Monday, February 21, 2005
WOW
I cannot wait to get home. Yeah, that home. I can't wait to read through the journal that i have kept the past year. I don't really understand what's happening today. I wonder how today will look from tomorrow?
Friday, February 18, 2005
My friend and the three dots (...)
One thing about my friend, (X), is that i can feel totally conflicted when around them. my relationship with this friend is definitely punctuated by the three dots, a literary tool so very vital to my understanding of the world. they are just my friend... i'm so happy that they are happy in their relationship, back there on the other side of the world, with someone that i don't know...
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
The challenge of being... yourself
In an age of such supposed acceptance, the mantra of embracing that which is unique about an individual, celebrating your differences, being 'yourself,' i can't help but feel an air of heavy, unspoken oppression hanging over the populace of penang.
A practitioner of people-watching might notice the infrequent solo walker climbing the sidewalk to the top of the hill on the ever sloping campus of USM or sitting alone in the cafeteria during lunch. More often than not, those few that are by themselves are, indeed, themselves. Groups, swarms, move collectively everywhere you look, clogging the arteries of the walking plane like huge globs of ever bubbling and morphing fatty blobs. And, like those molecular trouble makers, these entities seem to be composed of molecularly identical components. One hates to generalize, but the initial impression is all too often upheld by experience. You are a blob of Chinese girls, all wearing the same misguidedly "hip" clothes, or a small sea of bobbing tudungs shading eyes that seem to be constantly scanning, searching, criticizing, all of them giggling in unison at who knows what (anything different). Or you're a batallion of puffed out chests, motorbike helmets swinging at side, moving with conviction, daring anything approaching to challenge their straightforward motion. Let us not forget the gangs of shiny slicked back hairdo's, wandering eyes preceeding suggestive whistles.
And those whose molecular makeup does not seem to place them conveniently into one of these blobs? Well, they walk alone. Or, sometimes with another, however equally unmatchable, molecular unit. And they are kept there, alone. You may be walking to the beat of your own drummer, but don't expect to win a grammy.
A practitioner of people-watching might notice the infrequent solo walker climbing the sidewalk to the top of the hill on the ever sloping campus of USM or sitting alone in the cafeteria during lunch. More often than not, those few that are by themselves are, indeed, themselves. Groups, swarms, move collectively everywhere you look, clogging the arteries of the walking plane like huge globs of ever bubbling and morphing fatty blobs. And, like those molecular trouble makers, these entities seem to be composed of molecularly identical components. One hates to generalize, but the initial impression is all too often upheld by experience. You are a blob of Chinese girls, all wearing the same misguidedly "hip" clothes, or a small sea of bobbing tudungs shading eyes that seem to be constantly scanning, searching, criticizing, all of them giggling in unison at who knows what (anything different). Or you're a batallion of puffed out chests, motorbike helmets swinging at side, moving with conviction, daring anything approaching to challenge their straightforward motion. Let us not forget the gangs of shiny slicked back hairdo's, wandering eyes preceeding suggestive whistles.
And those whose molecular makeup does not seem to place them conveniently into one of these blobs? Well, they walk alone. Or, sometimes with another, however equally unmatchable, molecular unit. And they are kept there, alone. You may be walking to the beat of your own drummer, but don't expect to win a grammy.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Bunga Api crazy
a letter sent out on my "travelling abroad" mailing list:
Sawatdee khrap, da jia, kawan-kawanku dan orang yang tak bodoh!
Main main saja. Everyone, how are you?!? Long time, so many faces that float through my mind on a regular basis- so much that I miss about my home, the place that I come from. But then, the literature of the foreigner, the ex-pat, in a land far far away, in a culture different from the origin, is so archetypal. There is so much of it, this kind of writing and this kind of story, it is a topic that evokes such strong emotions, inspiration and poetry, and yet it all shares something.
I just wanted to send out a quick hello, and to wish you all a fantastic year of the Rooster. “Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!” the Chinese radio and television stations and the speakers in the grocery stores have been blaring, non-stop, for the past couple of weeks.There is a huge ethnic Chinese population living in Penang, and they certainly made their presence felt last night. At one level, walking through the streets of town, you can see all the lights, the lanterns, the colorful banners, and so many huge, smoking joss sticks. It was really quiet last night, when I was walking back to the central bus station (after dinner with Diana at an Indian shop, ‘cause all the chinese shops are closed…), because last night was the traditional dinner when the whole family gathers together, to feast and catch up. That was before midnight, before the ringing in of the actual new year.
At a different level, later at night, from the 20th floor of the N-Park apartment complex, Diana and Veena and Fiza’s place, the entire island became a war zone of explosions and blasts of brilliant lights. I have never seen so many fireworks in one place, not even the fourth of July back home. I swear, it was constant bunga api, “flowers of fire”, for five hours straight, the cloud of smoke above the city getting thicker, the sonic booms echoing off the mountain. Any police officer zealous enough to attempt to enforce the no fireworks law last night certainly had his hands full… people were even tossing rockets and poppers and sparklers from the high floors of the apartment buildings. Any other time, this might have seemed a bit dangerous, and I might not have appreciated it, but I didn’t even bother attempting to sleep until 3ish, and the holiday spirit prompts one to forgive such foolish behavior. ;)
The facts that many of the shops are owned by Chinese businesspeople that som many people in town are celebrating, and that it is a public holiday, means that practically everything is closed. Good thing I stocked up on instant noodles and coffee the other day! The only reason I can get to a computer right now is because these phd students (well, the non-chinese ones…) are so dedicated that they open up the lab on campus even during the holiday.
Many of the international students have left town for the week, taking advantage of the time off to travel a bit. I thought that it would be nice just to hang out with friends and to see the activity in penang, however. I must admit, this campus is sooooo lovely when there are no people in it. J Also, I will get my share of traveling in after the end of the semester, so I’m not worried. Plus, I want to take advantage of the time that I have to be with the friends that I have made here; really some awesome, amazing people.
Other stuff: going to be performing for another cultural dance thingy next week, this time with some students from a variety of the aboriginal tribes in Sarawak and Sabah, the Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Apparently, this function for the University is important enough that the king of Malaysia himself is going to be there, so it’s kind of a big deal. Plus, it’s held at a fancy hotel, so they’re going to feed us really nice food J…
Oh, something I’m really excited about: I have arranged an internship with a human rights organization that works with the united nations, up in Bangkok, Thailand! (www.forumasia.org) This could be really cool, not only the fact that I will be living in one of the most notorious cities in the world, but the experience I could have at the job.
And other stuff, but I have written too much already. I should be more strategic with these emails; I know that if they’re tooooo long, no one will bother reading. ;)
I hope you are all happy and safe and healthy. I miss Minnesota, I miss my friends and family. Lots of love.
Penang, Malaysia
Sawatdee khrap, da jia, kawan-kawanku dan orang yang tak bodoh!
Main main saja. Everyone, how are you?!? Long time, so many faces that float through my mind on a regular basis- so much that I miss about my home, the place that I come from. But then, the literature of the foreigner, the ex-pat, in a land far far away, in a culture different from the origin, is so archetypal. There is so much of it, this kind of writing and this kind of story, it is a topic that evokes such strong emotions, inspiration and poetry, and yet it all shares something.
I just wanted to send out a quick hello, and to wish you all a fantastic year of the Rooster. “Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!” the Chinese radio and television stations and the speakers in the grocery stores have been blaring, non-stop, for the past couple of weeks.There is a huge ethnic Chinese population living in Penang, and they certainly made their presence felt last night. At one level, walking through the streets of town, you can see all the lights, the lanterns, the colorful banners, and so many huge, smoking joss sticks. It was really quiet last night, when I was walking back to the central bus station (after dinner with Diana at an Indian shop, ‘cause all the chinese shops are closed…), because last night was the traditional dinner when the whole family gathers together, to feast and catch up. That was before midnight, before the ringing in of the actual new year.
At a different level, later at night, from the 20th floor of the N-Park apartment complex, Diana and Veena and Fiza’s place, the entire island became a war zone of explosions and blasts of brilliant lights. I have never seen so many fireworks in one place, not even the fourth of July back home. I swear, it was constant bunga api, “flowers of fire”, for five hours straight, the cloud of smoke above the city getting thicker, the sonic booms echoing off the mountain. Any police officer zealous enough to attempt to enforce the no fireworks law last night certainly had his hands full… people were even tossing rockets and poppers and sparklers from the high floors of the apartment buildings. Any other time, this might have seemed a bit dangerous, and I might not have appreciated it, but I didn’t even bother attempting to sleep until 3ish, and the holiday spirit prompts one to forgive such foolish behavior. ;)
The facts that many of the shops are owned by Chinese businesspeople that som many people in town are celebrating, and that it is a public holiday, means that practically everything is closed. Good thing I stocked up on instant noodles and coffee the other day! The only reason I can get to a computer right now is because these phd students (well, the non-chinese ones…) are so dedicated that they open up the lab on campus even during the holiday.
Many of the international students have left town for the week, taking advantage of the time off to travel a bit. I thought that it would be nice just to hang out with friends and to see the activity in penang, however. I must admit, this campus is sooooo lovely when there are no people in it. J Also, I will get my share of traveling in after the end of the semester, so I’m not worried. Plus, I want to take advantage of the time that I have to be with the friends that I have made here; really some awesome, amazing people.
Other stuff: going to be performing for another cultural dance thingy next week, this time with some students from a variety of the aboriginal tribes in Sarawak and Sabah, the Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Apparently, this function for the University is important enough that the king of Malaysia himself is going to be there, so it’s kind of a big deal. Plus, it’s held at a fancy hotel, so they’re going to feed us really nice food J…
Oh, something I’m really excited about: I have arranged an internship with a human rights organization that works with the united nations, up in Bangkok, Thailand! (www.forumasia.org) This could be really cool, not only the fact that I will be living in one of the most notorious cities in the world, but the experience I could have at the job.
And other stuff, but I have written too much already. I should be more strategic with these emails; I know that if they’re tooooo long, no one will bother reading. ;)
I hope you are all happy and safe and healthy. I miss Minnesota, I miss my friends and family. Lots of love.
Penang, Malaysia
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
I dub Thee...
Hello. Hola. Ni Hao. Sawadee khrap. Selemat datang. Yo.
And so, the christening of "Intrepid Underground," a silly name for the silly thoughs of Ted.
Thought a blog would be a good idea, a chance to spread whatever it is that i have to offer around the universe. Also, a little self indulgence, i suppose. I get to write whatever i want...
I should have started one long ago, maybe when i first arrived here in Asia. I think this will be a good way to document some of my thoughts and experiences.
Anyway, as the Brits say, Cheers.
tedericco
And so, the christening of "Intrepid Underground," a silly name for the silly thoughs of Ted.
Thought a blog would be a good idea, a chance to spread whatever it is that i have to offer around the universe. Also, a little self indulgence, i suppose. I get to write whatever i want...
I should have started one long ago, maybe when i first arrived here in Asia. I think this will be a good way to document some of my thoughts and experiences.
Anyway, as the Brits say, Cheers.
tedericco
Monday, February 07, 2005
wheels...
Yes, the wheels keep on spinning 'round.
The campus of universiti sains malaysia is absolutely dead; abandoned, the hot, humid breeze blowing across the opaque heat radiating from the concrete.
This is a marvelous place when there is no one here. i remember the days of xmas vacation at the university of minnesota; it's my favourite time to be there.
Not sure about my plans for next couple of days, the Chinese New Year holiday. Apparently, everything will be shut down for a couple of days. Most of my favourite restaurants and shops are run by chinese... what will i do?!? apa boleh buat...
Excitement runs high, in anticipation on whatever it is that is coming next for me. my stint at usm will end in march sometime. my sister will visit me, returning to her own chicago at the end of the same month. April 1 marks a moment of decision, of destiny you could say. absolute freedom. don't have to be in the united states until september, technically.
the way it looks, will be working at a human rights ngo in bangkok, thailand, for at least a month and a half (www.forumasia.org). could be absolutely amazing. hell, simply being in the city of bangkok could be amazing, not to mention the experience that i could have at this internship. i've always had the ambition to be in the world of international organizations, ngo's, working with the un... the things that happen the next couple of months could have a major impact on the rest of my life. i could make the contacts that launch me into an amazing career, working around the world, saving it... or, i could discover that that's not what i want to do at all.
either way, it's gonna be awesome.
The campus of universiti sains malaysia is absolutely dead; abandoned, the hot, humid breeze blowing across the opaque heat radiating from the concrete.
This is a marvelous place when there is no one here. i remember the days of xmas vacation at the university of minnesota; it's my favourite time to be there.
Not sure about my plans for next couple of days, the Chinese New Year holiday. Apparently, everything will be shut down for a couple of days. Most of my favourite restaurants and shops are run by chinese... what will i do?!? apa boleh buat...
Excitement runs high, in anticipation on whatever it is that is coming next for me. my stint at usm will end in march sometime. my sister will visit me, returning to her own chicago at the end of the same month. April 1 marks a moment of decision, of destiny you could say. absolute freedom. don't have to be in the united states until september, technically.
the way it looks, will be working at a human rights ngo in bangkok, thailand, for at least a month and a half (www.forumasia.org). could be absolutely amazing. hell, simply being in the city of bangkok could be amazing, not to mention the experience that i could have at this internship. i've always had the ambition to be in the world of international organizations, ngo's, working with the un... the things that happen the next couple of months could have a major impact on the rest of my life. i could make the contacts that launch me into an amazing career, working around the world, saving it... or, i could discover that that's not what i want to do at all.
either way, it's gonna be awesome.
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