Back in the USA
So, I'm back in the US. And disregarding the few hours I spent on a layover in Boston (where I thankfully shared the company of Ethan, Anthony and Woodrow and consequently kept myself preoccupied from realizing that I'm back in the US), Las Vegas has been my first mouthful of Americana in three months. The strip is even more populated with frivolous casinos and naked women than I remember it - though I guess in a city that grows by 64 people per day, there's not much less one can expect over the course of eight years since last observing it. My aunt, uncle and I saw a UNLV basketball game last night - some casino sent their friend comp tickets and he handed them over to us. Lots of American college students, the way that hollywood depicts them - sexy, young, airbrushed, plastic, drunk.
I can't say that being back here is pleasant, especially at the holiday time - Americans rushing out to buy Christmas gifts for their boyfriends, children, wives, to show that they 'care.' I keep seeing these commercials on tv (yes, I have been watching tv, and probably this has even lowered my level of contentedness with Americans) for the Journey Diamond Necklace by Zales. 'Show her you love her this holiday season, and show her that your love grows each year, by presenting her with this lovely seven-stone pendant; the diamonds increase in carats as they descend the pendant, symbolizing your ever growing, eternal love for her.' What crap!! Sigh. Really, all I can think of when I see gemstones now is, 'I wonder how many children -or fuck, just PEOPLE- in some under developed nation died mining the stones for that piece of jewelry?' And then I think, 'How does presenting someone with that piece of jewelry prove love?' And then I think, 'Why is gift buying, and spending and spending and spending, SO important at the holidays?'
Oh, Americana. How glorious.
This aside, my increased (if possible) disgust at our president and his administration aside, my increased annoyance at so many people for their absolute disregard for suffering in sub Saharan Africa despite some of their favorite celebrities trying to raise awareness (you would think that American newscasters would respond with words more substantial than, "Oh, George Clooney is SO cute!" after he speaks about Darfur on the morning news), all this and more aside, I am enjoying the time that I spend here with my aunt and uncle. It is certainly an interesting way to come back to my home country after three months in Tanzania, but I am glad that my aunt and uncle are rather well versed in what is going on in the world, and that they are aware and willing to talk about it. They're pretty real, and I like that.
In other news, my grandfather passed away a few days ago and I think my grandmother hates me for not being home for his funeral. Instead I am with my family in Nevada, not her blood relatives, and I think she resents that. It's sort of a tough spot, and surely things will be uncomfortable when I get back to NJ.
And in still other news, Liza, Emma and I are searching for an apartment in Boston. I hope we find something.
And I think jet lag is finally catching up with me. Maybe I'll take a bath and a nap.
I can't say that being back here is pleasant, especially at the holiday time - Americans rushing out to buy Christmas gifts for their boyfriends, children, wives, to show that they 'care.' I keep seeing these commercials on tv (yes, I have been watching tv, and probably this has even lowered my level of contentedness with Americans) for the Journey Diamond Necklace by Zales. 'Show her you love her this holiday season, and show her that your love grows each year, by presenting her with this lovely seven-stone pendant; the diamonds increase in carats as they descend the pendant, symbolizing your ever growing, eternal love for her.' What crap!! Sigh. Really, all I can think of when I see gemstones now is, 'I wonder how many children -or fuck, just PEOPLE- in some under developed nation died mining the stones for that piece of jewelry?' And then I think, 'How does presenting someone with that piece of jewelry prove love?' And then I think, 'Why is gift buying, and spending and spending and spending, SO important at the holidays?'
Oh, Americana. How glorious.
This aside, my increased (if possible) disgust at our president and his administration aside, my increased annoyance at so many people for their absolute disregard for suffering in sub Saharan Africa despite some of their favorite celebrities trying to raise awareness (you would think that American newscasters would respond with words more substantial than, "Oh, George Clooney is SO cute!" after he speaks about Darfur on the morning news), all this and more aside, I am enjoying the time that I spend here with my aunt and uncle. It is certainly an interesting way to come back to my home country after three months in Tanzania, but I am glad that my aunt and uncle are rather well versed in what is going on in the world, and that they are aware and willing to talk about it. They're pretty real, and I like that.
In other news, my grandfather passed away a few days ago and I think my grandmother hates me for not being home for his funeral. Instead I am with my family in Nevada, not her blood relatives, and I think she resents that. It's sort of a tough spot, and surely things will be uncomfortable when I get back to NJ.
And in still other news, Liza, Emma and I are searching for an apartment in Boston. I hope we find something.
And I think jet lag is finally catching up with me. Maybe I'll take a bath and a nap.