tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54826522011-04-21T22:01:36.497-04:00Calliope is one of the nine muses - she is the muse of eloquence and epic poerty; Calliope means "beautiful voiced".Nicolenoreply@blogger.comBlogger4091100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-80033752093104762542007-05-20T21:27:00.000-04:002007-05-20T21:41:17.680-04:00

The week in beach town is coming to an end, and I've had a fantastic time. Not in the rip' roarin', endless partying sort of way, but just genuinely a good time. It's been everything a vacation should be. There's not much of interest inMadeira Beach, but it's sort of a blessing. For people like Abigail and I, who are rather aggressive travelers, eager to see and do and absorb everything in sight,

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-7281047721021791462007-05-18T12:12:00.000-04:002007-05-18T12:24:32.287-04:00

Nicole came in from the balcony overlooking the intercoastal and sat down at her computer and the NYTimes online, vowing to read only the latest entertainment news coming out of the Cannes Film Festival. Abigail handed her a freshly made mimosa to go with her breakfast of scrambled eggs. It was noon. After breakfast, Nicole went to put her bathing suit on - a brand new brown bikini. She and

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-86748938752411933322007-05-05T14:53:00.000-04:002007-05-05T14:56:10.645-04:00

Yesterday was my last class EVER. I've been trying to decide how I feel about it, but realized that I can't really feel anything right now because the residual alcohol and the residual caffeine in my system are having a war and my body is losing.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-20015434847018137082007-05-03T15:40:00.000-04:002007-05-03T15:41:37.152-04:00

The hampster, having not been exposed to elevated stress levels all semester, is suddenly confused....

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-53824207903022426022007-04-20T01:01:00.000-04:002007-04-20T01:25:14.839-04:00

I know it may seem like in odd time to be posting about 9/11, but I've been thinking about it a lot this week, since my film class screened United 93 this past weekend. My professor's lecture today was particularly interesting - he talked about how Hollywood deals with issues of national trauma, with particular attention to the competing imperatives of profit and memorialization. Although we

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-15639827816248159612007-04-16T14:17:00.000-04:002007-04-16T14:19:10.004-04:00

I am writing to tell you that I have just solved the world's problems. I have come to the conclusion - based on my own research and the research of my most distinguished colleague who is a specialist on African affairs - that the US suffers from chronic strategic myopia in the area of foreign and security policy. At the same time, in reading about the EU's ambitions for a Common Security and

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-8284216217617407972007-04-12T22:35:00.000-04:002007-04-12T22:37:38.271-04:00

So, continuing the theme of interesting people in my life, I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on my acquaintance with the General (aka – William Odom). I’m taking his seminar on American National Security Policy this semester, and it’s been really interesting so far. The class is the perfect combination of “War Stories with William Odom” and a lot of really practical, insightful information

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-59867750774746445172007-04-12T21:30:00.000-04:002007-04-12T22:12:58.424-04:00

The events of the past few days have reinforced my affection for my beloved coffee shop, Willoughby's. My affinity for this establishment dates back to my very first visit to the Yale campus. While we were waiting for the campus tour to start, my mom and I went to the Chapel Street location and had coffee and pastries. As we sat there - on an absolutely gorgrous Spring morning - I decided, "I'm

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-29931940324547961982007-04-09T15:06:00.000-04:002007-04-09T15:08:38.375-04:00

Conversation between Nicole and her 18-year-old cousin Michael when she called over to where her family was gathered for Easter:Nicole: So, how's life.Michael: (emotionless) Good.Nicole: Have you had a nice Easter?Michael: Yeah. Can't beat the 'Riz.(Silence)Nicole: Huh?Michael: Can't beat the 'Riz.Nicole: The 'Riz. What's the 'Riz?Michael: The Risen Christ.Nicole: Oh.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-30011852056729140102007-03-04T20:15:00.000-05:002007-03-04T20:26:17.390-05:00

...born of my efforts to procrastinate, of course. Whatever, I'm feeling philosophical, and it's not like I actually have any work to do.Two thoughts have been gestating recently:- I know that I am ready to graduate, not only because of my increasing frustration with the futility of academia and general restlessness and lack of focus, but also because I am eager to move to the next phase of my

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-17428424906155727872007-03-04T19:29:00.000-05:002007-03-04T19:31:12.684-05:00

The sudden increase in my blogging activity may or may not have clued you in to my utter and complete lack of focus on my schoolwork. I fly home for break on Thursday...

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-20571408574569646572007-03-04T19:20:00.000-05:002007-03-04T19:29:34.076-05:00

I was doing some reading for my seminar this afternoon, and came across a really interesting tidbit about Iraq. It came from a book by Lawrence Freedman (whose work I used a lot to write my senior essay), in a chapter where he discusses the US's failures in Iraq in terms of strategic communications. He cites the work of a cultural-anthropologist, who points out that some of the most egregious

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-90984264972634221522007-03-02T22:59:00.000-05:002007-03-06T18:14:53.055-05:00

It's been a really busy concert season: last weekend I had the Faure Requiem and my (last!) Saybrook Orchestra concert. Tonight, the Glee Club women sang with the School of Music orchestra - the Philharmonia - on Mahler Symphony 3. It was a nice experience, but I don't really have much to say about the symphony itself, except maybe that it's eternal. Seriously. It's about 2 hours long, and it

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-66515572489458241302007-02-26T22:11:00.000-05:002007-02-26T22:43:38.593-05:00

This year was quite exciting - full of surprises. While I was watching, I remembered last year, when I had to watch the Oscars in South Africa! It was nice to be able to watch them live this time, and to be able to drool over the glamour on the red carpet (a luxury that was denied to me last year).So lets cover the important bits first:Absolutely, without a doubt, unquestionably the BEST dressed,

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-14975523158483963692007-02-26T22:09:00.000-05:002007-02-26T22:11:03.781-05:00

Also - did I mention that I have a new cousin. I think he's fantastic! And I haven't even met him yet!!!!

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-28522560921898987732007-02-26T21:58:00.000-05:002007-02-26T22:09:18.639-05:00

I had a really great (busy!) weekend. Mom came in to visit - it was so nice to have her here. We had a really great time - LOTS of good food! Starting with Istanbul Cafe (Turkish food) for lunch on Friday, and then Ibiza (Spanish) on Friday night; breakfast at Atticus on Saturday and dinner at Tre Scalini in Wooster Square. Also, lots of tea! I've recently joined the Elizabethan Club here: it's a

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-19655837664041360722007-02-13T22:23:00.000-05:002007-02-14T01:59:23.831-05:00

My feet will never be cold again!(I'd like to thank all the little sheep who selflessly gave their lives so that my feet could be warm.)

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-18297273095724420262007-02-13T20:33:00.000-05:002007-02-13T20:35:07.371-05:00

In Russian, the word for "marriage" is the same word for "defective goods." Just thought I'd share that....

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1170819167632743382007-02-06T22:32:00.000-05:002007-02-06T22:32:47.646-05:00

*PRIMAL SCREAM*

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1170813486853409122007-02-06T20:29:00.000-05:002007-02-06T20:58:07.113-05:00

I had the privedge to see two Oscar nominated films this weekend. The first was one of the films nominated for Best Documentary, called "My Country, My Country." Yale hosted a conference on War, Documentary and Iraq, and brought in the director of My Country, My Country to screen the film and do a Q&A. It was an interesting film. She tried to capture the Iraqi experience, and so she followed a

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1169611443380920482007-01-23T23:02:00.000-05:002007-01-23T23:04:33.336-05:00

My professor is the second from the left, wearing glasses. :)

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1169593059954412732007-01-23T17:54:00.000-05:002007-01-23T23:02:12.766-05:00

I have to say that I thing the Academy did a MUCH better job picking nominees than the Hollywood Foreign Press. As such, I have deigned to convey my picks:BEST ACTOR: OBVIOUSLY Forest Whitaker for Last King of Scotland - it's an absolutely terrifying performance. I actually jumped off the couch when he won the Golden Globe. Also, I love to see Leonardo DiCaprio be repeatedly snubbed...BEST

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1169437442562553502007-01-21T22:43:00.000-05:002007-01-21T22:44:02.576-05:00

Classical music soothes my soul.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1169065722857046702007-01-17T15:27:00.000-05:002007-01-17T15:28:42.873-05:00

I just made a cup of coffee and then realized that I hadn't bought half and half yet. So I used Amarula instead. I may never buy half and half again.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1168839031680680672007-01-14T23:42:00.000-05:002007-01-15T00:30:31.693-05:00

I'm not listing my picks for the nominations largely because I am appalled by some of the choices the Hollywood Foreign Press has made this year. I'm sorry - Leonardo DiCaprio does not deserve ANY nominations for ANYTHING, let alone TWO nominations, including one for his LAUGHABLE performance as a South African (with an unindentifiable accent) in Blood Diamond. *Gag* Consider me on strike.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1168806700583536442007-01-14T15:26:00.000-05:002007-01-14T23:41:20.966-05:00

I've just returned from our Glee Club tour to the Dirty South (Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia). It was interesting because I'd never been to any of those places before, though I can't say it's my favorite part of the country (too much fried food and country music....) I enjoyed the beginning and then end of the trip the most. We started out in New Orleans, which was really interesting

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1167709506444609812007-01-01T22:31:00.000-05:002007-01-01T22:45:06.460-05:00

It's finally come: the year of 007 - my graduation year. Very scary. I scarcely feel old enough to be in college, let alone an autonomous, responsible adult. Anyway, I'd like to start off 2007 by catching up on the posting I mean to do last year.The semester finished off well! I wrote my senior essay and it turned out fantastic! I received glowing reviews from my advisor, and it made all the

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1165291600432296092006-12-04T23:05:00.000-05:002006-12-04T23:06:40.446-05:00

I'm trying really hard not to hate life right now...

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1165196065954290592006-12-03T20:13:00.000-05:002006-12-03T20:34:25.973-05:00

It couldn't have come at a better time. I had a miserable, miserable week - possibly one of the worst of my entire life. I was a complete mess - emotionally, physically, psychologically. Then it was Friday.It's marvelous how sometimes just a change of scenary will do wonders for your psyche, and I felt the effects even while still on the train. Traveling with the Glee Club is a lot like traveling

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1164042366577628762006-11-20T11:34:00.000-05:002006-11-20T12:06:07.530-05:00

For all of those people out there who were hating on Daniel Craig with all the doubt and skepticism they could muster ("Blah blah blah, he's too blond, he can't be Bond, blah blah blah..."), I would just like to take a moment to revel in the fact that I was right: Next to Sean Connery, Daniel Craig is the best Bond ever. Craig's performance is absolutely amazing - he's so real, he's so human - so

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1163626503595194232006-11-15T16:34:00.000-05:002006-11-15T16:35:03.613-05:00

"Learning was fun."-anonymous

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1163126666513099202006-11-09T21:20:00.000-05:002006-11-14T01:07:21.266-05:00

Those are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs by this South African singer/songwriter I got to know while I was there last semester, and I was just thinking about how many times I've woken up and sang that song to myself in the shower. It's been a really wonderful semester, and a really great week for that matter.It all started last weekend. Through JE Culture Draw (the only other time I am

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1163020091822786062006-11-08T16:07:00.000-05:002006-11-08T22:00:53.373-05:00

The Democrats have taken the House, probably the Senate AND BEST OF ALL: RUMSFELD HAS RESIGNED! A glimmer of hope flickers in the dark, dark night...The Guardian says, "Thank you, America."

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1162693790922428442006-11-04T21:28:00.000-05:002006-11-04T21:29:50.936-05:00

I think I killed my lavender plant, and I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions as to how I might go about resuscitating it, because I've grown rather attached and it will make me sad if it dies :(

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1162414457090262712006-11-01T15:42:00.000-05:002006-11-04T13:02:40.206-05:00

After such a incredible year for film in 2005, I was really disappointed when the beginning (or rather, first 2/3) of 2006 passed with nothing significant (with the notable exception of The Illusionist). And then I saw The Prestige. I will try to comment on the film without allowing my opinion that Hugh Jackman is the walking definition of sexy cloud my assessment of its merits. It's a brilliant

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1162180354580910592006-10-29T22:44:00.000-05:002006-10-29T22:52:34.583-05:00

At dinner last night.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1162179737629419252006-10-29T22:26:00.000-05:002006-10-29T22:42:17.643-05:00

I had a really good birthday season this year (hehe, I say birthday season, because I like to draw it out over a period of at least a week). Due to the storm, my parents were delayed a week in their visit to New Haven, but at least we got to be together on my actual birthday. We had lots of nice, expensive dinners, and Mom and I went to see The Prestige (which I will review later, but suffice to

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1162178605960381042006-10-29T22:17:00.000-05:002006-10-29T22:23:25.976-05:00

I just wanted to relate a little tidbit I found while I was poking around the Brookings website: The Congressional elections are largely being seen as a referendum on Bush's foreign policy. If Congress swings Democratic, it will force the administration to acknowledge its mistakes (which it has thus far been loathe to do, apart from a few disingenuous, politically-motivated concessions and

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1161235455564579602006-10-19T01:07:00.000-04:002006-10-19T01:24:15.576-04:00

I had a really great day a couple of Fridays ago, but then mid-terms hit and I never got a chance to blog it, so here it is...The day started like most Fridays - with a 7:30am wakeup call so I could make it to Hot Coffee, Hot Issues. Every Friday morning in this gorgeous Victorian mansion on a hill, the World Fellows Program hosts a coffee hour (plus scones, muffins, fruit, danishs, bagels, and

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1160547499093780872006-10-11T02:08:00.000-04:002006-10-11T02:19:00.333-04:00

Communists are a constant source of amusement to me. I mean, they're just so funny! In addition to their ridiculous political ideas that run counter to human nature in the most fundamental way, they often do stupid things. I was sitting in Willoughby's (my favorite coffee shop in The Have - best coffee in town, hands down) and I happened to glance out the window at the billboard (advertising

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1159048088217368952006-09-23T17:31:00.001-04:002006-09-23T17:48:08.220-04:00

Speaking of perks of JE. Last Thursday (sorry, life's been hectic, little time to blog) the master invited some famous sculptor/artist person to come do a JE master's tea. After laying awake in bed for several hours, trying to figure out how in the WORLD he could possibly go about spending some of the unparalleled amount of money in JE's bountiful coffers, the master decided to rent out Scoozi

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1159046968665303842006-09-23T17:13:00.000-04:002006-09-23T17:31:50.403-04:00

Is at the JE Art Draw. No seriously. Because my college (and here by "college" I mean JE specifically, and not in the broader of Yale) is so disgustingly wealthy, we have this fantastic collection of art that the master - in the interest of cultivating our cultural competancy - allows us to rent out and hang in our DORM rooms for the duration of the academic year. Most benevolent of him, really.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1158105851418494142006-09-12T19:41:00.000-04:002006-09-12T20:21:48.636-04:00

One of the best things about Yale is.....FAMOUS PEOPLE! Last night, Liev Schreiber came to Yale! (I know, I know, you're all thinking - who's that?!) He starred in the movie the Manchurian Candidate, as wrote/directed the film Everything is Illuminated. But the best part of his resume is that he graduated from Yale Drama School in 1992, which makes him one of us! The official title of the event

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1157753178369093192006-09-08T18:06:00.000-04:002006-09-08T21:08:57.183-04:00

Yes, I realize that the title of this entry is a bit obesely poetic, but it also happens to be the title of a book I'm looking over for my senior essay. *GASP* Yes, that's right: SENIOR ESSAY. Which I have in fact decided to write first semester because the professor that I love, worship, and otherwise adore will not be at Yale second semester (how dare he ruin my life like that...). So, the

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1157682545669699782006-09-07T22:25:00.000-04:002006-09-07T22:29:05.683-04:00

"Civilization is a race between education and chaos."-H.G. WellsI shopped a class today called Ethics and the Media, and the professor's main point was about the critical role that the press plays in educating the electorate.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1157646947241248792006-09-07T12:23:00.000-04:002006-09-07T12:35:47.330-04:00

Nick and I had a really lovely evening together on Tuesday. After dinner, we went to the Criterion (a movie theater like the North Park or Amherst, that plays more independent productions and less mainstream stuff) to see the Illusionist. I was first drawn to the film because it has a fantastic cast: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Rufus Sewell, and Jessica Biel. It takes place in

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1157402357555901642006-09-04T16:31:00.000-04:002006-09-04T16:39:17.613-04:00

I just came across an article that reminded me of a conversation I had with Aunt Rosemarie over the summer. My arguement was that labeling the terrorists as "crazy," "insane," or "irrational" does not encourage productive dialogue and calculated research as to WHY they act the way they do, and is counter-productive to the efforts of the "War on Terror." I just came across an example which I think

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1157387177187155822006-09-04T11:53:00.000-04:002006-09-04T16:20:36.600-04:00

I was reading an interview with Yale professor Vivek Sharma in one of our campus publications (The Politic), and he made a REALLY good point (that I totally agree with) about who is fighting whom in Iraq right now. He said,"I think the presence of the US, at this stage, is really a secondary issue. All of the actors understand perfectly well that the day will come, sooner or later, when the US

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1157385094451504412006-09-04T11:48:00.000-04:002006-09-04T11:51:34.463-04:00

I can't believe the news: Steve Irwin, Discovery Channel's beloved "Crocodile Hunter," is DEAD. He got stung in the heart by a stingray while filming a documentary. It's unbelievable! I mean, this man was like a GOD - I thought he was immortal! Invincible! SO sad. And to think that only just last year I was at his famous Australia Zoo in Brisbane. Crikey!

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1157138184008300242006-09-01T15:12:00.000-04:002006-09-01T15:16:24.010-04:00

I had a lovely dinner on Wednesday night with Nick and my mom at Consiglio's in Wooster Square (the Italian section of The Have), and Nick brought up a very good point about cynicism. He remarked that cynacism is often confused or equated with pessimism. In his view, which I whole-heartedly agree with, being one of the most devoted practitioners of the art myself, cynicism is really a way of

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1157137904979335902006-09-01T14:55:00.000-04:002006-09-01T15:11:44.993-04:00

At last, after nine long months, I have returned to Yale! And while it seems as though I never left, I have a newfound appreciation for this place. After my experience at UCT, I practically kissed the ground upon arrival. Seriously. It makes me really happy that Yale is not just hype and reputation, but rather lives up to all the expectations one would have of an Ivy League school.I went for a

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1156637182694250142006-08-26T20:03:00.000-04:002006-08-26T20:06:22.710-04:00

Due to the fact that I was out of the COUNTRY for most of 2006, I spent the better part of my summer catching up on all the films that I missed, courtesy of the Blockbuster month-long movie pass. V for Vendetta: B+Crash: A+Domino: A- (SURPRISINGLY good)History of Violence: B+Land of the Blind: C+Lost City: B-The Libertine: CKingdom of Heaven: C+

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1156180569526196322006-08-21T13:13:00.000-04:002006-08-21T13:16:09.546-04:00

I don't really care if Barb thinks posting NYT articles is a cop-out. Especially not in this circumstance, because THIS particular article was written by one of my best friends! That's right: my FRIEND, Beth Dickinson, has - at the ripe old age of 21 years old - been published in the NEW YORK TIMES!Dakar Journal:Spare Change Is Big Business in a Culture of GenerosityBy ELIZABETH

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1155675722092344672006-08-15T16:32:00.000-04:002006-08-15T17:05:52.450-04:00

I was reminded why I try to avoid watching television news (like the plague) this past week during that whole foiled-terrorism-plot business. Interested in learning more about this remarkable event, I turned on the TV. I was smart enough to avoid FOX news which, I believe, is the root of all evil, and so settled for switching between MSNBC and CNN. Within five minutes, I wanted to pull my hair

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1154049534398707382006-07-27T20:46:00.000-04:002006-07-27T21:21:02.160-04:00

As you could probably tell, I have been devouring books lately. I just finished reading J.M. Coetzee's (author of Youth) Waiting for the Barbarians. Granted, I actually started reading this book while I was in South Africa, and read about half of it there. The first half of the book was really weird and bizarre, and I didn't really like it at all. But the second half is fantastic! The book is

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1153877038660674792006-07-25T21:14:00.000-04:002006-07-25T21:25:15.333-04:00

I read this really interesting article in the Washington Post about tattoo artists in Iraq. Apparently, they have to do their work clandestinely, because the climate of religious extremism dictates that body art cannot be practiced openly. Not only are tatoos considered to be prohibited by some Islamic scholars, it's also seen as a Western practice and an imitation of the occupying forces. What I

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1153789498282131262006-07-24T20:40:00.000-04:002006-07-24T21:06:50.066-04:00

I just finished reading "Identity" by Milan Kundera. It's the second one of his that I've read, though it really can't compare to "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" (which has a place in my all time Top Five) in depth, complexity, or resonance. Like most of his works, it's about relationships, particularly what happens when you start to question whether or not you truly know the person you love,

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1153178016334803382006-07-17T18:45:00.000-04:002006-07-20T21:11:52.073-04:00

I recently had a revelation that I don't think enough. Seriously. I rarely ever just sit and ponder my state of existence. I'm always doing or going or watching or talking or typing or listening or working or reading. Rarely thinking. And, after one such rare rumination session, I was amazed at how much clarity and enlightenment I achieved, just by thinking through things and sorting them out in

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1152835934477380222006-07-13T19:39:00.000-04:002006-07-13T20:12:30.993-04:00

This may be the first piece of praise I've ever had for the Bush Administration, but (despite what I KNOW some Republican-voting members of my family think about me) I'm not so bigoted that I won't give credit where credit is do. And, as in dealing with any petulant child, you must reinforce good behavior with praise. So, George: good job. You finally did the right thing.Bush has finally decided

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1151730021872446632006-07-01T00:32:00.000-04:002006-07-01T01:00:32.590-04:00

It was a pretty quick turn-around at home before heading out again for D.C., but - hey - that's the story of my life ;) It feels good to be back in D.C. (though it would feel even better if it would EVER STOP RAINING. Seriously, I thought God said he was never gonna do this again. And it's not just the rain that's the problem, or the ensuing chaos it causes in urban traffic patterns and public

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1150915971602452432006-06-21T14:08:00.000-04:002006-06-21T14:56:59.866-04:00

Ok, I realize that it's now exactly HALF WAY through 2006. But, I don't know if you've heard, I've been in AFRICA for the last 6 months, where the telecommunications systems leave something to be desired. (Hence the conspicuous lack of blogging. But I'm hoping to get back into it now.)This list was inspired by old Premiere issues that my mother didn't have the decency to forward to me in South

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1148924100029688352006-05-29T13:26:00.000-04:002006-05-29T13:35:01.330-04:00

Today I went to have High Tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel. It was a fantastic, if disgustingly colonial, outing! It's the oldest hotel in Cape Town, and so by "Nelson" they of course mean "Lord Nelson", Commodore of the British Royal Navy, rather than our favorite Nelson "Mandela", who only became popular here twelve years ago. It's this ridiculously imperial hotel, with an amazingly expansive "

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1148923349251658902006-05-29T13:13:00.000-04:002006-05-29T13:22:30.613-04:00

I think it's really ironic that the same day I sat down to watch Mr and Mrs Smith, Brad and Angelina had their baby. In Namibia. I know everyone think's she's crazy, but I think I understand now why she decided to have the baby in Namibia. First of all: where the hell is Namibia? Exactly. It's a frickin' desert. It also happens to be the country just to the north of South Africa (so it's been ALL

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1146557818337186192006-05-02T04:10:00.000-04:002006-05-02T04:16:59.823-04:00

I've heard that there have been complaints about the lack of a post detailing my safari adventure. Well, it's coming. Ya'll need to learn some patience. For now, here's some context for my adventure, presciently provided by your favorite newspaper and mine, the New York Times:"Zimbabwe's Prices Rise 900%, Turning Staples Into Luxuries By MICHAEL WINESPublished: May 2, 2006HARARE, Zimbabwe, April

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1144584138308293782006-04-09T07:58:00.000-04:002006-04-09T08:02:18.320-04:00

Hey Mom and Dad! I'm having some trouble getting my email to work (probably has something to do with the fact that I'm in ZIMBABWE!), but I just wanted to elt you guys know that I'm alive, and ok, and having an absolutely AMAZING time on the amazing African adventure I always wanted to have! Saw Victoria Falls today - kinda makes Niagara look like a leaky faucet.....And tomorrow we leave for

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1143732230308262702006-03-30T10:19:00.000-05:002006-03-30T10:23:50.323-05:00

So here I sit at the UCT library, which - btw - is beginning to empty out because it's almost dinner time, and unfortunately (yes - unfortunately) my wireless is working. In fact, it's working REALLY well, because there's like no one here and I have the bandwidth all to myself. But this faculty is encouraging internet procrastination (e.g.: email checking, blogging, NYT reading, etc). And what I

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1143717764264226262006-03-30T05:58:00.000-05:002006-03-30T06:22:44.370-05:00

Wednesday - more affectionately known as "Hump Day", as in "get over the..." - has been the pinnacle of my week through this rapidly concluding month of March. I begin my Wednesday with a late start (I have early classes only on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday) with War and Society at noon. Then I get on a bus and head to the townships to volunteer. I signed up with the community service group on

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1143026139955141422006-03-22T06:15:00.000-05:002006-03-22T06:15:39.956-05:00

PS: Seven months till my birthday.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1143026057790282452006-03-22T06:06:00.000-05:002006-03-22T06:14:17.793-05:00

Needless to say, the work load at UCT is not exactly equivalent to the work load at Yale. Not only do I have time for a social life, I also have time to read for pleasure. I just finished reading a book called Youth, by South African author J.M. Coetzee. It was really interesting for me because it takes place in Cape Town, right in the suburbs where I live, around the university. It explored the

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1143025504485097522006-03-22T06:01:00.000-05:002006-03-22T06:05:04.506-05:00

Never knew this song originally came from South Africa. This from the New York Times:JOHANNESBURG — As Solomon Linda first recorded it in 1939, it was a tender melody, almost childish in its simplicity — three chords, a couple of words and some baritones chanting in the background. But the saga of the song now known worldwide as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is anything but a lullaby. It is fraught

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1142249984104660932006-03-13T06:20:00.000-05:002006-03-13T06:39:45.863-05:00

Last night, I partook in a quintessential Cape Town experience and went with a bunch of friends for "sundowners" (ie: drinks at sunset) at Lion's Head. Lion's Head is a part of the Table Mountain range, and it stands between the downtown "City Bowl" area and the ritzy Atlantic coastal areas, Clifton and Camps Bay. When we talked about going, my friends described it as a "hike" up the mountain.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1141725260863394112006-03-07T04:47:00.000-05:002006-03-07T04:54:20.873-05:00

If you've felt hurt by my lack of communication, do not dismay, for you are not alone. I am currently not communicating with ANYBODY because I CANNOT GET MY WEBMAIL TO LOAD ON A DIAL-UP INTERNET CONNECTION. It literally takes a half an hour to load, and then by the time it does, the session has timed out and it kicks me off. You cannot imagine the frustration. I've been sitting here in the

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1141723680614986222006-03-07T04:03:00.000-05:002006-03-07T04:31:24.966-05:00

I had typed up, as usual, a list of my picks, but by the time I managed to get to a computer, the Oscars had already aired in the US, so I figured it was pointless to post it. There really wasn't much disparity between my Oscar picks and Globes picks anyway. It was interesting watching the Oscars in another country. Unfortunately, I missed the first hour and a half because I had choir rehearsal :

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1141295824210610822006-03-02T05:32:00.000-05:002006-03-02T05:37:04.220-05:00

I happened to be checking out the weather back home in Buffalo on weather.com, and I noticed that the forecast looked something like high of 25 or 30 degrees. And I thought to myself - wow! That's exactly what the high for today is in Cape Town...in Celsius....

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1140284728167540752006-02-18T12:40:00.000-05:002006-02-18T12:47:09.043-05:00

Me, Monica, and Suzy at Muizenberg Beach.Sara, Morgan, Monica, Nate, and Me.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1140283954848318332006-02-18T12:17:00.000-05:002006-02-18T12:40:17.770-05:00

At the hostel. Wine Tasting at Simonsig.Me hugging a newly purchased bottle of delicious white wine.Here are some photos from our adventures in Stellenbosch, the wine region about 45 minutes away from Cape Town. If you've ever had South African wine, chances are it came from one of the vineyards in Stellenbosch. We went on a wine-tasting tour of four vineyards, it was really nice, but I was

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1140282998998953502006-02-18T12:12:00.000-05:002006-02-18T12:16:39.010-05:00

So ended my 8-week vacation. I spent today mourning on the beach. More mourning will follow tonight at a club down town.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1140105132797998202006-02-16T10:50:00.000-05:002006-02-16T10:52:12.813-05:00

I know it’s probably a little early to be bringing out the heavy stuff, but I’d like to record this experience while it’s still fresh. I’ve been uploading pictures of glorious beaches and doing my best to put this amazing paradise to words, but the truth is, there’s more to it. South Africa is an incredibly complex place. Fascinating, interesting, but complicated. Beside great wealth exists great

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1139479398512095792006-02-09T04:59:00.000-05:002006-02-09T05:15:24.040-05:00

This is Devil's Peak, which is part of Table Mountain.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1139479084185954752006-02-09T04:54:00.000-05:002006-02-09T05:10:55.530-05:00

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1139247356771464602006-02-06T12:29:00.000-05:002006-02-06T12:35:57.983-05:00

Wow. I don't even know where to start. Except to say that it's SO incredibly beautiful here! (digital pictures to follow eventually). The weather is PERFECT, and there's ocean and beach and mountain and blue sky and hot South Africans playing rugby. I've barely been here for 5 days, and I already feel like I've seen so much of the city, and had some really cool experiences. This is the strangest

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1138509246851164052006-01-28T23:32:00.000-05:002006-01-28T23:34:06.853-05:00

Rules posted at The Great Wall

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1138508956715614472006-01-28T23:27:00.000-05:002006-01-28T23:30:30.883-05:00

.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1138297907642991222006-01-26T12:49:00.000-05:002006-01-26T12:52:23.193-05:00

dis-in-JEN-yoo-us, adj: lacking in candor, giving a false appearance of simple franknessex: I can't stand watching George W. Bush give news conferences because he is so thoroughly disingenuous.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1138292976819297512006-01-26T11:07:00.000-05:002006-01-26T11:29:36.890-05:00

Last night, mom and I watched this Nicholas Cage movie called Lord of War. It kinda looks like it's some stupid, brainless action movie, but it's actually an excellent film. A lot of movies that came out in 2005 had very strong political messages (The Constant Gardener, Munich, The Girl in the Cafe, Good Night and Good Luck, Syriana, etc), and this is one of them. The story deals with

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1137733879181051532006-01-19T23:39:00.000-05:002006-01-20T00:14:30.986-05:00

All in all - not a bad show this year. There were several really gratifying moments. For example, against all odds Rachel Weisz won best supporting actress for the Constant Gardener (there is justice in the world after all), somehow beating out the greatly over-rated Scarlett Johansson AND her skanky red dress...Also, John Williams won best score for Memoirs of a Geisha. At least the Hollywood

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1137474738440616572006-01-17T00:05:00.000-05:002006-01-17T00:12:18.453-05:00

I found this webpage that lists interesting stats about South Africa. Among the more interesting are....- Pretoria (capital of South Africa) has the second largest number of embassies in the world after Washington, D.C. - South Africa is the first, and to date only, country to build nuclear weapons and then voluntarily dismantle its entire nuclear weapons programme. - South Africa is one of only

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1137377032263673932006-01-15T21:03:00.000-05:002006-01-15T22:35:00.080-05:00

Ahhh, it's truly the most wonderful time of the year: Awards Season. And tomorrow night, we begin with the Golden Globes. My picks are listed below, and anyone who's interested is invited to my house tomorrow night to watch the show.Best Picture Drama: without a doubt, the hardest category for me this year. Good Night and Good Luck was a great film, though not best picture worthy I think; Match

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1137376390678270462006-01-15T20:49:00.000-05:002006-01-15T20:53:10.680-05:00

The NYT has a really spectacular piece on my all-time favorite composer: John Williams. He is an absolute genius. A genius, with the most compassionate, artistic soul. If I could give eternal life to anyone in the whole world, I would give it to John Williams."WHY STOP AT 43 NOMINATIONS?A YEAR rarely goes by in which the composer John Williams doesn't write the score for at least one of

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1137376094034872152006-01-15T20:34:00.000-05:002006-01-15T20:48:14.113-05:00

I woke up today just in time to catch the 4:20 showing of Tristan and Isolde with Nana. It was actually a lot better than I expected it to be. The cheezy, cliche lines were kept to a respectable minimum, the love between Tristan and Isolde was genuine, and the supporting cast did their part admirably - and in the case of Rufus Sewell (playing Lord Marke) splendidly. Sewell delivers a

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1137373727190905242006-01-15T20:08:00.000-05:002006-01-15T20:31:22.123-05:00

I know, I know, I've been hearing it from everybody. Yes, I realize it's been weeks since I've blogged, but I've been busy thoroughly enjoying my vacation, and that includes avoiding any form of reading or writing like THE PLAGUE. I'm over it, I'm rested, I'm back. You can expect more frequent posting, as I document my preparation for my semester abroad in South Africa! And, of course, there will

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1134011957229808822005-12-07T22:12:00.000-05:002005-12-07T22:20:12.936-05:00

Possibly one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, too, actually. Yesterday was the Alternative Gift Market (some of you may have received alternative gifts from me for Christmas last year, if you remember), and event that's run every year around the holidays by Reach Out, an organization here on campus for international service and development. The Market gives students and members of the

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1133854005767400672005-12-06T02:25:00.000-05:002005-12-06T02:26:45.776-05:00

The wheel is still spinning, but not only is the hampster dead, it's been run over by traffic four times and the light is still green.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1133500748619047802005-12-01T23:55:00.000-05:002005-12-02T00:34:39.893-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, our government has sunk to a new low. I know, I know - after incidents like Abu Ghraib, etc, I didn't think it was possible either. Well, it's true: The Pentagon has been spending millions of dollars on a campaign to plant propaganda in Iraqi newspapers. "The stories trumpet the work of U.S. and Iraqi troops, denounce insurgents, and tout U.S.-led efforts to rebuild the

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1133499263555385732005-12-01T23:50:00.000-05:002005-12-01T23:54:23.570-05:00

Ok, so maybe Starbucks isn't just a huge-overblown-exploitative-multinational corporation after all. Tonight, between the hours of 6 and 8, in honor of the holiday season, the Starbucks on Chapel Street in New Haven was - get this - GIVING away tall holiday beverages. As in, FOR FREE. I had a FREE chai eggnogg latte. Merry Christmas to ME. I feel that the college experience has bestowed upon me a

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1133317692333861832005-11-29T21:22:00.000-05:002005-11-29T21:28:12.346-05:00

Oh Nana,How do I love thee?Oh thee who makes me delicious biscotti?Biscotti - for to have with my coffee, when late at night I study.And St Lucy's Day pudding,Did I mention that?Early, she made me my very own batch.What a wonderful Nana truly she is!I wish I was home, to give her a kiss!Surely her biscotti are not to be missed!Oh Nana,How do I love thee?A LOT.

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1133308679763153842005-11-29T18:57:00.000-05:002005-11-29T18:57:59.776-05:00

"I believe that every human has a finite number of heart-beats. I don't intend to waste any of mine running around doing exercises." -Neil Armstrong

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1133155627733737702005-11-28T00:11:00.000-05:002005-11-28T00:27:10.100-05:00

Break was just splendid. It was lovely to be home. I spent the whole time sleeping and watching movies (and a bit of English Premier League Soccer in my spare time). I also put up the Christmas tree. And now it's all over, and I return to my slave labors. The next three weeks are gonna be hell...So, movies: first on my agenda was the 4th Harry Potter movie. It was pretty good. Not quite as good

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1132197122590719522005-11-16T21:52:00.000-05:002005-11-16T22:18:04.460-05:00

In no particular order...1. Layer Cake - a British film by the same people who did Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels2. Goodnight, and Good Luck - it's about the McCarthy era; Daddy and I have a date to see this one while I'm home over break.3. Pride and Prejudice - I have a small I-want-to-be-Keira-Knightley problem...4. Munich - about the terrorist group (Black September) that

Nicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5482652.post-1132000773578886492005-11-14T15:32:00.000-05:002005-11-14T15:39:33.596-05:00

For Glee Club, we do this cute little thing where when our football team plays Harvard or Princeton, we do a joint concert with the ememy's Glee Club. Which means that I got to spend all of Friday at Princeton. Sure, we do the whole singing thing, but really the important part of the evening is the Prank. Yes, the Prank. And yours truly was assigned to the pretigious post of Princeton Prank Chair

Nicolenoreply@blogger.com