Part 1 - Fashion.
To jog your memory, we tried out for a fashion show. We somehow got in (cough pale skin and height). All of a sudden, we found ourselves in a whirlwind of fashion show activity. If you were not previously aware, fashion-type people take themselves VERY seriously. We do not. This allowed us to remain detached and become mere observers of the strange culture. Everyone was really nice (except for Ma'am*, who was power tripping) but people just got a bit... tense. Personally, I think a contributing factor is that a great deal of American children play sports. From a young age, coaches and instructors tell you what you are doing wrong and what you can do to improve. Your spirit gets broken, you learn to pick up the pieces, you move on with your life. Perhaps Indians don't really experience this sort of criticism until later in life, so maybe they were just unaccustomed to the cruel corrections necessary to a good runway walk. Point being, practice everyday felt like an MTV reality show (tears and everything!).
To jog your memory, we tried out for a fashion show. We somehow got in (cough pale skin and height). All of a sudden, we found ourselves in a whirlwind of fashion show activity. If you were not previously aware, fashion-type people take themselves VERY seriously. We do not. This allowed us to remain detached and become mere observers of the strange culture. Everyone was really nice (except for Ma'am*, who was power tripping) but people just got a bit... tense. Personally, I think a contributing factor is that a great deal of American children play sports. From a young age, coaches and instructors tell you what you are doing wrong and what you can do to improve. Your spirit gets broken, you learn to pick up the pieces, you move on with your life. Perhaps Indians don't really experience this sort of criticism until later in life, so maybe they were just unaccustomed to the cruel corrections necessary to a good runway walk. Point being, practice everyday felt like an MTV reality show (tears and everything!).
Part 2 - Frivolity.
To be quite honest, I felt a little ridiculous for most of it. Though I knew I wouldn't get swept away by the ordeal, I still caught myself very often questioning if this was the best use of my time. Granted, it was only for a week, but still. People getting shallow and overly concerned with things that don't matter of course happens all the time in the US and it's still wrong, but it seems more logical because generally the wealthy (us included) lead lifestyles that keep them in a bubble. In India, such bubbles are not so encompassing. You can go to one of the best colleges in India, shop in big malls, and live in upscale neighborhoods, but the poverty will never decrease in visibility. The immediate contrast made the show seem absurd.
To be quite honest, I felt a little ridiculous for most of it. Though I knew I wouldn't get swept away by the ordeal, I still caught myself very often questioning if this was the best use of my time. Granted, it was only for a week, but still. People getting shallow and overly concerned with things that don't matter of course happens all the time in the US and it's still wrong, but it seems more logical because generally the wealthy (us included) lead lifestyles that keep them in a bubble. In India, such bubbles are not so encompassing. You can go to one of the best colleges in India, shop in big malls, and live in upscale neighborhoods, but the poverty will never decrease in visibility. The immediate contrast made the show seem absurd.
However, this has helped my resolve on another point, to be active even when not immediately faced with someone in need. Poverty does not go away even when we do. Would it be cool with you guys if I left you with a challenge? Obviously I can only be vague with "help people" (find local projects yourself, toots) and "donate", but some quick links to quality organizations are:
-Compassion International (support an individual child http://www.compassion.com/ ),
-Kiva (help people in third world countries start get their businesses running by making small investments that you completely get back! http://www.kiva.org/ ) and of course,
-The Heifer Project (donate farm animals for entrepreneurial endeavors http://www.heifer.org/ ).
Sorry for interrupting your day with this, but seriously... It's the LEAST I can do.
Part 3 - Fury.
The show itself was jolly good fun. We had no school Friday because it was a holiday (of course), yet we showed up hours before the show for the extensive preparation process. All I can say is "oofta." I had been given a few pieces to my outfit the day before so I had a very obscure idea of what I was wearing. Please excuse my skepticism. It turned out neat though! I was in the "creative" section, so they went ballistic on my head and clothes, transforming me into a glittery yellow cakeface! (Please note: though I write this on Sunday, I have not yet touched my hair because I am afraid of detangling.) Kelsey looked stunning in a traditional Bengali sari and Kate quite regal in a look from the Mughal empire. For that matter, EVERYONE looked great! It all went down relatively smoothly. Go team. Conclusion: if you are going to be in a fashion show, pretty much just show up the day of because everything will change until that point anyway.
The show itself was jolly good fun. We had no school Friday because it was a holiday (of course), yet we showed up hours before the show for the extensive preparation process. All I can say is "oofta." I had been given a few pieces to my outfit the day before so I had a very obscure idea of what I was wearing. Please excuse my skepticism. It turned out neat though! I was in the "creative" section, so they went ballistic on my head and clothes, transforming me into a glittery yellow cakeface! (Please note: though I write this on Sunday, I have not yet touched my hair because I am afraid of detangling.) Kelsey looked stunning in a traditional Bengali sari and Kate quite regal in a look from the Mughal empire. For that matter, EVERYONE looked great! It all went down relatively smoothly. Go team. Conclusion: if you are going to be in a fashion show, pretty much just show up the day of because everything will change until that point anyway.
*We don't call any of our teachers by their names. Just "ma'am" (sounds like "mom") and "sir". In fact, we don't know their names at all. Sometimes we get to learn their initials. India is weird.
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