All About Ms. World's World

HELP! I'VE LOST MY SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE YEARBOOK circa 1991, 1992, 1994 and I'D LIKE THEM BACK!

If the postman or post-woman recently delivered you a box that included a Sarah Lawrence College yearbook from 1991, 1992, or 1994 and you don't know who or what Sarah Lawrence College is (just the best and wildest liberal arts college in the U.S.), please contact me via e-mail at chilande2001@yahoo.com.

The post office lost my Sarah Lawrence College yearbooks and other items and delivered onto me a series of books about diplomacy, foreign affairs, and Islam which seem to be related to course(s) taught by
Dr. Mohammed Ayoob of Michigan State University. If this sounds familiar, please contact me at chilande2001@yahoo.com since I don't need any books that don't belong to me (I have enough books!).

Please note that I want my yearbooks back but I won't pay anyone a ton of money for them.

Ms World's Top 10 Things about Her New City in No Particular Order

1. My newly born niece is nearby.
2. I have several friends in the area.
3. I have an opportunity to meet people through my JET network.
4.The city has a very international scene.
5. The city is known by all, so people like Cousin Ryumi, Sexxy Jimmy, Thip-Sexy, and Fashion Diva Elie-san may visit me from abroad.
6. I'm no longer in the Midwest.
7. I have access to the CW tv network, therefore I can become re-addicted to GIRLFRIENDS.
8. There are many free events happening in the city.
9.There are many places selling coffee in the city and suburbs.
10. There are a number of cinemas showing
interesting films.

The Downsides
1. The public transportation system cost to much in my view.
2. I'm not sure if my New York City friends will come to visit me.
3. The movies aren't under $10USD all the time.
4. I heard the public libraries suck.
5. I have to learn my way around a new city in the cold!
6. It ain't London, Mumbai, Tokyo, Bangkok, Hanoi, Cape Town or Dublin.
7. On a good day, I'd prefer to be mid-flight to a new destination.
8. I haven't found the international people, yet.
9. There is a Krispy Kreme shop in a major location which spells temp-tation for moi!
10. I have to find a job!

The End of the BLACK GIRLS RULE WORLD TOUR

It began on August 1, 2005 in Hong Kong. 

It lasted for over 7 months. 

I slept in cheap hotels and hostels, ate good, bad, and scary food, rode tons of buses, logged some miles on Indian Railways, and grabbed several airplane flights over the course of 221 days.

I lounged and learned in the southern hemisphere. 

I danced, cried, laughed, shopped, got pissed, and saw as much as I could in the northern hemisphere.

I logged the most miles in southeast Asia and South Asia (India). 

I went to sub-Saharan Africa because I knew it would be good for me and it was.

I travelled to 11 countries: Hong Kong, Thailand, LAOS, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, INDIA, South Africa, Mozambique, and Ireland, in all.

However, all things even dreams coming true must come to an end and mine did on March 9, 2006 when I landed at the Newark International Airport.

I've been in the U.S. for 1 week. It feels completely normal yet a bit strange to be back home. I was abroad for over 2 1/2 years (two years in Japan).

People keep asking me, "how was it?" I actually have no words to describe the last 7 months of my life. I have been/was living my dream. I hope you have or will have the opportunity to make one of your wildest aspirations come true. It is an amazing and empowering feeling.

Please note that I plan on writing several more posts about my travels in the very near-future. Then I'm not sure about the future of this weblog because I've changed, things changed, and I can't figure out how blogging will fit into my current reincarnation.

 

I recommend these airlines, bus companies, and tour agents!

Air Asia (For budget flights in Southeast Asia)   

Air Deccan  Spice JET  (Both for budget flights within India)

Emirate Airline  (The best international flights I've had in my life.)

Virgin Atlantic Airline   (Good international flights with a great entertainment system)

Tiger Airways  (For budget flights in Southeast Asia) 

Continental Airline  (Got a one-way $193USD fare from Dublin to Newark!)

Ryan Airline   (For budget flights in Europe)

South Africa's Translux Bus Company   

Hanoi's Kangaroo Cafe for a great tour of Ha Long Bay   

BazBuz's Cape Penninsula tour    

Ho Chi Minh City's Kim Cafe for cheap & decent sightseeing tours and bus passes

I highly recommend these hostels!

Hanoi Backpackers Hostel   Backpackers Ritz Hostel in the Johannesburg area 

Abraham House in Dublin 

Travel/Work Abroad Programs I used and changed my life!

BUNAC     Japan Exchange & Teaching Program   

Volunteering in India (no program fee)!

Akanksha

The summer of the memoir

      

 

I'm supposed to be writing a book but sometimes I can be found reading.

Here are some good reads I've enjoyed so far this summer.

Accidental Diva         by Tia Williams.
This is an African-American chick-lit book. I picked it up because I wanted to prove to myself that badly written books get published all the time. But I picked up the wrong book because it was well-written for the genre. It was also a very enjoyable read.

Project Girl  by Janet McDonald
I've been picking up lots of memoirs because of my own writing project. I have a special interest in memoirs written by African-American women. This book was richer and more moving than I expected. I thought it would be a story about a girl getting out of the ghetto because she was intelligent. It is so much more than that. The plot had more ups and downs than I anticipated. I loved it!

The works of Marjane Satrapi
Marjane Satrapi is an Iranian born graphic novelist now living in France. She has published at least 3 books in the U.S. about her experiences in Iran. I have a great interest in Iran (I tried to go there last year doing my BLACK GIRLS RULE WORLD TOUR but couldn't get a tourist visa. I also desperately wanted to go to Beirut, Lebanon too.) Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood is about her life in Iran during the Iranian Revolution.   Persepolis: The Story of the Return is about a period of her life spent in Austria where her parents sent her to get educated and enjoy life in a free society. It isn't a very happy tale and Satrapi ends up returning to Iran.  I liked these two books the best. I also read Embroideries which was interesting but not as powerful as the Persepolis series.

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomedy by Alison Bechdel
This has complex and very original graphic novel has to be one of the best reads of the summer. Bechdel is a well-regarded creator of the comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For. This graphic novel is about her childhood and her relationship with her decorative arts-loving father. It was so good that I re-read it.

Naked: Black Women Bare All about Their Skin, Hair, Lips, and Other Parts edited by Ayana Byrd and Akiba Solomon
I actually purchased this book! (The rest of the books were checked out of the local library.) This book is a great collection of personal essays by a diverse group of African-American women. I highly recommend it.

 Cafe Trinity by Wendy Lo
This is a book of beautifully written poetry book with Japanese drawings by a new talent on the American poetry scene. You can't find this book in a bookstore or library so if your interested, please click on the title and pick it up.

 

There are more books that I read but I'll stop here. I'm in the midst of reading Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes (I'm stunned by how poor his family was!), Mary Karr's The Liars' Club , and Alexandra Fuller's Don't Lets Go to The Dogs Tonight. I think you can tell that I'm studying the memoir. 

Mourning

I have a quiet truth that I must share with you all. I'm in mourning. For what you ask? For my former life. I miss Japan but the bigger truth is that I miss what my life in Japan represented- opportunities to travel, exploration, adventure, and lots of fun.

Yes, I did work during my 2 year tenure as an English teacher. However, the teaching bit came a little easy to me.  I'm a born organizer and planner, so I was always on top of my lesson planning. Work was easy for me. My after-school life was good, sometimes amazing. I miss knowing that I have 20 days of vacation to use for my pleasure and dreaming and making plans to go to countries in Southeast Asia, East Asia, or Oceania. How many Americans have jobs that give them 20 days of vacation a year? I've also realized that I'm a very social person. I have not having a significant social circle in my life. I have friends in the U.S. but most of the them are on the East Coast or West Coast. I have few friends in the Midwest.

Honestly, I feel like I had an amazing life in Japan. Now I'm back in the U.S. and I feel sentenced to a life of work and no travel. I miss having the opportunity, time, and funds to travel to different countries. I feel like a sort of travel lust monster was created when I landed in Japan.

Please note that the photo was taken by Dr. Mike S.

Me & The World Cup 06

I woke up this morning and guess what was on my TV, WORLD CUP! I'm very exciting to see a game instead of reading about it on the internet. (Please note that I don't have cable or satellite TV and I don't believe in paying for television unless it is PBS.)

I'm currently watching the Ghana Black Stars, who are up 1 goal vs.Czech Republic's 0 goals. The next game is the USA vs. the Italy. I'm so happy!

Now, I must admit that I don't fully understand the standings system. I'm going to immersed myself in the World Cup then work on my contribution to the African-American literature cannon.

What I Want & His Heart is Awesome!

 

What I really want is to complete my "shitty first draft" of my book project and formulate a near term plan for my life but that hasn't happened yet! So, what I want right now is the book above!

I've returned to the travel section of the bookstore and it isn't a good thing. I'm getting nostalgic. I'm getting worked up about places such as Tunisia, Kolkatta, and Ghana.

In television news, I'll admit that I watched Dateline's interview with pop star Britney Spears. As I watched the interview, I realized that the U.S.A. education system (K-12) has failed many people in our society. Why can't Britney talk intelligently? Matt Lauer, co-host of the morning talk show Today, asked Ms. Spears about the qualities that she values in her husband wanna-be rapper Kevin Federline, she said, "His heart is awesome." Yeah, ok!

I feel sorry for Britney because the U.S. tabloids have been very mean to her in the past few months. I check out Us weekly from the library and read Star as I stand in line for groceries, so I know these things. Of course, she couldn't have known that marrying someone who seems very loser-ish would bring on the contempt of American tabloids. I do think Britney needs some a little more media training so she doesn't chew gum and sound so dumb in TV interviews.

Ms. World Follows the Guys into the Depths

I read it here and was blown away. He got it from him who has turned his blog into art, then this sexy one got into the act, so now it is my turn.

realised that I'm more a people person than loner. miss my comfortable toyama life. love being on the move whether in a train, bus, or boat. hate looking for places to sleep. like hanoi because i have met some traveling friends there. more lonelier than i care to admit on the traveller's trail. stick out like a sore thumb because i'm black, female, and big. think the body size is more of an issue than race. ultimately don't care. feeling priviledge to live my dream. realise it probably took 5 or 6 generations in my family's history to get to this moment. spent 3 years planning, manuvering, and saving for this moment in time. don't want to fuck it up by not take advantage of everyday. did nothing today since i'm convinced it will rain violently. love the rain. hate getting soaked in the rain in a foreign country. getting use to being laughed at again. worried about overspending. have more money in the bank than some of the people in southeast asia could ever dream of. think that is depressing. think communism is flawed because someone always ends up with a little more (food, money, better job, apartment, priviledges). deep in my heart afraid IT won't happen. know that IT can't happen because i'm so closed to letting IT in. australian woman on tour told me it is ok if IT doesn't happen. wondered why she felt the need to tell me. feel that Black women never get the love, affection, and nurturing they deserve simply because the world believes they are less than. don't they know that we will inherit the Earth. nations have been built on our backs but we get no credit. i'm pissed. without us it would all cease to exist. women are stronger than men. happy that my family gave me enough love, affection, and nurturing to survive. still living on that love even in my thirties. almost 34. don't want to celebrate it alone. but don't think i'll have any choice. worried i'm not writing enough. but still not motivated to write everyday. thank god I remember everything. will write the book no matter what. if i don't write the book, i can't look in the mirror. wasted lots of opportunities in my life. too terrified to waste my current opportunities. traveling is addictive and tiring. i like europeans much more than americans on the traveller's trail. young white american males particularly seem confused to see me on the traveller's trail. secretly delight in showing up at places where i supposedly don't belong. learning about freedom. it is beautiful but can be heavy if you aren't use to wearing it. living your dream can be a little more difficult than anticipated. freedom can be scary too. so use to living with obligations, baggage, labels weighing me down. ha long bay and hanoi saved my Vietnam experience. can't wait to hit next destination.

What Ms World or an Adventurous Woman Can Do In 1 Month

Departed Osaka, Japan --> Hong Kong --> Bangkok, Thailand (via Macau) --> overland on bus to Ventiane, Lao --> overland in mini-van to Savannakhet, Laos, --> overland on bus to Ventiane, Laos --> overland on bus to Vang Vieng, Laos --> overland on bus to Luang Prabang, Laos --> two days on slow boats to Chiang Khong, Thailand --> overland in mini-van to Chiang Mai, Thailand --> overland on bus to Bangkok --> overland on bus to Poipet, Cambodia --> overland on bus to PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -->  WHERE WILL THE HEADLINER ON THE BLACK GIRLS RULE WORLD TOUR HIT NEXT?

While I was waiting for FLICKR to upload my photos!

I stole this from DIVA Sibil but I also saw it on DIVA ANNA's diary.

1. What is your full name? I consider it classified information. However, my first name is Princess Chinita but you can call me Ms. World or Diva if you are nastay!

2. What color pants are you wearing? I only have 3 pair of pants/capri pants. I'm wearing the khaki colored ones because they have pockets.

3. What are you listening to right now? Tribe Called Quest's Check The Rhyme

4. What's the last thing you ate? The Laotian version of pancakes with honey which is similar to fried bread with honey & butter. It cost me 10,000 Laotian kip which is $1USD. I'm addicted to them.

5. Do you wish on stars? YES! I'm that kind of chick!

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Black or Red

7. How is the weather right now? Since it finally stopped raining, it is a cool summer's night in Vang Vieng.

8. Last person you talked to on the phone? I talked to Diva Nonnie when I was in Kyoto, Japan about two weeks ago. I'm only calling people on special occasions or if I'm in trouble.

9. Do you like the person who sent you this? Not Applicable.

10. How old are you today? That is also semi classified information. For the record, I'm a happy member of the 30's club.

11. Favorite drink? Mango shakes which I can get in Laos for 5,000 kip or 50cents in American currency. I've already had two of them today.

12. Favorite sport? Traveling.

13. Hair color? Dark brown but looks black

14. Do you wear contacts? I brought some for traveling but I haven't really worn them.

15. Siblings? I have a younger brother. I have two half sisters but they are much younger than I am.

17. Favorite food? My current favorite food is the Laotian version of pancakes and baguettes. However, I'd love some of my mother's soul food!

18. Dream vacation? I'm living it! But I still long to see the south of France.

19. Last movie you watched? I saw Before Sunset when I was in Toyama, Japan. I loved it.

20. Favorite day of year? My birthday is usually a lot of fun.

21. What do you do to vent anger? I blog. I rant & rave. I used to run at the gym. I try not to do any emotional eating though.

22. What was your favorite toy as a child? I was really into books and my Black barbie doll.

23. Summer or winter? I'm a spring and fall kind of gal.

24. Do you want your friends to email back? I don't understand this question. I love for my friends to e-mail but I can be very bad about e-mailing them back.

25. Who is most likely to responds? I'm confused! Cousin Ryumi help me!

27. Living arrangements? I'm currently staying at the MALANY Guest House in Vang Vieng for the next 2 nights. I have no idea where I'll be 2 weeks from now. However, I always consider my mother's residence my home.

28. When was the last time you cried? I have to be very, very upset to cry. I haven't cried in awhile. I should have cried about leaving Japan or being blessed to live my travel dream. I'll probably get upset about something very minor and start crying about everything in my life including the fact that I was called lots of names when I was younger because I was overweight as a kid.

29. What is under your bed? I don't have a permanent bed.

30. Who is the friend you have had the longest? My mother or brother.

31. What did you do last night? I was trying to figure out what country I want to travel to next. I have no permanent travel plans or obligations after my Laos travel visa expires.

32. Favorite smell? Cleanliness, Perfume, or Men.

33. What are you afraid of? Not living up to my potential, having a positive and loving long-term relationship or having a child.

34. Plain, buttered, or salted popcorn? I love butter and people who know me understand this is an understatement.

35. Favorite car? I don't even have a driver's license. I do think the MINI's are cute but not very unpractical.

36. Favorite flower? Orange or Pink DAISIES or tulips

37. Number of keys on your ring? I have the key to my room at the guest house.

38. How many years at your current job? I don't have a job now.

39. Can you juggle? Barely

40. Favorite day of the week? Friday or Saturday

41. What did you do on your last birthday? I threw myself a birthday dinner at CIBO in Toyama City. It was fun!

42. How many states have you lived in? I've lived in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, California, Virginia, and Indiana, so that is 6.

43. How many cities have you lived in? Jersey City, New York City (Brooklyn), Toyama City, Japan, San Francisco, my hometown, London, U.K., and Florence, Italy, so that is 7.

44. How many countries have you lived in? USA, U.K., Italy, and Japan, so that is 4. I still need to live in a Black majority country for a period of time.

45. How many cars have you had? None. I don't know how to drive.

46. What's for dinner tonight? I had a big lunch of pad thai, pancakes, teas, and mango shakes for lunch. I'm not doing dinner but I'll drink some orange juice.

47. If you got one do over in your life what would it be? This is too personal for me to answer because it would reveal all my neurosis. I must have some secrets even in the blogsphere.

48. What religion are you? Born and raised a Christian in the Protestant sect but I'm all over the place. I've decided not to convert to any religion because I think it is pointless because we are all one. However, if I would convert to any religion it would be buddhism.