Speak Softly and Share the Big Stick

“We have moved from the cold war era of bipolar reality through the brief bubble of sole superpower unilateral fantasy into a world of a new multipowered system which requires old-fashioned balance-of-power diplomacy,” Mr. Rothkopf said. The result, he said, may be that “all of a sudden, the old cobweb-infested State Department is more important than it’s been in many, many years.”
--David Rothkopf, author of Running the World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power, in a recent New York Times article

I wonder what American society will be like if in our lifetime the authority of the most powerful country in the world dissolves. The what-says-what-goes attitude of the US has fostered a society of people who can afford to not preoccupy themselves with foreign affairs and be educated about global issues. Can we ordinary Americans afford to be ignorant about issues outside of our borders--issues that are integral to our country's welfare--the day we're no longer the hegemon of the pecking order? Two things might happen. One is that there will increasingly be a discord between what the American public wants, i.e. demands made on the domestic level, and what the US needs to do on the international front. It's undeniable that American unilateralism is being increasingly challenged, whether it's from push or pull factors. This could very well make multilateralism the most viable way of conducting diplomacy in the foreseeable future, especially if the US is looking to slow down the ability for unilateral decision-making by a few other unnamed rising powers in the world. So then what? What if the public doesn't enjoy this seemingly compromising way of the US managing international affairs, especially if it may adversely affect the economic and socio-political situation at home?
The other thing that might happen is it may compel a generation of Americans to become interested in international affairs. Maybe we'll start asking questions, become interested in world history, educate ourselves on what past and present US foreign policy has been..we'll start talking about these things and caring...and maybe then the local media won't relegate foreign affairs news to a 2 minute clip or a blurb. It'll be...a revolution! Probably? Maybe? Perhaps?

I'm devastated that the New York Times is going to require a paid subscription for its services next year. Where am I going to turn to for free, informative, unabashedly liberal-slanting news? I don't want to read things outside of my worldview--it's a highly discomfiting feeling.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

I have just discovered the many uses and features of a smartphone. This could be dangerous.

I Don't Like This

There are almost no classes for me to take next semester. In addition USC has canceled my school account because records have indicated I've graduated. What is this blasphemy?

Where am I?

For the past two days I've been waking up at 8 AM, which is good. Unfortunately it goes downhill from there because I'll pass out at 10 PM, wake up at 10 30 in an anxious fit thinking it might be 3 in the morning and I haven't brushed my teeth, and not be able to sleep again until 2 AM. This doesn't make sense, seeing as 10 PM here is 2 PM there.

Adjustment Costs

Back in LA, where...
I am no longer a pedestrian, but a driver
Space is no longer a luxury but a built-in feature
Shanghainese no longer punctuates the conversation around me
"Exotic" food like burritos are no longer a treasure hunt
I no longer have my bed to myself but instead have to share it


Meet Nina, a mini Pinscher. She is the smallest thing and I can easily pick her up with one hand. I researched the breed online and they are one of the most hyperactive, attention-seeking dogs out there. I don't think my mom did the research before deciding to adopt her from my uncle. My mom is also an elitist when it comes to dogs--she'll shun mutts from the shelter but oohs and aahs over Nina since she's purebred. So in the end, I didn't get to choose my pet, but this one is a handful so I think I'm good for now.

I finally had the meeting today I've been anticipating for...oh, about a year now. My announcement to quit has been made official, and it went over a lot better than I thought it would. The director was especially receptive, which I was pleasantly surprised about, because it's never easy breaking this kind of news to a program that has invested so much in you. What a relief--it really feels like a great burden has been lifted off my shoulders. A good indication that I made the right decision? But this also means I'm potentially working on a shorter deadline than I initially thought. I could be graduating in May, which is half a year from now. This puts something else on my mind...the prospects of being employed after everything is done and settled. Time to start job hunting now. Now...now...now...

Why is it so hard being an adult? I wish I was a child, or Nina, who plays around with chew toys all day and just snuggles up to nap in my sheets once she becomes tired.

Love the Chang

I'm sitting in the Chiang Mai airport right now waiting for our noon flight to Bangkok, where we will have a three hour layover before boarding another plane for Phuket. Everything was going smoothly until Valerie realized she left her phone at the hotel. So here I am, glancing at the security gate every few minutes hoping she'll come through those doors and make the 11 50 final boarding call. And then I mistakenly thought the checked baggage was under my name when it was under hers, so I had to pay an extra 428 baht (~14 USD) to check in our luggage. No worries, just one expensive Thai meal. Food here is so cheap and good. I can't get enough lemongrass, green curry, kow soi, and pineapple fried rice, not to mention staples like pad thai. All the situps I did were quickly undone. The beach better be ready for the extra pounds I've packed on.

Chiang Mai was such an awesome city. I wish we could have had an extra day or two there. Amazing wats, such lush greenery, and elephant trekking. The elephants were such majestic creatures. So intelligent, serene, gentle, yet playful. Valerie says it was a life-altering experience. It definitely has made me see elephants in a much different and respectful way.






Dodo enjoying his bath.


...and then giving me one.

I don't know why we're leaving beautiful Chiang Mai for possibly horrendous weather conditions in the South. If it rains the entire time I'll just be thinking about what we're missing out on.

UPDATE: The Valerie has arrived. Whew.

Same Same But Different

Every time I hear Thai being spoken I can't help but think it's a language I should understand. It sounds like an alternate form of Vietnamese. But then it's strange, because I don't understand a word of Vietnamese either.

Flooding going on in the South right now. The travel agent said Phuket and Phi Phi should be fine, but who knows? Valerie might have to save me from the torrential waves since I'm a weak swimmer.

Loving Thailand so far. The people are charming. Chiang Mai is a city of history and delights. Looking forward to our elephant trek tomorrow.