On Language, Texting, & Being I can speak some French. I took it all through school but learned it mostly when writing my dissertation which involved several French books that were, at the time, not yet translated. And for the books that were translated, I read the French not for accuracy per se but to get a sense for the writing — its style, its rhythm, its mode of being. Now, I love translations. I find the act of translation as amazing and erotic (such intimacy with another) as it is impossible (however actual). Anyway, at that point, my French wasn’t terrible (this was 15 years ago). We imagine, perhaps, that language is a tool much as, say, a hammer is. But that’s not how language works. And each language is different, asks different things of us — the French tu wants something different from me than the German du and, in the process, makes something different of me. When I was in grad school, I had to prove proficiency in two languages so, other than French, I chose classical Greek. Oh, was I wrong.
What Is Culture Shock? Culture Shock? Join InterNations to meet other expats where you live and read more articles like What Is Culture Shock? with relevant information for expats. Culture Shock What is culture shock? So, what is culture shock? An Emotional Rollercoaster Whereas every expat will experience some form of culture shock, not everyone goes through all the well-known stages. Those who can’t answer the question “what is culture shock?” The first step towards overcoming this inevitable phenomenon is to ask yourself “what is culture shock?” Minimizing the Effects Culture shock is not a myth, but a predictable phenomenon. In order to avoid failed expat assignments and early repatriation, HR departments should support expats and expat spouses from the very beginning, e.g. in the form of intercultural competence training. You may also find our articles on intercultural communication, intercultural competence, cultural awareness and cultural intelligence helpful in this context. A Step towards Adjustment
Geek Masculinity and the Myth of the Fake Geek Girl I’ve been thinking about fake geek girls–or, more, the tenacity with which the geek community has latched on to the bugbear of the fake geek girl. Even in a community with a reputation as argumentative, the intensity and volume of the vitriol directed at the fake geek girl is unprecedented. It’s flat-out weird. So, what makes the fake geek girl such a threatening spectre? What, exactly, does she threaten?”Geek” is a gendered noun. When a label is gendered, it carries all the attendant baggage. Take a moment to think about what that means–to women, but also to men; and particularly to the way men are taught to see women. If you start there, it’s easy to see how we might have become predisposed to looking at female-identified geeks with suspicion. At the same time, though, geek culture is a haven for guys who can’t or don’t want to fall in step with the set of cultural trappings and priorities of traditional manhood in America.
The Beauty Of Untranslatable Words I have been obsessed with language, both my native one and otherwise, ever since learned to read. I’ve been a voracious reader my entire life, and in the past ten years, I’ve studied two languages, German and Japanese, in-depth, while delving into two others, Arabic and Spanish, for shorter, less dedicated stints. Now, I make a living out of trying to explain the labyrinth of the English language to Japanese high school students. And though there are about a million reasons that I’ll call myself a lover of words, one of the main reasons lies within words that are untranslatable into any other language. Google “untranslatable words” and you’ll be greeted with dozens of lists of the “top” foreign words that just can’t be translated into English (or any other tongue, for that matter, if English isn’t your first language). The thing is, most of these words don’t describe concepts that are completely foreign to society. There are dozens and hundreds more of these types of words.
4 Things I Need From You In A Relationship 1. Be true to me. Honesty is the best policy. There is no need to lie to me or yourself about the way you’re feeling at any given moment about any given thing. If something is bothering you, let me know so we can work together to fix it. And if you don’t want my help in fixing whatever problem is on your mind, let me know that, too. If I’m doing something that upsets or annoys you, ask me to stop. I won’t hide anything from you regardless of what happens with me, so you shouldn’t feel like you need to hide anything from me. 2. Don’t be insecure about anything. That being said, don’t talk or act like an idiot. I will never worry about you “embarrassing” me in front of my family, my friends, or complete strangers, because if that was something I had to worry about, I wouldn’t be in a relationship with you in the first place. I might even tell you I think you are perfect, but don’t be panicked by that statement. 3. I am a complicated person. 4. Talk when I need to listen.
How the 'Having It All' Debate Has Changed Over the Last 30 Years - Deborah Fallows A new grandmother catches a glimpse of what parenting looks like today. Deborah Fallows I recently cleared my calendar for nearly a month, deleting it all: work, meetings, appointments, dinners, movies, and even workouts at the gym. It felt at once liberating and luxurious, and a little bit scary. I had done this a few times before, twice for much longer times when our sons were born and once for a sad, open-ended time when my father was dying. This would be a happy time. Grandparental leave, I thought, and I leapt at the chance. I spent lots and lots of at-home time raising kids some 30 years ago. From my book in 1985: My desires and feelings about the way I should raise children and be a mother suddenly seemed to place me at sharp, and unnecessary, odds with the women's movement, whose campaigns to offer women the chance for stronger and more independent lives were, along with the civil rights movements, the most important social developments of my lifetime. Dads. Language. Technology.
Harry Potter Quiet Book by Susana Polo | 10:14 am, October 26th, 2012 <span id="am-ngg-js-warning" ><p>Enable JavaScript to check out our fancy slideshow.</p></span><br class="clearfix" /><ol class="am-all-on-one-page"><li><span class="am-aoop-title"><span class="am-aoop-number">1.</span></span><a class="am-aoop-image " title="Click for larger image." href=" src=" alt="" /></a><span class="am-aoop-caption"></span></li><li><span class="am-aoop-title"><span class="am-aoop-number">2. You know, quiet books. Come on, I think I at least had a quiet cube when I was a kid. Instructions on how to make one for yourself are available on Etsy. [View All on One Page]
25 Best Moments of the Grumpy Cat 80K views 500 days ago by LostInSpace If you think you’re having a bad day, just Google “grumpy cat”, and you’ll know instantly who’s doing even worse than you are. Meet Tardar Sauce (a.k.a. Tard is a mix-breed, but looks to have some Ragdoll or Snowshoe in her. Website: grumpycats.com Like Dislike 0 points Vote: How To Talk To Someone You Love(?) There are 26 letters in the English alphabet. Morse code includes the entire English alphabet, in addition to some Latin letters and a few Arabic numerals. In Latin, I love you is te amo. In Arabic, it’s bahebbak – or bahebbik, if you’re speaking to a woman. I love you in Morse code is difficult to write and even harder to read, if you’re unfamiliar with Morse code. What’s more difficult than that is saying I love you aloud, especially if someone else is listening. Harder still, is meaning it. Sanskrit has 96 words for love — the most of any language, as far as I know. The Chinese character for love looks quite complex; I have to wonder if that was strategic. If you were interested, I love you in Morse code would look something like this: .. .-.. — …- . -.– — ..- (I told you it was difficult.) A word the Chinese have that we don’t is yuanfen, which means ‘the invisible thread that connects some people, especially romantic couples, determined by fate.’
Just Let Me Have This, Let Me Have You We wake up in the morning face-to-face. Well, I wake up. You’re asleep. Your eyes are closed. For a minute I just look at you. I look down to your nose. Just let me have this. Outside, the sounds of the city streets echo. I look at your neck, your shoulders, your arms. This is my favorite time. When you wake up, who knows what will happen? Just let me have this. Let me have looking at your face uninterrupted. That’s the thought I have as I watch you sleep: Let me have this. Then, you open your eyes. Tagged 20 Somethings, Bodies, Boyfriend, Cuddling, Dating, Friends, Girlfriend, Husband, Life, Love, Love & Sex, Marriage, Monogamy, Relationships, Sleeping, Wife
The Anti Diet Ok, so this is the blog post I get asked for again & again. I’m not going to give you some faddy diet that will help you lose a stone, only to find it again next month. Why? Because it’s a waste of both of our time & it’s bad for you. That’s why. Instead, I will give you my tips, rules & advice to living your life, & losing weight along the way. 1. I’m going to go out on a limb here & say that as you’re reading my blog, you like the internet. That’s your goal. 2. 3. 4. You should start eating at around a 3 or a 4. If you wait until 2 or 1, your body will go into starvation mode which means when you do finally eat, your body will hold on to every bit of fat it can get it’s hands on incase you decide to starve it again. If you accidentally get to this level of hunger, take it slow. If you’re actively trying to lose weight, stop at 5. You’ll soon train your body to eat what’s just right for you. 5. Sweets/Candy Your body’s lacking Chromium, carbon phosphorus, sulphur, Tryptophan. 6. 8. 9. 10.
Give Me All The Drugs All of them. Even the useless ones. Just take them out of the bottle and hand them to me, and I’ll handle the rest. One of each please. Something for apathy. Something for focus. (I should let you know I stole that last line from Requiem For A Dream. I need something to make the room less dark. Something for my broken heart. And something for movement. Just give me something, anything. Avengers Tea Party Cake by Susana Polo | 3:36 pm, October 4th, 2012 <span id="am-ngg-js-warning" ><p>Enable JavaScript to check out our fancy slideshow.</p></span><br class="clearfix" /><ol class="am-all-on-one-page"><li><span class="am-aoop-title"><span class="am-aoop-number">1. Ant was entrusted with a very sacred task: crafting her three-year-old niece Jayla’s birthday cake for her Avengers-themed birthday party. (And if you’re still hungry for more after that, check out the cupcakes she did!) (via WondyGirl.) [View All on One Page]
A letter to Senior Pastor Lawrence Khong | #spuddings Dear Pastor Khong My name is Kirsten. Like you, I too think of Family as a noble endeavour. However, I was confused by your reference to “homosexual activists” in your statement to Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. In your statement you asserted that “[e]xamples from around the world have shown that the repeal of similar laws have led to negative social changes, especially the breakdown of the family as a basic building block and foundation of the society.” You claim that the repeal of Section 377A “takes away the rights of parents over what their children are taught in schools, especially sex education.” You say that the repeal of Section 377A “attacks religious freedom and eventually denies free speech to those who, because of their moral convictions, uphold a different view from that championed by increasingly aggressive homosexual activists.” Even after Section 377A is repealed, you will still have your right to your religion and your religious beliefs. Sincerely, Kirsten