annu perspective.

Reporting from Washington, DB!

2009-09-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm settled into school I thought I'd write a quick post. I love GWU for several reasons that pertain solely to GWU, but I also love college as an experience so so much! Washington, DC is a remarkable city and has so much to offer this tiny girl with giant dreams. I love our Thursday tradition of walking to the monuments at midnight. I love my roommates and I love my classes. I love that we're starting to carve our own individual niches and even study spots. I love the "Obama" at Crepeaway. I even love how much alone time I have here.

And just to demonstrate how random my roommates and I are: It's 11:15 on a Wednesday night and we're watching The Prince of Egypt while shouting out random Disney quotes.

Things to look forward to: I am going to New York City on Friday morning! I turn Eighteen on October 4. I'm seeing some of my best friends in the city this weekend. I wonder what my first trip away from college will be like. Will I miss it? On Tuesday I'm seeing Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and my hero Christiane Amanpour live on my campus. Next weekend I'll be spending a second birthday weekend in DC, enjoying finally being legal with my new friends! Things to look forward to? The next four years, I think.

I guess the only thing I don't love is that there's no Mexican food here.

Oh yeah, and I miss my family. And my friends.

Please keep in touch! I love letters =)

It seems

2009-08-15T15:51:00.001-07:00

That there are way more motorcycles on the road right now than usual. Is it just me?

I'm the worst blogger ever

2009-08-06T17:03:00.001-07:00

But in my defense, I have been in India for three weeks and was celebrating my commencement from high school before that. Anyway, I didn't have time to blog while I was in the Motherland, but my Moleskine is bursting with entries to be posted from my trip. Stay tuned!

2009-05-27T00:16:00.000-07:00

Today, Proposition 8 was upheld.
While I am incredibly dismayed by this decision and frustrated by the reluctance that our state feels toward making progress, I am infused once again with passion for this cause.
The right to marry for homosexuals is this generation's civil rights movement. We must approach adversaries with sympathy-- their closemindedness is often a result of external factors dating back much further than Harvey Milk and peer influences. We must remain persistent in our fight, no battle worth winning is easily attained. Most of all, we must never falter. Today we are faced with a denial of a human right, and through the passage of Proposition 8, the state of California has demonstrated its approval of this denial. This is unacceptable, and a compromise on this issue is a compromise of justice.

Someday soon, this proposition will be overturned. Maybe it will be when we take the offense and not the defense. Maybe it will be when people realize that love is an undeniable and precious commodity. It is rare enough to come by already, I'd hate to see those who are lucky enough to achieve it only be told that their affection is inferior. Because if we don't have love, we don't have much.

2009-05-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

This article has me thinking a lot about delayed vs instant gratification.

Thoughts?

2009-05-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

So today I received a compliment from a friend that meant a lot to me. I'm not sure whether it was because it sounded so sincere or because it was in response to a seriously existential diatribe, but I haven't stopped thinking about it. And compliments in general. What makes some so special, while other times we hardly notice them? Is it the person giving the compliment? The tone with which it is doled out? The situation?

And what can we do to sustain that sense of wonder and gratefulness toward the world without being "the person who gives out too many compliments so they probably don't matter anyway"? That said, do people compliment others out of obligation, or lack of other conversation? I see people recreate that famous "Mean Girls" scene all the time, where Regina Georges coos that she loves a girl's "vintage" skirt, only to trash talk it when the recipient was out of earshot.

I wonder what compels us to withold some kind statements from people who genuinely deserve them, while other times we laud mediocrity to the skies.

Sometimes, it's a compliment enough to achieve acknowledgement from someone else. Even if it does not recognize anything specific that is done.

Most of all, I wonder how, if a verbal high-five can do so much good for a person's day, why more politicians don't make simple compliments part of their lexicon, like "so golf's not your game, but you sure did kill me in skiball!" or "Mr. Ahmadinejad, your comedic timing is impeccable, believable almost!"

Minority Report

2009-05-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

Thought Number One:

I recently applied for University, and my college prospects included both private and public institutions. Much to my frustration, some of my top schools operated on a point-system that reduced their applicants to careful equations, balancing hours the applicant spent paper maché-ing masks with underprivileged youth against SAT scores and class rank in a complex nomenclature that, presumably, would produce the most deserving addition to the student body. All the point-system did, however, was grant high schoolers a generic road map that, if followed, would land them in the school of their choice. It allowed our college counselors to sound like the Australian woman on my GPS, because if we deviated from the given track they just had to sigh and redirect our route. In my mind, the people who championed the point system were creating an even larger point system for the University’s future, though. They accepted a certain number of science fair finalists bearing in mind that a physics building would be needed for restoration in about forty years and one of the admits may just provide the endowment it needs. They turned away music enthusiasts, calculating that the number of percussion-instrument wielders in the student body is positively correlated with interrupted lectures and incessant finger-drumming on desks. We are left hoping that we apply in a year when the people who decide our fate are seeking the specific talents that we have spent years honing. We simply pray that several external factors have aligned in our favor, and that our time has come.

Thought Number Two:

Today I read this article about who will replace David Souter as Supreme Court Justice. President Obama possesses, with Souter’s resignation, an invaluable opportunity to hire a liberal supporter of his beliefs into the federal justice system for life (I’m sure whoever is chosen will be equally ecstatic by his/her appointment—who wouldn’t want to have job security for life in this economy?). While I have my guesses about who will be selected, what really peaked my interest about this article was the caption that prefaced it: “Bloggers debate whether the next justice will be female, Hispanic or gay.”

Females, Hispanics, and gays—if their beliefs resonate with those of President Obama— could all prove to be vital members of the Supreme Court, and because they have been minorities within the Supreme Court in the past, it may be in O’s best interest to nominate one of the three.

Now I combine the two thoughts:

Discussions quantifying whether it is “time” for a female, Hispanic, or gay justice is just like the point system implemented by the admissions teams at universities this year. Obama’s administration has scrutinized and weighed the résumés of several of the nation’s most promising prospects in order to arrive at Justice Souter’s ultimate replacement. Articles such as this one and discussions that attempt to enumerate the amount by which one minority group deserves to achieve the coveted position over another, however, introduces a previously untouched subject: which minority group has the most points? Through the passage of legislature, formation of esoteric societies, and advancement of prominent leaders, all three minority groups have acquired several feathers in their respective caps. I can just see it: immediately after the Hate Crimes Act was passed in last week(!!), an English woman who looks like Professor McGonnagal from Harry Potter descended from the ceiling of the Senate building and barked, “ten points for homosexuals”.

But can you do that? Just as the admission process may have resulted in the selection of more automatons than truly well-rounded individuals, does Obama have to choose a Justice based on the minority group that has the most gold stars right now rather than the one who may bring forth a policy most similar to his? And when did minority groups start alienating themselves from each other? It used to be that, for better or for worse, various races, religions, and sexual preferences were all lumped together into the category “minority”. Now it seems like they’ve all split apart and have engaged in a battle to prove themselves the best one. Does this herald a shift toward structuring policy based on sexual orientation, gender, or race? Would that shift preclude those people from supporting certain proposals? And does this all imply that when a white male is elected to a position, he comes with no baggage, that his Caucasian masculinity renders him immune to bias? Could a homosexual Hispanic woman ever act independently of her gayness, Latina-ness, or femaleness?

I firmly believe that it is only a matter of time before minorities become fully integrated with society, and they will have corresponding representation in government. But I also firmly believe that what we are is what we are. I cannot ever escape my Indian culture and the values that it has ingrained in me. The fact that I am a female colors my world indefinitely. But we will truly achieve harmony with every minority when the fact that one group has been raised or tends to steer a certain way is seen as an honest advantage. We should not just place minorities in positions to fulfill quotas. The United States has never been so welcoming of diversity. So call me a Pollyanna, but I think that Obama’s decision—be it a woman, gay, or Hispanic—for Supreme Court Justice will be right because that person will present our nation with cool perspectives and refreshing ideals—just in time for a sticky DC summer.

Explanation.

2009-05-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

Hi. So two days after writing my first post, the Blogspot account had told me that my account was frozen. For several weeks thereafter I could not log onto my account. After a while, I just stopped trying to log on. Anyway, I am back! And with lots to say. So look forward to many entries in the future :)

And you thought 2008 was epic...

2008-12-28T00:43:00.000-08:00

Around this time of year, I can’t help but focus on what my new year’s resolutions will be. The concept of changing our ways upon the striking of midnight on a technically unimportant date (exceptionally unimportant if you follow the lunar calendar), clichéd as it is holds immense meaning to me. And I think that the month of December can reveal a lot about a person’s true character. Between juggling holiday parties, not getting fat, and managing finances with our country’s proud consumerism always beckoning, this month is trying on even the grinchiest of souls.

ANNU SUBRAMANIAN’S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2009:
1. Watch a lot of really great movies. For months I’ve kept a list of movies I want to see, and I really haven’t gotten around to any of them. I’m even excited to go to the movie theater and go see this year’s Oscar nominations. If you know any great films, keep those suggestions coming!
2. Write Write Write. My journal has been relatively naked this year. 2009 will be an incredible year and appropriate documentation is necessary : )
3. Meditate. Ommmmm. Maybe I’ll cleanse my aura in the process
4. Live it up. Next year I not only get to enjoy the luxuries that accompany carrying a “second semester senior” card, I also join college. I can’t wait!

2009 will be an epic year for many, but most notably, our President-Elect Barack Obama will be faced with a multitude of activities, critics, events, and, oh yeah, issues. That’s why I have taken the time to also compose a list of new year’s resolutions for Mr. Obama. With these, he’ll be able to thwart the challenges and stunts that even Houdini would balk at.

ANNU SUBRAMANIAN’S RESOLUTIONS FOR BARACK OBAMA FOR 2009:
1. Locate Joe Biden and put a shock collar on him. The Vice-President-Elect (lots of hyphens!) is a distinguished and experienced politician. It would not be ludicrous to suggest that he could serve as both vice-president and Secretary of State. Biden, if his boundaries are clearly drawn, can redefine the role of the vice-president and detoxify the notion that the VP doesn’t do anything but shoot people until the president dies. Perhaps Biden should assume the responsibility of looking beyond the American borders while Obama focuses on internal issues. Obama skeptics will want to find fault with Biden, but if JB spends his time reclaiming the term “pro tempore” and actually doing his tasks, the Obama-Biden team will be unstoppable for the next eight years.
2. The Bush comparisons stop on January 20, so get your shit together. We all know that Bush sucked. That doesn’t mean that Obama can suck less and say “SEEE, AT LEAST I’M DOING BETTER THAN W!”. When you’re in office, people will be seeking their own criticisms of you, and basking in the glory of not being Bush is a cop-out move.
3. Prioritize the US economy. But please, not too many bailouts. Galvanize the economy by creating sustainable programs, rather than just fire-fighting solutions. This may imply redirecting money toward a stronger public school system, or enhancing grassroot community programs. Not only will you fix our economy, you will immortalize your term in the process. Global issues will always exist, and the world will always look to the USA for support. We want it that way. But by trying to repair our failing economy, AND the problems in (clears throat) The Middle East, Darfur, Russia, Somalia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the Polar Ice Caps (breathe), nothing will be successful. Things won’t even be half-assed. They’ll be, like, third-assed. Focusing inward and fixing our economy first will ensure our stability before we try and impose that property on others.
4. That said, Africa has a ticking clock on it. We have written blank checks to Israel and China for too long. It is time for us to redirect our international focus to a continent in peril. With Europe giving Africa the cold shoulder, it is the duty of the United States to shed light on and emphasize the myriad issues that plague it. And, to be honest, the value of NGOs is wonderful for communities, but they do not incite sweeping change. If we want the continent from which all mankind sprang to have a future then the big dogs in government and businesses have to join heads and realize the solutions to (clears throat): HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Darfur, Somalia, pirates, government corruption, teenage pregnancy, abuse of women, orphans, violence, child soldiers, unfair stigma associated with disease, and Robert Mugabe (breathe). If for no other reason, Obama, do it for your late father and all your brothers and sisters in the motherland.
5. Milk your honeymoon. We elected you. By quite a bit. Now go and exploit your first hundred days like you know you want to!
6. Get Chile Peppers with Annu and then give her a million dollars. Hey, a girl can dream!

With that, I am going to only say one more thing. GO CHARGERS!!! BRONCOS SUCK.