Moo. Otherwise, it might backbite and say something mean.
India is what one makes it; I need to get to work.
At any rate, I need to go to the money changer tonight (I have spent so much cash recently; I've no clue where it's going) and I need to take it easy. I've been slowly progressing towards feeling like crap for the past two days (migraines and dizziness, body aches, exhaustion) and I'm a little concerned now. Before, I wrote it off as homesickness (Mendonsickness) made worse by the heat, but sitting here, after a nap, with the A/C on, I'm reconsidering my self-diagnosis.
Cows with horns are bulls, no?
Oh, and it's not just Miami. In fact, it's not just the States. It's not even just western culture. It's global. Why else would women convince themselves that they should continue to wear high heels when all the paths in the Baha'i gardens (in Haifa, Israel) are laid with either pebbles or stones from broken tiles?! This includes paths to our offices. Blows me mind!
I realize that it is not just Miami (which is a difficult fact to acknowledge), but I tried to post on those subjects with which readers would empathize. It is truly Miami that has followed me here, though, because I was not so frustrated before by the Westernization through which Chennai has gone. Chennai is certainly materialistic, and conceited, but to Miami it cannot compare. Which means that we (ok, they) spent approximately 30 minutes last night talking about the clothes that are popular at Miami, including North Face, J.Crew, and L.L.Bean, emphasizing the whole time how crucial it was to wear all of these things and how important appearance is. Miami is also well-known for eating disorders and the extent to which they are engrained in university culture. I could elaborate, but I ought to decline.
Oh, yes, by the way, you're right about cows.
Oh, Kristen, I am sorry about your Miami companions. Rather, I am sorry FOR them, and sorrier for you for having to put up with them.
I am enjoying your pictures and stories. I hope you feel better!
Whoa, Gina, you look like you've added ten pounds since you got here a week ago, have you been eating anything healthy?
Dudes, you guys totally don't get the fashion here, you look like asses. Get with the program! At miami a popped collar might fly but here people just think that you don't know how to dress yourselves. I suggest that you figure it out before the Hindu mobs come to the door, again, and try to drive you guys out of Chennai.
Further more, I think that all of you have lost muscle tone since you got here, and your tans are starting to fade. I know that you used to fake and bake in the stateside, but that's just not kosher here. You do know what that means, right?
Is it mean to fantasize about playing into everyone's super self-conscious shortcomings at Miami? Whatever, enjoy the thoughts of your typical Miami student responding to those statements.
Hollaback, Mendon, Hayley.
Along with "Playa," "got game," and "bling," Hollaback and an entire collection of white-kids-who-think-their-cool-isms have been brought to Chennai, and they're being taught to all of the students here. Great.
Ahhahahahaha! This is all too hysterical! Wow.
Wow.
I can't wait until you can visit Haifa. We will all thoroughly enjoy the 'fashion sense' that these people have been duped with. Really, you can't imagine it until you've experienced it. Do you concur, Nannie?
Well, I had some interesting thoughts running through my head. . . but you called me on it.
I was thinking how judgemental all of you are being, and actually sounding a lot like the people you are laughing at, but turned around. But then, I remembered my reactions to some of the things I saw in Haifa -- like the waitresses at Tatami's. My comment was, too bad they don't pay the girls more, like enough to buy pants big enough to cover themselves. Then there was the bride in the garden having her picture taken. I about fainted; too bad I didn't have the presence of mind to take her picture too! Totally sheer bodice -- from just below the bra line to pubic bone. I am afraid my eyes popped out at that one. And I must admit, the shoes did get me. I haven't worn heels of any kind for at about 15 year, maybe more. And I don't think I ever did pointy toes. When I started working at the Women's Center, I discovered that there is a different standard that exists for feminists, as in we were excused from having to wear fashionable (and uncomfortable) shoes. (Basically, the world expected us to be a bit excentric.) I found one of the surprise benes of being a feminist was that I didn't have to apologize for wearing comfortable shoes. Of course, there are those who find my footwear quite ugly, so I guess there are just at least two sides to every story.
Although we're being judgemental, I am mostly frustrated with the detrimental effects which their actions have on me (not their personal choices / convictions). I hate to admit it, but I questioned my actions, thoughts, shoes, dress, and comfort with my body and weight once they arrived. They also brought a different, vicious breed of sexism which almost killed me. Unrelated to my frustration is my amusement and surprise, which stem from the impracticality of it all. Wearing stilettos in Chennai, as in Haifa, seems to be a little like trying to balance an egg on a safety pin.
Okay, so you did a check . . . and decided that you were okay, and moved on with your life. It is good to do a check every now and then. And to identify sources of perdition for what they are. Good job. And, remember, the only detrimental effects their attitude can have on you are the ones you allow.
Ah! It is such a frustrating and essential fact that I am responsible for myself. I wonder if we are all the quicker to judge others for their shortcomings which remind us of and encourage our own. Actually, I'm certain that we do, but I'm hoping to allow for further comment.