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Leaving Chicago and going back to you-know-where.

How the heck am I supposed to deal with that? And what am I supposed to do after the geographical transition? Get a job, apply to local universities, settle down, in short, follow the script?

You see, the script is not bad at all. If it were, it would not be so popularly accepted as "THE path." But what really bothers me about it is its implication of righteousness. I simply hate the "it's-time-for-you-to-do-this-this-and-that" sense of it.

I simply can't live a life that demands giving up on dreaming. I just can't.

To be honest...

...I really, really, REALLY like Justin Timberlake's songs. I haven't gone so far as buying his CDs, but I love it when he's on the radio. At first I felt guilty for enjoying his singing so much - it's not as if the lyrics were brilliant - but there is just something about him. I mean, he's got a "peculiar" voice, he's charming and he's got some moves. Isn't that sufficient to get one grooving? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vTcnNOzzGI

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22. I'm grateful for Taco Bell.
23. I'm grateful for today's lovely bikeride.
24. I'm grateful for every minute of life.

A Teacher

Well, I guess I survived yesterday after all. I spent all night long writing an analysis paper on Francis Fukuyama's "America at the Crossroads" and by the time it was 7 o'clock in the morning, I still had three pages to write. All I wanted to do was ignore the fact that this final paper was due today and go to sleep...But of course I didn't.
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Today was the last day of my International Relations class, and I can't express how sad I felt as I left the classroom. It may sound foolishly dramatic, but having to face the fact that I won't be coming back next week to be taught by the best professor I've ever had is going to be harder than I thought. I realized it the moment I began to feel nostalgic for sleepless nights of paper-writing. Mind you, I was doing this just last night!

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I guess all I can do is be really thankful for having had the opportunity to take two mind-blowing classes with such a great instructor; and when I say he is great, I'm not just referring to his ability to teach, his outstanding academic credentials, his vast knowledge, his humbleness - he is one of the key persons whose genuine belief in my potential made a significant difference at a time I was not sure I could strive for the best.

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Thank you for everything, Mr. Lungu.

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19. I'm grateful for today.

20. I'm grateful for people's innate goodness.

21. I'm grateful for my state of gratefulness.

A quick note:

I will write a decent post tomorrow if I survive today. Sleepeng is a luxury I won't enjoy tonight!
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16. I'm extremely grateful for coffee and chocolate.
17. I'm grateful for today's summery weather!
18. I'm grateful for Dalai Lama's inspirational teachings.

To make things clear...

...I must admit I was a little cranky when I wrote the previous post. It may have left the impression that I dislike Brazil, but that is surely not the case.

I’ll write about all the positive aspects of living in the biggest country in Latin America, but not today: I’m in a Chicago-mood.

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13. I'm grateful for having the opportunity to attend University of Chicago scholars' lectures.

14. I'm grateful for Glencoe beach.

15. I'm grateful for the beauty of sunset skies.

Impressions

There used to be a collection of (perhaps stereotypical, perhaps inacurate) key words that automatically crossed my mind when I thought of Brazil: 'futebol, carnaval, praia, churrasco, 'bunda-culture', novelas globais, jeitinho brasileiro, desinteresse cultural e/ou intelectual, patriotismo esporadico, piercing no umbigo.'

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If I can say something in my defense, I cannot take all the blame for having developed the above list - it reflects some of the things I was regularly pressured to accept, incorporate, practice and enjoy during most years I lived in Brazil. The uncomfortable thing wasn't much the pressure, but the fact that I was often induced to feel abnormal in case I questioned the dogma.

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Why on Earth do I have to master 'Axe' moves? What is it with the butt on the TV screen at 4 PM? What's wrong with reading Agatha Christie books at the age of eleven? Are you laughing at me because I'm wearing green and yellow and it's NOT the world cup year?

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Hence, the unflattering (FIRST) conclusions.

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Because I remain the same in essence (just a little more evolved I hope), I still hear unconstructive criticism. Not so often, though - I learned to identify narrow-minded provincials from afar, so I make sure to stay away from them when I can.

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10. I'm greatful for being alive.

11. I'm grateful for having such a extraordinary dad, mom and siblings.

12. I'm grateful for Spring flowers.