I'm in South Korea now; I got here last night. I'm in the orientation process, so it's still Korea-in-a-box, but so far so good. There are a bunch of people here who've taught English before in Korea and are on there 2nd year+ and they've all had a great experience. So happy about it, but the jet lag is re-kicking in.

last night i dreamt that I was britney spears & i fucked a really fat guy. fucking weird.

I feel really happy. Happier than I've ever felt before. I don't want to explain it or analyze it. I just am it. And it's from within, not without.

it's not cool when almost every single commercial during a movie about domestic violence features women in their traditional heterosexual gender roles - cooking, cleaning, being dependent on their husband's income completely.

i told kari about this

gingerygoodness3: (9:57:01 PM) i watched a movie on lifetime about domestic violence & almost every single commercial was for a cleaning/cooking product & feature a woman cooking or cleaning
Cellduin727: (9:57:13 PM) hahaha
Cellduin727: (9:57:14 PM) of course
Cellduin727: (9:57:25 PM) women should know how to avoid the problems in the movie

Hey beautiful people - I still need 3 more people to respond to this Survey for my race & ethnicity class! PUH-LEEAAZZE! I want to get this done as soon as possible so I can write the paper & have one last thing to do! It will only take about 10 minutes or so. AND THERE ARE NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWERS! So don't worry about that either.

You can either have your answers in a comment or if you want to privately respond, ask me for my e-mail or respond via myspace.

1) Rank the 11 issues below as you believe they are factors that affect race relations. The item on top (number 1) should be what you believe affects race relations the most and the item on the bottom (number 11) should be what you believe affects race relations the least.

2) On a scale from 1-10 rate each of these issues as a factor affecting race relations in the United States today, 1 meaning it's not an issue that affects modern race relations and 10 meaning it is an issue that affects modern race relations

White Power Movement
Modern employment discrimination
The incarceration rate of people of color
Legal housing discrimination in the 1940s & 1950s
Jim Crow segregation
"White Flight" (description at the bottom of survey)
The media
De facto segregation/​modern segregation
Slavery (it's legacy on the present)
People's personal racist beliefs
Racism in school curriculums

3) Do you feel that any issues that affect race relations were left off of this list? If so, what?

4) How would you describe the state of contemporary race relations in the United States?

white flight: out of fear of declining property values, after the anti-housing discrimination act was passed, many white people moved out of neighborhoods as soon as a person of color moved in, leading to the decreased home value of what became Black or Latino neighborhoods

I'm doing a paper for my sociology of race & ethnic relations class & i need to administer a survey that I created to at least 10 people. I have a few people in mind, but I'd love it if anyone on here can help me.

It should only take 10-15 minutes tops. I've copied & pasted it below, so if you're interested, just respond.

It would be particularly cool if any non-CCSU students answered this, b/c most of the people I'm going to wind up asking are CCSU students. CCSU students are definitely invited to answer this too! No one is discouraged, the more responses, the better, but I'm just particularly encouraging nonCCSU students to answer.

1) Rank the 11 issues below as you believe they are factors that affect race relations. The item on top should be what you believe affects race relations the most and the item on the bottom should be what you believe affects race relations the least.

2) On a scale from 1-10 rate each of these issues as a factor affecting race relations in the United States today, 1 meaning it's not an issue that affects modern race relations and 10 meaning it is an issue that affects modern race relations

White Power Movement
Modern employment discrimination
The incarceration rate of people of color
Legal housing discrimination in the 1940s & 1950s
Jim Crow segregation
"White Flight" (description at the bottom of survey)
The media
De facto segregation/​modern segregation
Slavery (it's legacy on the present)
People's personal racist beliefs
Racism in school curriculums

Do you feel that any issues that affect race relations were left off of this list? If so, what?

How would you describe the state of contemporary race relations in the United States?

white flight: out of fear of declining property values, after the anti-housing discrimination act was passed, many white people moved out of neighborhoods as soon as a person of color moved in, leading to the decreased home value of what became Black or Latino neighborhoods

Apparently, after the inauguration when Bush flew away in a helicopter, the crowd was singing "Nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey, goodbye"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!!!

I love Ani Di Franco.

"Love is like a piano falling from a four story window and you were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Pretty much.

"It's believed that the aliens first visited the earth at the very beginning of human history and mated with our ancestors. How else can we explain people who say things like I don't need to take drugs to have a good time?"

most amazing experience ever.

ask me about it in person, please.

I can't explain it at this moment, and I can't over the internet.

I can not wait for school to start.
I'll be so much more preoccupied.

This experience has made me learn to accept being vulnerable, completely.

I have to rely on the friendship of others; I have to force myself to look dumb, because of the language/cultural barrier in order to learn & have fun; I have to accept my friends here completely, despite differences because they are who I have.

I had to do all of this without my usual safety nets. My friends & family I use to make myself feel better about myself aren't here, aren't at my disposal. Whenever I am made to feel vulnerable in my usual life, I can go out to coffee or dinner with a friend of mine & talk about how whoever or whatever made me feel that way is completely useless & I can rant for as much time as I need. Not here.

So, I had to be vulnerable & be willing to bleed & scrape myself a little without any proverbial safety net. I had to be my safety net.

It was hard. It was good. It was bad. It made me feel strong. It made me feel weak.

I, and I don't think anybody really, can live that way. Can live a life like that. Living 5 months like that was a good experience. I learned to sew together a safety net. From myself, from my roommates, from my other friends here. But I also learned that I have to be particular with what elements, or how much of each element, I can include. It took the full 5 months to learn that, but I did.

I'm looking forward to falling into my well-worn, time-tested safety net, I plan on leaning on it for a few days. I've also realized that so much of who I am is dependent upon that, which isn't a bad thing, as long as whenever I have to re-stitch this net I do with this in mind. My confidence, my self esteem, my point of orient relies on a net. I think now it relies moreso on me & maybe in a new environment, but still within my culture, I won't lose myself as much & I can act as my own net moreso. But my expectations for myself have changed, for the world has changed. My radical-leftist arrogance has largely disintegrated, leaving behind a more worldly & open minded radical-leftist.

I'm bringing Florianópolis & Brazil back with me, but I'm going back & happy for it. Last night, I had a craving for a bagel with cream cheese. Lately, I've been jonesing for pasta with marinara sauce, american-chinese food, etc.

The past month or so I became aware of how much I miss the people & things from my culture, but today it hit me how much I want a mom-figure in my life & not just via the internet. I'm lucky to have a mom who relishes the position, who loves being a mom & wants to have that role in my life for the rest of hers. I miss that & I miss her a lot. I think the first time I really missed her was at the 3 month mark I went with my roommate to visit her parents & her relationship with them is very similar to my relationship with mine & when we left, I felt so sad & that was the first time I was homesick.

She's a big part of this safety net. She provides the base. My friends add the colors to it.

I have no idea how I'm going to feel about a lot of things when I get back, but I am excited to be taken care of & I am excited to taking care of people. Just to fall into my net, back into my confidence, back into my strong sense of self, back to my sense of humor, my sense of justice, my conviction, my orient & to strip away my vulnerabilities until the next time I leave my net behind.

Have you talked to a complete asshole today?
Not that I know of

Do you regret something you did yesterday?
Nope, I'm not big on regrets, even when past things I have done involve strange boys from Dublin


What's the last thing you ate?
coffee & brigadeiro

When did you last cry ?
a while ago, I'm not big on crying. though now, in a particularly emotional moment for no particular reason, I feel like crying


Do you shower facing the shower head or with your back to it?
my shower at home - front, shower here (not as much pressure) back


Do you have anything in your pockets right now?
não tenho nada

How many windows are open on your computer?
3

What do you hear right now?
'all my loving'

How many hours did you sleep last night?
Only about 6 or so.


Is something bothering you right now?
I'm a little sick, also, lack of communication from professors...

Are you sarcastic?
Eu! Nunca, eu sou sempre sinceremente e simpatico!!!! (no, I'm actually really sarcastic & cutting when I feel the need or desire.)

Are you shy?
sometimes

Are you talkative?
sometimes, depends on my mood & the level of caffeine/other mind altering substances that are in my body


Last person you saw?
Andressa is standing only a few feet from me, so her.


Who's the last person you talked on the phone with?
can't remember, but probably kelly


In the past week have you gotten sick?
now i'm a little sick


In the past week have you felt stupid?
regularly, but usually it's not a big deal

Did you give anyone a dirty look today?
not that I know of

In the past week have you felt sad?
ofcourse.

Has someone disappointed you recently?
myself sometimes & there are a few others at times

Did you kiss anyone today?
no, I'm back from my vacation - 1 boy in bahia, & 4 in são paulo in 3 nights

Fave celebrity crush at the moment?
Hmmm.... I have a real person crush, but celebrity... hmm... Jenny Lewis?

Do you have plans for this weekend?
Not that I'm aware of, but that might change. I don't know when I'm going to Curitiba.

Who are you currently texting?
Ninguém

Are you comfortable with answering personal questions?
depends upon whose reading this

When is the last time you were truly happy with your life?
Now I'm happy. A little sad, but not sad with my life, just feeling randomly emotional

Do/did you do good in school?
Muito bom

Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
I wouldn't take back any because I have learned from all of them (eventually), but after you have learned certain lessons, I think only the good ones are worth it. Saying that, I have never had a "real" relationship (real defined as thinking it would last)

Who do you call when you have a bad day?
My mom, or I get online & write here. Calling is so expensive from Latin America


Have you ever envisioned your own wedding?
Many times when I was younger, but not now. I'm not even thinking about marriage or a future or really anything beyond the end of this summer, or when I'm feeling more rational, nothing beyond the end of this day.


Do you believe exes can really ever be "just friends"?..
Absolutely. But, likely friends with sexual tension.

Have you made any mistakes recently?
Nope.


What do you want to name your kids?
I'll let you know in 10 years after I have them

What is one thing you have learned lately?
Lots of Portuguese, lots about myself & my limits

What person in your family are you the most like?
No idea. At different times with different things like different people, but I think I'm one of a kind in the Van Bourgondien/Wise family.

Who was the last person to call you?
Probably Kelly

Have you ever put anything other than cheese in your grilled cheese?
In Brazil, lots gets put in - peas, corn, tomatoes, onions, different types of cheeses... it's delicious

Do your parents really know you?
They know bits & pieces, some are big, but not me entirely. At times I'll tell my mom about the random boys I make out with, but besides that, that part of my life is closed, though they were slightly disturbed whenever I told them I was going to spend the night at Justin's last semester.

Have you ever felt hurt?
Um, yeah...

Do you always get along with your sibling?
I get along with my brothers, but I never see them, my younger sister, nope & my older sister I only like in small doses. we're sooo different


Would you rather cheat or be cheated on?
Probably cheat on someone, I couldn't handle the rejection, & while I wouldn't feel good about it, I could handle it better if I cheated.


Do you feel like you've got some growing up to do?
I'm not dead yet.

Who makes you mad the most?
Rudeness.

Man, hostels are awesome. Two nights ago I had drinks with a boy from Israel. Yesterday we walked around São Paulo with 2 students who are studying in the US but are from Taiwan, yesterday evening had drinks with a boy from Germany & one from Wales, last night I went out with boys from Dublin & a girl from Limerick.

And they are all so cool & friendly.

I'll be backpacking again, soon. The boy from Germany told me that I might be able to find work in Norway that pays decently. That'd be cool for next summer & then use the money to backpack. I am definitely going to Dublin, those boys were so much fun & so funny. Imagine a whole city of people like that?

Anyways, I'm out. So much to write about when I'm back in cold Florianópolis & hae more time.

Tchau gentes!

So, this is a copy of an e-mail I just sent to my professor. I'll elaborate more, but it's a damn interesting story if any of you are interested.

Dear Dr. Mahony,

Sorry again about the memory card. I hope your flight back home went well.

It was probably for the best that I didn't stop by your hotel & get the new memory card, as my camera was stolen about 4 hours ago. Not because I was irresponsible & left it at the beach or someplace unattended. The strap was wrapped around my wrist & then, before I even knew there was a person standing next to me, it was being tugged off. Kelly & I are both safe & fine, but it still sucks. When I felt it being tugged & heard a man next to me screaming "macina!' my first thought was "knife" so I just let it go & he ran off with it.

Kelly had seen them coming a few seconds before they reached us. We had been on one of the docks at the dicque, looking at the Candomblé goddesses & apparently two guys walked up really quickly to us. The second guy grabbed Kelly's purse & she held on to it & got dragged about 5 feet. (We'd been sitting down) After the first guy grabbed my camera, I heard Kelly screaming "No!" & saw that she was being dragged & I thought the guy had her arm, & not her bag. (At that moment I was thinking "is Kelly being kidnapped?!?!") The two guys immediately ran off. Kelly has a few nasty scrapes around her arms, but still has her purse, but we're fine besides from that.

But, what surprised me is I'm pretty sure two cops saw it happen & didn't chase after the guys or come over to talk with us. Two other guys who were there with their kids came up to us & walked with us to the two cops who seemed to know why we were there (& told us there was "nada" they could do) & then the two guys drove us back to the pousada.

We were definitely surprised & afterwards we both talked about how neither one of us thought that would happen. It was 2pm, sunny, we were 20 feet from a playground, near a busy restaurant, etc.

This might be a story to share with your class that goes down next year. If you want it to be an extra-interesting story, I can send you the pictures (we took on Kelly's camera) of her bruises.

But, it's like Nicole said when she got her necklace stolen, it's not that I lost my camera, it's that it was forcibly removed from my wrist.

It sucks, but not much I can do about it now. And it was better to learn to be more careful & lose my camera, rather than my passport, credit card or a large sum of money, or, worse, to get hurt. Also, I'm going to live on pretending the guy dropped my camera immediately after reaching the favela he & his buddy were running towards & that it broke beyond repair.

So, hope everything's going well with you & honestly, besides from the camera/Kelly being dragged thing, everything's going well & I'm still having a great time in Salvador.

~Jean

Also, the favelas that I drove past today, I need to write about those when I have time. I think I must have seen 10's of 1000s of shanty houses within a half hour

I don't have time to write about it now, but this is a reminder for me to write about: the beach in Salvador, Daniella Mercury, more on Pelourinho, the gay club & todays travels to a small beach town & whatever else happens!

I'm exhausted now, I need to re-work up my energy.