On Saturday night, as most couples do, I went to the movies with Amandla and because he does not like movies and I did not have the deep desire to see anything in particular, he got to choose and we watched 'Wall Street'. This is a sequel to a earlier movie called 'Wall Street' with some people in it and it was a big hit and had a lot of catch phrases (i have not seen it).
Anyway, this movie is about the financial crash of 2008 which rocked the ship we all sail on, especially those with American family roots. I am not a ecos student; i do understand it and have never really had the desire to correct this. I have a basic understanding of some concepts, and i have a basic understanding of the financial crash. This movie explains it how it happened- built up over time, people knew it was coming, and then finally the massive implications it had (not for the everyday people, but for the big shots).
However, this is not what struck me about the movie. What struck me was 'the game'. When one big shot banker was asked "what his number was? The number that he could earn and that would be him saying enough and retire" he replied "more!" and that is the truth. The financial world is a huge game- trading, selling, exchanging, betraying...it is all a game. It is not about the money..those guys have so much money they could buy a country. It is about the game. One screws over another, who gets revenge, who gets screwed etc etc etc. It is a cut-throat world where people (there are a select few women who make it) eat eachother for breakfast.
Also, this movie showed me that greed really does make the world go round. Why do people want more; they are greedy. Why are bigger building being built; fastest cars being made; gigantic houses be sold...people want bigger and better...it is greed. It is quite realist in nature (i am tutoring firs year politics)...people are greedy, self-interested and live in a state of anarchy which allows them to do anything they want, moral not applicable.
Now, it is not the only world like this. All industries are cut-throat. As a friend once said to me, "if you aren't a shark, you aren't going to make it". And it is true; you need to be strong and know what you want. But, this movie showed me you also need some strand of morals, whether it be a parent, partner or just a special project, that keeps you grounded and prevents you from going crazy from the greed and the game.
All this said, the game is fun sometimes (especially if you are winning), and buying big fancy stuff is nice (when you have money). I would not make it in the financial world, but i would like to reap some benefits of it ;-)
Anyway, go watch the movie...it is very cool and has taught me many life lessons.
Now, i am going to go back to my love affair with 'Modern Family'
Farewell young friends...
p.s. i have lost all the marbles in my head...
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
a little pity party!
So have not blogged in a while mainly because i have had nothing i wanted to talk about. Things have been a bit rough on this side and i don't like blogging about the bad- i don't want to start a pity party, but after reading my friend Jen's blog i have realised that life is a pile of stinky pooh and that most people feel this right now, so i am going to tell you about mine...
I would like to find a rose among the crap but, as most of you know, when i get in a mood like this...it is hard to knock the happiness into it. To put it in context- in 2nd year i was told that "i sucked the happiness out of the room"...and i feel we might be broaching on that again.
One of the...um...issues is the THESIS! Well, i have somewhat of a supervisor but i have not officially asked her to supervise me but we are meeting next week. I have a topic that i am excited about but after a very de-motivational talk on Tuesday i do not think i will hand in in February. Now it wasn't really my plan to hand in in February but the honest truth is that i am sick and tired of being at UCT. I am tired to walking on campus and not knowing anyone, of having to do assignments i do not care about and being treated like a student. I am tired of it. I want some respect! Undergrads who think they have made it in life because they are at UCT...leave me alone and let me walk past you, you stupid inconsiderate idiots!
Back to the thesis, I am going to try and finish my proposal this weekend and then that will be a major step forward. But it is hard to fit it in- i have two courses which involve NGO work (which i love but it is hard to fit it in) and i know i am less involved this year in every regard but i feel like i have no time at all.
I feel like i have not actually seen my housemates in ages because well...i live here in theory. When i am home, i am either sleeping or working. Else i am on campus, the gym or Claredon. That's how my life goes.
Now, i am a lucky person. I have very supportive people in my life who have helped me through a lot, but right now i feel like go away from here and not having to deal with life!
So now i am going to put my earphones on, go to campus, battle to find parking, give a tut to a bunch of very ungrateful first years, and then keep on swimming...
University...time of your life...well i hate to see where it goes from here
I would like to find a rose among the crap but, as most of you know, when i get in a mood like this...it is hard to knock the happiness into it. To put it in context- in 2nd year i was told that "i sucked the happiness out of the room"...and i feel we might be broaching on that again.
One of the...um...issues is the THESIS! Well, i have somewhat of a supervisor but i have not officially asked her to supervise me but we are meeting next week. I have a topic that i am excited about but after a very de-motivational talk on Tuesday i do not think i will hand in in February. Now it wasn't really my plan to hand in in February but the honest truth is that i am sick and tired of being at UCT. I am tired to walking on campus and not knowing anyone, of having to do assignments i do not care about and being treated like a student. I am tired of it. I want some respect! Undergrads who think they have made it in life because they are at UCT...leave me alone and let me walk past you, you stupid inconsiderate idiots!
Back to the thesis, I am going to try and finish my proposal this weekend and then that will be a major step forward. But it is hard to fit it in- i have two courses which involve NGO work (which i love but it is hard to fit it in) and i know i am less involved this year in every regard but i feel like i have no time at all.
I feel like i have not actually seen my housemates in ages because well...i live here in theory. When i am home, i am either sleeping or working. Else i am on campus, the gym or Claredon. That's how my life goes.
Now, i am a lucky person. I have very supportive people in my life who have helped me through a lot, but right now i feel like go away from here and not having to deal with life!
So now i am going to put my earphones on, go to campus, battle to find parking, give a tut to a bunch of very ungrateful first years, and then keep on swimming...
University...time of your life...well i hate to see where it goes from here
Thursday, September 9, 2010
A time of the past
There is this Jack Parrow song that talks about how much he misses things of the past- all sorts of random things about what he did when he was young. Now, i am not really a Jack Parrow fan but as i was driving home today it was playing and it encapsulated what i was thinking at that moment.
I am at home in Durban for the week and thinking about how easy the life here is- washing is done, bed made, food prepared, TV, internet. Easy life. But i know it is only easy because i am here for a week at a time in holidays. If i lived here all the time my parents would harass me about getting a job or studying more or what i was doing with my life. It would never be like it was when you were in school.
When I was in school, i would have all these benefits of home everyday and my parents knew it was normal for me to live at home, so there was little harassment- except about being out late or not studying. But i was a good child, so there was little harassment. Now that i have left home, if i had to come back here after studying or because something happened, then i would not live the good life; it would not be a normal transition for me to move home (regardless of what that new york times article said). I would not be left in peace to lounge around watching E Channel or the Disney Channel; i would be harassed about my next move, about getting a job, about pulling it back together. Maybe there would be one or two weeks of peace but it wouldn't last.
So, after coming to this realization the other day, i have realised that enjoying those homely delights on a regular daily basis is a time of the past. i will never be in that position again. Sure, i am still studying and have long holidays to come home and enjoy it, but i always know it will come to an end. Now, don't get me wrong...i am not saying i want to move home. No no no...my parents would drive me insane. What i am saying is that you should enjoy the homely life you have while you still have it- enjoy someone to look after you, because soon it will be gone and you will be out in the big bad world and you won't be able to slip back home and enjoy those years again.
So, when you hear that Jack Parrow song, listen to it and think about your youth and the things you cannot do anymore. But then there is one line where he goes something like, but if i was doing those things then i would not be doing what I am doing now and would be missing out. So i guess thats the message- we grow up and sometimes it sucks and we want to go home, but we are becoming adults who are doing bigger and better things :-)
I am at home in Durban for the week and thinking about how easy the life here is- washing is done, bed made, food prepared, TV, internet. Easy life. But i know it is only easy because i am here for a week at a time in holidays. If i lived here all the time my parents would harass me about getting a job or studying more or what i was doing with my life. It would never be like it was when you were in school.
When I was in school, i would have all these benefits of home everyday and my parents knew it was normal for me to live at home, so there was little harassment- except about being out late or not studying. But i was a good child, so there was little harassment. Now that i have left home, if i had to come back here after studying or because something happened, then i would not live the good life; it would not be a normal transition for me to move home (regardless of what that new york times article said). I would not be left in peace to lounge around watching E Channel or the Disney Channel; i would be harassed about my next move, about getting a job, about pulling it back together. Maybe there would be one or two weeks of peace but it wouldn't last.
So, after coming to this realization the other day, i have realised that enjoying those homely delights on a regular daily basis is a time of the past. i will never be in that position again. Sure, i am still studying and have long holidays to come home and enjoy it, but i always know it will come to an end. Now, don't get me wrong...i am not saying i want to move home. No no no...my parents would drive me insane. What i am saying is that you should enjoy the homely life you have while you still have it- enjoy someone to look after you, because soon it will be gone and you will be out in the big bad world and you won't be able to slip back home and enjoy those years again.
So, when you hear that Jack Parrow song, listen to it and think about your youth and the things you cannot do anymore. But then there is one line where he goes something like, but if i was doing those things then i would not be doing what I am doing now and would be missing out. So i guess thats the message- we grow up and sometimes it sucks and we want to go home, but we are becoming adults who are doing bigger and better things :-)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The time of goodbyes
The world is a wonderful but horrible place. You live in a place but there are so many more to see and most people have got this curiosity to go and see all these places. It is a gift and a curse. It is a gift to have the ability to travel so easily and see so many fantastic things, but it is a curse leaving behind loved ones and saying goodbye.
Tomorrow, one of my best friends leaves for a six month (minimum) traveling trip. Lucy and I have been friends for many many years- I think it was grade 6 that we really became friends, and we have remained so through high school, university and now whatever state we are in at the moment. Tomorrow she is getting on a plane for her first overseas trip. She is going to London for a bit and then around Europe and then back to London to work for a while, and then where-ever the wind takes her. It will be a once-in-a-lift time, amazingly fantastic trip and i am so so jealous!
But now, she is the forth person since July I have said goodbye to. Hallie has gone to Taiwan, Lisa has gone off to Japan, Kate off to China (yes she was there before but then visited and then it was goodbye again) and now Lucy to London. Now all these chaps are leaving for Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and all sorts. More goodbyes. And before all that, Jo left for South Korea.
It has been a heart-breaking time. I feel like my social life has shrunk but my skype list has doubled. I spend my friday nights sending emails instead of going out. I am so happy for all my friends who are off on all their adventures and I know my time will come. But it is incredibly hard to say Goodbye and think about not seeing their faces for so long.
Who knows what this life holds for us, but what I do know is that it is an adventure and you just have to go with the flow. So to all my friends reading this from all over the world, I hope you are having an amazing time...and think of me thinking about all of you :-)
Tomorrow, one of my best friends leaves for a six month (minimum) traveling trip. Lucy and I have been friends for many many years- I think it was grade 6 that we really became friends, and we have remained so through high school, university and now whatever state we are in at the moment. Tomorrow she is getting on a plane for her first overseas trip. She is going to London for a bit and then around Europe and then back to London to work for a while, and then where-ever the wind takes her. It will be a once-in-a-lift time, amazingly fantastic trip and i am so so jealous!
But now, she is the forth person since July I have said goodbye to. Hallie has gone to Taiwan, Lisa has gone off to Japan, Kate off to China (yes she was there before but then visited and then it was goodbye again) and now Lucy to London. Now all these chaps are leaving for Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and all sorts. More goodbyes. And before all that, Jo left for South Korea.
It has been a heart-breaking time. I feel like my social life has shrunk but my skype list has doubled. I spend my friday nights sending emails instead of going out. I am so happy for all my friends who are off on all their adventures and I know my time will come. But it is incredibly hard to say Goodbye and think about not seeing their faces for so long.
Who knows what this life holds for us, but what I do know is that it is an adventure and you just have to go with the flow. So to all my friends reading this from all over the world, I hope you are having an amazing time...and think of me thinking about all of you :-)
Friday, September 3, 2010
twenty- somethings
Now, I am stealing the idea from my friend Jo and her blog...but i think it is a different point I am making.
There is an article...go read it. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/magazine/22Adulthood-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=20%20somethings&st=cse&scp=1
Now, this a quite a long article but from the begining part, all i feel is angry. We are twenty-somethings and we are confused. I have never been more confused in my life. What to do next year? Where to live? What to study? Thesis topics? the list is endless. Life is hard...and sometimes being a twenty-something sucks. I know it is lame, but sometimes i just want to be a thirty-something who is organised. Who decided on a thesis topic, wrote it, got a masters, got a job and has a family. She is put together and has her head screwed on tight. But the fact of the matter is that we are not there yet. We are young, confused people...but isn't that what being a twenty-something in this day and age means?
This article seems to think not:
"We’re in the thick of what one sociologist calls “the changing timetable for adulthood.” Sociologists traditionally define the “transition to adulthood” as marked by five milestones: completing school, leaving home, becoming financially independent, marrying and having a child. In 1960, 77 percent of women and 65 percent of men had, by the time they reached 30, passed all five milestones. Among 30-year-olds in 2000, according to data from the United States Census Bureau, fewer than half of the women and one-third of the men had done so. A Canadian study reported that a typical 30-year-old in 2001 had completed the same number of milestones as a 25-year-old in the early ’70s."
Now please...tell me if i am wrong but you seem to be advocating somewhat of a rather anti- independence stance here. Things have changed! In the 1960s, you could not travel the world at the drop of a hat. I remember my dad telling me he had to take a boat to the USA and that was the first time he saw TV. There was no internet, no email, no lonely planet and definitely no teachKorea. There were two professions for women- teacher or nurse and you only did that till you got married. The number of parents who were married and had a kid by 25 is unbelievable! But is that what we are advocated now...most definitely not! Most of those moms tell us to stay young and independent...live you life...don't settle down just yet!
I am 22 years old. I have completed two of five milestones...i have failed! But i think besides my drives license the first time, that is the only thing i have failed. How many of those 25 year olds have a masters degree or even a freaking honours degree. By the time i am 30, i plan on having two masters degrees...and i think that that's okay. Now days people live to like 80 years old. So after those 30 years, i still have some time to achieve the rest. I will achieve those other three milestones. I will get 5 out of 5...but i can guarantee you that it will not be in the next 7 years.
We live in a different era. Women can do anything they want to. There are female presidents, Black presidents. There is genuine equality in most parts of the world. I can talk to my friend in Japan with the drop of a hat. I can fly across the world in 8 hours. With the click of a button I can have something delivered from 30 000km away. This is the world twenty-somethings live in. You know why we haven't achieved 5 out of 5...because there are 2 million other things we have to decide first.
So you know, New York Times...go stuff yourself! I am quite happy with my own goals and will get to yours later
There is an article...go read it. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/magazine/22Adulthood-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=20%20somethings&st=cse&scp=1
Now, this a quite a long article but from the begining part, all i feel is angry. We are twenty-somethings and we are confused. I have never been more confused in my life. What to do next year? Where to live? What to study? Thesis topics? the list is endless. Life is hard...and sometimes being a twenty-something sucks. I know it is lame, but sometimes i just want to be a thirty-something who is organised. Who decided on a thesis topic, wrote it, got a masters, got a job and has a family. She is put together and has her head screwed on tight. But the fact of the matter is that we are not there yet. We are young, confused people...but isn't that what being a twenty-something in this day and age means?
This article seems to think not:
"We’re in the thick of what one sociologist calls “the changing timetable for adulthood.” Sociologists traditionally define the “transition to adulthood” as marked by five milestones: completing school, leaving home, becoming financially independent, marrying and having a child. In 1960, 77 percent of women and 65 percent of men had, by the time they reached 30, passed all five milestones. Among 30-year-olds in 2000, according to data from the United States Census Bureau, fewer than half of the women and one-third of the men had done so. A Canadian study reported that a typical 30-year-old in 2001 had completed the same number of milestones as a 25-year-old in the early ’70s."
Now please...tell me if i am wrong but you seem to be advocating somewhat of a rather anti- independence stance here. Things have changed! In the 1960s, you could not travel the world at the drop of a hat. I remember my dad telling me he had to take a boat to the USA and that was the first time he saw TV. There was no internet, no email, no lonely planet and definitely no teachKorea. There were two professions for women- teacher or nurse and you only did that till you got married. The number of parents who were married and had a kid by 25 is unbelievable! But is that what we are advocated now...most definitely not! Most of those moms tell us to stay young and independent...live you life...don't settle down just yet!
I am 22 years old. I have completed two of five milestones...i have failed! But i think besides my drives license the first time, that is the only thing i have failed. How many of those 25 year olds have a masters degree or even a freaking honours degree. By the time i am 30, i plan on having two masters degrees...and i think that that's okay. Now days people live to like 80 years old. So after those 30 years, i still have some time to achieve the rest. I will achieve those other three milestones. I will get 5 out of 5...but i can guarantee you that it will not be in the next 7 years.
We live in a different era. Women can do anything they want to. There are female presidents, Black presidents. There is genuine equality in most parts of the world. I can talk to my friend in Japan with the drop of a hat. I can fly across the world in 8 hours. With the click of a button I can have something delivered from 30 000km away. This is the world twenty-somethings live in. You know why we haven't achieved 5 out of 5...because there are 2 million other things we have to decide first.
So you know, New York Times...go stuff yourself! I am quite happy with my own goals and will get to yours later
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