Prague...Week 3

My time here has been so far a mixture of personal conflicts and academic growth. The classes on post-Commuism are intriguing, especially since many of the leaders involved in the revolutions are still alive. The president is considered a closet-gay and is an controversial internationally for his views on anti-global warming.

I've been on a rigorous workout regime this past week...five days. The gym is a stress reliever but more importantly, it releases negative attitudes I have been carrying throughout the day. Yesterday was a peculiar case because I met Adrian. We locked eyes for ten seconds and during transitions onto other workout machinery, we locked eyes several other times. There was a lot of testosterone in that room. Afterwards I went to the locker room and he followed me inconspicuously. Right behind me, he took off his clothes and I went to go wash up...then someone else appeared!

I left, got a protein shake at the bar and waited for Adrian to come out. Out of the gym, I formally introduced myself and we rode the tram to TESCO, a shopping mall where I gave him my card and told him to stay in contact. He was from Slovakia working as a civil engineer in Prague. Anyway, I was relieved he spoke some English.

Slavek works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague. Very articulate, clean cut, and intelligent, he gives tours on his free time to make some extra cash. We had discussions on gay rights, feminism, China's censorship and human rights abuses and his trepidation about Chinese overpopulation! The Czech Republic is a non-religious country where seventy percent of its population claim to be agnostic or atheist. Thus, there is a strong separation of church and state and more respect for individuality and domestic partnership was passed three years ago.

On a different note, North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles on July 4, a symbolism of defiance against the U.S. for its increased scrutiny and Res. 1874. Either way, the U.S. is importing anti-missile artillery to South Korea for increased security. Kim Jong Un will probably come to power soon, with recent prospects on Jong Il's ailing health.

Speaking of Independence Day, the Korean family on the front of the NY Times this morning reminded me of my family when I was little (given that Joy and I were only toddlers in NYC). The little girl with a headband and two American flags slinging over her head reminded me of Joy and the boy wrapped in his mothers arm reminded me of me. Hope hopeful mom was of the American Dream then, in the midst of her problem and insecurities. I believe that she is for the first time, taking a hopeful look at what America has to offer her through her education. The government is partly funding her to go to school so she feels like her country is investing in her, a feeling which distances itself from most immigrants.

I like to that my country for values we instill in education.