per liter...there are about 4 liters in a gallon making a grand total of $0.60 per gallon...astounding. Seriously astounding. How much do you pay in California these days? On that same token, a Big Mac in Saudi Arabia costs roughly $6 from what I've been told. I suppose you could call that a trade off....wait...probably not. In Malaysia gas is roughly RM 2 and change per liter which is about $2.60 a gallon. That is still significantly cheaper than what most Americans pay to fill up. Both nations are a part of OPEC. Crazy isn't it? I'm not suggesting that cheaper oil prices are good or anything like that. I think that a rising price is a good thing because people need to stop being dependent on a limited resource with negative environmental impacts, but weening the world off an oil dependency is no easy task, and I have no solution.


     That's all for today.


-M

  

     Today is an odd day. Woke up to a pack of feral dogs fighting in the hills behind my apartment, I felt horrible because I could hear one yelping. The office was extremely quite all day. There was some big client meet and great/schmooze/network thing that a bunch of people attended in the am, and a funeral for a former co-worker in the pm. I didn't go to the funeral, I don't know the person and I thought it would be rude to show up to a funeral (never mind depressing). Although it is of interest to note that the woman died of food poisoning. She was in the hospital for some time, but still it is rare for something like this to happen. It's also not the way to go (trust me on this one). I feel bad for her family and friends. Thus it was pretty much the interns and the newer expats in the afternoon. I'm quite tired from staring at a computer screen, moving lines around/fixing diagrams and plans all day. I need to be out and about. I need to be active. That's where I struggle with architecture. Always have really. The modern day attachment to computers scares me in many ways.

     After work I was going to go to yoga, but my tummy doesn't feel well (the mee goreng I had for lunch was quite spicy). I'm also trying to save some money, as tomorrow I'm going with a few co-workers to the largest pasar malam (night market) in Malaysia tomorrow night.

     There are a few new interns at work now. Four guys from Saudi Arabia have joined the company for three weeks. They are extremely shy/stick to themselves, but the other interns keep asking them to lunch to get them to come out of their shells so to speak. It is tough to do when only 2 of them are comfortable speaking English, although one speaks quite well. There is a lot of translating that goes on (I'm currently helping out on the same competition). It's been interesting working with them, I would love to know what they think about taking directions from two women. The guy who speaks good English (whose name is, interestingly enough, Osama) has been surprisingly open in terms of speaking about the Arab world and life in Saudi Arabia.

     If there is one thing I've learned about Arab culture it is that I will never be able to wrap my head around it. I understand some things, on a very superficial level. Whether I agree with them or not is a different story. I have been told that the woman is seen as a fruit or a flower. If it is left out in the open with no protection, the flies (or men) will swarm around it and ruin it. Therefore, women need to be protected. On one level this is rather charming, but on another, doesn't that give men the excuse to act like flies? If not, then why is it every time someone speaks about the Arab world the differences of the sexes is brought up? My friend's sister (who is Iranian) put it nicely saying that she questions Islam because in the modern world it seems to have become a discussion about the differences and rights of men and women. Religion shouldn't be about these issues. I agree. However, it is not my place to preach, say, or do anything about the way other cultures and religions go about their business. I was not born into that society, culture, country, region, race, whatever you want to call it. I can't possibly understand the issues surrounding it, and quite honestly, it isn't my business. Yes I'm a woman, but I'm an American woman, brought up within a different social construct. I have no right to do anything more than state my opinion within the context in which I have been brought up in. In essence, it is not my place, nor do I want it to be.

     With all of that being said, the guys who work with me have not treated me with any disrespect or rudeness whatsoever.  If anything, they are shy which comes across as intimidated by the fact that men and women who are not related or married hang out together. When I put myself in their shoes, there are definitely things they couldn't understand about my culture as well. It goes both ways. I give them credit for hanging out with the other interns at lunch and they seem to be opening up a bit. They came all this way and my hope is that when they go back they at least learn something about each of us or at least Malaysia.

     Today at lunch I told O the importance of the West and the Middle East (people, not government) making an effort to learn from one other. It's so important because due to our respective media, we don't get any sense of reality of each other's lives, homes, and culture. Both sides just hear about the worst situations and stories, not about reality. Propaganda is rampant and the only way to begin to understand each other's cultures is to experience and learn about them. The conversation went from that to our economies and job markets. I found it surprising that they have similar employment issues as we do back home. Both countries are going to experience a severe brain drain if something isn't done soon. Theirs goes one step further to say that the only jobs that can be found are those with foreign companies. These companies only employ foreign workers. If a local workforce is hired, it's for the shit jobs no one else wants. So think about this for a second folks. Obviously the people are going to develop a distrust of the west if the western corporations are coming in and essentially denying their equally qualified workforce a chance at a job. I would be pissed too.

    Another interest (especially to those back in the states) is the oil prices. I asked them (as well as the Malaysians) how much they pay for gas. In Saudi Arabia gas is $0.15 per liter...there are about 4 liters in a gallon making a grand total of $0.60 per gallon...astounding. Seriously astounding. How much do you pay in California these days? On that same token, a Big Mac in Saudi Arabia costs roughly $6 from what I've been told. I suppose you could call that a trade off....wait...probably not. In Malaysia gas is roughly RM 2 and change per liter which is about $2.60 a gallon. That is still significantly cheaper than what most Americans pay to fill up. Both nations are a part of OPEC. Crazy isn't it? I'm not suggesting that cheaper oil prices are good or anything like that. I think that a rising price is a good thing because people need to stop being dependent on a limited resource with negative environmental impacts, but weening the world off an oil dependency is no easy task, and I have no solution.


     That's all for today.


-M

  

The dashboard melted but we still have the radio

     I had some big plans for a super long post with some work updates and some type of soap box speech, but then I opened up the page and decided those thoughts would wait for another day. Honestly, I don't feel much like talking about work because it's Sunday.

     This weekend was quite relaxing. Friday my flatmates and I went clubbing (I know it doesn't sound relaxing...but whatever). Apparently the place we went to usually has a younger crowd, which would explain a lot. Dudes here aren't afraid to come up and talk to a girls only group, but they don't talk too much, and most obviously use the fact that they are a local as some type of pickup line. Not too surprising, but hilarious none the less. It was hip-hop night. Everyone seemed quite shy, but C, F, and I had some steam to blow off, so we hit the stage quite early and got the whole thing rolling. We danced, and the DJ cracked me up b/c he had a CU Boulder football jersey on. I appreciate his attempt at American culture, however if you know anything about American College Football you would know that the Buffs do in fact, suck (and I go to school there, so I don't wanna hear otherwise hehe...). Thus the shirt was worn for the cool factor, when it is in fact, not that cool. I did see a guy at the mall today in a Packers jersey (read: much more appropriate).

     After some awesome dancing and a few awkward globish (simple English) 'conversations' we had enough and did the thing you must do after going out in SEA...go to a hawker center. We headed out to a 24 hr Mamak place (cuz banana leaf was closed and we wanted Indian food) and then home. I had a kick ass time and would have had pictures if the club wasn't raided by the religious police the week before and they allowed cameras.

     Yes, clubs and bars around here, for whatever reason, need to be occasionally broken up by the cops so all of the Muslims inside them can be rounded up and thrown in jail. Sorry, but this I have a problem with. First of all, it ruins it for the people who aren't involved in the conflict, second of all, you can go to a club and not drink (although I don't know many who do), and thirdly mind your damn business. It should be the parents' job anyway to make sure their child is behaving. Once someone is old enough to make their own decisions they should be allowed to do what they want and practice religion however they want. We weighed our options and figured that it would be ridiculous to waste your time busting the same place two weeks in a row. Thankfully no cops showed up, or I may have have spoken a little too much of my mind.

     Although I didn't have a hangover or anything the next day I was tired. I met G for lunch in Kelana Jaya. We ate at a tasty Indonesian/Malay place. I tried chendol for the first time. Chendol pretty much looks and sounds like a garbage disposal to most westerners. However the combo of sweet syrup, coconut milk, frozen corn, colored chendol (I really don't know how to explain it, see the photo), and kidney beans over shaved ice actually works. I can't really explain how, but it does. I also had Sarawak Laksa (again sorry for spelling). I thought it was going to be too much heat to handle, but it was quite nice. Spicy in a flavorful way and delicious. We talked for quite a bit then we decided to head back. However, G mentioned reflexology (a Chinese practice) so we decided to stop. Basically you get a 5 hour foot massage where they use nerve endings in your feet that are supposedly attached to your organs somehow and the point is to help heal what ails you. If there is anything I've learned from Asia it's the Chinese know what they are talking about when it comes to traditional medicine. Not to mention my feet definitely needed some TLC, as I walk most everywhere. Afterwards, I sluggishly made my way back to KL and home all happy and relaxed.

     C and I grabbed dinner at the Lebanese place one stop on the LRT down from us. We had some awesome falafel and apple mint shisha. Essentially, one could not ask for a more relaxing Saturday. We were late to a party at a co-worker's place. When we showed up I was completely under-dressed and too relaxed to really feel like partying. All I wanted to do was sleep. It wasn't that the party sucked or anything, I simply wasn't into it. So I left shortly after and crashed in bed.

     Awoke early today to go to church with A, my 'host mom' from earlier in the summer. It was the last mass that the father would give at the perish so I went to support her. Now I've been to the Vatican where they broadcast mass in Italian/Latin (it was a while ago so I'm not so sure as to which language it was...I mean Latin with an Italian accent sounds pretty much like Italian). However, I've never seen mass in 4 different languages. The readings, Homily, and song switched between English, Tamil, Mandarin, and Bahasa Malaysia. Most of the time they projected English subtitles. I was surprised at how much Bahasa Malaysia I could understand. Afterwards I bought some food at the church sale and came back home. I booked my flight to Bali (Jul 28th till Aug 1st), did various chores, then headed down to the pool for a workout. The sun/pool combo took a lot out of me so I took a nap. I awoke to a thunderstorm, but it looked as if the rain had passed so I headed out to get groceries. I have had a craving for french fries all day, so I splurged on some (not from McDonalds). Of course once I got out the door of the mall it started pouring. I only live about a 7 min walk from the mall, so a cab seemed like a waste. I enjoyed the downpour, although I wasn't too happy about even soggier groceries.

     Pretty much just been taking care of house work here today. It's what I needed though. I've either been go go go go, working, or trying to recover from a cold; so a weekend to just take it easy was a must. Next weekend I'm headed to the jungle (sort of...I mean jungle is everywhere, so it's not deep jungle, but a just-outside-of-town place) with a bunch of CSers plus C. I'm pretty excited. Not too sure what this week will bring with work, but hopefully it isn't too overwhelming.

Time to make some dinners...need to eat the food I have and tone down the spending =).

-M

cendol....pronounced 'chen-dol'

Reflexology 

Durian season is upon us...if anyone wants to go hit me up

Kinda blurry, but the horse wanted to be on the bridge.

     I had some big plans for a super long post with some work updates and some type of soap box speech, but then I opened up the page and decided those thoughts would wait for another day. Honestly, I don't feel much like talking about work because it's Sunday.

     This weekend was quite relaxing. Friday my flatmates and I went clubbing (I know it doesn't sound relaxing...but whatever). Apparently the place we went to usually has a younger crowd, which would explain a lot. Dudes here aren't afraid to come up and talk to a girls only group, but they don't talk too much, and most obviously use the fact that they are a local as some type of pickup line. Not too surprising, but hilarious none the less. It was hip-hop night. Everyone seemed quite shy, but C, F, and I had some steam to blow off, so we hit the stage quite early and got the whole thing rolling. We danced, and the DJ cracked me up b/c he had a CU Boulder football jersey on. I appreciate his attempt at American culture, however if you know anything about American College Football you would know that the Buffs do in fact, suck (and I go to school there, so I don't wanna hear otherwise hehe...). Thus the shirt was worn for the cool factor, when it is in fact, not that cool. I did see a guy at the mall today in a Packers jersey (read: much more appropriate).

     After some awesome dancing and a few awkward globish (simple English) 'conversations' we had enough and did the thing you must do after going out in SEA...go to a hawker center. We headed out to a 24 hr Mamak place (cuz banana leaf was closed and we wanted Indian food) and then home. I had a kick ass time and would have had pictures if the club wasn't raided by the religious police the week before and they allowed cameras.

     Yes, clubs and bars around here, for whatever reason, need to be occasionally broken up by the cops so all of the Muslims inside them can be rounded up and thrown in jail. Sorry, but this I have a problem with. First of all, it ruins it for the people who aren't involved in the conflict, second of all, you can go to a club and not drink (although I don't know many who do), and thirdly mind your damn business. It should be the parents' job anyway to make sure their child is behaving. Once someone is old enough to make their own decisions they should be allowed to do what they want and practice religion however they want. We weighed our options and figured that it would be ridiculous to waste your time busting the same place two weeks in a row. Thankfully no cops showed up, or I may have have spoken a little too much of my mind.

     Although I didn't have a hangover or anything the next day I was tired. I met G for lunch in Kelana Jaya. We ate at a tasty Indonesian/Malay place. I tried chendol for the first time. Chendol pretty much looks and sounds like a garbage disposal to most westerners. However the combo of sweet syrup, coconut milk, frozen corn, colored chendol (I really don't know how to explain it, see the photo), and kidney beans over shaved ice actually works. I can't really explain how, but it does. I also had Sarawak Laksa (again sorry for spelling). I thought it was going to be too much heat to handle, but it was quite nice. Spicy in a flavorful way and delicious. We talked for quite a bit then we decided to head back. However, G mentioned reflexology (a Chinese practice) so we decided to stop. Basically you get a 5 hour foot massage where they use nerve endings in your feet that are supposedly attached to your organs somehow and the point is to help heal what ails you. If there is anything I've learned from Asia it's the Chinese know what they are talking about when it comes to traditional medicine. Not to mention my feet definitely needed some TLC, as I walk most everywhere. Afterwards, I sluggishly made my way back to KL and home all happy and relaxed.

     C and I grabbed dinner at the Lebanese place one stop on the LRT down from us. We had some awesome falafel and apple mint shisha. Essentially, one could not ask for a more relaxing Saturday. We were late to a party at a co-worker's place. When we showed up I was completely under-dressed and too relaxed to really feel like partying. All I wanted to do was sleep. It wasn't that the party sucked or anything, I simply wasn't into it. So I left shortly after and crashed in bed.

     Awoke early today to go to church with A, my 'host mom' from earlier in the summer. It was the last mass that the father would give at the perish so I went to support her. Now I've been to the Vatican where they broadcast mass in Italian/Latin (it was a while ago so I'm not so sure as to which language it was...I mean Latin with an Italian accent sounds pretty much like Italian). However, I've never seen mass in 4 different languages. The readings, Homily, and song switched between English, Tamil, Mandarin, and Bahasa Malaysia. Most of the time they projected English subtitles. I was surprised at how much Bahasa Malaysia I could understand. Afterwards I bought some food at the church sale and came back home. I booked my flight to Bali (Jul 28th till Aug 1st), did various chores, then headed down to the pool for a workout. The sun/pool combo took a lot out of me so I took a nap. I awoke to a thunderstorm, but it looked as if the rain had passed so I headed out to get groceries. I have had a craving for french fries all day, so I splurged on some (not from McDonalds). Of course once I got out the door of the mall it started pouring. I only live about a 7 min walk from the mall, so a cab seemed like a waste. I enjoyed the downpour, although I wasn't too happy about even soggier groceries.

     Pretty much just been taking care of house work here today. It's what I needed though. I've either been go go go go, working, or trying to recover from a cold; so a weekend to just take it easy was a must. Next weekend I'm headed to the jungle (sort of...I mean jungle is everywhere, so it's not deep jungle, but a just-outside-of-town place) with a bunch of CSers plus C. I'm pretty excited. Not too sure what this week will bring with work, but hopefully it isn't too overwhelming.

Time to make some dinners...need to eat the food I have and tone down the spending =).

-M

cendol....pronounced 'chen-dol'

Reflexology 

Durian season is upon us...if anyone wants to go hit me up

Kinda blurry, but the horse wanted to be on the bridge.

     I had some big plans for a super long post with some work updates and some type of soap box speech, but then I opened up the page and decided those thoughts would wait for another day. Honestly, I don't feel much like talking about work because it's Sunday.

     This weekend was quite relaxing. Friday my flatmates and I went clubbing (I know it doesn't sound relaxing...but whatever). Apparently the place we went to usually has a younger crowd, which would explain a lot. Dudes here aren't afraid to come up and talk to a girls only group, but they don't talk too much, and most obviously use the fact that they are a local as some type of pickup line. Not too surprising, but hilarious none the less. It was hip-hop night. Everyone seemed quite shy, but C, F, and I had some steam to blow off, so we hit the stage quite early and got the whole thing rolling. We danced, and the DJ cracked me up b/c he had a CU Boulder football jersey on. I appreciate his attempt at American culture, however if you know anything about American College Football you would know that the Buffs do in fact, suck (and I go to school there, so I don't wanna hear otherwise hehe...). Thus the shirt was worn for the cool factor, when it is in fact, not that cool. I did see a guy at the mall today in a Packers jersey (read: much more appropriate).

     After some awesome dancing and a few awkward globish (simple English) 'conversations' we had enough and did the thing you must do after going out in SEA...go to a hawker center. We headed out to a 24 hr Mamak place (cuz banana leaf was closed and we wanted Indian food) and then home. I had a kick ass time and would have had pictures if the club wasn't raided by the religious police the week before and they allowed cameras.

     Yes, clubs and bars around here, for whatever reason, need to be occasionally broken up by the cops so all of the Muslims inside them can be rounded up and thrown in jail. Sorry, but this I have a problem with. First of all, it ruins it for the people who aren't involved in the conflict, second of all, you can go to a club and not drink (although I don't know many who do), and thirdly mind your damn business. It should be the parents' job anyway to make sure their child is behaving. Once someone is old enough to make their own decisions they should be allowed to do what they want and practice religion however they want. We weighed our options and figured that it would be ridiculous to waste your time busting the same place two weeks in a row. Thankfully no cops showed up, or I may have have spoken a little too much of my mind.

     Although I didn't have a hangover or anything the next day I was tired. I met G for lunch in Kelana Jaya. We ate at a tasty Indonesian/Malay place. I tried chendol for the first time. Chendol pretty much looks and sounds like a garbage disposal to most westerners. However the combo of sweet syrup, coconut milk, frozen corn, colored chendol (I really don't know how to explain it, see the photo), and kidney beans over shaved ice actually works. I can't really explain how, but it does. I also had Sarawak Laksa (again sorry for spelling). I thought it was going to be too much heat to handle, but it was quite nice. Spicy in a flavorful way and delicious. We talked for quite a bit then we decided to head back. However, G mentioned reflexology (a Chinese practice) so we decided to stop. Basically you get a 5 hour foot massage where they use nerve endings in your feet that are supposedly attached to your organs somehow and the point is to help heal what ails you. If there is anything I've learned from Asia it's the Chinese know what they are talking about when it comes to traditional medicine. Not to mention my feet definitely needed some TLC, as I walk most everywhere. Afterwards, I sluggishly made my way back to KL and home all happy and relaxed.

     C and I grabbed dinner at the Lebanese place one stop on the LRT down from us. We had some awesome falafel and apple mint shisha. Essentially, one could not ask for a more relaxing Saturday. We were late to a party at a co-worker's place. When we showed up I was completely under-dressed and too relaxed to really feel like partying. All I wanted to do was sleep. It wasn't that the party sucked or anything, I simply wasn't into it. So I left shortly after and crashed in bed.

     Awoke early today to go to church with A, my 'host mom' from earlier in the summer. It was the last mass that the father would give at the perish so I went to support her. Now I've been to the Vatican where they broadcast mass in Italian/Latin (it was a while ago so I'm not so sure as to which language it was...I mean Latin with an Italian accent sounds pretty much like Italian). However, I've never seen mass in 4 different languages. The readings, Homily, and song switched between English, Tamil, Mandarin, and Bahasa Malaysia. Most of the time they projected English subtitles. I was surprised at how much Bahasa Malaysia I could understand. Afterwards I bought some food at the church sale and came back home. I booked my flight to Bali (Jul 28th till Aug 1st), did various chores, then headed down to the pool for a workout. The sun/pool combo took a lot out of me so I took a nap. I awoke to a thunderstorm, but it looked as if the rain had passed so I headed out to get groceries. I have had a craving for french fries all day, so I splurged on some (not from McDonalds). Of course once I got out the door of the mall it started pouring. I only live about a 7 min walk from the mall, so a cab seemed like a waste. I enjoyed the downpour, although I wasn't too happy about even soggier groceries.

     Pretty much just been taking care of house work here today. It's what I needed though. I've either been go go go go, working, or trying to recover from a cold; so a weekend to just take it easy was a must. Next weekend I'm headed to the jungle (sort of...I mean jungle is everywhere, so it's not deep jungle, but a just-outside-of-town place) with a bunch of CSers plus C. I'm pretty excited. Not too sure what this week will bring with work, but hopefully it isn't too overwhelming.

Time to make some dinners...need to eat the food I have and tone down the spending =).

-M

cendol....pronounced 'chen-dol'

Reflexology 

Durian season is upon us...if anyone wants to go hit me up

Kinda blurry, but the horse wanted to be on the bridge.

     I had some big plans for a super long post with some work updates and some type of soap box speech, but then I opened up the page and decided those thoughts would wait for another day. Honestly, I don't feel much like talking about work because it's Sunday.

     This weekend was quite relaxing. Friday my flatmates and I went clubbing (I know it doesn't sound relaxing...but whatever). Apparently the place we went to usually has a younger crowd, which would explain a lot. Dudes here aren't afraid to come up and talk to a girls only group, but they don't talk too much, and most obviously use the fact that they are a local as some type of pickup line. Not too surprising, but hilarious none the less. It was hip-hop night. Everyone seemed quite shy, but C, F, and I had some steam to blow off, so we hit the stage quite early and got the whole thing rolling. We danced, and the DJ cracked me up b/c he had a CU Boulder football jersey on. I appreciate his attempt at American culture, however if you know anything about American College Football you would know that the Buffs do in fact, suck (and I go to school there, so I don't wanna hear otherwise hehe...). Thus the shirt was worn for the cool factor, when it is in fact, not that cool. I did see a guy at the mall today in a Packers jersey (read: much more appropriate).

     After some awesome dancing and a few awkward globish (simple English) 'conversations' we had enough and did the thing you must do after going out in SEA...go to a hawker center. We headed out to a 24 hr Mamak place (cuz banana leaf was closed and we wanted Indian food) and then home. I had a kick ass time and would have had pictures if the club wasn't raided by the religious police the week before and they allowed cameras.

     Yes, clubs and bars around here, for whatever reason, need to be occasionally broken up by the cops so all of the Muslims inside them can be rounded up and thrown in jail. Sorry, but this I have a problem with. First of all, it ruins it for the people who aren't involved in the conflict, second of all, you can go to a club and not drink (although I don't know many who do), and thirdly mind your damn business. It should be the parents' job anyway to make sure their child is behaving. Once someone is old enough to make their own decisions they should be allowed to do what they want and practice religion however they want. We weighed our options and figured that it would be ridiculous to waste your time busting the same place two weeks in a row. Thankfully no cops showed up, or I may have have spoken a little too much of my mind.

     Although I didn't have a hangover or anything the next day I was tired. I met G for lunch in Kelana Jaya. We ate at a tasty Indonesian/Malay place. I tried chendol for the first time. Chendol pretty much looks and sounds like a garbage disposal to most westerners. However the combo of sweet syrup, coconut milk, frozen corn, colored chendol (I really don't know how to explain it, see the photo), and kidney beans over shaved ice actually works. I can't really explain how, but it does. I also had Sarawak Laksa (again sorry for spelling). I thought it was going to be too much heat to handle, but it was quite nice. Spicy in a flavorful way and delicious. We talked for quite a bit then we decided to head back. However, G mentioned reflexology (a Chinese practice) so we decided to stop. Basically you get a 5 hour foot massage where they use nerve endings in your feet that are supposedly attached to your organs somehow and the point is to help heal what ails you. If there is anything I've learned from Asia it's the Chinese know what they are talking about when it comes to traditional medicine. Not to mention my feet definitely needed some TLC, as I walk most everywhere. Afterwards, I sluggishly made my way back to KL and home all happy and relaxed.

     C and I grabbed dinner at the Lebanese place one stop on the LRT down from us. We had some awesome falafel and apple mint shisha. Essentially, one could not ask for a more relaxing Saturday. We were late to a party at a co-worker's place. When we showed up I was completely under-dressed and too relaxed to really feel like partying. All I wanted to do was sleep. It wasn't that the party sucked or anything, I simply wasn't into it. So I left shortly after and crashed in bed.

     Awoke early today to go to church with A, my 'host mom' from earlier in the summer. It was the last mass that the father would give at the perish so I went to support her. Now I've been to the Vatican where they broadcast mass in Italian/Latin (it was a while ago so I'm not so sure as to which language it was...I mean Latin with an Italian accent sounds pretty much like Italian). However, I've never seen mass in 4 different languages. The readings, Homily, and song switched between English, Tamil, Mandarin, and Bahasa Malaysia. Most of the time they projected English subtitles. I was surprised at how much Bahasa Malaysia I could understand. Afterwards I bought some food at the church sale and came back home. I booked my flight to Bali (Jul 28th till Aug 1st), did various chores, then headed down to the pool for a workout. The sun/pool combo took a lot out of me so I took a nap. I awoke to a thunderstorm, but it looked as if the rain had passed so I headed out to get groceries. I have had a craving for french fries all day, so I splurged on some (not from McDonalds). Of course once I got out the door of the mall it started pouring. I only live about a 7 min walk from the mall, so a cab seemed like a waste. I enjoyed the downpour, although I wasn't too happy about even soggier groceries.

     Pretty much just been taking care of house work here today. It's what I needed though. I've either been go go go go, working, or trying to recover from a cold; so a weekend to just take it easy was a must. Next weekend I'm headed to the jungle (sort of...I mean jungle is everywhere, so it's not deep jungle, but a just-outside-of-town place) with a bunch of CSers plus C. I'm pretty excited. Not too sure what this week will bring with work, but hopefully it isn't too overwhelming.

Time to make some dinners...need to eat the food I have and tone down the spending =).

-M

cendol....pronounced 'chen-dol'

Reflexology 

Durian season is upon us...if anyone wants to go hit me up

Kinda blurry, but the horse wanted to be on the bridge.

I dislike titles

     Well there are, as one could imagine, lots of things going on right now. The school year is winding down (finally...this one really felt long for some reason), It's a little more than 2 weeks before I leave, and then last night happened.

     My interest in global/cultural issues cannot help me from commenting on Osama's death. I, like most Americans alive today, know exactly where I was and what I was doing on the morning of 9/11. I watched the second plane smash into the towers live on TV...unable to really put any thoughts together. I remember watching 'ruin porn' (which, since then, I have actively avoided); I remember what it felt like to see riots of people burning my country's flag. I remember my dad coming home from work early. He was on the phone with someone who was in one of the towers. The phone cut out. He did not survive. It's one of those things I'll never forget. Everyone has a story about that day.

     America has been going through a rough patch. We needed some 'good' news. I struggle using the word 'good' because last night doesn't change anything. In fact, it's probably going to cause Pakistan a whole slew of problems that it doesn't need right now. Terror will still exist. Violence will still exist. All of the poverty that drives people to turn to such measures and keeps the vicious circle going, guess what? It still exists.

     However, at least the family and friends of those who lost someone because of Osama can finally feel some closure. I'm not just talking about Americans, he killed his own people and those from other countries as well. We are celebrating closure, in our own individual ways. To some that's prayer, to others that's thought, and to most college aged kids that's waving flags, chanting, screaming, and pounding Natty's (or substitute your cheap American beer of choice). That's what you see on the TV and whatever, they've got the right to do it. Although, it's funny how much this reminded me of my college campus the night Obama was elected, but that's besides the point.

     Hopefully, America isn't ignorant about what happened. Hopefully we tread carefully. I thought they had this one pretty well thought out. Ocean burial was done with the proper Islamic burial (it's pathetic I should have to even give this credit, but perhaps we are actually learning a bit about cultural sensitivity). Ocean insures no one will deface or idolize. It also puts a quick end to the 'show the body' debate. No other country was willing to take him. It was, in my opinion, a pretty neutral (and although we may never know what really happened) respectable way to dispose of the body. I kind of like the Islamic way of doing it; quick, easy, and no hassle. It leaves time for personal reflection instead of having it loom over your head.

     The almost overly-thought out procedure lead me to raise my eyebrow. I was also intrigued as to why we haven't heard about the raid, why Pakistan and much of the Islamic world seemed so quite. This lead me to believe that we weren't getting the whole story. Maybe he was dead days or even years ago, I'm not really interested in conspiracy theories in this situation. I am willing to admit that I inherently don't trust American media sources. So I did a little research and found this:


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/2/worldupdates/2011-05-02T170009Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-567092-2&sec=Worldupdates

     It's long but it gives an interesting insight into what happened. It's a Malaysian (surprise!) newspaper printed in English. There was actually a military operation (battle just sounds weird) at the compound. A US chopper went down. So yes, it probably did actually happen. You can argue it was fake, but seriously guys? Don't be so paranoid.

    This post is becoming much longer than I had anticipated. I finished up my studio project this afternoon. Presentation is this Wednesday. Without boring you with programatic and design details and in fear that I'll turn this blog into a storage space for portfolio pieces; I'll just give a short blurb. The project is an Environmental Tourism Center for Colorado. These are a few of the more interesting drawings (pencil and paper woohoo!) from my presentation. PS...I was too lazy to touch them up so these are hot off the scanner.

I think it should go without saying, but this and anything else (posts, pictures, videos, some crazy thing that isn't even out yet, ect.) on this blog is intellectual property and cannot be reproduced without strict written consent by me. Give credit where credit is due my friends.

View from Speer Blvd

Amphitheater that opens up to the underground lecture hall. Or visa versa.

Green machine that cleans all the storm water runoff from the site.

I'll save my housing updates until I figure out where I am going to live.

-M

     Well there are, as one could imagine, lots of things going on right now. The school year is winding down (finally...this one really felt long for some reason), It's a little more than 2 weeks before I leave, and then last night happened.

     My interest in global/cultural issues cannot help me from commenting on Osama's death. I, like most Americans alive today, know exactly where I was and what I was doing on the morning of 9/11. I watched the second plane smash into the towers live on TV...unable to really put any thoughts together. I remember watching 'ruin porn' (which, since then, I have actively avoided); I remember what it felt like to see riots of people burning my country's flag. I remember my dad coming home from work early. He was on the phone with someone who was in one of the towers. The phone cut out. He did not survive. It's one of those things I'll never forget. Everyone has a story about that day.

     America has been going through a rough patch. We needed some 'good' news. I struggle using the word 'good' because last night doesn't change anything. In fact, it's probably going to cause Pakistan a whole slew of problems that it doesn't need right now. Terror will still exist. Violence will still exist. All of the poverty that drives people to turn to such measures and keeps the vicious circle going, guess what? It still exists.

     However, at least the family and friends of those who lost someone because of Osama can finally feel some closure. I'm not just talking about Americans, he killed his own people and those from other countries as well. We are celebrating closure, in our own individual ways. To some that's prayer, to others that's thought, and to most college aged kids that's waving flags, chanting, screaming, and pounding Natty's (or substitute your cheap American beer of choice). That's what you see on the TV and whatever, they've got the right to do it. Although, it's funny how much this reminded me of my college campus the night Obama was elected, but that's besides the point.

     Hopefully, America isn't ignorant about what happened. Hopefully we tread carefully. I thought they had this one pretty well thought out. Ocean burial was done with the proper Islamic burial (it's pathetic I should have to even give this credit, but perhaps we are actually learning a bit about cultural sensitivity). Ocean insures no one will deface or idolize. It also puts a quick end to the 'show the body' debate. No other country was willing to take him. It was, in my opinion, a pretty neutral (and although we may never know what really happened) respectable way to dispose of the body. I kind of like the Islamic way of doing it; quick, easy, and no hassle. It leaves time for personal reflection instead of having it loom over your head.

     The almost overly-thought out procedure lead me to raise my eyebrow. I was also intrigued as to why we haven't heard about the raid, why Pakistan and much of the Islamic world seemed so quite. This lead me to believe that we weren't getting the whole story. Maybe he was dead days or even years ago, I'm not really interested in conspiracy theories in this situation. I am willing to admit that I inherently don't trust American media sources. So I did a little research and found this:


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/2/worldupdates/2011-05-02T170009Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-567092-2&sec=Worldupdates

     It's long but it gives an interesting insight into what happened. It's a Malaysian (surprise!) newspaper printed in English. There was actually a military operation (battle just sounds weird) at the compound. A US chopper went down. So yes, it probably did actually happen. You can argue it was fake, but seriously guys? Don't be so paranoid.

    This post is becoming much longer than I had anticipated. I finished up my studio project this afternoon. Presentation is this Wednesday. Without boring you with programatic and design details and in fear that I'll turn this blog into a storage space for portfolio pieces; I'll just give a short blurb. The project is an Environmental Tourism Center for Colorado. These are a few of the more interesting drawings (pencil and paper woohoo!) from my presentation. PS...I was too lazy to touch them up so these are hot off the scanner.

I think it should go without saying, but this and anything else (posts, pictures, videos, some crazy thing that isn't even out yet, ect.) on this blog is intellectual property and cannot be reproduced without strict written consent by me. Give credit where credit is due my friends.

View from Speer Blvd

Amphitheater that opens up to the underground lecture hall. Or visa versa.

Green machine that cleans all the storm water runoff from the site.

I'll save my housing updates until I figure out where I am going to live.

-M

     Well there are, as one could imagine, lots of things going on right now. The school year is winding down (finally...this one really felt long for some reason), It's a little more than 2 weeks before I leave, and then last night happened.

     My interest in global/cultural issues cannot help me from commenting on Osama's death. I, like most Americans alive today, know exactly where I was and what I was doing on the morning of 9/11. I watched the second plane smash into the towers live on TV...unable to really put any thoughts together. I remember watching 'ruin porn' (which, since then, I have actively avoided); I remember what it felt like to see riots of people burning my country's flag. I remember my dad coming home from work early. He was on the phone with someone who was in one of the towers. The phone cut out. He did not survive. It's one of those things I'll never forget. Everyone has a story about that day.

     America has been going through a rough patch. We needed some 'good' news. I struggle using the word 'good' because last night doesn't change anything. In fact, it's probably going to cause Pakistan a whole slew of problems that it doesn't need right now. Terror will still exist. Violence will still exist. All of the poverty that drives people to turn to such measures and keeps the vicious circle going, guess what? It still exists.

     However, at least the family and friends of those who lost someone because of Osama can finally feel some closure. I'm not just talking about Americans, he killed his own people and those from other countries as well. We are celebrating closure, in our own individual ways. To some that's prayer, to others that's thought, and to most college aged kids that's waving flags, chanting, screaming, and pounding Natty's (or substitute your cheap American beer of choice). That's what you see on the TV and whatever, they've got the right to do it. Although, it's funny how much this reminded me of my college campus the night Obama was elected, but that's besides the point.

     Hopefully, America isn't ignorant about what happened. Hopefully we tread carefully. I thought they had this one pretty well thought out. Ocean burial was done with the proper Islamic burial (it's pathetic I should have to even give this credit, but perhaps we are actually learning a bit about cultural sensitivity). Ocean insures no one will deface or idolize. It also puts a quick end to the 'show the body' debate. No other country was willing to take him. It was, in my opinion, a pretty neutral (and although we may never know what really happened) respectable way to dispose of the body. I kind of like the Islamic way of doing it; quick, easy, and no hassle. It leaves time for personal reflection instead of having it loom over your head.

     The almost overly-thought out procedure lead me to raise my eyebrow. I was also intrigued as to why we haven't heard about the raid, why Pakistan and much of the Islamic world seemed so quite. This lead me to believe that we weren't getting the whole story. Maybe he was dead days or even years ago, I'm not really interested in conspiracy theories in this situation. I am willing to admit that I inherently don't trust American media sources. So I did a little research and found this:


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/2/worldupdates/2011-05-02T170009Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-567092-2&sec=Worldupdates

     It's long but it gives an interesting insight into what happened. It's a Malaysian (surprise!) newspaper printed in English. There was actually a military operation (battle just sounds weird) at the compound. A US chopper went down. So yes, it probably did actually happen. You can argue it was fake, but seriously guys? Don't be so paranoid.

    This post is becoming much longer than I had anticipated. I finished up my studio project this afternoon. Presentation is this Wednesday. Without boring you with programatic and design details and in fear that I'll turn this blog into a storage space for portfolio pieces; I'll just give a short blurb. The project is an Environmental Tourism Center for Colorado. These are a few of the more interesting drawings (pencil and paper woohoo!) from my presentation. PS...I was too lazy to touch them up so these are hot off the scanner.

I think it should go without saying, but this and anything else (posts, pictures, videos, some crazy thing that isn't even out yet, ect.) on this blog is intellectual property and cannot be reproduced without strict written consent by me. Give credit where credit is due my friends.

View from Speer Blvd

Amphitheater that opens up to the underground lecture hall. Or visa versa.

Green machine that cleans all the storm water runoff from the site.

I'll save my housing updates until I figure out where I am going to live.

-M

     Well there are, as one could imagine, lots of things going on right now. The school year is winding down (finally...this one really felt long for some reason), It's a little more than 2 weeks before I leave, and then last night happened.

     My interest in global/cultural issues cannot help me from commenting on Osama's death. I, like most Americans alive today, know exactly where I was and what I was doing on the morning of 9/11. I watched the second plane smash into the towers live on TV...unable to really put any thoughts together. I remember watching 'ruin porn' (which, since then, I have actively avoided); I remember what it felt like to see riots of people burning my country's flag. I remember my dad coming home from work early. He was on the phone with someone who was in one of the towers. The phone cut out. He did not survive. It's one of those things I'll never forget. Everyone has a story about that day.

     America has been going through a rough patch. We needed some 'good' news. I struggle using the word 'good' because last night doesn't change anything. In fact, it's probably going to cause Pakistan a whole slew of problems that it doesn't need right now. Terror will still exist. Violence will still exist. All of the poverty that drives people to turn to such measures and keeps the vicious circle going, guess what? It still exists.

     However, at least the family and friends of those who lost someone because of Osama can finally feel some closure. I'm not just talking about Americans, he killed his own people and those from other countries as well. We are celebrating closure, in our own individual ways. To some that's prayer, to others that's thought, and to most college aged kids that's waving flags, chanting, screaming, and pounding Natty's (or substitute your cheap American beer of choice). That's what you see on the TV and whatever, they've got the right to do it. Although, it's funny how much this reminded me of my college campus the night Obama was elected, but that's besides the point.

     Hopefully, America isn't ignorant about what happened. Hopefully we tread carefully. I thought they had this one pretty well thought out. Ocean burial was done with the proper Islamic burial (it's pathetic I should have to even give this credit, but perhaps we are actually learning a bit about cultural sensitivity). Ocean insures no one will deface or idolize. It also puts a quick end to the 'show the body' debate. No other country was willing to take him. It was, in my opinion, a pretty neutral (and although we may never know what really happened) respectable way to dispose of the body. I kind of like the Islamic way of doing it; quick, easy, and no hassle. It leaves time for personal reflection instead of having it loom over your head.

     The almost overly-thought out procedure lead me to raise my eyebrow. I was also intrigued as to why we haven't heard about the raid, why Pakistan and much of the Islamic world seemed so quite. This lead me to believe that we weren't getting the whole story. Maybe he was dead days or even years ago, I'm not really interested in conspiracy theories in this situation. I am willing to admit that I inherently don't trust American media sources. So I did a little research and found this:


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/2/worldupdates/2011-05-02T170009Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-567092-2&sec=Worldupdates

     It's long but it gives an interesting insight into what happened. It's a Malaysian (surprise!) newspaper printed in English. There was actually a military operation (battle just sounds weird) at the compound. A US chopper went down. So yes, it probably did actually happen. You can argue it was fake, but seriously guys? Don't be so paranoid.

    This post is becoming much longer than I had anticipated. I finished up my studio project this afternoon. Presentation is this Wednesday. Without boring you with programatic and design details and in fear that I'll turn this blog into a storage space for portfolio pieces; I'll just give a short blurb. The project is an Environmental Tourism Center for Colorado. These are a few of the more interesting drawings (pencil and paper woohoo!) from my presentation. PS...I was too lazy to touch them up so these are hot off the scanner.

I think it should go without saying, but this and anything else (posts, pictures, videos, some crazy thing that isn't even out yet, ect.) on this blog is intellectual property and cannot be reproduced without strict written consent by me. Give credit where credit is due my friends.

View from Speer Blvd

Amphitheater that opens up to the underground lecture hall. Or visa versa.

Green machine that cleans all the storm water runoff from the site.

I'll save my housing updates until I figure out where I am going to live.

-M

Rant of the Day

     So instead of boring you with more tedious details of my planning escapades, I decided to focus on something else. In anticipation of my trip, as well as knowing very little about Muslim culture, I've been keeping up with world news (I am notoriously bad at this, not because I don't want to know what's going on in the world, but because I find the American news media so damn depressing). However, since shit is hitting the fan all over North Africa and the Middle East, I figured if I'm going to a Muslim country (not to mention my current studio project is working with a school in Saudi Arabia), I better know something about what is going on over there. Furthermore, I've been reading this book on eastern (particularly Malaysian...thus Chinese, Indian, and Malay) culture, belief systems, and customs. I'm beginning to form opinions about what is going on and why we can't just all get along (well, not quite yet anyway).

     I'd first like to start out with what prompted me to write this in the first place....WTF is America doing in Libya? First of all, you went in with just the FRENCH...the French. Now I don't have anything against the people of France, but the military?...come on I'm American (we just can't help ourselves). Second of all, WTF is America doing there? But wait, you say, America handed the duties over to NATO. Well who's really in charge of Nato? It isn't the Canadians I'll tell you that much (once again, it's this America thing). So, in order to mask direct involvement, America is currently hiding behind NATO. Technicalities aside, how can the American government bounce off into another armed conflict (which are never short endeavors), costing citizens more tax dollars, pilling it on top of a deficit so large it's comical, send human beings into violence so they can get involved in a conflict that they have no attachment to what-so-ever, just so they can live in fear constantly and fire mis-hits (adding to the fear and detachment) because of the lack of proper mapping in the region? Not to mention they are doing all of this while the economy is in such a poor state that hourly jobs are hard to come by even with a master's degree? Something is just plain wrong with this picture.

     Isn't Gadhafi evil and shouldn't we free the people? Didn't the rebels ask for our help? Well I've got news for the world, America shouldn't  (and quite honestly, can't) be the world's babysitter. Yes, before I get accused of being some type of dictator lover, it is obvious that Gadhafi is crazy. I mean bat shit insane. He's like Charlie Sheen but on a whole new level, he's openly been 'winning' his whole life (King of Africa?....Really dude?). He's done awful things, and the world is most likely much better off without him, but I have no doubt that if the people are that pissed off, he'll go without our help (I've always said that the best solutions are those that come from roots up approaches). Oh and yes, the rebels did ask for our help. But (allegedly) so did the Iraqis way back in '91. How did that turn out for us? Seriously, did we not JUST go through this? Has the American government really not learned that they are digging themselves large hole? Or are they really that greedy for oil, money, and power that they just don't care that they are screwing over Libya as well as their own people? I suspect oil is the reason, because well, if we love repeating our mistakes that much, that's the general belief as to why we bothered with Iraq. It's an obvious statement that the world's dependency on oil needs to end (read Collapse by Jared M. Diamond). However, I am not the one with the answer. It's there, but I don't know enough about economics to suggest anything that could begin to answer that question (I'll save cap and trade for another day).

     If we are there primarily for oil, we are going about getting it in the complete wrong way (military violence seems to create more problems than it solves). Here's the problem, whenever we go into a place (from a government standpoint) we assume that the native people want to be just like America. Well guess what? They don't. Now, this mistake is most likely an accident, because it is really hard to accept that there are other world views than your own. I'm not talking at a personal level, I'm talking about a deep cultural connectivity that makes us not just American, but Westerners as well. I would argue that other western cultures may be better at recognizing this than us, but that is simply a matter of how isolated we are relative to other western countries. Furthermore, we loudly, proudly, and ignorantly try to go impose our views and focusing on ourselves. This may be borderline acceptable to our other western counterparts, but in places like the Middle East, the Far East, and Africa, this can be extremely offensive to say the least. In other words, as an American, we tend to believe in certain core values that affect our everything from our everyday lives and behaviors to how we make choices and what our country (in theory) stands for. We were founded on a distrust of government, right to act as we please (within reason -and at our founding, 'we' meant white males), and the celebration of the individual. That is what we believe in and it has (for the most part) worked for us. A country under completely different circumstances containing cultures with completely different belief systems may have a different type of solution. In fact the cultural differences can be so great, that us westerners may not be able to even comprehend why a group would act a certain way. Our celebration of the individual is the complete opposite of many cultures, where decisions are made based upon group consensus. In fact, so much emphasis is placed on total group consensus that any act made outside of that consensus can be seen as betrayal (aka a serious offense). So if we go running in and set up a government as fast as we can (because our culture values efficiency) we may end up not only offending an entire group of people, but we may have made the wrong choices in the process. It is important to understand that just because one group of people does something in a way so foreign that it seems useless to us, that it isn't bad or wrong. It's just different. Do I believe that westerners or Americans in particular are especially bad at this? No, I believe that the world shrunk so fast that most of the world is unable to really wrap their heads around it. Westerners seem to travel and spread out more, so we are faced with dealing with these problems on foreign soil more often. I'm sure the business man from Japan who is used to going through a long process of consensus for big choices made by the company was most likely shocked to find out that he had no input on a move made from higher up.

     I can already hear the words 'well if you don't like it here and you think we are all ignorant then why don't you get out?' Well, luckily for you, those thoughts have crossed my mind and more frequently as I get older. However, I like being an American. I like American people (just not a huge fan of the government, but that's part of being American). Even if I did become a full-time expat I was born an American. That means I have certain cultural values and views that are so deeply entrenched in my brain that they won't simply leave. I would always be an outsider, no matter how hard I tried to understand another culture. I'm simply stating that if there is any hope for our generation to take a forward step in the opposite direction, being comfortable with differences beyond your understanding, keeping an open mind, and LISTENING instead of hearing we may be on the right track. Oh, and America, get the heck out of Libya and help your PEOPLE (not your wallet) you have been SWORN to PROTECT (that goes beyond military spending).

Phew. Glad that's over.

-M

     So instead of boring you with more tedious details of my planning escapades, I decided to focus on something else. In anticipation of my trip, as well as knowing very little about Muslim culture, I've been keeping up with world news (I am notoriously bad at this, not because I don't want to know what's going on in the world, but because I find the American news media so damn depressing). However, since shit is hitting the fan all over North Africa and the Middle East, I figured if I'm going to a Muslim country (not to mention my current studio project is working with a school in Saudi Arabia), I better know something about what is going on over there. Furthermore, I've been reading this book on eastern (particularly Malaysian...thus Chinese, Indian, and Malay) culture, belief systems, and customs. I'm beginning to form opinions about what is going on and why we can't just all get along (well, not quite yet anyway).

     I'd first like to start out with what prompted me to write this in the first place....WTF is America doing in Libya? First of all, you went in with just the FRENCH...the French. Now I don't have anything against the people of France, but the military?...come on I'm American (we just can't help ourselves). Second of all, WTF is America doing there? But wait, you say, America handed the duties over to NATO. Well who's really in charge of Nato? It isn't the Canadians I'll tell you that much (once again, it's this America thing). So, in order to mask direct involvement, America is currently hiding behind NATO. Technicalities aside, how can the American government bounce off into another armed conflict (which are never short endeavors), costing citizens more tax dollars, pilling it on top of a deficit so large it's comical, send human beings into violence so they can get involved in a conflict that they have no attachment to what-so-ever, just so they can live in fear constantly and fire mis-hits (adding to the fear and detachment) because of the lack of proper mapping in the region? Not to mention they are doing all of this while the economy is in such a poor state that hourly jobs are hard to come by even with a master's degree? Something is just plain wrong with this picture.

     Isn't Gadhafi evil and shouldn't we free the people? Didn't the rebels ask for our help? Well I've got news for the world, America shouldn't  (and quite honestly, can't) be the world's babysitter. Yes, before I get accused of being some type of dictator lover, it is obvious that Gadhafi is crazy. I mean bat shit insane. He's like Charlie Sheen but on a whole new level, he's openly been 'winning' his whole life (King of Africa?....Really dude?). He's done awful things, and the world is most likely much better off without him, but I have no doubt that if the people are that pissed off, he'll go without our help (I've always said that the best solutions are those that come from roots up approaches). Oh and yes, the rebels did ask for our help. But (allegedly) so did the Iraqis way back in '91. How did that turn out for us? Seriously, did we not JUST go through this? Has the American government really not learned that they are digging themselves large hole? Or are they really that greedy for oil, money, and power that they just don't care that they are screwing over Libya as well as their own people? I suspect oil is the reason, because well, if we love repeating our mistakes that much, that's the general belief as to why we bothered with Iraq. It's an obvious statement that the world's dependency on oil needs to end (read Collapse by Jared M. Diamond). However, I am not the one with the answer. It's there, but I don't know enough about economics to suggest anything that could begin to answer that question (I'll save cap and trade for another day).

     If we are there primarily for oil, we are going about getting it in the complete wrong way (military violence seems to create more problems than it solves). Here's the problem, whenever we go into a place (from a government standpoint) we assume that the native people want to be just like America. Well guess what? They don't. Now, this mistake is most likely an accident, because it is really hard to accept that there are other world views than your own. I'm not talking at a personal level, I'm talking about a deep cultural connectivity that makes us not just American, but Westerners as well. I would argue that other western cultures may be better at recognizing this than us, but that is simply a matter of how isolated we are relative to other western countries. Furthermore, we loudly, proudly, and ignorantly try to go impose our views and focusing on ourselves. This may be borderline acceptable to our other western counterparts, but in places like the Middle East, the Far East, and Africa, this can be extremely offensive to say the least. In other words, as an American, we tend to believe in certain core values that affect our everything from our everyday lives and behaviors to how we make choices and what our country (in theory) stands for. We were founded on a distrust of government, right to act as we please (within reason -and at our founding, 'we' meant white males), and the celebration of the individual. That is what we believe in and it has (for the most part) worked for us. A country under completely different circumstances containing cultures with completely different belief systems may have a different type of solution. In fact the cultural differences can be so great, that us westerners may not be able to even comprehend why a group would act a certain way. Our celebration of the individual is the complete opposite of many cultures, where decisions are made based upon group consensus. In fact, so much emphasis is placed on total group consensus that any act made outside of that consensus can be seen as betrayal (aka a serious offense). So if we go running in and set up a government as fast as we can (because our culture values efficiency) we may end up not only offending an entire group of people, but we may have made the wrong choices in the process. It is important to understand that just because one group of people does something in a way so foreign that it seems useless to us, that it isn't bad or wrong. It's just different. Do I believe that westerners or Americans in particular are especially bad at this? No, I believe that the world shrunk so fast that most of the world is unable to really wrap their heads around it. Westerners seem to travel and spread out more, so we are faced with dealing with these problems on foreign soil more often. I'm sure the business man from Japan who is used to going through a long process of consensus for big choices made by the company was most likely shocked to find out that he had no input on a move made from higher up.

     I can already hear the words 'well if you don't like it here and you think we are all ignorant then why don't you get out?' Well, luckily for you, those thoughts have crossed my mind and more frequently as I get older. However, I like being an American. I like American people (just not a huge fan of the government, but that's part of being American). Even if I did become a full-time expat I was born an American. That means I have certain cultural values and views that are so deeply entrenched in my brain that they won't simply leave. I would always be an outsider, no matter how hard I tried to understand another culture. I'm simply stating that if there is any hope for our generation to take a forward step in the opposite direction, being comfortable with differences beyond your understanding, keeping an open mind, and LISTENING instead of hearing we may be on the right track. Oh, and America, get the heck out of Libya and help your PEOPLE (not your wallet) you have been SWORN to PROTECT (that goes beyond military spending).

Phew. Glad that's over.

-M

     So instead of boring you with more tedious details of my planning escapades, I decided to focus on something else. In anticipation of my trip, as well as knowing very little about Muslim culture, I've been keeping up with world news (I am notoriously bad at this, not because I don't want to know what's going on in the world, but because I find the American news media so damn depressing). However, since shit is hitting the fan all over North Africa and the Middle East, I figured if I'm going to a Muslim country (not to mention my current studio project is working with a school in Saudi Arabia), I better know something about what is going on over there. Furthermore, I've been reading this book on eastern (particularly Malaysian...thus Chinese, Indian, and Malay) culture, belief systems, and customs. I'm beginning to form opinions about what is going on and why we can't just all get along (well, not quite yet anyway).

     I'd first like to start out with what prompted me to write this in the first place....WTF is America doing in Libya? First of all, you went in with just the FRENCH...the French. Now I don't have anything against the people of France, but the military?...come on I'm American (we just can't help ourselves). Second of all, WTF is America doing there? But wait, you say, America handed the duties over to NATO. Well who's really in charge of Nato? It isn't the Canadians I'll tell you that much (once again, it's this America thing). So, in order to mask direct involvement, America is currently hiding behind NATO. Technicalities aside, how can the American government bounce off into another armed conflict (which are never short endeavors), costing citizens more tax dollars, pilling it on top of a deficit so large it's comical, send human beings into violence so they can get involved in a conflict that they have no attachment to what-so-ever, just so they can live in fear constantly and fire mis-hits (adding to the fear and detachment) because of the lack of proper mapping in the region? Not to mention they are doing all of this while the economy is in such a poor state that hourly jobs are hard to come by even with a master's degree? Something is just plain wrong with this picture.

     Isn't Gadhafi evil and shouldn't we free the people? Didn't the rebels ask for our help? Well I've got news for the world, America shouldn't  (and quite honestly, can't) be the world's babysitter. Yes, before I get accused of being some type of dictator lover, it is obvious that Gadhafi is crazy. I mean bat shit insane. He's like Charlie Sheen but on a whole new level, he's openly been 'winning' his whole life (King of Africa?....Really dude?). He's done awful things, and the world is most likely much better off without him, but I have no doubt that if the people are that pissed off, he'll go without our help (I've always said that the best solutions are those that come from roots up approaches). Oh and yes, the rebels did ask for our help. But (allegedly) so did the Iraqis way back in '91. How did that turn out for us? Seriously, did we not JUST go through this? Has the American government really not learned that they are digging themselves large hole? Or are they really that greedy for oil, money, and power that they just don't care that they are screwing over Libya as well as their own people? I suspect oil is the reason, because well, if we love repeating our mistakes that much, that's the general belief as to why we bothered with Iraq. It's an obvious statement that the world's dependency on oil needs to end (read Collapse by Jared M. Diamond). However, I am not the one with the answer. It's there, but I don't know enough about economics to suggest anything that could begin to answer that question (I'll save cap and trade for another day).

     If we are there primarily for oil, we are going about getting it in the complete wrong way (military violence seems to create more problems than it solves). Here's the problem, whenever we go into a place (from a government standpoint) we assume that the native people want to be just like America. Well guess what? They don't. Now, this mistake is most likely an accident, because it is really hard to accept that there are other world views than your own. I'm not talking at a personal level, I'm talking about a deep cultural connectivity that makes us not just American, but Westerners as well. I would argue that other western cultures may be better at recognizing this than us, but that is simply a matter of how isolated we are relative to other western countries. Furthermore, we loudly, proudly, and ignorantly try to go impose our views and focusing on ourselves. This may be borderline acceptable to our other western counterparts, but in places like the Middle East, the Far East, and Africa, this can be extremely offensive to say the least. In other words, as an American, we tend to believe in certain core values that affect our everything from our everyday lives and behaviors to how we make choices and what our country (in theory) stands for. We were founded on a distrust of government, right to act as we please (within reason -and at our founding, 'we' meant white males), and the celebration of the individual. That is what we believe in and it has (for the most part) worked for us. A country under completely different circumstances containing cultures with completely different belief systems may have a different type of solution. In fact the cultural differences can be so great, that us westerners may not be able to even comprehend why a group would act a certain way. Our celebration of the individual is the complete opposite of many cultures, where decisions are made based upon group consensus. In fact, so much emphasis is placed on total group consensus that any act made outside of that consensus can be seen as betrayal (aka a serious offense). So if we go running in and set up a government as fast as we can (because our culture values efficiency) we may end up not only offending an entire group of people, but we may have made the wrong choices in the process. It is important to understand that just because one group of people does something in a way so foreign that it seems useless to us, that it isn't bad or wrong. It's just different. Do I believe that westerners or Americans in particular are especially bad at this? No, I believe that the world shrunk so fast that most of the world is unable to really wrap their heads around it. Westerners seem to travel and spread out more, so we are faced with dealing with these problems on foreign soil more often. I'm sure the business man from Japan who is used to going through a long process of consensus for big choices made by the company was most likely shocked to find out that he had no input on a move made from higher up.

     I can already hear the words 'well if you don't like it here and you think we are all ignorant then why don't you get out?' Well, luckily for you, those thoughts have crossed my mind and more frequently as I get older. However, I like being an American. I like American people (just not a huge fan of the government, but that's part of being American). Even if I did become a full-time expat I was born an American. That means I have certain cultural values and views that are so deeply entrenched in my brain that they won't simply leave. I would always be an outsider, no matter how hard I tried to understand another culture. I'm simply stating that if there is any hope for our generation to take a forward step in the opposite direction, being comfortable with differences beyond your understanding, keeping an open mind, and LISTENING instead of hearing we may be on the right track. Oh, and America, get the heck out of Libya and help your PEOPLE (not your wallet) you have been SWORN to PROTECT (that goes beyond military spending).

Phew. Glad that's over.

-M

     So instead of boring you with more tedious details of my planning escapades, I decided to focus on something else. In anticipation of my trip, as well as knowing very little about Muslim culture, I've been keeping up with world news (I am notoriously bad at this, not because I don't want to know what's going on in the world, but because I find the American news media so damn depressing). However, since shit is hitting the fan all over North Africa and the Middle East, I figured if I'm going to a Muslim country (not to mention my current studio project is working with a school in Saudi Arabia), I better know something about what is going on over there. Furthermore, I've been reading this book on eastern (particularly Malaysian...thus Chinese, Indian, and Malay) culture, belief systems, and customs. I'm beginning to form opinions about what is going on and why we can't just all get along (well, not quite yet anyway).

     I'd first like to start out with what prompted me to write this in the first place....WTF is America doing in Libya? First of all, you went in with just the FRENCH...the French. Now I don't have anything against the people of France, but the military?...come on I'm American (we just can't help ourselves). Second of all, WTF is America doing there? But wait, you say, America handed the duties over to NATO. Well who's really in charge of Nato? It isn't the Canadians I'll tell you that much (once again, it's this America thing). So, in order to mask direct involvement, America is currently hiding behind NATO. Technicalities aside, how can the American government bounce off into another armed conflict (which are never short endeavors), costing citizens more tax dollars, pilling it on top of a deficit so large it's comical, send human beings into violence so they can get involved in a conflict that they have no attachment to what-so-ever, just so they can live in fear constantly and fire mis-hits (adding to the fear and detachment) because of the lack of proper mapping in the region? Not to mention they are doing all of this while the economy is in such a poor state that hourly jobs are hard to come by even with a master's degree? Something is just plain wrong with this picture.

     Isn't Gadhafi evil and shouldn't we free the people? Didn't the rebels ask for our help? Well I've got news for the world, America shouldn't  (and quite honestly, can't) be the world's babysitter. Yes, before I get accused of being some type of dictator lover, it is obvious that Gadhafi is crazy. I mean bat shit insane. He's like Charlie Sheen but on a whole new level, he's openly been 'winning' his whole life (King of Africa?....Really dude?). He's done awful things, and the world is most likely much better off without him, but I have no doubt that if the people are that pissed off, he'll go without our help (I've always said that the best solutions are those that come from roots up approaches). Oh and yes, the rebels did ask for our help. But (allegedly) so did the Iraqis way back in '91. How did that turn out for us? Seriously, did we not JUST go through this? Has the American government really not learned that they are digging themselves large hole? Or are they really that greedy for oil, money, and power that they just don't care that they are screwing over Libya as well as their own people? I suspect oil is the reason, because well, if we love repeating our mistakes that much, that's the general belief as to why we bothered with Iraq. It's an obvious statement that the world's dependency on oil needs to end (read Collapse by Jared M. Diamond). However, I am not the one with the answer. It's there, but I don't know enough about economics to suggest anything that could begin to answer that question (I'll save cap and trade for another day).

     If we are there primarily for oil, we are going about getting it in the complete wrong way (military violence seems to create more problems than it solves). Here's the problem, whenever we go into a place (from a government standpoint) we assume that the native people want to be just like America. Well guess what? They don't. Now, this mistake is most likely an accident, because it is really hard to accept that there are other world views than your own. I'm not talking at a personal level, I'm talking about a deep cultural connectivity that makes us not just American, but Westerners as well. I would argue that other western cultures may be better at recognizing this than us, but that is simply a matter of how isolated we are relative to other western countries. Furthermore, we loudly, proudly, and ignorantly try to go impose our views and focusing on ourselves. This may be borderline acceptable to our other western counterparts, but in places like the Middle East, the Far East, and Africa, this can be extremely offensive to say the least. In other words, as an American, we tend to believe in certain core values that affect our everything from our everyday lives and behaviors to how we make choices and what our country (in theory) stands for. We were founded on a distrust of government, right to act as we please (within reason -and at our founding, 'we' meant white males), and the celebration of the individual. That is what we believe in and it has (for the most part) worked for us. A country under completely different circumstances containing cultures with completely different belief systems may have a different type of solution. In fact the cultural differences can be so great, that us westerners may not be able to even comprehend why a group would act a certain way. Our celebration of the individual is the complete opposite of many cultures, where decisions are made based upon group consensus. In fact, so much emphasis is placed on total group consensus that any act made outside of that consensus can be seen as betrayal (aka a serious offense). So if we go running in and set up a government as fast as we can (because our culture values efficiency) we may end up not only offending an entire group of people, but we may have made the wrong choices in the process. It is important to understand that just because one group of people does something in a way so foreign that it seems useless to us, that it isn't bad or wrong. It's just different. Do I believe that westerners or Americans in particular are especially bad at this? No, I believe that the world shrunk so fast that most of the world is unable to really wrap their heads around it. Westerners seem to travel and spread out more, so we are faced with dealing with these problems on foreign soil more often. I'm sure the business man from Japan who is used to going through a long process of consensus for big choices made by the company was most likely shocked to find out that he had no input on a move made from higher up.

     I can already hear the words 'well if you don't like it here and you think we are all ignorant then why don't you get out?' Well, luckily for you, those thoughts have crossed my mind and more frequently as I get older. However, I like being an American. I like American people (just not a huge fan of the government, but that's part of being American). Even if I did become a full-time expat I was born an American. That means I have certain cultural values and views that are so deeply entrenched in my brain that they won't simply leave. I would always be an outsider, no matter how hard I tried to understand another culture. I'm simply stating that if there is any hope for our generation to take a forward step in the opposite direction, being comfortable with differences beyond your understanding, keeping an open mind, and LISTENING instead of hearing we may be on the right track. Oh, and America, get the heck out of Libya and help your PEOPLE (not your wallet) you have been SWORN to PROTECT (that goes beyond military spending).

Phew. Glad that's over.

-M