You know it's a good read when...

You force yourself to go to sleep waaay past your bedtime, then lie awake for another ten minutes contemplating if you made the right decision to stop reading for the night.

The struggle!

Anyways, this TRUE STORY both captivated and horrified me. And sure, you can say it's biased and prejudiced, but it's her story, so she's entitled to her observations and opinions.

And it's pretty amazing how far Iran has come since the 80s, judging by the Rick Steves documentary on Iran I watched on Hulu a little while ago (Rick Steves is way goonie, but what can I say, it was a boring Friday night in Provo), and their Twitter-influenced elections late last year... different picture, indeed.


Have you read any good books lately?

I have a few long flights ahead of me :). Recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Foreign Babes in Beijing

Found this post - a sort of book review - I drafted from a while back and I thought I'd get over my hangups of potential further embellishment and polishing...and just publish.

(My NYU summer school '08 professor Betty Liu's voice rings in my head often, "Condensing is an art form!" She is one who encouraged me to publish this...here I am, months later!)

My friend Al lent Foreign Babes to me...yes, the one with Hodgkin's. The one who BEAT Hodgkin's.
She is doing awesome...finishing up radiation, heading off to Venice in May to do an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Such a rockstar.

Anyways, Al went to NYU, so naturally she had all these cool professors with rad worldly stories to impress upon young minds.

So she lent me Foreign Babes in Beijing by one of them, Rachel DeWoskin.



In a nutshell: it's Sex and the City meets The Office meets Lost in Translation.

Adventure is synonymous with life for DeWoskin- she grew up being tucked in with Goodnight Moon on trains throughout the Chinese countryside.

Her family bases themselves in Minnesota, and for college, it's off to Columbia, then immediately to China. (Today, DeWoskin splits her time between Manhattan and Beijing.)

She wanders around Beijing and China to find herself, but because of her background, it's a sort of 'coming home' in a sense.

Foreign Babes is a quirky, insightful, and self-deprecatingly humorous, and ultimately a neat insider's view to 1990s Beijing: a city struggling with young streaks of modernism while still rife with suspicion over the infiltration of Western ideals.

DeWoskin's title is the life and the soap opera she finds herself starring in. Literally. She becomes an overnight star to 600 million.

She has consistent insights comparing her life to her on-screen character Jiexi's, who like Beijing has an identity crisis centered around themes of tradition, sacrifice, love and opportunity.

DeWoskin's descriptions resonate through you: you can taste the hotpot, feel the wind of fellow bicycling commuter comrades pedaling along through gray industrial Beijing, chuckle at her apartment building's 'elevator schedule' ...to the point where you wonder if she is some sort of Master diplomat-slash-expatriate, where every cultural rift simply contains no irritation or fascination, like water off her own duck-lo-mein back.

Finally, she admits she never gets over the culture shock... the essence of what I perceive as that mystical Asiatic allure I have yet to personally experience.

Top it off with humorous conversations with fellow expats, as well as insightful commentary and surprising humor from the locals DeWoskin befriends, and you have a great cultural-type autobiography of sorts.

Am I the only one?

...who is NOT seeing New Moon?

...who did NOT like Twilight (book #1 & movie- I gave it a fair chance!!!)?

...who thinks Edward is frustratingly elusive, a disjointed conversationalist, utterly strange, and ultimately, NOT romantic?


...who thinks this whole pop culture vampire kick needed to die maybe a year ago?


...Buehler??

The House at Sugar Beach

If you've ever wanted to know what it was like to live the life of Liberian (Africa) aristocracy in the 70s (two words: Congo People), who lives a charmed and shockingly normal (by "American" standards) childhood, until her teen years when civil war breaks out and she's forced to become an average US teen (let alone, black) in the Deep South ...



then onto studying journalism at UNC ...

then on to become a WSJ and NY Times foreign correspondent...

then revisiting her former childhood home, amidst its harrowing reconversion in today's completely different, tumultuous, war-torn Liberia.

While I do agree that more copy editing would have been in Cooper's best interest, some of the Amazon reviews complain that she doesn't address the race issue enough. However, I came to see how race was not the message...it was universality of childhood and family and home.

And it was interesting to see how a privileged childhood in Africa gave her the confidence to brush off the notion of 'racism'- you can tell because she doesn't dwell on it (like the way she barely mentions a collegiate love with a white young man that ultimately ended due to disapproving parents on his end).

A lovely and bittersweet way to end the summer.

Untitled from the West

I miss one of my sisters so much right now, but the silver lining is that I can listen to all the Regina Spektor I want, unfettered from her annoyed pleas to "turn that woman off!"
(Listen now: 'Dance Anthem of the 80s')


Google Reader- I don't even want to start with you...you are intimidating and anxiety inducing. 'Telle, consider this a plea for help.

The House at Sugar Beach- everyone must read NOW.

Post forthcoming, I can't say when...my thoughts are slurring together right now...


why am I blogging? Oh yeah, my new credo to be a more "in the moment" blogger...and life liver.

That is all.

kisses and hugs,
Al

"I feel independent"

Thanks to "Dr. Greg" Mortenson, my Pakistan/Afghanistan interest has been piqued... poking around the web, I found a couple of things you may find interesting as well.

(I don't pretend to be an expert on this, by the way. I still have a lot of learning to do.)

Concisely shows what the Pakistani madrassas of nationalists (rather than Taliban insurgents) are up to nowadays. Nice.



Also, has anyone seen the movie Tea with the Taliban? What did you think?


And also, click through this inspiring slideshow on how Afghani women are moving forward, despite the Taliban threat.

"I love working at the National Museum—I feel independent. I can work, study, travel, earn money. Under the Taliban, I couldn't work. They beat one of my relatives so badly on the spine for not wearing a burka that two days later, she died."

- Qudsia Zohab, an employee of the National Museum of Afghanistan and a literature student at Kabul University

via Marie Claire

How much I, an American woman, take for granted.

The practicalism of peace

The other day, I both finished the book Three Cups of Tea and watched the movie Funny Face. I realized that the two had similar themes. (Ok, a stretch, but hear me out if you so desire)


In the movie, Audrey Hepburn's character is a book shop girl and budding intellectual (and then model) who harps on the concept of 'practicalism: peace through understanding' throughout the movie.

The first half of the movie was mind-blowing eye candy: New York, Paris, lots of pink and glamour, what's not to love?! However, by the end I was finished with all of the themes of or related to "about face"...the lack of depth of conventional beauty, the lame songs, even to the fact that technically, (spoiler) she and Fred Astaire don't get married (although it's implied).

Plus, Audrey's acting and singing were really bad...like "make it stop!" bad. yikes.

My point is, that while practicalism was preached in a very face-value of a movie, it can also be understood in, well, more noble ways... like in Three Cups of Tea.



Many complain that charity work is largely motivated by face value...people trying to advance themselves socially, politically or personally.

But Mortenson's story of an innately radical sense of altruism to build schools for women and girls in Pakistan is overwhelming: the scope of what is accomplished far outweighs even the grand effort, and for this, I salute him with deep respect.


Really, education and understanding is our only way to world peace.
And it's disappointing that many do not see this as a natural, 'practical' solution.

To write, or not to write?

All this contentment has given me a lot of time to think about writing a book about my sojourn to New Zealand next year, where I will explore not only the majestic countryside but also the various themes of my life.

So naturally, I've had to calm myself down and make points of reference to some of the travel books I've read, so I can gauge how much of myself I would decide to weave into my potential travel piece and create something unique.

In a Sunburned Country- A travel book in its purest form, written by NY-Times acclaimed author Bryson who goes to Australia for the sake of travel writing. Although I appreciated his extensive research on the country and sense of humor, I found my urgency to experience Australia decrease (he spent too much time in the Outback), realizing Australia's real draw is the ocean (Great Barrier Reef and surfing 'mecca' Brisbane).

A Year in Provence- ethnographic account of an older, semi-retired couple who pack up their life in England and experience every European’s dream of living full-time in the countryside of Provence, France. However, they majority of the way they spend their days is not traveling to nearby chateaus or taking walks along the beach in Marseille, but reconstructing an old farmhouse they have purchased and interacting with their neighbors—pandering to universal themes of home ownership and community, not necessarily travel.
A TV Mini-series was produced, 1993.

Japanland: In Search of Wa- An American documentary filmmaker with day-job burnout and judo hobby, who spends a year in Japan scrappily forging her way around the terrain finding experience, joy and ultimately, peace with herself. I think this was my favorite of the four I mention here, because the author was an extremely compelling writer, personable and funny, who more often than not, left the reader to draw the more emotional conclusions. The adventures Karin Muller finds herself on are unforgettable: filming the Tamagawa cult in desolate mountains of which even the Japan Tourist Information Center has no knowledge, following a homeless man in Osaka, and also studying what fuels the traditions of sumo wrestling, geisha-dom, and the national pachinko addiction.

Eat, Pray, Love- A soul-searching adventure by Elizabeth Gilbert through Italy, India, and Bali that touched mostly on retreat, renewal, and re-learning how to give and receive love. I read this almost two years ago, and the most poignant thoughts that come to mind were a) her eating not one, but two crusty-soft pizzas in Naples (Eat), b) meditating in an Indian ashram and reaching a level of serenity never experienced before (Pray), and c) indulging in an outdoor shower in Bali (as well as the boyfriend she picks up there). And of the four, interesting to note this the only one with a highly anticipated movie deal starring Julia Roberts.

Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) spoke on creativity in a recent TED conference. And I just love how raw, candid, funny and happily at ease she is about her creative process, that it gives me hope that I'm still in the right (write?) place. It is quite inspiring...

"[The belief that] creativity and suffering are somehow inherently interlinked...[that] artistry, in the end, will ultimately lead to anguish...is odious."

Don't miss her closing segment (starting at 15:38) how the creativity of expression is a glimpse of God.




Maybe I'm just grandiose and doe-eyed with all my thought processes of "The world is my oyster! I can be anything I want to be! I'm going to go soak up life for all it's infinite worth!" so I welcome your suggestions. Would you read a book about New Zealand, authored by yours truly?
(Doubtful sentiments also welcomed.)

Thank you in advance.

Kerouac-ian

1) Google Reader: I was stubborn enough to think that another Google creation would not be user friendly enough for me, and was comfortable with mastering the system of clicking on blogs as they updated on my home screen.
Old. School. I know.

But now, as you will see, I have de-cluttered my layout, condensed my link lists and started "following" more than linking. And it's awesome. You can leave Reader open in a tab and it updates like Gmail. Plus, you can "follow" other blogs besides those in the Blogger format and avert all the arthritic-inducing clicking. Win-win. Go Google.

My next project will be AdSense...still a little apathetic-slash-lazy to figure it out.

2) Finished Me Talk Pretty One Day.

From a writer's standpoint, it's a must-read for all the sharp interwoven details. But don't be expecting to be keeling over in "sidesplitting" laughter as all the reviews would have you think. I think my favorite part was Sedaris's commentary on the games he made up to learn French masculine/feminine words (Hey guys [talking to spoons in the drawer]! Well the lady of the night has arrived [about jam in the refrigerator]!).

2a) You know who IS funny? Dooce. But we already knew that (been reading her for, like, 5 years).

3) I said the phrase "stream of consciousness" in a sentence to some cousins who dropped by for a night and one laughed loudly and said, "Did you know Jack Kerouac's "On The Road" was originally published without punctuation because it was precisely that, a 'stream of consciousness.'"

Well, folks...cheah! precisely. Hence the new post label of 'Kerouac.' Hope you like it.

Remember when...

My sister accidentally ran a red light in Boston yesterday and a pasty white, four-eyed, wannabe machismo with a gut and receding hairline got out of his car and legitimately chewed her out at the next light. You know, because his elongated horn sounding was not enough. The shock factor of it all was surprisingly ephemeral...we laughed for the next hour.


I thought I got prank called the other night about my blue suit but it was really a Chinese lady from the website where I ordered it checking on the shipment. It became quite obvious that it was legit when, after gleefully screaming back at her ("Who is this?! Haha!!"), she repeated her shtick without a slip of any telling sign of English tonality or giggles in the background. I profusely thanked her, then laughed at my suspicious self (Friends...please prank call me? Just like I seriously, truly adore waking up at home to a toilet papered yard, I love it when I can call you out on my fake pizza order. Thanks!!!)


Rachel and I drove through the woods listening to K-Ci and JoJo blaring. And I did the same with one of my sisters today and, while she did get into it...she just. did not. understand.


I deactivated my Facebook. I simply question its relevancy. Most of this, I'm realizing, will be a great litmus test for the people who are truly most currently important in my life: it's too weird having a girl I used to babysit (and her mom), my past crushes, and my best of friends on the same playing field. My nearest and dearest will know how to get a hold of me, or be more resourceful (is that selfish? I suppose I run that risk.).
The kicker?
A friend request from my dear dear uncle (more like 2nd cousin once removed)'s awful ex-wife, as well as the feeling of knowing I don't want to be defined by a "like" of a status update, a comment on a photo, or an invitation to join the now-annoyingly-ubiquitous groups for wedding announcement address sending. I certainly don't look down on those who still have accounts: I simply claim ownership of what works for me, and now, I'm moving on.
If I need to get in contact with someone desperately, perhaps I'll reactivate for a second to message them with my information. Compromise? Yes.
Capiche.


I pushed the 70s in number of "Me Talk Pretty One Day" pages and still waiting for the "Memoirs of a Gay Childhood-meets-Lewis Carroll Psychedelia" novelty to wear off.
Just so harrrd because I was laughing out loud at Sloane from page 1!


Mark Ronson remixed Amy Winehouse...the twist-n-shout greatness commences at 0:52...

The Bible of Fierce?

Okay, I was at first embarrassed that I was reading this book...but now I can honestly say it could be a bible of how to be a fierce, confident woman in relationships.



Maybe you could learn more reading Twelfth Night...or Song of Solomon...or some Dr. Phil material du jour...

But author Argov will spit it to you blunt, straight, just the way I most appreciate (at least, most of the time).

I recommend it to all my gal friends out there, because it's not feminist nor old-fashioned: in short, it simply shows you how to let men be men and yourself be fabulous. And in turn, weed out anything short of an upright man worthy of your trust and respect.


Por ejemplo: No need to nag because men respond to contact.
If you are too accessible, it will drive them crazy...
One of my favorite quotes from a man was
"If you rescue a damsel in distress, you'll only be left with a distressed damsel."

After a particularly hard stumble recently, Chantelle- who had recommended I read it and, upon returning it to her- said, "I am going to fall asleep to its wisdom and wake up even more of a tigress."

Now, go out there and be the fierce, fabulous beeeeeeyotttchhhh you are!

(yes, especially you Raquel)

Universal health care will make you taller

Thought of the day:

I KNEW I looooved Deutschland so much...

Because aside from having pink castles that reminded me of my late grandmother Loraine...

(Neues Palais, Sans Sousi Park, Potsdam)

And beautiful countryside in which to ride bikes...

(Frankfurt-Oder near the Polish border)

And delightful, entertaining, very often silly company...

(Berlin Wall- haha my face is so round...this was after Spain, and after Sarah and I had eaten our weight in Belgian lieges just days before hehe)

Germans are the 3rd tallest people in the world!

(Oh, did I mention I'm reading THIS)

It was such a respite from being stared at so much in dwarf-y Spain to pull my shoulders back, and see eye-to-eye with pride amongst those beautiful Germans.

Tallest countries: Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Norway, Denmark

I KNEW I should just move to Europe!

US citizens are not just short, but our heights have actually decreased.

"Americans stopped growing in 1950s and haven't grown taller in almost sixty years...
the average US man is 5'9.2" and woman 5'3.8"...
Women have declined by 0.3 inch over forty years , which is significant," says Cohen.

She says "someone should run for president on the slogan 'Universal health care will make you taller." It's true. Talls are found wherever childhood health care is top notch, mothers get months off after birth, and social services abound."



I KNEW the Obamas were just trying to make everyone as tall as them!!!

(and here's the Romney rebuttal)

Smarter, Richer, Longer, Better

So far, it would be accurate to say that I've been amen-ing every page and paragraph...



Just a couple of choice quotes so far from Arianne:


"Being tall has meaning far beyond just seeing over people's heads. We share the balancing act of being the chosen people, yet we live in a society that is not built for us...it's a ripe paradox."

(Coming from homes custom built with countertops 4" higher than 'standard' and specially ordered handicap toilets (because they rise higher), I understand this. Short people often have trouble in my family's homes, and we find a lot of humor in it.)

"'Power has a way of being re-inforcing...Tall people are perceived as more dominant and often get treated that way, and if people treat you as dominant, then you de facto become more dominant in that group.' It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. And that is the tall advantage."

So awesome, so peculiar and utterly unique the commonality 'talls' feel with each other...



I end this post with a gem from my aunt Lisa:

"Beautifully tall women lend grace to an awkward world."

Keeping up with the Kiwis

(and Maoris)

Come January I will be here...

Also known as New Zealand also known as a Never Neverland on Earth!

I'm pretty much stoked out of my mind that I'll be getting college credit for taking outdoor recreation courses..... YES....the last time I received school credit to surf was senior year of high school- it's about time my chosen undergraduate university follow suit ;)

(My spiritual bond with the ocean merits volumes of more writing...)

All these Peter Pan themes lately and the fact that I'm finally (after a recommendation six years ago, I'm embarrassed to say) halfway through reading The Alchemist... has me thinking about seeking out the many Neverlands of this life (with the traveling/exploring element serving as both a reality and a metaphor) and finding a Peter to accompany me on the journey.

But Peter Pan or not, it won't hold me down from achieving.

Is it so selfish, grandiose or romantic that I don't want to compromise and actually want to achieve goals, wishes and dreams? Really see them to fruition?

I don't think so. My inner combination of wanderlust and pragmatism realizes that an extraordinary outcome requires an extraordinary effort.

I'm not just 'up for the challenge'... it's been lovingly and tryingly ingrained in me that I will do it.

With love,

Wendy the future Kiwi

A must read for the Tall

...and whoever else wants to get a glimpse of what it's like to be Amazon/intimidatingly/top-shelf-reaching tall...

So....I fell in tall love with Arianne Cohen when I read her article in April's Vogue.

After a rather intense search to find the article online to no avail, I have scanned and attached the pages below for your reading pleasure.

Click to enlarge.

(Haha. That was totally me/my sisters in dance classes...it was really awkward-slash-awful back then.)

(The following page was not scanning properly, so I thought drawing a makeshift border would help- please disregard the eyesore...)

also

(an endocrinologist said my mom would be 5'6"....she's actually 6'1"....)

Yep. Nailed it. Awesome.

I have ordered her book for some summer reading.

Rachel and Amy, I'm bringing it to the lake to share.
Get excited.

Viva las altas!