exercise addiction?

When exercising becomes addiction?

When I was pregnant, more than a year ago, a friend from the gym asked me how many times I go to the gym. Very relaxed I answered "5 days a week." His response was "Oh my, you are addicted to exercise!" Back then I didn't give it another thought. I love the benefits that a good workout gives me.

Isn't this [the work out] a healthy lifestyle? Everywhere you look you see people jogging, biking or playing sports. The kids are sent not to play just one sport but to play several sports. Exercise is so widely promoted these days that you never think that you will get addicted to it. Yet, like everything else, it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

Anyway I still go to the gym 5 days a week. Recently, another friend of mine told me that she is so into the gym now that she thinks that she might be addicted. I know that she was joking and isn't really worried about addiction. But this made me think and question myself "Am I addicted to exercise?"

What are the symptoms of exercise addiction? I found a website http://www.brainphysics.com/exercise-addiction.php that identified the seven signs of exercise addiction. I think two that are overlooked are: exercising when sick or injured and exercising to the point of pain and beyond.

The other day I hurt my back and was debating whether I should go to the gym or stay home and take care of my back. I went back and forth for a while but in the end I decided to stay home.

According to the website I am not addicted because I didn't go and exercise when I was injured. Have I exercised to the point of pain and beyond? Tricky question because when you exercise you often feel some pain.

Now I can honestly say that I am not addicted to exercise and it is a relieve knowing that.

People's rights

When will the United States realize that people are the same no matter their color, their gender or their sexual preferences? People need time to get used to and accept new situations. For many years, Americans did not accept African-Americans as equals. Today they are treated equally; they go to the same schools and get a good education like everyone else. They also get good paying jobs. Today the United States has an African – American president. Unfortunately, for some people this is still unacceptable. I admit that black people still are not 100% accepted. The same situation is true in a gay person’s world. Even though the majority of people accept them and treat them as equals, there are others people who consider their lifestyle to be morally wrong. It is interesting that homosexuals are treated normal in many situations such as: schools, sports activities, the workplace and society, yet they are not accepted in other fields like in the military. These days there is a controversy whether gay people should serve in the military. People who are against it believe that having gay people mix with straight people in the military will create a lot of discomfort and will lead to violence among soldiers. Some people may believe this is true, yet I disagree. We must treat people as equals so others accept them as equals.

In 1993, then president Bill Clinton introduced a new policy called “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” which is still in effect. This policy allow gays to serve in the military with one condition: They had to hide their personal sexual orientation. Nobody from the military can ask soldiers what their sexual preference is, and they can not tell either. But if someone suspects a soldier is gay, that person has to tell the superior and after an investigation, the “gay” soldier will be dismissed from the army. Under this policy, gay soldiers have to lie about their private lives.

The United States is fighting in two wars. That means that the country needs lots of volunteers well trained to serve in the military. Unfortunately "In the 15 years since the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy was enacted, 12,600 service members have been dismissed…" ("Gays in the Military…"). This represents an important number for a country which is fighting in one war, let alone two. If we look at the military costs we will see that dismissing homosexuals costs the country another big loss: "The cost to the Defense Department: $191 million to recruit and train replacements" ("Let Gay Soldiers…"). The truth is that homosexuals have always served in the military. Decades ago many did not accept that lifestyle, but today, surveys demonstrate that almost 80% of Americans agree with letting homosexuals openly serve in the military. Thus, the country needs now more than ever lots of volunteers in the military. Why to loose so many of them because of their sexual orientation? Is this a good reason?

Another reason to stop punishing soldiers because of their sexual preference is because the U.S. is a leader in protecting human rights and promoting free speech. It is a country where everybody has equal rights and where discrimination is punished. Why the U.S. is not leading in the military gay issue? Is it because of the culture? Obviously, having gay openly serve is not a problem for others country. Today there are 28 countries which allow homosexuals to openly serve. A leader in the Royal Air Force from London stood in front of his team and told them that he is homosexual. Surprisingly, there weren't any odd reactions: "Far from causing problems, he said, he found that coming out to his troops actually increased the unit's strength and cohesion" (Lyall). An openly gay officer from British Army talked about a discussion he had with an American staff sergeant who complained to him, privately, that he "had a whole part of his private life that he had to keep separate and … couldn't discuss with people" (Lyall). Therefore, it is possible to be a gay soldier and openly serve your country.

Some people argue that allowing homosexuals to openly serve in the military will increase the opportunity for violence, sexual harassment, abuse and rape among the soldiers. However, I strongly believe that trying to hide it will make these situations happen more easily. Many female soldiers have reported that they are under investigation for being lesbians after they refused a male's advances. This accusation has become very common in the military. Some of the women, lesbians or not, accept dating male colleagues just to not be called lesbians. "Approximately one in three women in the military has been raped ... and around 90% have been subjected to sexual harassment" ("Women and …"). Thus, being open about your sexual preference will make soldiers' life much easier and they will get to focus more on the fight, than how to hide their private lives.

To summarize, soldiers serve their country because they believe in freedom and democracy. As a response, the country should give them their freedom and rights. Somebody said "Roma wasn't built in a day" and it is true. But how many decades have to go by before we accept people the way they are? If people are allowed to be themselves, then everybody will win.

Yes We Can

When will the United States realize that more people die from bad nutrition than are murdered? A difficult problem that is facing American society in these days is obesity. The awful reality shows that America is the unhealthiest place in the world. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, admits that it is a huge "health crisis"("M. Obama aims to end the..."). Adults and children have health problems caused by obesity. If, for example, we look at one American family we will be surprised to see that one child who is 12 years old weighs almost 352 lbs and her younger sibling (4 years old) is already obese before starting school. These extra pounds put kids like this at a big risk for diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. We may agree that nobody forces adults to choose unhealthy foods. But I noticed that American people don't know too much about food. Even though many think that obesity is a matter of personal responsibility, the government can prevent and lead the national fight against obesity.

Government is a powerful institution; it has the resources and ability to influence laws and rules. In this case, the government has the power to regulate the fast food industry and the restaurants. Today fast foods, big brands, supermarkets produce and sell highly processed food. Government should provide supermarkets with food ambassadors who teach the American people how to shop and also show them how to cook. People don't know what they are eating. The labels are false; they show low fat on a product, but that product is full of sugar. But if the stores have a knowledgeable person in nutrition who is there to help us, consumers will eventually learn what the labels are saying and how to cook healthy meals in a short time. Another way that government is fighting obesity is the new health care bill that the president signed in March. This bill will make all the restaurants and fast foods to count their calories and show them on the menus or on boards. This will make it impossible for thousands of restaurants to hide the reality and more difficult for consumers to ignore it. "New York was the first in the country to put the calorie posting law in place," Mary Clare Jalonick, the author of the article "US law to make calorie counts hard to ignore" said and continued "since then, California, Seattle and other places have done so" ("US law to make..."). The government can work with all the restaurant industry and make them more transparent with their products.

Let's not forget about the government's role in educating children about nutrition. The purpose of schools is to teach. Unfortunately, these days, the school system is totally wrong. Children don't get knives and forks when they eat because it is too dangerous, even though they use scissors in the class. That automatically endorses having fast food "on the go." Government has to launch different programs for kids, like classes on nutrition and physical education. One of these programs supported by the government is "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" lead by a British celebrity chef who went to Huntington, West Virginia. His goal is to help people eat better. I was surprised to see Jamie Oliver surrounded by kindergarten children who didn't know the name of the vegetables. He said, "If the kids don't know what stuff is, than will never eat it" ("Teach every child about food").

First Lady Michelle Obama started a new revolution which aims to end childhood obesity. The purpose of her campaign "Let's Move," she said, is "to help parents deal with a national health crisis" ("M. Obama aims to end the..."). This program has four main key points: to improve parents' information, quality of food in schools, access and affordability of good food and physical education.

The First Lady came out and told the people that she understands, as her pediatrician once told her that her daughters had a weight fluctuation which is not good for them. She was surprised because she thought, like many other parents, that her children were eating reasonably. This approach is very helpful for American parents to not feel guilty because they are not aware of nutrition. She didn't stop there. She took action and started building a vegetable garden right behind White House. Children from different schools came there to help take care of the garden. It also made them work in the garden which involves exercise, one of her goal to take them out from isolation. I consider it a smart way to teach kids about growing and eating fresh vegetables.

Some people may believe that everybody is personally responsible for what they choose to eat. I know that American people are very strong in asking for the right to choose what they want. I learned that since I moved here in the U.S. While I agree that choice is important, if people do not have the knowledge to make the right choice how can these people be left to decide for themselves what to put in their mouth? For example french fries are considered a healthy vegetable by adults. This is our reality and we have to accept it and stop blaming industry and let the government help us through all these programs and new laws. People need the nutritional knowledge in order to make free choices.

To summarize, the government has a lot of work to do in changing American's views about processed food. "Many companies are on board with improving school food," Obama said ("M. Obama aims to end the..."). It is a good beginning. There are some plans that need approval in Congress because they require new funding. Like Jamie Oliver said, "If America does it, other countries will follow" ("Teach every child about food").

Is your work your life?

Jason Lee Miller, in his blog "Yahoo Says Americans Work Too Much," points out that statistics demonstrate that Americans work way too much.

Looking at numbers and percentages I have to agree with Jason. But from my experiences with some American people I will say that it is not quite true. They go to work late in the morning and come home after 8 – 9 hours. They don't seem to stress too much about their job. This is not too bad. It is interesting that when I first came to the United States I noticed that American people are more relaxed than European people. It seems that they go to work knowing what they have to do without anybody watching over their shoulder. They also have the option to go out to lunch. On the other hand some of Romanian companies are not allowed their employees to leave the factory at the lunch time. Isn't this a good example? I was there and I know how I felt.

In my opinion, we work because we have to, not because we want to. We have lots of expenses such as the mortgage, school, car, clothes, food, and health care. These are things that we can't live without. If we have money without having to work we look for activities that we enjoy doing rather than looking for work.

Are we working too hard as Jason remarked in a survey done by Yahoo HotJobs? Maybe we do work too hard mostly because the new era of communication makes it possible to keep us connected to work tasks even when we are at home. I strongly support that people should set their own limits between work and personal life.

Miller, Lee Jason. Yahoo Says Americans Work Too Much. Jason Lee Miller, 2007. Web.

6 April 2007.

aging

OMG! I am shocked. I just discovered that I have more than a few grey hairs.

I still can't believe it. I keep looking in the big mirror and try to understand why right now and why me. I know that it is normal but I am scared to see myself with grey hair. I don't feel old at all and I always thought that only old people get grey hair. Old people like my grandparents, not young people like me. I don't want to have grey hair so young.

I never paid attention to these details and so I didn't notice that my parents were becoming grey too. My mother may have blond hair, but she colors it so it is hard to really notice the grey. My father's hair turned grey a few years ago but I didn't really notice it.

Now I have something else to be concerned about. What is the reason for my grey hair- am I aging or are there other causes?! Maybe my new country isn't so good for me. That is hard to believe! I read that being stressed and worried can make your hair gray. Even though there is no evidence to support this idea, I honestly believe that I am not stressed or worried.

I am scared thinking that one day my grey hair will be more visible. The change is inevitable. I don't know how to deal with this and to accept this way of aging. For some it is a beginning of the end, others accept it as a sign of wisdom.

I can explain and even found a nice reason for my wrinkles. They are my "happy wrinkles" because I am a happy person and I smile and laugh a lot. For my hair turning grey I have to find some other nice explanation. . .

Letting go

In the last year I moved 3 times. I already know how to pack, to fold, to unpack....Now, knocking at the door, is yet another move, but hopefully this will be the last one for a few years.

Have you ever been in love with a city?

What I am talking about?....My feeling that I have become a Washingtonian and I cannot leave it. It is craziness, isn't it? Is it possessiveness for a city? I thought that I "treated" this need to possess somethings! :(

Look at me. The other day I spent hours trying to renew my Washington ID card. When I know that I'm moving to another state.....so why insist on having a Washington ID? Why let myself get frustrated with all the hassles (sitting in line for nearly 3 hours, 2 days in a row)? Just because I want to say that I am from Washington DC!

But because renewing the ID didn't work I gave up "fighting" with the bureaucrats.

So, I am looking to the future in a better light. A new house, making new friends, finding new things to do, discovering new stores......I am starting to really like the idea and am excited about having a "suburban" family life.

Virginia, here I come.

I am from Arlington, Virginia - just 10 minutes to Washington DC;)

PS: The welcome sign in Virginia is the pineapple. Some people have this pineapple on their drapes, or at their front door. Don't worry, not in my house ;)

Fellowship

Whether to be a bystander or a person who takes action?

Theoretically, a bystander is an individual who is less likely to offer help in an emergency situation. The greater of number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help.

I have a good example of this.

I was riding the metro the other afternoon when a guy stood up from his seat, and moved towards a young blond woman. She was sitting on the outside seat. The guy approached her, and asked her if she would move over. She did. So he took the seat and started to talk to her. Unfortunately I couldn't hear what he was saying to her or how she dealt with him. But it was obvious to all that she was not interested in what he had to say, and she was distressed. Her face was red and she was uncomfortable in the situation.

Everybody in the metro knew what was going on, but nobody interfered. We (Jonathan and me) were wondering why she did not move seats, or why she did not tell him to move. I thought that if I was in her shoes I would just tell him that I am not interested in having a conversation with anyone. I was making up scenarious instead of doing something to help her.

We passed two stops and then, in an instant, another young woman got up from her seat, walked over to the blond, and started to talk with her as if they were friends, acting surprised to see her and speaking to her in a very loud voice...like they had not seen each other in a long, long time. She then asked the guy, very politely, to move and let her sit near her "friend".

For just a moment I almost believed that the two girls knew each other. She just took action and helped the blond girl. I admired this girl a lot!

"Where all think alike, no one thinks very much" Walter Lippman

Is Washington a more secure city than others?

Waw, sunt socata de ce s-a intamplat azi in Washington, DC.

Smithsonian museums ofera tutoror intrare libera la mai bine de 19 muzee. Muzeul meu preferat e Holocaust museum, muzeu care atrage o multime de turisti. Imi place sa imi petrec timpul acolo, sa ascult povestirile celor care au supravietuit.....De fiecare data ies trista, dar bucuroasa ca asa ceva nu mai e acum.

Azi un barbat a intrat in Holocaust museum si a inceput sa traga cu pusca - se zice la TV ca era o pusca de vanatoare. Doi oameni au fost raniti. "Agresorul" grav impuscat si el. Au fost dusi la spital. Recunosc ca deja ma intrebasem daca agresorul e arab! Nu mi-a venit sa cred cand au anuntat ca tipul care a atacat e alb si are 89 de ani.

Toti vizitatorii au fost evacuati din muzeu, iar martori carora li s-a luat interviu au fost multumiti de rapiditatea cu care securitatea muzeului a raspuns atacului. Au multumit acestor angajati de calmul cu care au organizat evacuarea muzeului. S-a confirmat ca securitatea care lucreaza in Holocaust museum e antrenata ptr asemnea evenimente, stiindu-se ca acest muzeu e amenintat inca de la deschiderea lui. Nu am stiut asta, dar daca ei zic asa o fi! Explicatia ar fi ca sunt o multime de persoane care nu cred ca aceste evenimente au avut loc, care sunt de acord cu ideile lui Hitler.....

Dupa cateva ore, la TV a aparut anuntul "Security guard killed during museum shooting". A fost cel mai greu lucru de acceptat. Adica am simtit ca e prea de tot, prea REAL!!

Oamenii au reactionat imediat si au pus flori, au aprins lumanari in memoriam, la intrarea in muzeu. Pe bune, acesti oameni stiu sa reactioneze imediat. Nu asteapta sa treaca timpul si apoi sa jeleasca, sau sa ajute.

Toata ziua, la stirile TV, s-a comentat despre eveniment. La un moment dat, prezentatorului nu ii venea sa creada ca tocmai in Washington DC si mai ales la 10 min departare de Casa Alba cineva are curajul sa iasa in lume si sa isi manifeste furia intr-un mod extrem de agresiv. Sincer, nu am inteles ce are Washington-ul mai presus de restul oraselor. Adica, de ce aici ar trebui sa fie liniste si pace, pe cand in alte parti e "de asteptat" sa fie impuscaturi? Nu sunt de acord cu afirmatia tipului. :(

Stii, de mic ai invatat ca trebuie sa fii vigilent, ca e bine sa te uiti in jurul tau si sa fi pe faza la tot ce se intampla, in ideea de a te proteja. Come on! Ce viata e aia? Adica merg intr-un magazin, sau intr-un parc si in loc sa traiesc momentul si sa ma bucur de ceea ce vad, eu ar trebui sa stau stresata, cu ochii in patru si sa studiez oamenii care ma inconjoara. Si ce vad? Cupluri cu copii, persoane singure, batrani, negrii, albi, arabi, asiatici, scunzi, inalti......Si? Cum sau Ce sa gandesc despre fiecare? Sau ar trebui sa fiu mai "precauta" in preajma arabilor? sau poate a negrilor?? Care natie e mai agresiva, mai razbunatoare......?

Uite ca de data asta un alb la 90 de ani iese din tiparele "securitatii" invatate sau preluate din realitatea altora.....

Jonathan imi spunea, cand ne pregateam sa ne mutam in US, ca nu doar in US se intampla grazavii pe strada (cum vezi in filme) ci in orice tara e bine sa fii precaut. Precaut in sensul ca nu umblii noaptea pe strazi singura - ceea ce nu prea faceam nici in Timisoara, oras pe care eu il consider inca safe; sau nu umblii cu capul plecat ca sa arati ca ti-e teama.......Astea au fost sfaturile lui ;)

Deci, nu iti petreci ziua concentrandu-te in a prezice viitorul tragic dar nici nu intri in mijlocul galcevii.

Sarbatori departe

Cum e sa treaca lucrurile, evenimentele pe langa tine? Prima reactie de a raspunde la intrebare e "depinde". Asa spun si eu.

Nu sunt eu o mare bucatareasa in general, iar cand vine vorba de "tinerea" sarbatorilor eram undeva pe la mijloc, sau si mai sincer la marginea dintre deloc si a face ceva specific sarbatorii respective. Adica, de Pasti nu vopseam nici un ou, dar facem pasca si o singura data am facut oua umplute. Restul pica pe umerii mamii, care facea toate merindele de la A - Z. Iar eu veneam cu "gagiul" si luam pranzul impreuna, ca in familie ;)

Anul asta a fost cu totul si cu totul diferit.

Desi am vrut sa fac pasca, mai mult pentru ca imi place si imi era dor, nu am gasit in orasul asta branza de vaci. Nu e si nu e!!! Am intrebat alti prieteni romani cu ce as putea-o inlocui - de parca o poti inlocui...hahaha. Raspunsul a fost ca intr-adevar nu gasesc la magazinele "normale", dar gasesc la magazinele rusesti si poate la cele grecesti. Ok, am primit raspunsul!! Dar unde sa dau eu de magazine rusesti?? Am mers mai departe cu intrebatul la prieteni americani, care s-au uitat la mine putin ciudat, si mi-au spus ca in Washington nu sunt decat restaurante rusesti. Mda, merci!! Adevarul e ca e plin orasul de restaurante din toate colturile lumii.

M-am reintors la "prietenul" meu care ma ajuta sa gasesc raspunsuri, sa ies din plictiseala si totodata ma ajuta sa uit de notiunea "timp". So, back la Google! ;) Si aflu ca branza mea de vaci e intr-adevar in magazinele rusesti, dar aceste magazine sunt in Virginia state, nu in DC. Si uite asa am renuntat sa mai fac pasca!

Cu inrosirea oualelor e alta poveste. Aici, nu am fost motivata deloc. Nici macar nu mi-am batut capul sa caut vopsea de oua - care oricum nu mi-a iesit in fata ochilor in "alimentarile" in care fac "piata". Lipsa de motivatie a venit de la faptul ca nu am avut cu cine sa ciocnesc :( Prieteni romani prin apropiere nu am, iar Jonathan nu sarbatoreste Pastele, iar de ciocnit oua nici atat. Astfel ca de Pasti nu am facut nimic deosebit - doar o zi normala de weekend.

Intr-un fel am fost trista simtind lipsa sarbatoririi Pastelui alaturi de familie, sau alaturi de prieteni. Mai ales ca am vazut pozele Laviniei. Lavi, care e in Canada, a vopsit ouale, a avut cozonaci (mmmm, am pierdut gustul acestora de ceva vreme) si familia (matusa) alaturi la masa de Pasti.

Jonathan mi-a spus ca atunci cand vom avea copil voi fi mai motivata sa sarbatoresc Pastele in mod traditional. Pana atunci, mai usor e sa adun ceva romani pe langa mine cu care sa petrec sarbatorile.

Diary equal on line communication??

Mi s-a parut interesant filmuletul. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2HAroA12w

Noile cai de comunicare iti dau impresia ca ai multi prieteni care te "Asculta", care sunt atenti la ce faci sau spui..........dar sunt oare cu adevarat prietenii tai?? Cate comentarii ai pe pagina ta de blog la fiecare articol si cati "prieteni" ai in lista de urmarire??

Da, ne spuem ca scriem pentru noi, dar undeva acolo speram ca si alticneva sa fie curios de ce ni se intampla. Poate chiar sa fie partas activ la unul din lucrurile impartasite. Unde sunt strok-urile, daca nimeni nu "ne" citeste, sau daca ne citeste nu da un feedback? Nu facem nimic doar ca sa fim ignorati. Nu e ceea ce cautam!

Imi place sa citesc ce spun altii, chiar daca nu-i cunosc. Rar fac comentarii....Cineva spunea ca  blogul "Este o carte de vizita si un loc unde poti spune cine esti, ce crezi si unde vrei sa ajungi." Inclin sa cred ca nu e departe de adevar, dar de multe ori e doar "one way communication". Si o comunicare adevarata e in ambele sensuri!! Nu?

Si atunci.........

de ce ne lasam bombardati cu atat de multe variante de a "comunica" online? (facebook, twitter, blog......). 

Cand eram mai tinerica, faceam lucrul acesta in jurnal - jurnal ale caror pagini le consideram "secrete" personale si nu vroiam sa le citeasca nimeni. Acum scriu pe blog si facebook ca sa ce? Ca sa am falsa impresie ca impartasesc cu cineva, in mod autentic, ale mele sentimentele si trairi?

Care e motivul pentru care voi ati ales sa aveti propriul blog? Ce va aduce nou cand cititi cele scrise de altii? - am pus intrebari ca sa adun cateva "puncte" la comentarii ;)

Mandru de a fi roman?!

De cate ori cineva imi aude accentul ma intreaba de unde sunt. Si cu mandrie in glas spun ca sunt din Romania. Unii stiu pe unde se afla, altii mai putin. Unii ma intreaba cum e in Romania si daca imi place in Wasington. Le descriu cat mai frumos tara mea, cu care ma mandresc!

In ultimele saptamani am primit si eu, noutatile evenimentelor cu si despre tigani, romani si italieni ce au circulat pe interent.

Am semnat petitia ce a circulat pe net si m-am minunat de "puterea" tiganilor, putere pe care noi se pare ca o tot negam sau ne facem ca nu vedem, nu auzim.

Intr-o duminica, butonand la TV dau de o emisiune concurs ce se petrecea la noi in tara (Romania). Nu e o emisiune pe care o vizionez, deci m-am prins de reguli pe parcurs. Sunt 7 echipe, cate 2 in echipa, care trebuie sa ajunga din Frankfurt (in cazul respectiv) la Bucuresti. Fiecare echipa e pe cont propriu cu gasit aeroport, zbor, taxi.....

Ajunsi in Bucuresti au de gasit o anumita Sala de Gimnastica, unde unul din parteneri trebuie sa se imbrace in costumul de gimnastica national si are de facut cateva figuri la 3 aparate: sol, paralele si barna. A fost dragut sa ii vezi pierzandu-si echilibrul, sa vezi barbati imbracati in costumul fetelor de gimnastica (asta ptr ca nu toate echipele sunt mixte). Ok, pana la urma toti reusesc sa treaca probele cu chiu cu vai.

Urmatoarea proba era sa merga in Brasov si sa gaseasca Biserica Neagra. Noroc ca romanii nostri stiu engleza si le-a fost usor sa gaseasca taxi, iar soferul sa-i inteleaga si sa ii duca la Biserica Neagra. Ajunsi acolo aveau de ales intre doua probe:

*Castelul Bran si

*The gipsy move .

Din 7 echipe, 4 au ales "the gipsy move" in ideea ca e mai usor - gandidu-se ca au doar de dansat, iar 3 au ales Castelul Bran.

Toate bune si frumoase, desi nu mi-a placut ideea cu tiganii. Ca sa ma irit si mai tare cand am vazut in ce anume consta proba. Satra de tigani se afla in plin camp, cu muzica si dans si cu "gunoaiele" aferente, gen: roti de masina, carcasa de la masina, mobila, fier...... So, proba nu a costat in dansul tiganilor, ci in a-i ajuta pe tigani sa se mute. Tipic, tiganii se chefuiau, iar echipele trebuiau sa le mute boarfele. JENANT!!! La un moment dat o echipa nu isi mai gasea haina si borseta cu acte. Barbatul din echipa incepuse speriat sa le caute si ii spunea partenerei ca tiganii fura, ca pentru asta sunt ei renumiti...si ca ce se face el fara pasaport, viza.... In final, lucrurile respective nu erau furate, cred ca le uitase intr-o caruta.

Nu stiu de ce m-am pus sa scriu asta, dar vizionand emisiunea si stiind ce se petrece in realitate in Italia, Elvetia m-am enervat foarte tare sa vad ca pe langa Nadia Comaneci, Biserica Neagra, Castelu Bran, tiganii reprezinta istoria noastra sau, daca nu istorie, ceva semnificativ ptr tara. M-am intrebat cine e raspunzator cu partea asta?? Chiar nu au putut sa gaseasca altceva??? Incredibil cum ne afisam in fata strainilor. Singuri ne promovam astfel.

Si acum cand scriu simt ca devin furioasa pe noi romanii ca lasam sa aratam, ca specific tarii, satra de tigani. Recunosc ca am simtit cum o rusine ma inconjoara in a mai spune ca vin din R omania. Sper sa depasesc aceasta "rusine", pentru ca am multe alte motive pentru care vorbele "dulce Romanie" sunt valabile.

de vorba cu mine insami in scris

Aloha!!

M-am tot gandit daca sa imi pun gandurile pe "hartie" si de ce as face-o. Nu am un motiv anume pentru care incep acest blog. Dar stiu ca imi face mie bine, si ca in timp, imi pot perfectiona naratiunile.

Am aflat ca scriem pentru ca scrisul e o forma de promisiune care ne-o facem noua insine; pentru ca scrisul e o prima forma de trecere de la dorinta la actiune. Si ca, scriind ne intelegem mai bine pe noi insine si ne putem vorbi mai bine noua si celorlalti.

De 9 luni sunt plecata din tara. De 9 luni am lasat confortul si siguranta celor 31 de ani in Timisoara, Romania.

Am acceptat aceasta schimbare de 180 de grade, in credinta ca maturitatea varstei si experienta acestor ani imi vor fi de ajutor. Se pare ca am gandit bine si am ales si persoana potrivita cu care sa fac aceasta schimbare.

So, iata-ma intr-o tara mult visata de altii, dar nu de mine....... Niciodata nu m-am gandit ca in alta tara mi-ar putea fi mai bine. Deci, nu am avut ganduri, vise sa plec si sa las confortul zilelor mele monotone.

Pentru ca eu si sotul meu Jonathan (Jon) suntem persoane de "oras", iata-ma in capitala US, Washington, la numai 10 minute de mers de Casa Alba. Nice neighbourhood! ;)

Washington oras multicultural, oras unde politica e la ea acasa.

Un oras in care 65% sunt negrii restul alte natii.

Un oras in care auzi tot felul de conversatii in limbi neintelese.

Un oras cu parcuri pline de veverite si oameni ai strazii.

Un oras in care strazile sunt pline de firme cu avocati sau cu angajati ai guvernului, si cu asociatii de toate felurile. Ma mir cum de au construit un bloc cu apartamente in mijlocul acestor firme.

Un oras in care oamenii sunt imbracati business cu exceptia zilei de vineri cand sunt casual.

Un oras care e plin de viata in cursul celor 5 zile din saptamana si linistit in weekend. Desi, ma contrazic putin, acum cu venirea primaverii weekendurile sunt pline de turisti. Deci, forfota e permanenta.

Imi amintesc ca, pentru prima data cand am pasit in oras, ba chiar din avion cand ne pregateam sa aterizam, mi-am spus " Waw, e ca Timisoara!!". Si sentimentul asta il am si in ziua de azi. Jonathan rade de mine de fiecare data cand spun asta noilor prieteni. (cand spun noi prieteni ma refer la prieteni americani). Dar eu ma simt ca acasa, m-am adaptat foarte usor si imi place viata de aici.

Asa ca, am o baza buna pe care sa imi construiesc o noua viata, o noua baza de siguranta, noi radacini, noi prieteni si un nou viitor.

"Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself" - Oprah W.