Language

Yes, I know that I eventually need to sit down and learn some Arabic before I go (because I think that it's a courtesy and ...fun to try to speak another language), but before I do, I want to establish "highly effective habits". I met someone about a month ago who really touched my life, and I remember that he told me to read this book. I will before I meet him again, though I refuse to believe that I need the aid of "self-improvement" books. I feel great about my life. I wouldn't want anything more (except lots of money and maybe a cute boyfriend). Sigh. Neither yet, don't worry, Mom.

Anyways, I religiously check the news everyday (perhaps from this feeling that I am so detached from my "old" world) and interestingly enough, feel that I cannot communicate half as well with people who are not in tune with the musings of the world.

For instance, the Mumbai attacks really affected me. I feel sort of lame for admitting it, but I feel as if a piece of my very soul has suddenly left. I am really not one to cry, but I was close to tears once I saw gruesome pictures (yes, I did this willingly) of people strewn around dead. Graphic, but I feel looking at the pictures, placing myself in the photographer's shoes, is necessary to better understand the world around me.

Recently I have been looking at lots of photos (I look at Boston.com's big picture: LINK every day as well) and putting myself in the photojournalist's shoes. It affects me more and more every day, and I'm feeling more and more raw in terms of emotions and perhaps even thoughts.

Anyways, the basis of this (wow. sorry for the tangent) post is to say that instead of reading the news in English, I will begin to read international news solely in Spanish and French because I'm quite upset with myself that I am really struggling trying to keep these languages at hand. Vietnamese will have to be solely with conversation with my family & some friends, but Latin was a challenge until I remembered something invaluable! I will get my daily dose of Latin in the form of...



wait for it...
wait for it...






WIKIPEDIA!!!!!

LoVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

Sans