Not quite seeing eye to eye

My wonderful visit with Lauren has finally come to a close. She headed back up to NorCal yesterday in horrendous holiday traffic, which she joyously anticipated.

We spent the latter part of the week hanging out, taking in touristy things that amazingly Lauren had never been to on her previous visits (sorry about that Lauren). We also spent time hanging out with some really cool people that I know and some I just met. Some of our more amusing times were spent hanging out with my friend Derek and his brother Shaun or Shawn or Sean (sp? whatever I'll stick with Sean because it's shorter). Anyway both Derek and Sean were born and raised in Zambia, but to hang out with them you wouldn't know that at first. They look like typical white middle-american boys. Although since moving to Arkansas to attend John Brown University Sean has affected a southern accent to help blend in with the locals or so he says.

Anyhoo, we were hanging out one night and Lauren was talking about something and she mentioned the Greatful Dead and Sean said , "Who?" and we all were like you're kidding right? And I really hope he was... we never figured it out, but it brought up the interesting thought that although technically Derek and Sean are Americans for the most part they are unaware of what I consider common pop culture knowledge for people in our age group. I made a 4:20 reference and they both were like "What?" I decided not to fill them in. Let them remain innocent. From what they said they had electricity and other modcons at home but not television and there wasn't much hanging out at the mall since there wasn't one. It made me realize that while they might look and sound like other Americans, when they decided to come to the United States for University how difficult it must have been to try and feel a part of a culture completely different from the one you are used to where everyone else shares a similar thread of common knowledge.

Upon further reflection I thought about this in relation to the people of Kairos moving to Los Angeles. Although it was a culture shock there is still a large VA Tech contigent out here with a similar thread of common knowledge that makes it easier for us to feel comfortable moving to a new place. But on the flip side I wondered how that made people who already live in LA or who moved to LA and joined Kairos feel. Is it a little shocking for them as a person trying to fit into a group where it seems like everyone knows each other or shares a common background and they are the only ones who aren't a former hokie. Does it bother them if they are slowly becoming friends with one of us and a person like say Lauren (just using you as an example honey) comes to visit and she and I have a long history together and know some of them same people? Do they feel like no matter how hard they try they won't be as tight with me as the other people in the group. Does it feel like we are not all on the same page and that it is difficult to relate to people who share so many experiences together that they are completely unaware of? Anyway that was just some thoughts....have a great day...and as always enjoy.

an interesting visit

As you can see from the previous entry my good friend Lauren is visiting me from NorCal. I have really been enjoying the time we have spent together since she came.

I have been making attempts to introduce her to some really cool people that I know who have recently moved to the Los Angeles area so that she can come to like them as much as I do. In thinking about her visit I had visions of what I thought we would do and what I thought we would talk about...

Things like catching up on old times, going to the beach, or even catching a movie. What I hadn't planned on was every conversation we had with anyone we came into contact with turning into deep discussions about relationships past, present, and future, male/female interactions, people they are interested in, and what they look for in the opposite sex. We've learned more then we could ever want to know about people I have to see on a regular basis. The irony is that neither Lauren nor myself are in a relationship, nor am I seeking to be in a relationship with anyone. I'm too preoccupied trying to put Lauren into one. The weirdest part is I totally wasn't thinking about talking about these things with any of these people and neither was Lauren. The other people always seem to bring it up. Which leads me to believe that...

Contrary to popular opinion Kairos singles have relationships on the brain. People might not be hooking up all willy-nilly, every which way, but they are definitely thinking about it. Interesting...(says Lauren) So my real question is why isn't anything happening....Come on Kairos guys get the lead out. Lots of eligible hotties at Kairos (plus Lauren) what's taking so long. All these girls cooling their heels while all of you are all, "Nope not me, I'M CELIBATE!" or "Nope not getting married", "Not ready for that responsibility", "I'm doing my own thing right now". If you don't do something some Angelino jerk is gonna snap her up. I don't wanna hear about it takes time, friendship has to grow, blah, blah, blah, that's a load of crap just a bunch of punks to scared to do anything. That's my opinion anyway. All trying to play silly mind games. If she flicks her hair to the left when I talk to her she must like me. Well get a grip ask her then you'll know. Because if someone doesn't do something soon...I'm taking matters into my own hands.

Hope everyone is having good times...until next time...enjoy

Ode to Kevin Lieu

my good friend lauren is here in sunny Los Angeles visiting me for the Thanksgiving holidays and along with her sharp wit and winning personality she is also a budding poet. For those of you who do not know him I have a friend named Kevin Liu who is one of the nicest, sweetest and most sinister people I know. She has composed one of her best works yet as a tribute to him (not in any sort of romantic sense), which I will share with you here...

Ode to Kevin Lieu
Who fed me good thai food
Unselfishly he drives
And me he will high-five
Because Seinfeld we don't like
And Impressionists are tight
We share these two marvelous friends
Tanika and Mike to the ends
Mike is a fabulous guy
Who tries so hard not to lie,
But is still not quite as cool
As our fab friend Kevin Lieu

I hope you enjoyed this work, and if you haven't had the pleasure of hanging out with Kevin Liu then you really shoud...

trying something new

i'm attempting to start this blog to help...in whatever small way I can...give people some insight into the complicated world that is Tanika Taisha Evans. I make no promises not to offend and upset those who will read this in future. Life is not for the faint hearted and neither is this blog....have a nice day.