Replace youthful idealism with pragmatism.

Here is a letter that I wrote but never needed to send to the university after I found out (a couple of months after it was written) that the Admissions Office has successfully applied for UChicago to become a Davis UWC Scholars institution. But it's one of those formal letters (the first one of its kind that I've ever composed) that I'm very proud of.

***

To whom it may concern:

We are current second-year students at the University of
Chicago. Having studied at the College for a little over one
year, it has come to our attention that due to limited
resources, the University of Chicago presently does not offer
financial aid to international students. Nor is it part of a
well-endowed foundation that provides scholarships that is
also open to foreign students.

We understand that this issue is not just isolated at our
University. However, by financially discriminating
international students (the majority who choose to study
overseas), the University undermines its efforts to increase
global diversity. Having been educated in an international
environment, interacting with peers from different parts of
the world, we have experienced first-hand the invaluable and
self-defining experience such an environment brings, and along
this parallel - the presence of international students on
campus is not only an opportunity for these students to
benefit and enjoy the academics of this University, but also
enriching that of the American student.

With regards to this we invite the University of Chicago to
become part of the Davis UWC Scholarship movement. Before we
continue further, we would like to introduce ourselves. We are
a group of United World College graduates now studying at the
College. The transition from high school to university has
been met with challenges, but nonetheless blending into a
college experience that has become highly rewarding,
self-sustaining, as well as an immense joy.

We are grateful that not only did we received an international
education but that we have the opportunity to pursue our
higher education at this fine institution. We also wish to
continue the UWC spirit in our future endeavors and
aspirations. It is our hope that the University of Chicago be
made more possible and accessible for future UWC graduates.
One possible way is for the University to become a Davis UWC
Scholars institution. In case you have not heard of the United
World College movement, it is a confederate of twelve schools
located around the world whose mission statement is to educate
young men and women to become socially aware and responsible
citizens. Shelby Davis, well-known businessman and
philanthropist, impressed by the values of a UWC education,
has committed to fund UWC graduates to attend colleges across
the United States, thereby promoting and extending these very
ideals. The Davis UWC Scholars program has since grown to
embody more than a scholarship fund for a particular group of
high-school graduates. More information about the Davis UWC
Scholars program (and its origins) is available on the
website: http://www.davisuwcscholars.org/html/about-story.html

By becoming a participating institution of the Davis UWC
Scholars Program, the University of Chicago becomes part of 76
(and counting) institutions across the country committed to
bringing outstanding students and excellent educational
institutions together. In turn, students who matriculate at
our institution go on to establish themselves as motivated
individuals and global citizens, playing an active role
(including cross-cultural understanding) within the college
community and beyond. With warm regards and sincere wishes we
ask that the University of Chicago seriously consider this
wonderful opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

[my name-

University of Chicago - Class of 2010, UWCSEA Class of 2006

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200712/religious-movies

So, on account of staying in Borders for a few hours, I decided to hang around the magazine racks. I picked up 'The Atlantic' and decided to read about an article on the latest children's fantasy adaption, 'The Golden Compass'.

An excerpt of the article with Philip Pullman interviewed is here:
“I think if everything that is made explicit in the book or everything that is implied clearly in the book or everything that can be understood by a close reading of the book were present in the film, they’d have the biggest hit they’ve ever had in their lives. If they allowed the religious meaning of the book to be fully explicit, it would be a huge hit. Suddenly, they’d have letters of appreciation from people who felt this but never dared say it. They would be the heroes of liberal thought, of freedom of thought … And it would be the greatest pity if that didn’t happen.

“I didn’t put that very well. What I mean is that I want this film to succeed in every possible way. And what I don’t want to do, you see, is talk the other two films out of existence. So I’ll stop there.”

Of course, it's possible that there are people who read too much into this kind of literature which is all the more talked about because it goes to so many levels. It's the same phenomenon with Harry Potter, only except The Golden Compass hasn't garnered the same amount of craze and zeal amongst kids and 'kidults' alike.

1. Un long dimanche de fiançailles (A very long engagement)
2. La môme (La vie en rose)
3.

From the Putamayo Series (International music CDs)

Swing Band
The Cool Crooners of Bulawayo - I Van Enkulu
Triton - Mari Niça Swing
Oscar Peterson with Clark Terry - Mumbles
Squirrel Nut Zippers - Pallin' with Al
Alfredo Rey e la Sua Orchestre - Foto Romanza
Duke Heitger and his swing band - Swing Pan Alley
Renzo Arbone e i suoi Swing Maniacs -Mamma Mi Place il Retmo
New Orlean Jazz Vipers - Blue Drag
Romane - Gypsy Fire
Ku'au Crater Boys - Opihi Man
Jambalaya Cajun Band - Hey, Rock
Children of the Revolution - Minor Swing: To Djano

France
Paris Combo - Fibre de Verre
Serge Gainsbourg - Marilon Sous La Neige
Barbara - Si La Photo est Bonne
Enzo Enzo - Juste quelqu'un du bien
Georges Brassens Je m'suis fait tout petit
Jane Birkia - Elaeudanla Téteïa
Coralie Clément - La Mer Opale
Matheiu Boogaerts - Ondulé
Brigitte Bardot - Un Jour Comme Un Autre
Paris Combo - On n'a pas besoin
Sanseverino - Mal ô Mains
Baguette Quartette - Endouce
Polo - La fée clochette

Paris
Thomas Fersen - Au Café de la Paix
Coralie Clément - Samba de Mon Coeur qui Bat
Karpatt - Dites Moi Tu
Carla Bruni - Quelqu'un m'a Dit
Pascal Parisot - Je reste au lit
Karen Ann - Jardin d'Hiver
Tryo - Serre-Moi
Paris Combo - Lettre à P...
Presque Oui - L'ongle
Amélie-les-crayons - Ta P'tite Flamme
Myrtille - Les Pages
Aldebert - Carpe Diem

Caribbean Music
TaxiKréol - Mandolin
Ralph Thamur - Mi Se La
Michel Martley - Pa Manyen Fanm Nan
Kali - Parfum des îles
Haïti Twoubadou - Ki Demon Sa-a
Jean-Luc Alger - Man Bisuena
Emeline
Carimi Ayiti - Bang Bang

Just watched 'The Golden Compass' with M.S

It's such a good film.
Also, Oxford is wow. Gorgeous. I'm in love with the place and wish I could study there in the future.
Am finding the plot so wonderful.
Most terrifying suspense-filled scene: when Lyra approaches the usurped king of the polar bears and presents herself as a potential daemon. She could have gotten killed at any instant! And put Ioeryk's life at stake.
Lyra is one of the bravest child I know [in fiction].
The theme of religion and hearsay probably permeates the film, but I need an extra person to actually discuss this kind of topic.
Lyra's parents are both intellectually gifted, charming, and well-reputed people, interested in the same field, the same object, but with polarizing interest.

In the literary world, there are only two types of people: editors and writers. I belong to the second category. I don't think I can ever be so good of an editor, although having good editing skills certainly will benefit me as a writer.

I really care more about writing than most things, but I think I also enjoy reading other people's writings more than creating my own work most of the time.

Editing entails giving sound advice and tightening up an article, giving it a very good sense of direction.

There is also a big difference between creative writing and analytical, critical and factual pieces of writing.

And there's something different about personal writing, like posting on a blog.