On my Block...

It takes something major to wake me out of my blog coma, and that thing just happened tonight. I was in my apartment around 8:30PM when I started hearing a whole lot of barking...

Where I live in Khon Kaen, and throughout most of the city for that matter, dogs rule the town. They're treated so well that it's nothing to be eating lunch with a dog huddled up on top of the table next to you, or having to side-step another one that's sun-bathing in a sprawled out position on a narrow path. These soi (street) dogs are a trip. They're not all well-kept, but they are usually fed by somebody and they tend to roam and hold some sort of territorial ground, which they guard vociferously at night. I ride my bike around Khon Kaen, and I've quickly learned which streets to avoid if I want to steer clear of any trouble with the dogs. They haven't bitten me yet, but they love to have a go at cyclists - probably because they can keep up for a while...

So I was in my room, when I started hearing some dogs causing a raucous. It kept going for a minute, then two...and then turned into this full blown fight which sounded bad. I stepped out of my room (which is on the 2nd floor and faces away from the street) to see what was going on, and as I looked out of my door, I saw some of my neighbors peering out onto the street. I went back into my room, but the noise just got louder and more vicious. The suspense was killing me, so I walked down the balcony to look into the street and I saw this awful sight: one of the dogs on my street, Bon, was being attacked by a pit bull on a leash and led on by it's owner. It was just nasty - Bon was backpedaling, crying, and bloodied as the pit bull kept biting into his flesh, and the owner of the pit showed no signs of pulling the beast back. Most of the neighbors were out in the street by now; some were trying to pull Bon out of the pit's grip, while others yelled at the pit's owner to fall back. The other neighborhood dogs were also out and I just imagined them crying out for the sake of their friend, begging the pit bull to let go. It really was surreal, and I was genuinely scared and horrified by the brutality that I was witnessing.

After a few seconds, the pit bull's owner pulled the leash hard and walked his dog back down the street like nothing happened. Heartless bastard. All this time I just stood frozen on the balcony, and I decided to go out into the street. Am I a coward for only coming out when the coast was clear? Why didn't I go down there to help stop this? In the street, a bunch of the neighbors were out and people seem pissed, confused, some were laughing - I'm not even sure what happened anymore. I asked a neighbor what went down. She explained that the pit's owner was pissed off that Bon kept barking at him while he was walking his dog down our street, and so just unleashed the pit to teach Bon a lesson. I walked further up the street and all I saw were bloodstains...and Bon doused in red.

Now, I'm an animal lover, but I'm not always the most comfortable person around them. I get jumpy around birds, I don't find monkeys cute (they can be mean, yo), and it bothers me sometimes when dog and cat owners spend more on their pets than they'd ever spend to help a human being in dire need. But we all value things differently, and having rarely had pets in my lifetime, I sometimes lose focus of the loyal companionship that pets offer to their owners. This night really made me think about my views on animals. Bon is my dawg (OK, dog), and in his own little way has helped me feel more at home in my community here in Thailand. I've shared a drink with his owner and a couple bites of a tuna sandwich with Bon; he's walked side by side with me to my apartment at the end of a tiring day; he's even come out to my defense (and called the cavalry) when I've been followed by other dogs on my way home. Seeing him bloodied, whimpering, and limping, just tore me up. I couldn't believe that a supposed dog lover could act so savagely to another pet, and for what...to satisfy an ego fix? Damn.

Yet, even in this sad situation, it was amazing to see the community come together. I stood shoulder to shoulder with my Thai neighbors as they voiced their frustrations. I actually got to see Thai people ANGRY (although it was still pretty toned down) and I loved it!! Little kids awoke from their slumber to see what was up, and then to play around when things cooled down. Grandma's laughed at the intensity with which I was following the discussions, even though I hardly understood a word. The best part of the night for me was when the punk with the pit came back and tried to "explain" why things got so messy. I stood there and watched his exchange with Bon's owner. In the heat of all the yelling, I caught the gaze of Bon's owner and he gave me this golden look which to me said "I know you've got my back, Frank."

Everything is everything fa sheezy...

A Hell of a Life!

So, I was up late last night watching some music videos (big up to Channel [V]), when the VJ mentioned something about T.I.'s new song. I thought he was past the times and alluding to "Remember Me" with Mary J. Blige (which apparently was produced and filmed before he went to jail), and took no real notice. That's until I heard THIS banger!!! Damn, I thought T.I. was in jail!! In the 5 months that he's been in in prison he's either released or been featured in about 5 videos. The reality of going to jail must've really stirred up the creative juices of T.I. and his camp; I mean, Paper Trail itself was penned while on house arrest awaiting his jail sentence, so I guess he's been thinking big for a while.

I showed the video to my sister, Abena, and her response to it was perfect:

"oh...and when i was watching the video, i just assumed that it was a compilation video that someone had made, you know since he's still in jail and all...until i noticed his mouth moving perfectly to the words...dang! did he have that much foresight to record a video and song BEFORE he got locked up?? homie is smart...jail is making him so creative haha...maybe thats the way to revive the music industry right now...send them all to jail and see what happens...lil wayne is next!"

Funny story: While waiting to start class today, one of my students came up to me and asked me to go to the bathroom. Why? "I have diarrhea!!!" she said, pointing to her stomach. I tried to hold back my laughter but it came spurting out in fits. This excuse is actually very common amongst students, but I can't figure out whether it's used because of legitimate cases of diarrhea or, given the difficulties of understanding the nuances of the English language, as a way of saying "I need to poop." Either way, it's always hilarious. So, I said yes to her request, and she told me that she'd be back in 20 minutes. 20 minutes?!?! What kind of diarrhea was she on??

...Real talk, true story.

A Word From the Children of Poverty

Something I wrote a while back:

We fightin', we scratchin', we dealin', we pantin'
we live on dirt roads, we don't live in the Hamptons
Our lives are a struggle; we beg and we share it
and yet at the end of the day-no merit,
No credit, we cheap, what we find we keep,
and when we find nothin', together we weep

We look in yo eyes, to find some remorse
WHAT, fifty-five cents while you driving a Porsche?
You act like you care, you pulling yo share,
but yet you can't help us when we in despair

Do we seek yo sympathy, what do you think?
I'm screaming so loud, I think I need a shrink
and still we caught up in this life of the poor
while you on lush golf courses, screaming out FOUR!!!!

We ain't here to make you feel angered or dissed,
Just wanna make light of the fact we exist,
So next time you spend on something you don't need
Right under yo eyes is someone you can feed

Farewell to Malaysia

So, my trip to Malaysia ended on a couple high notes which made the trip one to remember. First, I got to hang out with my friend Mun’s dad, who gave me an excellent tour of Melaka and introduced me to the famed and fabled Strait of Malacca – the pivotal crossroad to Asia in the Indian Ocean trade routes. Mun, when I told her that I was in her city, Kuala Lumpur, set me up to meet her father, and, being the awesome friend that she is, didn’t disappoint me at all. Uncle Daniel picked me up and drove me two hours to Melaka to check out the once epic city, now etched in the side margins of the books of history. Being a history buff, when I found out that I was coming to Southeast Asia, there were two places that I absolutely felt like I had to visit before I left: the Straits of Malacca and Angkor Wat. Thanks to the benevolence of Mun, and particularly her father (who is so cool, that he popped his collar as we endured the blazing sun on our tour around the city), I was able to accomplish one of my goals (although, in hindsight, I had already seen part of it in Penang). The strait itself is not particularly impressive – it’s just another body of water, and a slight letdown – but the history behind it, and that of Melaka, is fascinating.



Rich in a history that has included Portuguese, Dutch, British, Chinese, and Indian influences, along with the indigenous Malay flavor, the little city is a real treat for lovers of history and tourists alike. Some of Melaka’s attractions include: the narrow streets of the Jonker Walk, lined with boutiques and restaurants installed in centuries-old buildings which offer a throwback to the colonial era; the bright yellow, flower adorned, rickshaw/tricycles that pick up tourists and bump obnoxiously loud Lady Gaga and such around the city; the subtle charm of A’Famosa fort; the unique story of the Portuguese Malaysians; and the melting pot of tasty foods (chicken rice and cendol-a great dessert-in particular) which surprise and delight you. It is quite a special place. I even got to see a group of Malay policewomen performing choreographed dance routines on the sidewalk. Excellent!






The next day, Uncle Daniel picked me up to check out his restaurant, Monte’s, in KL, where a consultant chef was preparing some new cuisine for the revamped menu. I got treated to some good (I guess…I’m not the biggest wine connoisseur) Chilean wine, beef with pumpkin sauce (fantastic), and a Hershey’s chocolate cake. Uncle Daniel knows what’s UP!!

The second significant event that really made my trip special was getting to see Akon live in concert. And, boy, was it live! The man pumped up an initially lackluster and timid crowd (definitely by my standards) to the point that people would've given him the shirts of their backs...actually that's what he did, and many others reciprocated. The coolest part of the night, other than my near-50 year old uncle Cliff jammin’ hard to "I Wanna Make Love..." was when Akon, after diving into the audience 4 times already, decided as his finale to crawl (yes, on his hands and knees) above the audience from the stage to the very back of the venue. CRAZY!!! I've never seen an artist that passionate about his fan base. As the Malaysian security guards were trying to keep him from his act, Akon balked "Securrrity, why are you holding me back?! I'm trying to get to my people!" Epic! After he finished, he serenaded the crowd with a brilliant performance of "Mama Africa," which made me so happy to be African.



Although I prefer traveling and sharing experiences with others, for a trip undertaken by myself, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.



"So much love to share..."

Selamat Datang!

I’m back…with a vengeance. Not really, but I am in a different country, though. I’m in the 3rd week of a month long semester break, and after much difficulty in attaining a visa to go to China, I settled for Malaysia instead. I say settled, but really it’s been an absolute bargain. I love Malaysia! Let me tell you about the country: Selamat Datang (Welcome)! Sitting partially on a peninsula off the Strait of Malacca, an important trade passage which links the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as well as Borneo, Malaysia has historically been a magnet for cultural diversity, and the country does not disappoint in displaying its eclectic and multiracial culture. It’s incredible: Ethnic Malays, Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Africans, and more, all in one place, attempting to interact with each other as best as they can. Coming from a nation as homogeneous as Thailand (at least racially, although there is a lot of diversity), I’ve not felt this much at home in a few months. It also helped that I came to visit some good family friends and some PiA fellows, and happened to link up with two other teachers from Khon Kaen since I’ve been here. Malaysia has been very kind to me.

I started off in Kuala Lumpur (KL), the commercial capital of Malaysia, home to my uncle Cliff (a Brit) and auntie Enna (a Tanzanian), who perfectly reflect the diverse nature of the country. Kuala Lumpur is an amalgam of activity that is just striking to your senses. It is not uncommon to meet a Nigerian transvestite/ladyboy bargaining for Ray-Ban sunglasses with an Indian Malay in Chinatown while grubbing on a whopper. I encountered this canvas of events, not exactly in that order, but was insanely awestruck by all that I was witnessing. KL, for a major regional capital, is surprisingly structured, neat, and walkable. There’s a compact city center, which is lively and offers a lot of attractions; the foods are culinary explosions in your mouth; and I found people very approachable and more eager to get to know me, which is refreshing when compared to the timidity of some Thais. Since Islam is the state religion of Malaysia, there a lot of Islamic influence in the architecture of the city – and I have an affinity for Islamic architecture. All this combined with the fact that a lot of people speak English greatly influenced my perception of the city. (Pictured above are the Petronas Towers, followed by the old railway station and Batu Caves)



Next, I visited Penang, an island off northern Malaysia and on the Strait of Malacca, which is a cultural and historical throwback to Malaysia’s days (actually 100s of years) under colonial rule, most noticeably by the British. In Penang, I visited Alex and Aggie, also English teachers at a university in Penang through PiA, and really cool kids. I was also lucky enough to meet up with two teachers from Khon Kaen (where I work in Thailand), Diana and Anna, with whom I linked up with in KL and followed to Penang; they were my travel partners, as Alex and Aggie were busy at work. On the island, we went on a great hike in the national park which ended at Turtle Beach, so named because that’s where turtles come out at night to lay and bury their eggs (although, no turtles were sighted). We then took a boat to another beach, this time Monkey Beach (no monkey, but iguanas were spotted), before heading out of the park. We also spent some time in the old colonial district of Georgetown, and toured the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (or the Blue House), a renovated 19th century home of a Chinese mogul, dubbed the Rockefeller of the East, who built a vast business empire throughout Asia. The mansion was one of many that he owned all around the continent, and the home of wives 2 and 7, I believe, out of 8. Penang was a cool cultural experience, made better by the fact that I was able to interact and travel with friends that I really enjoyed being around.



Malaysia is a very interesting country. As I mentioned, it is super diverse, but there are some real issues underlying the social utopia that it’s made out to be. A part of me feels like the country is living a lie that is snowballing out of control. Some problems are really in need of mending, like giving preferential EVERYTHING to ethnic Malays, while not really catering much to the Chinese and Indian communities, which make up the two biggest minority groups in Malaysia. For example, if you're Indian Malay, you can't ever aspire to be the president of a university, and Chinese schools are not given as much money as schools that teach ethnic Malay kids, leading many Chinese to set up segregated private schools for their children. There's a certain glass ceiling, which is meant to keep "foreigners" from dominating social/economic spheres, but it's straight up discrimination.

Historically, non-ethnic Malays have dominated the peninsula for many centuries. Malaysia was colonized by the Siamese (Thais), Portuguese, the Dutch, and the English. And Chinese, Indian, and Arab traders have had a long history here because of the important role of Malay spices and other prized goods in the Indian Ocean trade routes. After Malaysia got its independence in the late 1950s, a large scale effort was made to put the country firmly under the control of ethnic Malays. Thus, the educational, commercial, housing, etc., sectors (and even tax payments) were all structured to cater first to Malays, and then to others. The result of this policy is an unsettling racial segregation that I find very detrimental to the country’s image as an oasis of diversity. So, although there’s a tremendous amount of culture sharing – you can go to an Indian restaurants and find Chinese and Malays also eating there – what I didn’t see very often were the different races eating together, or dating each other, or going to school together (outside of universities). In effect, what the ruling Malays in the government are trying to do is prevent “outsider” races, especially the Chinese, who hold incredible power in places like Singapore and Thailand (although in Thailand I find the Chinese better integrated with ethnic Thais and Thai society), from dominating the politics, the economy, and the media. This is understandable when considering how little control the Malays themselves have had over their own territory in the past 600 years, but I find it unfortunate that people are deliberately made into second-class citizens in a country in which they’ve had roots for centuries; and as a professional, it must be frustrating to be unable to reach the apex of your field in the country that you call home.

And yet, what I do like about Malaysia, although it frustrates me, is that, unlike in the US, where 2nd generation immigrants quickly lose their cultural identity and take up a general “American” social identity, mentality, and speech, here it’s not like that. Although everyone speaks Malay (which is a fusion of Southeast Asian languages, Sanskrit, and some Arabic, Portuguese, English, and Dutch words), I get the sense that Chinese Malay kids want to learn Mandarin (or maybe because their options are so limited, they are forced to learn/retain it in order to open up more doors for them in the future?), many Indian Malays still speak Hindi, Arab Malays practice Arabic, etc. People really make an effort to retain their old cultural values and lifestyles, which I think is great, but implies that there are roadblocks to full assimilation into Malaysian culture and forging a new identity out of all the diversity.

I say all these things and I’ve only been here for a week and a half, which means that I’m in no way an authority on matters Malaysian. These are all very, very rough observations that I just had to write down. Before I leave, I’m hoping to visit Melaka, the famed port city which was crucial to the Indian Ocean trade, and Uncle Cliff got us some tickets to see Akon in KL! So, I’ll be jamming my way out of Malaysia with some good tunes. I’ll take pictures.

Peace out. One.

Music

Hey hey! So, I've been listening to a lot of interesting music lately and I wanted to share some of it with you. Most of these are old, but some are recognizable. Check out some of the African music...so good.

1. "Down" by Jay Sean feat. Lil' Wayne: This is very Enrique Iglesias-esque with it's thumping beats and repetitive hooks, but it's gets you going. Lil' Wayne's lines are epic: "Don't you ever leave the side of me/indefinitely, not probably/and honestly, I'm down like the economy." Haha! No matter what you think about him, he's incredibly witty and surprisingly intelligent.

2. "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman" by K-os (pronounced Chaos) feat. Saukrates: You can never go wrong with a sample of Phantom Planet's California (the OC theme song). It's just timeless and it gives me nostalgic chills, just like one of my all-time favorite songs "Bittersweet Symphony" (here's a great soca version of the Verve's superhit). Despite the strange title of the track, maybe K-os was trying to channel some Fall Out Boy and their affinity for awkward titles, the song is a poignant, swagger-inducing, and yet, kind of mellow and eerie. And, it has nothing to do with Natalie Portman...unless, in some strange way, those adjectives I mentioned above are some characteristics inspired by the actress. If you like the Gorillaz (especially "Feel Good Inc."), you'll like this song.

3. "T.R.O.Y." (They Reminisce Over You) by Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth: This is the epitome of a great DJ/MC collaboration. T.R.O.Y. is classic, early 90s, cruising in your car, bumping your head to good music, music.

The next few tracks are some songs that I grew up listening to: great African songs made by some of the most incredible musicians/artists in the world.

4. "Agolo" by Angelique Kidjo: The energy, the imagery, and the mystery of "Agolo" makes for an incredible song. I don't know if Benin has ever had as great a cultural and musical ambassador as Kidjo.

5. "Show Me The Way" by Papa Wemba: This is English/Lingala fusion by the Congolese (DRC) artist is just fresh and innovative, and pleads for a connection with the listener.

6. "Sweet Mother" by Prince Nico Mbarga: How can you really enjoy a song that's 10 minutes long? That's what I first thought when I pulled out my dad's Prince Nico Mbarga (Nigeria) CD and started listening to it. This song was a jam when my parents were younger, and it's an ode to the women who brought us into this world and who care for us lovingly and endlessly. It's just one of those songs that you put on and just let go...just give it up; get on the dancefloor, enjoy the rhythmic beat, and move. The time flies and you barely notice.

Enjoy!

9.58!

DAAAAMNNN!!! That's the first thing that came out of my mouth when I saw that Usain Bolt had crushed the 100 meter-dash record. 9.58 seconds?!?! I mean, how is that even possible? It's insane, it's other-worldly (It's Jamaican), it's...any and every glorifying, terrifying adjective you wish to use. Kanye said it best: It's Amazing! But for me, this was also a moment of self-reflection.

After my shock waned, I started thinking about time - time really flies by fast. Even when we look at the history of the "World's Fastest Man," we realize that time doesn't even let the men who broke the record enjoy it. Since 1960, the record has been broken over 20 times, with each man mercilessly blazing his way into the record books, and stamping his torrid spikes into the heels of history. Each man wants to be remembered, wants his ultimate achievement of athleticism and youth to live on forever, but it never lasts long.

I started thinking about how time has passed me by. I mean, I'm young. I'm 21 years-old and have so much life still left to live, God-willing. But it's hard to believe how fast things have moved. I remember certain stages in my life when I looked forward to a milestone. I reminisce:

I looked forward to my 10th birthday because I would be a decade old (WOW!!). That just felt unreal to me, and Nov. 2, 1997 couldn't come soon enough. That day, my dad gave me a $100 bill, and although I saw it and felt it for only a day, I knew that in some bank account in time and space I had a Benjamin waiting for me - I felt so proud, and there no better feeling to a son than to be entrusted by his father with a huge sum of money at such a young age.

The year 2000 was another period that is etched in my memory. The world was entering a new era, a new millenium, Y2K was on everybody's lips...and 2000 would be the year of my 13th birthday! This was the year that I'd become a teenager - no more pre-teen woes for me, buddy, my voice would finally stop cracking. I remember so well the anticipation for 2000.

Turning 20 was yet another big deal. I would be out of my teenage years, and suddenly be more responsible for myself than I'd ever been. My dad promised me a decade earlier, that every ten years he'd multiply that $100 by 10...he lied.

But now I'm 21...and I don't really have a milestone to look forward to, yet I find Father Time whizzing by me in his Lamborghini, with two hot girls in the back, chuckin' deuces. And although this image sometimes (shoot...many times) worries me (why can't I be in that car?), I know I'm going to be alright. I believe that we're put on this Earth for a reason, and every day we are given opportunities to do something with ourselves, to make something of ourselves, and to influence somebody positively through our words and our actions. Those are the things I live for, and those are the things that make life interesting. It's all a matter of how you use your opportunities, and about whether you choose to live by faith and not by fear.

I don't know about you, but I'm gonna try my hardest to take hold of those opportunities, and run as fast as I can. Yeck, maybe one day I'll break 9.58. If you don't believe me...ask Kevin Garnett: "ANYTHING IS POSSIBBBLLLEEEE!!!!"