Volume 15, Number 15
February 10, 2009



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This Week




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Hakuna Matata

özlem erdemSo Much on My Mind!

There is no real underlying reason for my bulleted writing this week. It's just that I have so many things on my mind that I think this is a goodway to organize it all. Let's see:

1. I am really tired of explaining my ornithophobia to people. YES! I have a fear of birds; denote all kind of birds, including chickens and those tiny little ones. I have no idea about the cause of this fear. I haven’t even watched Hitchcock's "The Birds." I am only sure about the disgusting feeling I get when a bird comes near me.
2 .I was astonished when I saw photos of American Swimmer Michael Phelps, smoking marijuana, which is illegal in the States. What I question are his aims in life. After getting eight medals in the Olympics and earning millions of dollars at the age of 23, what on earth can make him happy and satisfied? At one time, I read an aphorism saying; "I am frightened of reaching all the goals in my life." I definitely see a connection, do you too?
3. I clearly understand why communication through words is difficult. There cannot be any 'universal' definition for some words. There are feelings and experiences that make the definitions blurry. For instance, the definition of sorrow for one could be related to a headache or a low grade in a course. What about for those who lose their parents or closest friends? Or those in Gaza? Is it even possible to compare these?
4. Karl Marx said in 1867, “Owners of capital will stimulate the working class to buy more and more of expensive goods, houses and technology, pushing them to take more and more expensive credits, until their debt becomes unbearable. The unpaid debt will lead to bankruptcy of banks, which will have to be nationalised, and the State will have to take the road which will eventually lead to communism" Sound familiar?
5. The Yemekteyiz phenomenon is still going on. Is there anyone in the world who can explain the reason for the popularity of this awful, impolite, insincere competition? I believe we are the most absurd watchers
6. Related with the 5th point, I heard the term “discarded bread.” For those who are interested, search the term ıskarta ekmek online. I am very sure it will redefine your view on just how difficult life can be.
7. I really like using these bullets. Should I always do this?
Welcome to the Bilkent jungle and see you the next time.

Özlem Erdem (IE/IV)
oerdem@ug.bilkent.edu.tr

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