Team USA

So the joy amidst screaming fans at Donavon's penalty kick, and the disappointment at USA's defeat evoked my love for America deep within me that was always there, but truly experienced during these games (and during the Olympic games). Here are some pet peeves and thoughts related to my love for America observed during this World Cup tournament:

• This whole anti-America because the USA is the evil empire bullshit. I'm on FIFA.com and people schadenfreude-ly write about America's downfall because of America's "special privilege." Ironically, all this America-bashing is in English. First off, America does not have special privilege. If anything, FIFA and the refs have had it against the US from the beginning. The US have had 3 goals waived off, with pretty much no reason. Calls are blatantly in favor of the opponent of the US in terms of fouls. I'm convinced that there is a conspiracy that FIFA wanted the USA, Italy, France, and other large nations out. In some ways, its to even the playfield, democratizing the sport in some degree. This makes people from "smaller teams" happy and want to participate in the world cup, thus spreading popularity of soccer. At the core of it, it's all about more money.
• People who refused to participate/watch/talk about in the world cup because they "don't like soccer." This tournament was not about soccer. It was about patriotism. It was about US of fucking A. It was about America. Atleast show some support in the country you are living in.... Which leads to my next point second point. People living in the US, who refuse to support America really piss me off. As for myself, I was born in Taiwan, ethnically Chinese, but I love America. I immigrated here and live here so I owe my allegiance to the land of the free and home of the fucking brave.
• The NYC tour bus merchants by the empire state building. I watched the USA v Ghana game at Legends 33, right by the empire state building. Those guys in red vests selling the tour bus packages came in screaming cheering (basically throwing salt on a open wound) after USA lost. Ok- first if you hate America, you are in the wrong profession. You sell NYC (the "capital" of the USA) packages to tourists. You are selling America. Second, you immigrated here, albiet most are new immigrants. But like my second point, why would root against a country you have left your own for.

Loyalty is obviously very important to me. Loyalty to your country -- or patriotism. America definitely always gets the short end of the stick. Yes, America does have problems but we are not all that bad. Immigrants come here and reap the benefits of freedom, education, social mobility, free markets, and yet refuses to acknowledge any of this and choose to hate America. I know many Chinese from mainland China that are like this. They basically want to earn their education and go back to China to plot against America. Not to be an elitist white supremacistic self-loathing bastard but these people do not deserve to be in America. This isn't specific to just people from mainland China, but immigrants from other nations as well. This also does NOT mean that all people from there, or even a majority of people are like that. The US immigration service should way more selective in who to grant visa and citizenship to -- based on who truly wants to be here. Based on allegiance to the red white and blue. You don't like the US -- don't come here. There are plenty of people who would like to. GTFO.

Throughout the racism and disappointments in government I have experienced in the US, I still love America. I love her for the good and the bad. Objectively speaking, the good far outweighs the bad.

Go Team USA. I love you America. World, be ready for a 2014 USA World Cup Champion.

Bill, Carlos, and Bud. So fucking American -- I love it.

How I have changed...

So was in Europe for 11 days and California for 10 days and I realized I have changed a lot. Not saying necessarily these places changed me, although they may have. But people don't really understand themselves unless they are taken out of their element, which I was.

So when I was in Europe, the € was at a 4-year (don't quote me on this) low against the $, trading at 1.19€/$. This accounts for shopping savings of atleast 30%. I could have saved $500 on a Balenciaga bag, which I have wanted forever. Wasn't even remotely interested in buying it when I was there. As a matter of fact, didn't even go shopping at all. Only thing I got was two dresses I got from topshop in London, which I wore my entire trip because I didn't pack enough clothes.

I also don't fuss as much putting together an outfit -- I put in minimal effort. For example, I'm wearing the same jeggings and t-shirt I did yesterday. Sounds kinda gross, but atleast I still shower and don't smell. My favorite outfit consist of $10 t-shirts from Forever 21. I also realize that I can live life on a single carry-on luggage. I mean, I've explored this idea after watching Up In The Air with George Clooney. Everything we own is a burden. What if everything we own is lost? What material possessions do we really honestly need in our lives? I was forced to pack light in Europe thanks to easyJet and ryanair and it was fine. I didn't need 25 bottles of toiletries, and it wasn't that bad not having 20 outfits to choose from.

I've also definitely mellowed out. I realized this getting off the plane at JFK. I was in the passenger pick up area in terminal 8. These guys that work there are trying to regulate the cars that are picking up passengers since many cars wait there before their party arrives. These guys start screaming at 1000000 decibels "GO GO GO!!!!!!" To me, that was completely unnecessary. My brother claims it's because california "made me soft." Perhaps, but I was so taken aback by it. I've also mellowed out, in terms of a bit less road rage.

Anyway, I'm happy about these changes although I'm not sure how they have come about. It could be as a result of growing up, or because of the environment. I have prayed, although semi-casually, about being less materialistic so maybe this is God answering my prayer.

World Cup Eyecandy

This is to give some women (perhaps some men) who aren't that excited about the World Cup a reason to watch.

Yoann Gourcuff, France

• He plays as an attacking midfielder for France and also plays for Bordeaux having played for Rennes and Milan in the past. 
• The coach, Raymond Domenech, has assigned Yoann to playmaker, with the former playmaker on Les Bleus being Zidane.
• Yumminess factor: dark hair, light eyes, good body, athletic, and he is French. My sister (who is not a francophile like myself) and I came to the conclusion that he is the best looking person in the world.

Benny Feilhaber, USA

• Plays midfielder for USA in the World Cup tournament and plays for ARG Aarhus. 
• Born in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. New York, and then went to UCLA. 
• Yumminess factor: dark hair, gorgeous eyes

 
Carlos Bocanegra, USA

• Carlos is the captain of the US National Team and plays as a center-back. He also plays for Rennes in France. 
• Originally from California, he played football for UCLA.
• Yumminess factor: dark hair, dark eyes

David James, England

• He is the goalkeeper for England and plays on Portsmouth F.C. as the captain. 
• He has done modeling for Giorgio Armani and H&M.
• Yumminess factor: He has set up the David James Foundation to help farmers in Malawi. He has a scholarship in his name at University of Westminster.

Ashley Cole, England

• Ashley plays as a left-back on the England World Cup team. He also plays for Chelsea F.C. 
• He was married to Cheryl Tweedy, member of English girl band, Girls Aloud.
• Yumminess factor: He is just that good at football. Also his ex-wife is hot.
• Not-so-yumminess factor: He has cheated on Cheryl :(

Joe Cole, England

• Plays midfield for England, and also plays for Chelsea. He will probably be a free agent after this year
• Yumminess factor: dark hair, buzz cut

Hugo Lloris, France

• Goalkeeper for France, but also plays for Lyon in France. 
• He was born in Nice, France. 
• He's 23 years old -- although he looks like hes 4.
• Yumminess factor: his baby face. Oh yeah, and he is French.

  

Niklas Bendtner, Denmark

• Plays as striker for Denmark, and currently plays for Arsenal. 
• Yumminess factor:  He is 6'4. He is also my age :)

Medhi Lacen, Algeria

• Plays midfield for Algeria, and also plays on Racing Santander. 
• Born in Paris, France, he is representing Algeria because his father is Algerian. 
• Yumminess factor: Buzz cut hair cut. Oh, yes and he is French.

Developing countries vs. Developed countries

So this world cup is pretty indicative of what is happening globally in terms of economics, politics, and power. Developing countries are finally standing up to developed countries -- not only standing up, but upsetting in victories.

• Serbia scores on Germany
• Algeria nulls England... Algeria is seed 30, while England is seed 8. Everyone expected England to blow out Algeria.
• Mexico beats France... France won world cup in 1998 and is first time in history being defeated by Mexico.

USA should have won against Slovenia -- which is also indicative of global dynamics. Don't rule out USA!

Anyway, I'm definitely getting too addicted to this world cup mess.

Smartest thing NYU has ever done...

Right before leaving for LA, I decided to stroll through the city one last time. Came across the newly-opened NYU bookstore on Broadway. I was obsessed with it the moment I walked in... endless supply of NYU sweatshirts, great selection of books, Think Coffee, and school supplies.

I am convinced that opening a swanky bookstore on Broadway is the SMARTEST thing NYU has EVER done. NYU has had some developments which took a lot of resources, which I'm not crazy about. i.e. NYU Abu Dhabi, Governor's Island proposal, Polytech, etc. However, this book store is an amazing idea.

It builds brand equity for NYU. Just the fact that it is on Broadway makes NYU that much more ubiquitous in NYC. Also, the bookstore is now accessible to millions of tourists that come to NYC. They buy an NYU t-shirt and will wear it in their respective countries. The fact that the bookstore has coffee, lounge areas, and books, makes it a regular stop for everyone in the neighborhood, not only NYU students. Also, gotta love the children's section in the bookstore -- get them while they are young by selling stuffed animals with NYU shirts.