The Town

Once upon a time, when I had time to breath and other things than constantly working, I went to see a movie with my mom called The Town. Heard of it? I have to admit I was pretty reticent about spending two hours in the movie theater watching a movie that did not intersted me in the first place. I was wrong. It is a great movie. The story takes place in Boston, and more specifically in a part of Boston where bank robbery are omnipresent. The story line has nothing exptional but I really appreciated the fact that the whole story is viewed from the point of view of the criminals, not the police like most of the movies opposing criminals and justice. Although a little bit long this movie goes more in depth into the emotions of the characters and do not just show a succession of of bank robberry (not like Public Ennemies that simply showed a succession of random events and robberies that had no connections one another). I like the whole atmosphere that the movie created. It is not one of these movies where you just feel so uncomfortable you want to run out of the movie theater (which surprisingly enough happens a lot). Even if a movie needs to be really good to have my approval, I think I can say without a doubt that this one should be on you “must see” list (yes that’s right I have a “must see” list of movies!!). Before watching this movie, I had no idea that Charleston was considered “the bank robbery capital of America” or something like that. Some people say that TV inhibits your mental capacities to develop. But what they don’t tell you is that it can also teach you some things. So if you can find time and if you have an extra $8 you want to spend to watch a movie, go see The Town.

Strikes in France

We just received at home a French magazine that has a very interesting article about the strikes that are going one right now in France. From what I understood, France is going through tough times now. Almost everyone is stricking including the refining industry, an industry that is extremely important since it is the one that allow oil to be usable. So due to strikes in the refining industry, France is experiencing a shortage in oil, causing the price of oil and of means of transportation such as bus tickets to be exessively high. However, these are not the only problems that are cause by the shorage of oil. Stores will soon be no longer approvisionated, causing a food shortage and slowing even more the economy down. The aviation industry is also impacted since kerozene is no longer available so less and less planes are able to leave France. I think that it is in that kind of situations that you really realize that the people are the real instrument of democracy (or self-destruction in that case). I just hope the the president will do something soon to ameliorate the condition of workers and avoid the upcoming problems that will undoubtably have disastrous effects on the people and the economy.

The best country in the world is...

So which country do you think is the best in the world? No it has nothing to do with the World Cup or the Olympic Games. Do you think that is the United States?... Well, I am sorry to disappoint you but the United States is far from holding the first place. And the winner is … Finland!! That’s right Finland was estimated as being the best country in the world by a study conducted by Newsweek. The top ten is:

1. Finland

2. Switzerland

3. Sweden

4. Australia

5. Luxembourg

6. Norway

7. Canada

8. Netherlands

9. Japan

10. Denmark

We can find the United States right after holding the eleventh place. As you can see the top ten countries tend to be small, rich and quite cold. But Finland had not been chosen randomly. Compared to other countries, Finland is very economically dynamic and was evaluated as offering a good quality of life to its citizens (which includes factors such as health coverage, security and chances to make a decent living). Education is also a determining factor that place Finland as the best. We talked about this in TOK last year and we looked at the revolutionary educational system that Finland uses. There are no tuition fees for students; these are paid by the government (that has a budget of 5.9 billion which is a huge number considering the size of the country). Now I know which I am going to live in when I graduate from college. Finland.

Quick question/opinion

I have a quick question for everyone. Last month I received a Newsweek that had a very intriguing title and I would like to have your opinion on what you think it means. So what do you think the phrase “The making of a Terrorist-coddling Warmongering Wall Street-loving Socialistic Godless Muslim President” means?

Espuna y nada más

No don’t worry this post is not in Spanish (although I am in the mood to write in Spanish!). A couple of weeks ago, we read a story in Spanish that left me disconcerted. The story is called “Espuna y nada más” written by Hernando Téllez. The story takes place in a country where rebel movements are widespread and where the government troops actively suppress them. It is the story of a barber, who, as the reader learns later in the story, is a member of the rebellion. One day a man enters the barbershop and asks to be shaved. As soon as the man enters, the barber recognizes him as being Captain Torres who is responsible for the arrests and executions of rebels. All along the story, the reader knows that the barber knows who the man is but we have the impression that Torres on the other hand does not know that the barber is a rebel, as he openly speaks about the arrests that took place and the next executions of rebels that will occur. The reader therefore thinks that the Torres believes the barber is a supporter of the government. As the barber shaves Torres he thinks how easy it would be for him to kill him without anyone noticing. However, his moral sense prevents him from murdering Torres. The last sentence of the story is “Me habían dicho que usted me mataría. Vine para comprobarlo. Pero matar no es fácil. Yo sé por qué lo digo” which could be translated as “I was told that you would kill me. I came to see. But killing is not easy. I know what I am talking about.” This last sentence reveals that Torres actually knew who the barber was. However, it also causes the reader to think. From the barber’s point of view, Torres is the reason for the death of many of his friends and maybe even of some members of his family. However, he finds himself incapable of taking revenge by killing him. As Torres says, killing is not easy. Sometimes someone’s moral values are stronger than any rivalry that may exist.

Rallies for America

Are you all excited for October 30? You may, ask what is on October 30? Well, for those of you who remember October 30 (a date that has absolutely no significance whatsoever) is the day when the Rally to restore sanity and the March to keep fear alive will take place in Washington DC. I have to say, I really would like to go. In this atmosphere of intense political debate, I think it would be interesting to hear the opinion of people who are not afraid to offer critical points of view on very current topics that affect us day to day. The thing I really appreciate about the concept of these two rallies is that it appeals to everyone, common people like you and I, who are too busy with their jobs and other obligations to participate actively in political demonstrations (referred as the Busy Majority by Jon Stewart). These two rallies allow diverse political opinion and views on actual events to be shared and openly criticized. I actually marked my planner. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the rally, I have to take the TOEFL instead L. But for those of you who are available, go and help saving sanity in the United States (of keep fear alive, whichever you prefer).

Whatever Works

One Friday evening, when life was easier, Reshma and I watched the movie Whatever Works. Although being a hilarious movie, it also underlines very important aspects of our society. Here is the opening. It will give you a better idea of what I am talking about and maybe the wish to watch it!!

So, what is you first reaction? Not bad right?!

Later in the movie Boris shares his opinion about life when he says: “I happen to hate New Year's celebrations. Everybody desperate to have fun. Trying to celebrate in some pathetic little way. Celebrate what? A step closer to the grave? That's why I can't say enough times, whatever love you can get and give, whatever happiness you can filch or provide, every temporary measure of grace, whatever works. And don't kid yourself. Because its by no means up to your own human ingenuity. A bigger part of your existence is luck, than you'd like to admit. Christ, you know the odds of your fathers one sperm from the billions, finding the single egg that made you. Don't think about it, you'll have a panic attack.”

And I have to admit, even if it is quite pessimistic, it’s true. Because our lives is filled with troubles, responsibilities and constraints (without even mentioning the pressure and expectations that we can all feel), and because our society is defined by horrific events, we should try to find happiness, love and relief wherever we can. So the conclusion we should come up to is whatever works!

... not so extravagant after all

So, to continue on my previous deep reflections about my future… Oh by the way you should read the previous post before reading this one otherwise it won’t make a lot of sense to you. A couple of weeks ago, I had a meeting with my guidance counselor to discuss my situation and college applications. During this meeting I learnt that I will not be able to receive any federal aids or any scholarship from universities because I am not an American citizen. After this very depressing meeting, I had what you can define as a panic moment. To not be able to get scholarships means that I will probably not be able to go to the college I want and even if I cannot admit it out loud that is the reality. So in the car on the way home, after having cooled down, I started talking to Reshma about my potential future. On a joking tone I told her that I would not go to college and instead open my first prestige hotel. And because this hotel would be so amazing and the demand would be so great, I would have to open another one and another one and soon create a hotel resort. I would be rich before the age of thirty, would have time for my personal life and would not even have to worry about working to earn money since the hotel resort would do so well, money would just flow in my bank account. Anyone interested in a potential partnership? Think about it, it could be a great business opportunity!! Even if I was saying that just to joke around, I realize that even if it can be dangerous, it is not completely unrealistic. After all, many people who did not go to college and dared to take risks ended up very successful and sometimes even more successful than some who went to college. To do what is expected of you is not always the solution.

To be continued…

What to do with my life?...

Hi, I am back!! Yes I know it’s been a while since my last article. But don’t worry Mr. Wilcox I did not stop thinking in the mean time. Actually, the past events have stimulated my mind quite a lot (that may be part of the reason why I feel so exhausted right now!!). But it is not time to complain. It is time to get to the topic that made me think the most these past few days. As everyone else, I am preparing my college applications. The other day, I was looking information up about the medical program of some universities when I stopped for a second to think. I realized that I was already a senior in high school, that next year I will be a freshman in college in whatever country I will be in at that time, that I will spend the next ten years of life studying medicine to finally reach my goal in fifteen years and become a neurosurgeon. I will then start working (in a hospital probably) at the age of thirty and that it will take make my about ten extra years to built a good reputation. And because I will be so concentrated on my work and my patients, I will not have any time to dedicate to my personal life and will wake up one day realizing that my life passed without me realizing it. I will not have realized any of my dream, will not have had fun and will have dedicated my life to work. I will die alone with tones of diploma and recognition that will bring me no comfort in the end. That when I started to depress a little. But when I think about it I don’t even know if my life will be different if I choose to rethink my goal of becoming a surgeon. And really what could I do except medicine? My art skills are inexistent, I don’t have strong enough nerves to become a lawyer, becoming a teacher is completely out of the question because I would not be able to handle kids who do not care enough to try. So that where I am at. I don’t know.

To be continued…