group dynamics: September 2004 Archives

It was a nice evening although it did cool off pretty quick, so we spent most of the time indoors (my red slippers on the deck as I grilled were a big hit).

Li came by with Leona for awhile, she hung in there in this strange environment with all these stranger English-speaking people for about an hour before becoming overwhelmed. Hunju wanted to blame me but I think Leona was just as upset by looking at Hunju. ;-)

Ingrid was the first arrival, Sarbjeet the last. Raz, Andrea, and Cata hung out with me outside during the roasting, and Cata and Hunju had their very first roasted marshmallows in full s'more form ( I supbstituted Nestle Crunch mini-bars for the standard Hershey's). Matt joined us for awhile.

All-in-all, a quiet, relaxed evening - so mellow I can't even generate many jokes about it! The intense pace of the semester's start takes its toll...? I did score a bunch of extra food and beverages; hosting isn't such a bad deal! :-)

Shame on me for not including one of the best exchanges of the afternoon! We learned about the 1974 revolution in Portugal, when the people rose up and deposed a dictator of 50 years in a bloodless coup - not one death.

Jose was seven years old on the day the army entered Lisbon. By noon, it was over and Jose's father took him and his siblings out to experience the moment. The code to distinguish which soldiers were with the rebellion from those not were carnations. Ever since, they commemorate the coup by wearing carnations.

"They're all bastards."

Yassir provided both extreme statements, which framed our lunch on the "beach" near Sarbjeet's today. While I did shots of Portuguese green wine, we discussed the alarming rise of religious identification in Syria and India as a "response" to US foreign policy (a.k.a. GWBush).

Did you know that there is a small Jewish population in Syria? And 10-12% Christians? And it used to be that people could be friends for years without knowing each other's religious affiliation? Not anymore.

For those of you curious about what I'll write about our wonderful evening last night....let me say that the food was DELICIOUS and the company a great deal of FUN. My deepest appreciation to our hosts.

I'll refrain from spreading gossip about pets, relationships, and rumored external affiliations, but the laughter was (is still) appreciated. :-0

Yesterday afternoon I blew by Hunju and Raz while leaving Boyden (the gym). Busted! Brushing my hair while driving. :-) A nicer person would have stopped to give 'em a ride but hey. It was a beautifl day and I couldn't be late to Lisa's class (that would have been a stellar start). I still had to stop by the campus center store to buy a notebook. Think they'll forgive me? ;-)

Li sent this article to the comm-grad listserv. National recognition for everyone who participated in protests about the discriminatory international student fee! We rock! :-)

Some of our COM colleagues went all the way, I know of at least two who "refused to pay and risked possible deportation this fall."

Todd sent out a bunch of pictures mostly of his newborn son, Sam, but there are a few shots of Leona with various characters too, including her dad Li, and me and Carolyn.

There are a lot of sweet shots here; I like all the smiley ones (surprise!) but am also drawn to Sam with the octopus hat. :-)

At least, so it seemed to me, as 17 guests converged upon the house formerly known as Carolyn's. :-) Much mingling and chatter, with several jokes about damaging furniture and doing graffiti (in order to leave a "mark"), tours of the "grounds" (!), good music, and I'm pretty sure no one left hungry. :-)

Of those who could attend, most were COM-folk,

My buddy Kim is stressing about Hurricane Frances. She is hoping it doesn't touch down in her area....as she's "trapped" in the hospital and can't help with any of the safety precautions. At least they don't live in the evacuation zone. She's been battling a blood clotting problem since May and her bod has NOT been receptive to medication. Scary scary. Four kids.

I'm worrying about Leda's family too.

Well, the vernacular "roomies" works for me but one of them prefers the more classy-sounding "flatmates." I might have to compromise with "flatties." ;-)

We're planning our first of (hopefully monthly) parties...with alternating trepidation and excitement. Communication (among comm majors!) has had its tentative moments but I have no doubt we're going to pull it all together and have a smashing year. :-)