My 22nd birthday just passed and it was insane, but that calls for another post. So in the meantime, I will leave you with my second installment of quotes that marked my life.

Enjoy!

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-”The purpose of being educated is to defend ourselves against the seductions of eloquence” -Bertrand Russell

-”By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” -Benjamin Franklin

-Facing it, always facing it, that’s the way to get through. Face it. —Joseph Conrad

-If I, if I have been unkind, I hope that you can just let it go by. If I, if I have been untrue I hope you know it was never to you… But I swear by this song and by all that I have done wrong, I will make it all up to thee. —Leonard Cohen

-Here are your waters and your watering place. Drink and be whole again beyond confusion. —Robert Frost

E.

I’ve also been working in a new blog which is ran by Saint Louis University, and I was asked to write for them! More on this soon.

In the meantime, I will leave you with these two songs which remind me of…well nothing in particular, I just like them.

Peace,

E.

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http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Olympics/olympicsmemory/volunteer_family/volunteerwords/t997687.htm

THAT IS UNREAL! AAHH!!

Check this out too: http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Olympics/olympicsmemory/

Wow, I need to go for a run or something, I’m freaking out!

E.

Personally, I find this movement inspirational. Aside from the drug abuse and some other elements, I can relate to several of the ideals of the time. It is they who changed society as our grandparents knew it. They were the ‘crazy, mad ones’ who went against the dogmas ‘society’ imposed, and voiced what they really felt and believed in. ‘They’ came together, and opened their mouths in a loud unison that still resonates today.

Here is Kerouac’s quote:

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!”

You and I might have different opinions, but that’s what makes us great.

E.

Last year, she released her album The Fame. The rest is history. The bloggers went a-Twitter, and all sorts of opinions were heard. Almost every song in the album is (great) still played, and she already received several awards with less than a year of being in the scene. She’a made thre headlines of almost every major journal, and toured the world too.

The idea for this post has some strong background. First, I started listening to her music last year during the Beijing Olympics, and thought she offered something different, which you can dance to and enjoy the crazy/intense lyrics; I’ve been hooked ever since. Second, her performance in Gossip Girl last Monday night (don’t judge) was awesome. Third, her new single ‘Bad Romance’ is out and the video is INCREDIBLE. And finally, I just saw a video of her singing and playing the piano while still at Tisch (embedded below) and it was outstanding. Her voice and skills on the piano both excel.

She is truly talented, but sometimes it seems people do not appreciate her music or style. It seems the haters out there can’t stop firing toxic comments at her every move. GaGa is a new ‘kind’ of woman—a powerful one, who has no fear to be different and break the rules. Badmouthed because of her style, fashion choices, songs, sexual preferences, performances, past, and example for younger generations, she still stands strong on her convictions. There’s no such things as a stereotype in her life.

“She’s just so weird”, “she looks like a cw*” “OMG!WTF?”.

Hell, isn’t it the weird ones who change the world? The ones who come up with crazy ideas, who break the rules and defy society’s dogmas, who are heard. The crazies are passionate ones, and with the right amount of support their ideals go far.

As Lady GaGa, she puts up a show based on a completely different persona, an alter ego you could say. Her life is a performance, one that everyone has become fixated with and can dance to. What she offers as GaGa may not everyone’s cup of tea, but she sure caught your attention, didn’t she?

Welcome to the Fame. ROCK ON GAGA!

This is my link to Gilt Groupe: http://www.giltgroupe.com/invite/emendez

What is Gilt?“Gilt Groupe provides access, by invitation only, to Men’s, Women’s and Children’s coveted fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand selected styles from a single designer.”

Yes, you read right. SALES by INVITATION ONLY. Imagine your favorite brands and designers 70% off. What better than giving yourself (or a loved one, if you feel like sharing) a most-coveted item for a fraction of the actual price. All while relaxing on your couch or bed, or at the library, or even during class….don’t judge.

I just bought a couple of things from Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors, a sweet case for my new MacBook Pro, and a Brixton hat. All for less than $20 each. Oh yes, oh yes.

NOW CLICK AND INDULGE,

E.

Sir Rushdie is a famous British Indian published author. His novels range from post-colonialism in India to historical fiction and magical realism, and the Indian diaspora. His work includes Midnight’s Children, East, West, Shalimar the Clown, and The Enchantress of Florence. However, Rushdie’s most popular novel is The Satanic Verses, perhaps one of the most controversial books of the past decade.

When The Satanic Verses was published, riots across the globe erupted. Bookstores were bombed, books burned, and several lives were lost. It was so controversial Iran and Great Britain (where Rushdie now lives) broke diplomatic relations over the issue. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeni condemned Rushdie and his work, and set a fatwa on him—an Islamic denunciation on him, which requires his execution, or a bounty for his death. Rushdie was forced into living in exile until recent years.

Sir Rushdie & I

The day of the event, I took my copy of Midnight’s Children to the book signing, and while approaching his table I extended my hand and said “Sir Rushdie, it is an honor to meet you. I am a big fan of your prose, and choice in women”. It was a good laugh and I am certain he enjoyed the compliment. For those out there who don’t know, Rushdie was married to supermodel and TV celebrity Padma Lakshmi (Top Chef), and has been linked to many other gorgeous actresses and models. Perhaps my favorite Rushdie fact is why he has so many failed relationships: “when you are Salman Rushdie, you must get bored with people who always want to talk to you about literature.” He’s the man.

My signed copy of Midnight's Children

During the acceptance speech and further conversation, he mentioned his plans to publish a long-overdue children’s book he promised his first son. He said this is one of the biggest legacies he could leave, and that ‘other novels such Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland were written for particular children.’ Something that grabbed my attention was when he responded to a question by stating, “the thing about ‘once upon a time’ is that if you know what happened, it takes away the magic.” He also commented that his characters, usually Bollywood personalities, represent our performance as humans in this world. He alluded the riots and controversy surrounding the Satanic Verses not “on the verses, but on people trying to exploit the verses.”

I believe the intricacy of Rushdie’s nuance is what makes him such a phenomenal individual. Many see him as an evil individual. I found him to be a nice person, definitely very perceptive and analytical. Even if he makes what some might call pessimistic statement—such as “life isn’t fair, deal with it”—he seemed as a man who looks to the future with hope. He was funny and down to earth, and I didn’t expect anything else from a man whose everyday life is an adventure. He has been called the Indian Gabriel García Márquez. To this, he said that although he has never personally met ‘Gabo’ they actually had a phone conference in Spanish, English, and French.

Sir Salman Rushdie: a man whose entire life revolts around myths, magic, and realism. I respect him both for his work and by standing by what he believes, despite criticism—or in his case, global outcry.

E.

Conversation with Sr Rushdie at SLU

Fr. Biondi on Sir Rushdie's accomplishments

OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

-William Ernest Henley, 1875

Sunset at Lincoln Memorial

This past weekend I traveled once again, this time to Washington, DC. The District of Columbia was never a major destination for me, not sure why, but I was dumb for not going before. As soon as I arrived to DCA I was impressed by the city’s practicality. I hopped on the subway which took me exactly where I needed to go, everything organized and well pointed out.

White House 1

The first thing I couldn’t help noticing is the people: everyone looks very proper and stylish, busy and motivated. The city is vibrant and full of positive energy. New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Chicago, all these cities are go-go-go places with a hectic pace, but DC in particular impressed me because it’s fast-paced but has a positive energy flow to it, which many of the cities aforementioned lack.

Sunset over Arlington Cementery and Potomac River

I met up with TW, one of my pengyous that studied with me in Beijing. We met at the Chinatown station (but of course!) and met up with PZ, another pengyou, at their apartment. BB*, yet another pengyou, also made it. We headed to Lauriol Plaza, a very famous restaurant in DC, and caught up in life while drinking bomb margaritas. We then barhopped for the rest of the night, and I later met with my friends from Panama. Next day we had a Chinese brunch, and hit Politics and Prose, where I finally got China Underground by Zachary Mexico, a book I had on my to-read list for a while.

Later that day TW and I hit the National Mall, stopping by the White House (front and back, haha…inside joke, sorry), Treasury, Washington Monument, and several memorials (WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Jefferson) and walked to the end of the Reflecting Pool to say hi to Pres. Lincoln, who was patiently waiting for us. We saw the sunset behind Arlington Cemetery and the Potomac River, and it was beautiful.

WWII Memorial

All monuments are fascinating and very symbolic; learning the history behind each is truly interesting as well. The architecture of the building, design of the statues and conception of the monuments are absolutely engaging.

We ended the long day by getting some Chicago-style pizza, and TW, being from Chi-town, naturally had something to say.