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Read Sarah's Blog
Sarah, who turned 21-year-old on January, Friday the 13th, is an English major concentrating on theater (or as the British spell it, theatre) with a minor in psychology. She attends Barnard College, Columbia University, but will be studying at King's College while in London. Interesting fact: Kim Gradel, one of the inaugural members of the BlogAbroaod.com team, studied at King's College for a semester, and cites it as one of the greatest times in her life. Read Sarah's blog to find out if she feels the same way.
While very excited to be studying literature in England, before leaving she admitted that, "I'm not wild about having to make all new friends when I get to London. Because I'm going to be at a British university (as opposed to a program comprised entirely of other people who are studying abroad), and because I'm arriving mid year, I realize that everyone will have already made friends and I will be stuck coming into a program where everyone already has friends and I'm made to feel like I'm back in middle-school."
Her Q & A on general interests taught us:
What type of music do you listen to?
Okay, you caught me. I'm a huge dork, and that really shows in my choice of music. I love Broadway show tunes above all else, my favorites being by Stephen Sondheim, who I'm convinced knows how to walk on water. I also love the golden oldies: songs by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and those Gershwin boys. When it comes to vocals, no one beats Ella Fitzgerald. I've actually been moved to tears by her simply because I think her genius is so huge. I listen to Opera as well; my favorites are Mozart and Puccini, though I also like baroque opera, and baroque music in general (Bach being a personal favorite). If forced to pick someone from my own generation I'm really into Ani Difranco though I admire her equally as a poet and musician. And I would have to throw in Joni Mitchell as well, she's another singer who can give me chills just because parts of her songs are so perfect they frighten me.
What are your hobbies?
I sing (hence my attraction to Opera and other vocal music). I'm a coloratura soprano, and I used to study privately but now I do mostly choruses. I hope I can find a chorus to join in England because I've found it's a great way to meet people. I also used to act, but I've been trying to wean myself from the theater by degrees, and recently I've been doing more stage managing, which isn't as glamorous, but is just as fun.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
Gah, this is a tough one. In terms of magazines I tend to read only the New Yorker, and that's because I got a gift subscription. And I don't watch much TV, though when I did I enjoyed West Wing and Gilmore Girls because I love well written banter. But books and movies are tough: I'm omnivorous and insatiable in my appetites for both. I love reading works from the 19th century, I think my favorite books at the moment are Bronte's Jane Eyre and Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway (I know, I'm such a girl) but I love all kinds. The best book I read recently was The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. My favorite movies are North By Northwest, Singin' in the Rain, and A Streetcar Named Desire. I swear I'm not forty, I just have really old taste.
Finally, Sarah would like to leave everyone with this small bit of insight:
"I have a tattoo of the Sir John Tenniel illustration of the Mock Turtle from Alice in Wonderland on my right shoulder blade. I tell you this to illustrate that I can be both rebellious and geeky at the same time."
Jeff Samotny
Studying in Prague, Czech Republic
Read Jeff's BlogJeff is a 20-year-old Junior at Emory College in Atlanta, Georgia who lives in Northbrook, Illinois, just 20 miles north of Chicago, but is studying abroad at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic on a CIEE program. He's double majoring in economics and anthropology, to which he says, "Two different ends of the academic spectrum, I know, but it's been a blast to learn two completely unique ideas of thought."
When asked what he was most looking forward to about his semester in Prague, he responded, "You know that feeling when something just clicks in your head? Those moments of insight when a mess of information you've accumulated finally begins to make sense? I think the scientific term for these few seconds of absolute clarity is the 'Ah-ha Moment.' I'm most excited about all the 'Ah-ha' experiences I will have in Prague and throughout all of Europe (and hopefully Russia, too).
"After years and years of textbooks and pictures, movies and lectures, I'm finally going to see central Europe, really see it. Sure there will be the hundreds of students I will meet while studying in Prague and the dozens more while I am traveling throughout Europe on the weekends and after the program, and of course the great beer the Czechs are famous for, but all that, for me, just adds to my 'Ah-ha' moments. You see, from these people I will meet and study with, and from the people I live with in Prague, I will learn the most. Not from the classes or the museum tours, not from the Rick Steve's books I've been going through on this winter break, but from the people is where I will learn about Europe and about myself. There is nothing more important to me than self-discovery, and while I look forward to the 'Ah-ha moment' in a painting or a lecture, I am most excited for the 'Ah-ha moments' in which I learn about myself."
A quick Q & A session with Jeff on his general interests produced these results:
What type of music do you listen to?
I am a huge radio fan. Yes, we still exist. In Atlanta, at Emory, I listen to 99x, the alternative rock station, and if anyone asks my biggest pet peeve, it is that the music I like is called alternative rock. You see, in your head is a picture of a punk rock grunge kid from the 1990s listening to heavy garage band music, and that isn't what it is. So let's call it light alternative rock, but that doesn't sound too good either; I guess I don't like the word 'light' associated with my music. Regardless, it is Franz Ferdinand, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, and whatever is hot at the moment. And my latest odd music trend (because I believe everyone should have one at every moment in their lives, at least when in college) is Matisyahu, an Orthodox Jewish reggae and rap artist. Don't laugh, check him out. He is awesome and I was able to see him live in Atlanta and write a report on him for an American Studies class I was in. It was a great privilege.
What are your hobbies?
I started swimming in college for fun because the workout room was always too crowded and the treadmill started to bore me. Then I got serious and took a swimming class and now I'm a regular fish. At least when the weather is nice. I've been spending a lot of time in the pool because it is a great workout and a great place to meet people, especially fun collegiates hanging out poolside in Atlanta where it is only cold for about 3 months of the year. Besides the pool though, I love being outside hiking, trail running, and on the water in a canoe. I've had some great opportunities to do all three living in Georgia and have become a huge hiker, spending a lot of weekend afternoons on quick day hikes.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
Books - Move over Roald Dahl, Tom Wolfe has replaced you. Seriously, on both accounts. The first is that Tom Wolfe is my current favorite author and the second truth is that Dahl was my favorite author even in my third year of college. Matilda, come on, greatest book of all time. The girl could move her eyes and nose and send the principal into paranoia.
TV - L O S T is the greatest television show of the moment and the only one I have to sit down and watch, or rather Tivo and watch sometime late at night before I fall asleep.
Movies - I like American documentaries. No, not weird ones about sharks and airplanes, but things like Devil's Playground about the Amish and their heading out into the 'real world.' I also like Super Size Me and Spellbound. To me, these are the original and true reality shows and show the world in a different light and let me see parts of the United States I wouldn't otherwise see.
If you want to know any more about Jeff (or hear him go into a rant about the last three books he's read, all of which were by Tom Wolfe), ask him in his blog and he'll be more than happy to begin a discussion with you.
Read Tammy's BlogTammy is a 21-year-old junior environmental science major at University of Maryland, Baltimore Country. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland but studying in Costa Rica for a home-stay with School for Field Studies (accredited by Boston University) and then Nicaragua, Tammy is participating in two very different aspects of studying abroad. She is spending one portion as a typical college student on a campus overlooking San Jose, and the second half immersed in a new culture, living with a foreign family.
When asked what she was most looking forward to about her time abroad, she answered like one would expect from a political and environmental activist:
"For me, the rainforest has always been a distant fantasy. Something mysterious filled with wonderful endangered species, vast canopies with insects that have yet to be classified, and plants that can be used to cure disease. I am a little bit afraid that I was born too late and it will already be like a mini United States; my study abroad advisor told me he was very disappointed to see a Taco Bell the last time he went to Costa Rica. But maybe through being kind and humble, I will have the chance to learn about Costa Rican customs so that I can share them with others via BlogAbroad.
"Globalization is a powerful agent of spreading knowledge, ideas, medicine, and technology. However, it can also wipe out indigenous cultures and customs when they are exposed to the western way of life. Without globalization I would not have this opportunity to study with Boston University's School for Field Studies. Yet without it, deforestation and other pressures would not be threatening the Costa Rican rainforests.
"It's one thing to theorize about a place and another to know, understand, and love it. It would be easy to say that I am looking forward to photographing the beauty of Morpho butterflies, poison dart frogs, and cascading waterfalls. It sounds strange but I am most looking forward to the unknown. What is it going to be like to use a cold, outdoor shower everyday, hike and camp in Costa Rican National Parks, confront issues like the illegal extraction of heart of palm, and connect with people who may only see an American as a dollar sign and hopefully let them see that we are real people too? I'm somewhat overwhelmed by the opportunity and the unknown of the months ahead in Costa Rica."
We asked Tammy for a few insights into her general interests in this Q & A:
What type of music do you listen to?
A truthful answer would be whatever my friends pick. As a result, I now enjoy Queen, Bob Marley, the Beatles, Incubus, Jeff Buckley, OutKast, the Beach Boys, Shania Twain, Alanis Morrisette, and oh yeah, Celtic Bagpipes. Weird, huh? Generally, I like to listen to music that makes me happy and is fun to dance to. (I'm a lefty so I'm not exceptionally coordinated, but I have a lot of fun and smile a lot so most people don't seem to care). I'll admit to knowing the lyrics to practically every Disney song, and I adore musicals. My favorites are Chicago, Rent, and anything by Andrew Lloyd Webber. As far as specific songs go, my favorite is Pachelbel's Canon. I love it performed either with a full classical orchestra or when a group of my high school friends play it with electric guitars.
What are your hobbies?
I believe that to live well one must nurture a healthy mind, body, and soul. To develop a sharp intellect I study hard, read a variety of books, and try to keep up to date on current events so that I can debate with my friends. I also enjoy the occasional logic problem or old school Nintendo video game.
To maintain a strong body I used to row for UMBC's crew team but now I enjoy taking studio yoga, kickboxing, and core-ab classes. I'm antsy and I don't sleep as well if I don't exercise so I also like to lift weights, swim laps, run outside, take dance classes, and boulder. And I'm really excited about going Scuba Diving in Costa Rica as I haven't dove anywhere besides dark, cold quarries in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Another less intense physical activity that I love is gardening! At home during the summer I grow an awesome garden full of tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, peppers, zucchini, and other yummy veggies (I can whip up one mean zucchini bread and a really tasty spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes). I'm looking forward to working in the School for Field Studies on-site organic garden.
To fulfill my soul I enjoy volunteering with a plethora of organizations. My favorite charity would have to be Habitat for Humanity. I really like that they require their homeowners complete sweat equitya required number of hours spent renovating the houses. This gets the community involved and helps them develop a sense of ownership. I'm a committed advocate of urban renovation. If cities are strong and attractive then people will want to live in them instead of contributing to suburban sprawl and paving over more paradise. Other organizations I volunteer with are the Baltimore Believe campaign, Parks and People, the Timberland Community Builders Tour, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
Books: My three favorites would have to be Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small, and Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. Goodies that I have read in the past six months include Aldo Leopold's absolutely beautiful Sand County Almanac, Greg Critser's Fatland, Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, Rachel Carson's classic Silent Spring, Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, Ann Brashares' Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, John Grisham's The Street Lawyer, Pete Fromm's Indian Creek Chronicles, Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, and Dr. Ben Carson's inspiring autobiography, Gifted Hands. Next up on my list are Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha, Vaitheeswaran's Power to the People, and Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel. Let me know if you have any other good recommendations. One of my favorite things about school breaks is being able to read whatever I want. I love disappearing into a good book and being able to travel vicariously to other times and places. I am so excited to be actually going to Costa Rica instead of just reading about it in a book!
Magazines: I like Time Magazine, Newsweek, Vegetarian Times, and I occasionally read CosmoIt's junk food for the brain.
Movies/TV: If you haven't guessed yet, I'm a big geek so I love Whedon's Firefly Series and movie Serenity. Other movies I like are Supersize Me, Office Space, Erin Brockovich, and anything that isn't too scary or gory.
And, just to prove that she wasn't lying about all of her charity work, we'd like to point out that the picture on her blog is part of a larger photo from, "when I organized the club I lead, Students for Environmental Awareness, to teach paper making to the kids at College Gardens. College Gardens is an after school program for underprivileged children from Baltimore City Public Schools. I was extremely impressed with the enthusiasm and creativity that the 5-12 year-olds displayed. To make paper to give to their parents as holiday gifts, they experimented with using different colors and adding leaves, herbs, and glitter. They were very well behaved; when I taught the lesson at the beginning, they did not speak unless I called on them when they raised their hands. The purpose of my lesson plan was to share with them their impact on the planet and how they can help limit pollution by following the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. My favorite response was when I asked them how they could minimize waste, a shy, little guy with short, curly hair answered, You should always clean your plate because when you eat meat animals give their lives to make you strong and healthy and it's not very nice to throw part of them away.'
"Why do some adults lack the simple logic that children pick up so easily? Anyone who believes that Baltimore City and its public schools are hopeless would change their mind if given the opportunity to work with these bright, inquisitive pupils."
See this good-natured humanist in action at her blog.
Read Taylor's BlogTaylor was already on her Temple program in Tokyo, Japan when we chose our BlogAbroad.com bloggers, so we had to let her know she was one of the four via e-mail. In just a matter of minutes she sent us this:
"I'm sitting in my hotel room window at 4 a.m., waiting for the sun to rise over Tokyo Tower and the other skyscrapers because I can't sleep - and I must impress the delight of a change of scenery, having become accustomed to Philadelphia - and I receive this letter. How excellent. Now I can show the world, and especially my fellow coddled Americans, what the view is like from out here. This is only the first step. Changing the world is on the horizon."
A bold goal to be sure, but not at all impossible to accomplish for from this 20-year-old West Chester, PA resident dual majoring in political science and Asian studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.
A quick Q & A session with Taylor before she left garnered us the following on her general interests:
What type of music do you listen to?
Everything but Hip-hop/Rap is fair game. I really like rock, both American and foreign, but I'm also into a number of Japanese pop groups right now and hope to hit up some concerts over the next few months.
What are your hobbies?
Drawing, singing, writing (I'm working on a novel right now), traveling and getting souvenirs from each place I visit, going to concerts, and taking pictures!
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
God, that's tough. Let's just say The Daily Show sums up my sense of humor, and leave it at that. America the Book, anything by Al Franken... I spend a lot of time on Comedy Central's streaming broadband site and can repeat a lot of what's been played on Friday Night Standup at will. I also watch Adult Swim, my favorites being Harvey Birdman and Family Guy.
I don't care much for magazines, but I have been known to pick up anything from National Geographic to Vanity Fair if it's been left out and flip through the pages. As for movies, I like a lot of indy films, such as I Heart Huckabees, Garden State, Mirrormask, and Millions. I adore British films, comedies especially, like Snatch. But I also fall for the big sellers like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I'll watch anything I've heard is decent. I like to go see all the movies that are playing and be able to recommend what's good to anyone who asks, aka "movie maven". I'm still in the process of catching up on the classics, though.
And finally, perhaps filed into the category of "too much information," Taylor adds, "I'm a big nerd. I went in costume to the last Harry Potter movie premier. Take it or leave it. I hear cute girls can get away with being nerds."
If you agree with her, check out her fascinating blog now.
Jon is a 20-year-old Junior at Rice University who lives in Ben Wheeler, Texas but is studying abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand. His major is Cognitive Sciences, with an emphasis on psychology or neuroscience, and while abroad, he will be taking two cognition courses, one on Maori Society, and another on New Zealand Literature.
Before he left, he said, he is most excited about, "The complete uncertainty that awaits, the number of unforeseen challenges and triumphs that will undoubtedly arise. Whether it's something small like figuring out how to mail something, or a challenge to my worldview, positive or negative, it will all give me goosebumps." He was most anxious about, among all things, the cold weather. "I have difficulty dealing with the cold. It's a psychological thing; most homes don't have central heating, so it's kind of hard on a guy from Texas walking around in his flat wearing three layers of clothing."
A quick Q & A session with Jonathan on his general interests garnered us the following:
What type of music do you listen to?
Ah, music. I love all kinds of music, with the possible exception, ironically enough, of country and western. At the moment, I have an obsession with hip-hop and alternative, though that will undoubtedly change before the end of the semester.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include reading, hiking (while in New Zealand, at least), sports (especially basketball), socializing with old friends and making new ones, cuisine (both cooking and eating), and the occasional introspection.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
Books--The Harry Potter series, anything by Douglas Adams, Ayn Rand, Roald Dahl, Mark Twain, and Robert Jordan.
TV--New fan of House, M.D. and Gray's Anatomy, as well as most cartoons.
Movies--Five of my favorites, in no particular order: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Blues Brothers, The Princess Bride, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
If you want to know any more about dear Jonathan, ask him in his blog and he'll be more than happy to begin a discussion with you.
Vanessa Ruiz
Studying in ten countries on Semester at SeaVanessa is a 22-year-old photography major and artist at the Rhode Island School of Design, although she hails from Miami, Florida. She is studying abroad with Semester at Sea, a unique program in which students live and take classes on a cruise ship while visiting La Guaira, Venezuela; Salvador, Brazil; Cape Town, South Africa; Mombasa, Kenya; Chennai (Madras), India; Yangon, Myanmar; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Hong Kong; Kobe, Japan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and San Diego, California. Amidst all the sight seeing and soul searching she will also manage to take classes in Global Studies, Abnormal Psychology, Small Business Management, and Women in Religion, all courses she says, "I am very interested in and which will be enhanced by my travel."
When asked what she was most excited about, her answer was:
"I guess I am most excited about meeting people from
around the world, learning about their culture and how they interact
with their world and other cultures. You can learn a lot about cultures
from a classroom in the US but meeting people and experiencing their
culture in person gives you a new understanding and appreciation for
the world and its diversity. I'm especially interested in meeting the
children in the countries I am traveling to... and of course
photographing everything."
When asked what she was most anxious about, she had two very serious, very pressing issues she wanted to discuss. She is most anxious of:
"Getting bitten by a piranha while in the Amazon. Or
maybe the credit card bill."
Her Q & A on general interests produced these results:
What type of music do you listen to?
I love all kinds of music, from Rap like Missy Elliot to more
classical music like Sarah Brightman, but my absolute favorites are
Shakira and Dolly Parton. Dolly above all, who has influenced my life
in more ways than I can count. I have the Dollywood butterfly tattooed
on my shoulder...long long story.
What are your hobbies?
Photography is my passion. I'm also a poet and
a closet science geek. I would say my life has been led by a desire to
help others and I hope to always travel and do some service to
children living in difficult situations. I've found great joy in
traveling to orphanages in other countries and teaching there. I find
that photographing my experiences has help bring awareness to the
people at home and I've also been able to collect donations because of
my images.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
One of my favorite books, which I
think was a great lesson for me as a child is Alexander and the
Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It taught me that
difficult situations are a part of life and that we must all face them
and work through them. My favorite fiction book is The Count of Monte
Cristo for its elaborate, clever and suspenseful plot. However, I
find that I am more drawn to geeky science books such as The Elegant
Universe which is about string theory and quantum physics. I can't
resist books or movies on quantum mechanics, astronomy, or other
wondrous sciences. I highly recommend the movie What the $%&@ do we
know? which deals with how quantum physics is believed to work in our
lives. All very geeky stuff! But wondrous! Needless to say, you can
probably guess I'm a trekky. Yes, Star Trek is my favorite TV show of
all time. And my second love is comedy which I feel is just as
important to life as any knowledge in any textbook.
Finally, Vanessa would like to leave everyone with this small bit of insight:
"My friends call me Nessie, like
the Loch Ness Monster. I'm a big nerd and a horrible speller.
Sometimes I write very sophisticated and sometimes I sound like a
teenager. In my blog my entries will vary in personality depending on
the content. I'm sure that with a trip like this one, my blog entries will
range in emotion and tone as I encounter the joys and difficulties of
life I'll see in the people I'll meet on my journey."
Amy White
Studying in Cairo, EgyptAmy is a 24-year-old grad student at the University of Colorado studying Post-colonial North African history. She is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but is traveling to Cairo, Egypt to study Arabic. She has a very altruist goal in studying abroad that she explains as, "There has been steadily increasing contact with the Arab world by ordinary Americans who are trying to understand America's situation in the world
context. I am most excited to be an intermediary between these ordinary
Americans and the Arab world. I hope to ease confusion among my peers and
others over what is presumed about Arab/Muslim culture and what is factual."
In terms of her general interests, she shared these thoughts with us:
A quick Q & A session with Amy on her general interests garnered us the following:
What type of music do you listen to?
Reggae, jazz (especially Afro-Latin jazz), and blues. (Billie Holiday, Ella
Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Oscar Brown, Jr., Alpha Blondy, Aretha Franklin, Buena
Vista Social Club, Gipsy Kings, Israel Vibration, Medeski Martin and Wood, etc.)
What are your hobbies?
Hiking, biking (I don't own a car) and reading.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
My favorite news show is Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman. I just finished
reading a fantastic book to prepare me for my year abroad in Egypt - 9 Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks. My favorite magazine since I was a child is National Geographic and I also read the New York Review of Books. I don't own a TV.
When asked about her thoughts on blogging, Amy said, "It's a means of communication that is important, utilizing current technologies to spread knowledge of the world outside of America."
If you agree with her, check out her fascinating blog now.
Keri James
Studying in New York, United StatesKeri is a 20-year-old from Wellington, New Zealand, although she was originally born in England. She is completing her degree abroad at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, majoring in sociology and management.
In terms of her general interests, she shared these thoughts with us:
We asked Keri for a few insights into her general interests in this Q & A:
What type of music do you listen to?
Rock and some old school.
What are your hobbies?
Most Sports and hanging out with friends.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
The O.C.
When asked what she thought of being chosen as a BlogAbroad.com blogger, Keri said, "I was very surprised to find I had been selected as a BlogAbroad.com blogger. But at the same time I am very excited about being able to share some of the great experiences with others in hope to inspire other young adults to get out and travel so they too can experience the great things that I do."
Check out her blog now for an international student's perspective on studying in the United States.
How old are you?
I am 21.
What type of music do you listen to?
My musical tastes are extremely varied. I like hip-hop, alternative, rock, classic rock, even some country. Just to give you a better idea: Albums in my CD player right now...Good News For People Who Love Bad News from Modest Mouse and Collision Course from Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Recent downloads...Somewhere Only We Know from Keane and The Blowers Daughter from Damien Rice
What are your likes/dislikes?
My strongest likes are spending time with friends and family, travel, art, and history. My greatest dislikes are closed mindedness, superficiality, and routine.
Favorite books/magazines/tv/movies?
My favorite books are Slaughterhouse-five by Kurt Vonnegut and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. My favorite magazine is National Geographic. I also read RollingStone, Time, and The Economist. I don't watch many television shows regularly but I do like Family Guy and the Simpsons. I am a big movie buff. My favorites are The Shawshank Redemption, Scent of a Woman, Forest Gump, and the Godfather II.
Three things that scare me:
-Blood. Actually, not so much blood as veins. Damien Hirst installations with the severed cows and subsequent flies-no fun.
-Willful ignorance.
-Extremism.
Three people who make me laugh:
-My friends.
-Jon Stewart.
-David Sedaris.
Three things I love:
-My family-which includes my old man kitty, Boots.
-Jefferson, NH.
-Chocolate.
Three things I hate:
Without getting all radical and political, I can't really think of anything that I unilaterally hate. Except getting blood drawn. And injustice. There are two.
Three things I don't understand:
-Calculus and all pertinent fields of study.
-What happened in Ohio. And Florida.
-Chess.
Three things on my desk:
-A teetering tower of postcards that have accumulated over the years, a result of both friends' adventures and my own.
-A gargantuan Art History textbook.
-Some Christmas cards I never mailed.
Three things I'm doing right now:
-Boiling water for tea.
-Listening to the Youssou N'Dour CD I just purchased.
-Considering my dinner prospects.
Three things I want to do before I die:
-Save the world or, at the very least, travel as much of the world as possible.
-Make the perfect soufflé.
-Gain proficiency in some language other than English.
Three ways to describe my personality:
-An outspoken critic of the mass media who could not live without US Weekly, People, Star, The National Enquirer and other such fine publications.
-A night at The It Club with Hollywood's A-list or dinner with a Times journalist covering Iraq? Dinner with the journalist.
-As I typically carry on three simultaneous conversations in my head at any given moment, I have been known to both talk to myself and blurt out non-sequiturs when engaged in actual conversations with actual physical beings. Astrology savvy friends say it's a Libra thing.
Three things I can't do:
-Play chess.
-Consciously make eye contact without blushing.
-Read music.
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Jackie Kliest
Studying in Santiago, Chile
Three things that scare me:
- Waking up and not knowing where I am
- Being stuck in the same place/job for more than 10 years
- Eating live things (though I've done it)
Three people who make me laugh:
- My best friend
- My 17 year old brother
- Dave Barry (I'm addicted to his columns)
Three things I love:
- Being spontaneous
- Carbs (ie Cheetos and Mint choc chip ice cream)
- Traveling
Three things I hate:
- Fake conversations
- Text messaging-too tedious
- Driving in snow
Three things I don't understand:
- Spanish grammar
- How to whistle
- How to lie convincingly
Three things on my desk:
- Far too many pictures (of friends, family, Mexico, etc.)
- Ticket stubs from concerts (John Mayer, Disturbed, and Rascal
Flatts.)
- My SPAM shot glass from the Spam Museum in Minnesota
Three things I'm doing right now:
- Filling out stacks of forms for my Chilean VISA
- Helping my little sister plan her 50's Bday party
- Wondering how I will speak nothing but Spanish for five months!
Three things I want to do before I die:
- See as many countries/landmarks as possible
- Read all the books English majors are supposed to have read
- Learn how to drive cars with manual transmission
Three ways to describe my personality:
- Annoyingly enthusiastic
- Observant
Patient (as anyone who has ever worked with kids has to be!)
Three things I can't do:
- Crack my knuckles
- Handle confrontation
- Make grilled cheese without burning it
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