Email on Identity... Future Book?

Ok Ok, so Tsonga lost. It was a weird game. Closer than the score indicated and although Verdasco was solid, I'm not quite sure how Tsonga lost.

Anyways, big matchup tonight with Roddick vs Federer. I still pick Federer to win in the finals over Nadal.

Moving right along, got a volleyball match tonight (joined a competitive volleyball league at the Y two weeks ago, had tryouts and everything!) so looking forward to that.

While writing my London School of Economics and Political Science financial aid personal statement, I came a cross a mass email on identity I sent out to close family and friends a couple of weeks ago. Given that it expresses some pretty coherent thoughts on identity formation, I think I'll post it up here, so as not to lose it (and to make it open to the comments of all (although I think Dean is the only one who reads this regularly) (I love you Dean! (see below)).



Dean Medeiros, Portugese studmuffin and Environmentalist extraordinaire...

Anyways now that I've give a shoutout to perhaps my only reader, below, italicized is the email and the excellent response by my good friend Zeke:

"Hey Family et al,

I just thought I would share with you a passage from Obama's book Audacity of Hope that I read today. He is discussing his experience working as a community organizer for religious organizations in Chicago immediately after graduating from his undergraduate degree.

He does a pretty good job of expressing, in this passage, precisely the angst and struggle of "third culture" kids. His example is religion, but I can say that I (and many of my classmates from highschool too) have pretty much felt this way (as an "observer") with every social movement/ideological/philosophical/spiritual/national type of group or situation that I have found myself in. Coincidentally, I find that his mother was a very similar woman in character to both of my parents, in terms of her anthropological openness and, hippie, restless, optimistic, view of the world.

"My experiences in Chicago forced me to confront a dilemma that my mother never fully resolved in her own life: the fact that I had no community or shared traditions in which to ground my most deeply held beliefs. The Christians with whom I worked recognized themselves in me; they saw that I knew their Book and shared their values and sang their songs. But they sensed that a part of me remained removed, detached, an observer among them. I came to realize that without a vessel for my beliefs, without an unequivocal commitment to a particular community of faith, I would be consigned at some level to always remain apart, free in the way that my mother was free, but also alone in the ways that she was ultimately alone." (Excerpt from Obama book: Dreams from my father)

I think that third culture kids, and especially mixed racial ones, feel that "aloneness" more sharply becuase we don't see ourselves as part of any particular group whether it be tribal, nation-state, religious or whatever.

A personal example, I would say that the most passionnately identifying thing that I have experienced recently is my love of the Montreal Canadiens. It might seem trivial but I think that just reinforces my general feeling about the simultaneously passionate and yet superfluous nature of identity.

In my new found home, I don't feel like a Western Canadian, or a Maritimer and certainly not like a Quebecker.

I feel different from the ever forgotten and ever neglected Anglophone Montrealers in the sense that I don't know any of the pop culture that they do as I didnt go through my teenage angst here. Morever, most of my "coming of age" experiences were in Russia and Hungary, quite a different experience from those who grew up here.

The one thing I DO know, and CAN relate to is the history of the Canadiens, and the passionnate feelings about the team. Hence, that has become a critical means through which I connect with the community around me.

I think that just shows how much humans desire to feel a part of something, anything, larger than themselves.

Unfortunately, outside of international school cafeterias, the world hasn't quite become the "global community" that us third culture kids were brought up to believe in and feel a part of. Returning home therefore brings with it a rude awakening.

Anyways, this passage by Obama pretty much hit the nail on the head I thought, so I wanted to share it with you. In the meantime, I, like other third culture kids, (which I have admittedly made generalizations about), will in our hearts attempt to identify with something in the world around us while attempting with our heads, to maintain our belief in the universality of man, and the idealism of global citizenship.

Feel free to share your thoughts, love you all,

Chris"

RESPONSE:

"Good stuff. Something that always frustrates me is how fleeting our holds on a culture can be. Could I ever go back to Hungary and insert myself into that environment again? Would it be the same? I realize that is probably a common feeling for people harking back to their high school or college days, but that I seem to have lost a space not just in time, but in an entire country that influenced who I am/was is frustrating. I recently saw a trailer for a film called "Mustafa" about the life of Ataturk and felt the distance of an outsider looking in, not what I might have felt six years ago comfortably conversing in Turkish with an Istanbul cabbie about the film. Not only have friendships faded, but an entire language has been lost to time and exile.
I buy into your analogy about Les Canadiens because I often used the same method of sustaining a sense of stability, Los Bravos. Italy, Turkey, Hungary, France, China, wherever I was I could always study the box score. For all that time, my Mom, Dad, Kinsey, and John Smoltz were the only constants, the only people I had everywhere. I think that probably explains my die hard love of a sport that seems so slow compared with the modern day giants of the grid iron and hardwood.
I don't think my baseball is Barrack's religion though. I don't think it is what grounds me. I don't know what does. I don't have a solid grasps on my own beliefs. Sara? Going back to school? Who knows? Obama is one of those lucky ones who saw their path early on, maybe when I find mine I will also find my community. I am interested in helping people, helping the environment, but I don't think I've found my pursuit yet. Or at least I hope not, because I don't have that determination that is so clear in him. I will never be President, but I hope when I find what I want it spurs in me half the ambition that leadership spurs in Obama.

Zeke"

Philosophical take on recent movies...

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Went to see the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" tonight. I took Laura, she didn't know where exactly we were going and although she had wanted to see the movie, she actually had no idea what it was about. It's always more enjoyable when you go to a movie with someone who doesn't know what to expect and you can see them thoroughly enjoying it. It was such a good movie and, like the movie Slumdog Millionaire (see below) had me pondering for a good while after.



I'm actually in the middle of watching the Australian Open quarterfinals match, Tsonga vs. Verdasco. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (see below) is my second favourite player (after Federer), so I will get back to that, but just wanted to jot down my thoughts before I forget them.



The last two movies I have seen have both been just incredible, high quality stories.

There is nothing like a good story.

I just love good stories. Whether in the form of a novel or in the form of a movie, a good story leaves you with a perspective on life. Benjamin Button does an incredible job of this, it shows you how life is just a series of moments, how timing is everything, how nothing lasts forever, and how somehow despite that, it is soo ridiculously beautiful.

Sometimes I think that those brilliant minds who create these stories are the REAL philosophers, the REAL leaders of the world. They create so much beauty. At the end of the day, what else is there?

I also noticed that these two movies, two of the biggest movies of the year, are both focused on the power and meaning and power of love to guide life. Perhaps I'm reading to much into things but could it be that in this era of economic disaster, the continuation of meaningless violence and a growing sense of exasperation and cynicism (only recently (and perhaps briefly) curtailed by the election of Obama), the timing was perfect for the success of these two particular stories?

Those are my thoughts for now, perhaps there will be more reflection to come on this...

Return to Ottawa

The brunette, looking pretty good on skates considering she hasnt skated much in her life.

Ah the return to Ottawa was wonderful.

It seems that I always forget how comforting Canada is. I think its because whenever I go overseas, I just get carried away by my natural interest and enthusiasm to learn as much as I can about the new place I'm in, that I forget what its like back "home".

Can you believe that I now speak that way about Canada!!

My first impression on arriving back was how QUIET, CALM, ORGANIZED, and RELAXED Ottawa feels compared to DC. Granted, I was down there at a very unique time, it probably isn't like that all the time. On the whole though, I think the pace of things is faster in the US. People up here are slightly more relaxed in their day to day doing of tasks.



Myself, enjoying the 8km skate we did that day.

Anyways, had a great time the day after I returned, went skating on the canal (which, for anyone who visits Ottawa in the winter, I HIGHLY recommend). They put cafe's on the ice which, every 3 kilometres, sell coffee, hot chocolate and beaver tails (a sweet Canadian pastry).

I also went to yoga and to see the movie Slum Dog Millionaire. On the whole a fabulous way to return to life here.

INAGURATION PHOTOS

THE MOMENT


HERE ARE THE LINKS:

Pre-ceremony and social activities around DC:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2281710&l=3ed86&id=13602199

Inauguration itself: "THE MOMENT"

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2282157&l=8085e&id=13602199

Dinner with International School friends...

Last but not least I must mention the social aspect of my trip down there. I got to visit with my old buddy Zeke (blonde dude above) and his girlfriend Sara. I also saw Elizabeth Robertson, another international school friend whom I went to school with both in Moscow and in Budapest.

It is so wonderful to re-connect with old friends. Its amazing how easily you resettle into the same old routines and the easy relaxed funness. No matter how much time has passed things between you remain the same.

Zeke and I had some great laughs remembering our highschool days, and were both sort of shocked at how far we have come since then. Here were are, two guys living and working in the capital cities of their respective countries, living with a GIRL no less and ones who've become our closest allies in life. Who could have guessed and considered that we'd be where we are today.

Life is WHACK.

Lincoln Memorial Observations

I also went to see the Lincoln Memorial the day after the inauguration. Its a beautiful monument and Lincoln was one cool and interesting dude. Did you know that after Jesus, Abraham Lincoln is the most written about historical figure ever?

The monument itself has Lincoln sitting in a chair overlooking "the union", behind some majestic pillars. To his left and to his right, his most famous words are carved into stone.

Here's what I find interesting. Neither quote has to do with his Emancipation Proclamation (which declared Slaves free). Both excerpts are from his second inaugural address and refer mostly to the civil war (which was ongoing at the time) and urging the people to preserve the union. It would see to me that one selection from his second inaugural address and one selection from his Emancipation Proclamation would be a more just and relevent monument no?

It would be interesting to see when the monument was built, my guess is, based on that observation, it was built before the Civil Rights movement happened.

The Day After....

The day after the inaguration ceremony I took the metro down to the National Mall and, when exiting at the Smithsonian stop, it looked so different without the crowds of people that for a second I wasn't sure where I was exactly.

I went to the Museum of Natural History which was phenomenal and fitting for some post inauguration reflection.

It was incredibly humbling to watch the progression of life on this earth from, only life in the sea, to the reign of dinosaurs, to the reign of mammals, and ultimately to the period of humans.



I also saw an IMAX 3D movie entitled: DEEP SEA which was totally worth the $8.50 price of admission. Did you know that 71% of the earths surface is ocean, and that we have only actually explored 5% of the Ocean. So there is much that we don't know about it, and many resources that we do not know about.

The entire exhibit though, reminded me that we are soo soo insignificant. That our lifetimes are but a grain of sand in the beaches of time. Ultimately, these moments are all that we have.

Reflections on the Inauguration Day...

When Obama took the oath of allegiance, you could feel the 2 million + crowd shudder out a palpable sigh of relief. My friends Zeke and Sara, the numerous Americans that I met down there, all told me "thank god, now I don't have to feel as ashamed of my country anymore". It was in this context that I felt more of an observer, rather than a participant, directly, in the festivities.

For me Obama is an idol. I was there to see the culminating success of a man I much admire and have been tracking since his DNC speech in 2004.

I was not there to rejoice or revel in the swell of American patriotism. First, I am not American, and secondly, I remain as cautious as always of US foreign policy and economic philosophy. Obama has a heck of a job ahead of him, I do not envy his task.

Having said that, I was nonetheless AWED by what I saw while I was down there. Americans truly are active participants in their own democracy. Some of it (the lavish ceremonies, the constant references to the fact that the election by the people was a success (as if they are the only ones) or that the country is the "greatest nation on earth") is either tooting ones horn or downright obnoxious, to be sure.

But the number of motivated individuals with pins and banners and all kinds of signs for all kinds of movements that I saw show me that civil society (if not economic equality) remains very strong in the US. And that is something positive that the myth of American exceptionalism has led to. The belief that one person can create changes and achieve anything they want, is fundamental to the working success of democracy, and no greater is this idea perpetuated over and over again, than in the US.

People at his fingertips

There is a noticeable gap in the timeline of my photos right when Obama was giving his inaugural speech. For that time, I put my camera away and like everyone else there, was absolutely and completely fixed on what he had to say.

It is incredible how much he has the public at his fingertips, how inspired people are by him. That is his greatest skill and perhaps may be his most important one as he will have to convince the American public that major shifts in US philosophy are necessary.

His ability to pinpoint this moment along the historical timeline is so breathtaking and effective because it makes us feel that we are a part of a key moment in the history of the world. It's so easy to question and wonder and become cynical about life, and he has been able to re-connect Americans to their story. It's absolutely beautiful.

Other less profound observations

1) Obama has THE perfect name for a chant. People keep trying to start chants using his name and its really very easy.

2) The 2 million strong crowd at the National Mall was distinctly liberal. Whenever Bush came on the screen, and in fact, when he was introduced he was met with boos all the way through. Which brings me to another thought? Can you imagine being disliked (and to some hated) by the majority of the people on earth? Just think about it for a second. Thats an incredible thought, to be disliked by probably over 3 billion people on earth. And you thought highschool was tough?!

Turkish dinner...

While DC parties, I will celebrate by having a Turkish meal with my friends Zeke and Sara.

I'll post more upon return from a dinner. Hopefully the mealtime discussions will give me some moments for reflection after this momentous day. I need to gather my thoughts, todays fantastic speech by an inspirational man warrants a considered and well thought out reflection.

More to follow. I can't wait to post the photos.

Obama acceptance speech excerpts...

Just got in out of the cold. Gonna watch the parade inside while drinking hot cider.

The whole event was moving and touching. Its not too often that you have 2 million + people packed into a 2-3 mile area all focused, intently and emotionally on what is being said on the jumbo screens broadcasting from the capitol building.

Here are a collection of the best quotes (I thought) from Obama's speech (the full version can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/obama_inauguration/7840646.stm):

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - that a nation cannot prosper long when it favours only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself;

Inauguration: What to expect?...

So today is the big day! Today is THE MOMENT!

The most important speech of Obama's Presidency (arguably).

Will he speak words that will one day be carved in stone today? Or will he (as the religious fanatics and zealots here would have you believe) formally announce that he, the anti-christ has arrived and begin breathing fire and brimstone?

Haha, JOKE.



The gates open at 9 and the event formally starts at 1130. Its 815 now, just enough time for me to get my coffee and granola and head down there. When I return, the course of history will be ever slightly more determined.

Famous quotes from inauguration speeches:

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" -JFK

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself" -FDR

Ok, those are the only two that I actually know.

Day 2: MLK Day The excitement builds...

I walked from Union Station to the Supreme Court and then the full length of the Mall at which point my camera battery died!!

Still, I took lots of photos which I will provide the link for as soon as they are all together in one place. But again, above you have a taste of what I took today.


Nothing major going on for the public today. Obama is busy doing some community service painting houses etc.

I feel incredibly lucky to be witnessing this moment firsthand. People have come here from all over the US, and everyone is in such a happy mood! No matter if Obama fails to do all the policy changes that he has set forth challenging himself at the very least he has truly inspired, restored faith in the system, and re-invigorated the masses. As his campaign decrees, he has fundamentally shifted the perception and perspective of alot of people in this country .




And as the photo above shows, perhaps his election hasnt been bad for the economy either.

DC Day 1 Thoughts

How can he fulfill the expectations?

Had a good talk with Zeke and Sara last night about just how high the expectations are for Obama. The great Montreal Canadiens goalie, in 1971 immediately following the Stanley Cup playoffs, Ken Dryden ( who as a rookie goaltender led to the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup victory) said that he knew that no matter what happened the rest of his career, he had already done what he would be remembered for.

The same can be said about Obama. No matter what happens in his presidency, he has likely already done what he will be remembered for.

Obama Inauguration in DC part end of day 1

So after having a short lunch and coffee we wandered through the crowds down 17 street to the national mall area. Stopped by the White House where preparations are busily underway to set up the viewing area from which the new President Obama will view the Inauguration parade.

We continued on to the actual concert area (I took plenty of photos which will be posted up shortly) and entered the crowd which was packed from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Memorial (a distance of approx 2 miles).

U2, Beyonce and Bruce Sprinsteen performed (unfortunately to my grave disappointment we missed Shakira and a Tom Hanks speech), and then, the pinnacle moment President elect Obama took the stage.

The crowd was in awe, I'm not certain that everyone expected or knew that he would speak. Obama reiterated his campaign principles and stuck to the thematic undertones of his entire campaign, that republicans, democrats, young and old, whites, blacks, hispanics, and asians, gay or straight, disabled or non-disabled, all can work together to perfect the Union and reinvigorate the American dream.

I took plenty of photos of THIS particular moment, which will be posted shortly on my facebook profile and subsequently on here as well. Needless to say, the crowd was in awe. And the diversity of the attentive crowd shows that in fact, Obama's inspirational words do cross all boundaries.

Onw interesting note is that I did not see American flag waving all over the place as I might have expected. I wonder why?

More to follow...

Travels in DC: Obama Inauguration Week "Operation Catch the Moment"

Ok so this is the first of many (at least once per day) entries that I plan on doing while I am here in Washington DC for Obama's inauguration. I spontaneously bought a flight ticket online two days ago, and, after waking up at 3:30 am and taking an early early morning flight, here I am in DC.

I'm going to lay out my impressions in point form since, the actual inauguration events start imminently and we'll have to get down there.

-The first thing you notice upon arrival is the Obama parephenalia in all the airport stores, t-shirts, pins, stickers, magazines, its all there. (The photo above was not taken at the airport, it is instead a street vendor). The District of Columbia (which apparently 93% of the population voted for Obama during the November election) is literally basking with pride of his impending inauguration.

-I had a chance while waiting for the luggage at the baggage claim to talk with Alan Carter Global News Anchor. He was telling me just how phenomenal this whole event has been planned. The inauguration website has all the information anyone attending the event could want, location of bathrooms, entrances, exits, schedules etc. It's very good at making people feel a part of the whole process, something which Obama perfected in his campaign to a degree that is light years ahead of Canada's politicians.

-In the airport, on the bus and the subsequent metro ride that I took to get downtown to where my friend is staying, everyone is talking on their cellphones or to other passengers about what they are doing over the next few days. There are parties and balls and galas to attend, all somehow related to the inauguration.

I look forward to getting out there. There is a concert tonight (with Beyonce, L-Lo and a few others apparently) as well as numerous speeches that will go on. I will do my best to capture the series of "moments" in the build up to THE MOMENT (when Obama raises his hand and touches Lincoln's Bible and swears in) either with my observations or with my camera.

-On a comepletely other separate note, Zeke and Sara's apartment is situation in Dupont Circle and "granola" area right on the fringe of the gay village. This place is very liberal and fashionable and reminds me alot of Montreal. So far everyone I've met has been really nice. More to come...