Not Running on Gas

Stardate 64280.1
15:18 - The first time I ran out of gas happened in June of 2009; my then boyfriend, Gabe, rescued me from the infernal grips of the Texas heat. Camped in lot 61 on campus, I cursed the fact that I forgot to fill up my tank and my cheap idea of not filling up my tank the whole way the last time.  For those of you not familiar with the state of lot 61 at this time, lot 61 was equated many a time to the infrastructure of Baghdad with its incredibly large potholes and its sharp, rusted metal objects thrown about. In all seriousness, I trembled as my car would traverse over the pothole craters in fear of an improvised explosive device (IED) detonating in that sorry excuse of a parking lot.

This incident caused me to invest in a two gallon gas can to remain in my trunk for all of eternity 'just in case'. I say investment, but I am not so sure on the returns to this 'investment'. Since purchasing the can, I have been stuck in parking lots and at the corner of Harvey and Texas Ave more times than I care to count, and I wonder: did this gas tank pay for itself by me being prepared or was it a self-fulfilling prophecy? Because if I gambled, I would say that this scourge of a gas tank created perverse incentives for me to run out of gas by giving me the independence to do so without going through the embarrassment of calling upon my friends for help. This past night was no exception, with the gage at 'E', I swung by my sister Kim's dorm (or a location near her dorm to save on gas). Being warned of the precarious situation we found ourselves in, she knew the drill of a rolling stop and executed it with style. I made it home safely, only by not going over 2 on the r/min and rolling through stops to prevent from idling out. However, later that night (around midnight), I had to use my blasted gas tank to refill my tank in order to bring my friend ice cream. To which, I admit was bad form on multiple levels and more proof of the gas tank's incentive perverting nature. At least, I did not have to contend with the embarrassment of not having enough gas in my tank when I left my friend's place.

How I was Raised...Country Music

Stardate 64277.1

20:10 - A few weeks ago, a fellow Bushwacker asked me to contribute to our list of Music Monday selections to be sent out to the whole Bush School. At this time, my love for outlaw country was being rekindled. I reacquainted myself with this genre of country music by spending one lazy Sunday afternoon with a Cuban, couple pitchers of beer at the Chicken, and the Great Gonzos album by Jerry Jeff Walker. I submitted Jerry Jeff Walker's “London Homesick Blues”, “LA Freeway”, “Gettin’ By”, and “Sangria Wine” to the Music Monday list. Now because of the nature of the genre and the highfalutin ways of the Bush School, I truly did not expect my list to make the cut. So you can imagine my surprise when I opened my email and saw my suggestions under a Brazilian freedom fighter muscian(Caetano Veloso), classic 80s( Heart), and some new age indie folk rock(The Decemberists).


Focus Foxies, I was outed as a country fan. I have worn many hats in my life: protesting liberal, radical feminist, footloose party animal, and a nasty piece of work. None of which would cause even my closest of friends to assume that I listened to Waylon and Willie and the boys. Mainly because I have never told anyone that I listen to country music; in fact, I spent a good deal of time concealing it from the world because the crowds I rolled with just didn't care to listen to it. While I'm being this honest, I have no idea who Kurt Cobain, Pearl Jam, Green Day or any 90s hip-hop stars until the later part of my high school career. I have tried listening to other types of music. I had a phase of Opera and Classical music, but I don't speak Italian and get bored easily. I wandered in the Classic Rock direction, but as soon as I opened my mouth about that genre, people listed off tons of artist that I was supposed to know. I had no idea and hated being judged for not knowing by similar know-nothing 16 year-olds. If Classic Rock represented a high start-up cost, Indie/Alternative Rock habit seemed impossibly expensive. For every band that Classic Rocker needed to know in the past, the Indie/Alternative Rock fans had to know a current underground band about to make it big that no one else knew about.  I can't keep up with that nor do I want to.

So while you were making your memories to your selected music type, I was enjoying George Strait,Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Joe Dee Messina, Faith Hill, Tim Mcgraw, Kenny Chesney, Dixie Chicks, Toby Kieth, Jimmy Buffett, Reba McEntire, Alabama, and countless more. The first country song that I knew all the words to was "Carrying Your Love with Me" by George Strait. The first album my Mom and I got into a fight about was "Come On Over" by Shania Twain.  I can remember my Mom putting on 'Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother" on the radio for the first time. At 13, I could sing karaoke to "Friends in Low Places." I sing "Wear My Ring" off key every time it plays in O'Bannons.  And if you were to ask me what I picture love to be, I would say my parents two-steppin' in Garner State Park to "You Had me at Hello" by Kenny Chesney. Every morning, I wake up to country music videos because I can't start my day any other way. Most of my memories of music center around country music so I guess its good that I stopped living a double life. So judge on if you can, but I will just turn up Merle's "Fightin' Side."

Islamic Community of Bryan/College Station

Stardate 64254.4

15:22 - Entering the Islamic Community Center of Bryan/College Station, I left my shoes at the entrance and walked towards the greeter. Before this Saturday, I have never been inside a Mosque but took the opportunity to visit when a friend invited me to an Open House. I had no preconceived notions of what to expect about the Mosque or (truth be told) about the religion of Islam. I entered the center eager to learn, starting with a run down of Mosque etiquette by the greeter.

The large prayer area held tables and booths with bundles of information about the basics, prophets and culture of Islam. I had no idea where to start; interestingly enough, not knowing anything beforehand hindered my ability to ask questions. I understand that the point of the Open House was to teach individuals about Islam, but I have never been comfortable with blatantly asking someone about their religion. When I am asked, I simply reply Catholic and let my audience fill in the blanks. Never have I been asked to give an explanation on what it means to be Catholic. I felt most comfortable asking women about their faith, partly because I could only shake hands with women within the Mosque. I do not know why that affected my decision, but it made the transition from 'Hi' to 'What is your belief on God' easier.

At one o'clock, I attended a lecture that briefly explained the principle beliefs of Islam and how those translated into the practices of Islam. The six articles of faith are the belief in Allah (p.b.u.h) as the one true God, in the creation of Angels, in the authenticity of the Revealed Scriptures, in the Messengers explaining Allah's (p.b.u.h) message, in the certainty of the Next Life and in idea in Divine Decree. The five pillars of Islam adopt these articles of faith and transform them into practices. The five pillars of Islam are the Declaration of Faith, the 5 Daily Prescribed Prayers, fasting durring Ramadan, giving of alms, and the Pilgrimage to Mecca.

Another aspect of the Open House included an small introduction into the culture of Muslims around the world. As you can see above, Focus Foxies, I got a henna tattoo, which has stayed with me until the next Thursday. Accompanying the henna station was the 'write your name in Arabic' station. I have tried to recreate my name in Arabic calligraphy and failed miserably.  However, the food proved to be amazing; I was able to try food from all over. I ate beef Egyptian treats, Saudi Arabian appetizers, Palestinian falafel, Sudanese cheese pastry, Libyan desserts of Baklava, and Jordanian coffee ball.  I relished the new tastes of soft cheese infused with spices covered in fluffy pastry, crispy outsides of falafel with a softer inside, and the deep, rich flavor of coffee cover in coconut flakes.

Before I left the Mosque, I witnessed the call to prayer and wondered if I could ever open myself up in this manner to having people watch me as I worship.  I have at times brought my friends to mass with me (all of them Christian), and even that felt like a production of sorts. I have never imagined opening my place of worship up to someone of a completely different faith, a stranger or even someone who could be hostile towards my faith.  But the members of the Islamic Community of Bryan/College Station did, and for that, I am truly grateful.

Thunderhawks Unite

Stardate 64245
14:37 - Last night was the first night that I played a full game of softball in over a decade. Yes, I am old enough to say that I haven't done something in a decade.  I joined the co-rec softball team, named the Thunderhawks. Educational opportunity, Focus Foxies: a Thunderhawk is an ancient bird friend of the Greek God, Rock Stareous, who was once his son, Thunderus, but Zeus turned him into an awesome hawk just as he was about to die from being critically injured by a Hydra. Zeus equipped this hawk with the ability to produce loud booming noises every time he flapped his wing. In exchange for giving him new life, Zeus demanded that the Thunderus Hawk flap around during every lighting storm Zeus created. The God Rock Stareous

was so happy that sometimes he would play music to go along with the storm. Thunderhawk and Rock Stareous were sad that they couldn't be both human anymore, but they stopped being sad. Instead, they decided to be awesome. True Story.  Anyways, our team laid a hurting on some unsuspecting team called the Cremasters. What is a Cremaster? I have no idea. Well, I do have an idea; it is a team that gets beat 17-4. Well, Focus Foxies, I didn't do half bad; I did worse than half bad. I did terrible. I struck out twice, walked once (then scored), and then was gotten out before I hit first base.  MVP for that game was Weston who dropped bombs on those Cremasters like the coalition forces on Saddam in March 2003. A Whoop!

Conversations with Ambassador Sheel Kant Sharma

Stardate 64251.6
12:20 - The Bush School hosted the honorable Ambassador Sheel Kant Sharma as a part of India Day at Texas A&M. Amb. Sharma currently resides as the Secretary General of the South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) since March 2008.  Amb. Sharma has a PhD in High Energy Physics and has concentrated his diplomatic efforts in nuclear issues, but now deals with a variety of issues facing South Asia. He presented on the current issues facing SAARC and their accomplishments thus far.

Two topics that caught my attention during Amb. Sharma's speech were the issues of the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) and the transportation barriers within the region that prevent trade. So, Focus Foxies, I actually asked a question during the Q&A period. I know I may seem like a fairly confident person, but I have been extremely scared to ask a question. This time was no exception. With my hands shaking, I asked about the role of agriculture in SAFTA and any lessons learned and take-aways for the international community.  His response was that agriculture poses a huge barrier in creating a Free Trade Agreement within this region. Each country has the ability to have a list of goods/services that they wish to continue to protect, and many of the countries within this region choose to protect agriculture goods.  Amb. Sharma explained that reasoning behind this was each country's wish to protect farmers from external competition because many farmers' ability to make a living has diminished. However, two years ago during the Global Food Crisis, India banned the export of rice and other food sources causing backlash in Bangladesh and Nepal who depend on Indian food exports. After this question, I got really bold. I mean truly bold; I asked a second question about how the region planned on restoring their transportation connections between countries and on financing the endeavor.  To which he responded, the countries within SAARC are attempting to improve the economic situation through penning agreements on motor vehicle transportation to decrease transportation prices.  Funding would come from the individual countries.

After the presentation, we were able to have a sit down lunch with Ambassador Sharma to have a personal discussion. He explained that he started his Foreign Service career at 21 while he was finishing his PhD. In India, one must take an excruciating exam in order to be accepted into the Foreign Service. Amb. Sharma admitted he only took the exam because his family teased him enough that he could not pass the exam and he wanted to prove them wrong. He disclosed that in the end, the joke was really on him because of the toughness of the exam and the fact that his family was right. He excelled in the Foreign Service by combining his technical background and his knowledge of the world. Also, he complimented the Disaster City located by the airport, saying he wanted to combine forces with TEEX to help SAARC advance their emergency management technique. Upon asking him a third question, he elaborated that SAARC is currently ratifying an agreement that would focus on emergency response and recovery in disasters occurring within the region. He admitted that if the agreement was working at this time, the floods in Pakistan would have received aid. Also, he sited US help in running earthquake scenarios with the help of Hawaii Disaster Response teams.

Being able to get answers and discuss my three favorite topics in economic development was a fantastic experience. I encourage all of you, Focus Foxies, to stop by the Brown Bag lectures, and I will let you know when and where they are (for the non-bushwackers).