A short story: The Wait

I am walking down the street. The lights in the shops are going off. Is it that time already? It cannot be! Yet, I can still hear Cuban music blaring from the café at the corner, still smell the curry from the Indian restaurant across the street. Good thing Amy lived in a neighborhood full with life even after seven; otherwise, I would have gone crazy with agitation and anticipation. But I calm down, reminding myself that the waiting will be over in the morning. If it were up to me, I would not have to wait for the morning, I would have gone there at midnight, but Iris tells me that hastiness will get me nowhere and that waiting for the morning to come is the best idea. Of course, she does not understand the meaning of the event—how millions and millions of people from all around the world wait for that overlap of the hands of the clock this evening… no, she has no idea how important this is to me. But, I will wait. Patience is not my virtue, but I will try, just to prove how much this means to me.

There is the wait: the uncertainty of it all. You are never too sure of whether or not it is really going to happen. After so many delays, rumors, criticism, hope starts to fade a little. But, never completely. Then, the buzz starts enveloping the mystery. An article mentions a factory in Germany, a report says there are inspections twice a day, and all the work is done in complete darkness. One would think that is not possible in the 21st century; yet, people said it was done so. I was itching to know it all, hungry for more. And I was not the only one. Emerson put up posts with news on his web site practically every hour. I need not say that his became the most visited web site on my computer. I would just sit there at my desk, almost glued to the screen, clicking the ‘Refresh’ button over and over again, hoping there will be something new when the site reloads.

That flicker of hope is not lost even in the dead of night. I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, trying to fall asleep. When I turn, my gaze falls to the poster of the kitten on the wall—which reminds me immediately of the pending event, and makes my falling asleep seem even less possible. I try to focus on other things, like why would Darius have posters of cats displayed on the walls of his apartment. It is indeed weird for a sixty-year-old bachelor to have such images on his living room wall. To ponder upon this question really is useless, so turn to the side and think for what looks like the billionth time that month why Iris and I had to stay at Darius’s flat; why Amy’s boyfriend is so obstinate, claiming he needs peace and quiet to study for his exams, when I know for a fact that he watched March of the Penguins during his “study time”...

This is getting me nowhere. So, I try the old method, thinking of something that is not substantial to what is about to happen all over the world: I recite the lyrics of a Simple Plan song in my mind. The first one I thought of was ‘Untitled’. Funny I should think of the song named such at this time when I am trying to completely erase all anxiety by blanking out my mind. I recall what the song is about—the music video is still so vivid in my head—how petty people consider the lives of each other, how the consequences of their actions might affect the lives of an entire family. How innocent people lose their lives for nothing every day, because people just do not care…

My eyes snap open. How long was I asleep? I turn over to check the digital clock on my cell phone: it is 5:35. Well, it is still dark outside, and it is summer, so it must be just before dawn. I still feel the anxiety, only it has been multiplied by a thousand since last night. At the thought of how many people in the world have it in their hands already I feel a fist of excitement forming in my stomach. I throw the covers off me, thankful for the early wake; these past few days had been extremely difficult for me, and the heat was not making my life more bearable. Oh, how I miss the wind and the rain of Seattle! But, being in Europe is a one-time chance, and Amy found us this apartment for free, so Iris and I took the opportunity and sat on the first flight to Vienna available. A little over two days later we were standing at Vienna International Airport, being hugged by Amy and saluted awkwardly by William, Amy’s boyfriend of four years. Jet-lagged, but genuinely happy to be there, I started enjoying the visit from the moment we left the airport. I doubted she wanted to do more than check out Amy’s flat, but Iris was willing to pay for her plane ticket, and I really do hate flying alone (not once was I lost at an airport). I was definitely determined to get the most of this vacation.

I think about all of this as I brush my teeth, trying not to look in the mirror, as I know there I will see a crazed look in my eyes. I continue on to brushing my hair and picking out the clothes I will wear today. After all, it is a special day—the day I will finally get to hold it in my hands. I realize it is a little over six o’clock when I am ready, so I sit down (otherwise I would have paced the room a million times over) and think of another reason for coming to Europe, a reason I shared with nobody. I so wanted to attend the MRP—I even got an invitation from Thalia—but from the way Amy talked about it, I knew it was a no-go. Even though I did not attend the MRP, I could feel the cheers from my friends all over the world as they celebrated July 21st. There was a great thing about Europe: the MRPs were six to nine hours prior to the ones in the States. Sure, I would have gone to Australia to attend one even earlier, but Emily had just too much going on even without guests. I sigh as I look out the window at the rising sun—well, the bits and pieces of it that were not hidden behind the enormous cathedral on the east horizon. Yes, I sure am lucky to be right here, right now.

I start feeling as if I am being electrocuted. Then I know it is time to get up and out of my chair before I break it. I get out my iPod and look for a certain song. Ah, here it is: ‘Mambo No. 5’ by Lou Bega. This song makes me dance regardless of my mood, and since dancing is one of the few things I am proud to say I am good at, I get up as silently as I can and leave the bedroom I share with Iris. I go to hallway and press play. The trumpets and the catchy rhythm start blaring through my earphones as I start moving around. I used to think that learning how to dance mambo when I was younger would never benefit me; now it helped me stay sane in all this craziness. It is odd dancing alone, especially mambo, but the song is just so good I forget about all my worries and move across the room with vigor. I put the song on ‘repeat’ and keep on dancing until Iris wakes up and gives me a really weird look, clearly keeping the “this girl’s got problems” to herself. And I am fine with it. Anything to keep my mind off the pending event.

Amy arrives around ten. Where did the time fly by? I am so thankful of my passion for dancing and music, of the ability to distract myself from the wait. We start walking to Mariahilferstraße—when we reach the nearest subway station and I turn to walk down the stairs, Amy laughs and says she feels like walking to Thalia. At that split second I hate her for mocking me in such a way, but I go along with it anyway. What else can I do? I do not know the city well enough, so I cannot just go there by myself. I groan as I think of the final destination—at the other end of Mariahilferstraße. When we finally reach Thalia, it is well past eleven o’clock and I am just short of mad. Then Amy and I enter. A totally different world. It quickly becomes one of my favorite places on Earth. I follow Amy to the second floor, to the counter where I get my copy, stamped with the proof that I was one of the first people in the world to pre-order it. I remember to pick up one more copy from a nearby pile; it was Mia’s birthday soon, and I had promised her a great present. When we walk out of Thalia Amy almost binds my hands together to keep me from opening it and plowing headfirst into a street sign or a person. When we reach our end of Mariahilferstraße, I realize that Amy is taking the left turn instead of the right one leading to her street. This is when she tells me we are meeting Iris at the closest Starbucks. I moan—the closest Starbucks is at least ten minutes away. As Amy is using the slowest stride she has ever used, I start suspecting a conspiracy. I mean, she and Iris are surely not fond of my obsession (I finally admit it). But again I say nothing; I figure that if I keep silent and endure the wait for a few more minutes, I will enjoy it more later.

I barely notice what I order at Starbucks—I think I had a mango smoothie—and find a table next to the shop window. As I open it, I remember only blurs of things. Yes, yes, just as I suspected… Hmmm, yes, everything confirmed... Just as I thought… No, George, no... Ah, a very interesting twist indeed... When I stop for a few seconds to sip my drink, I see people staring at me through the shop window. I know it is not me that caught their attention: it is what I am holding. I can just hear the mental note they are making: “Oh, it is out, I see. I’ll stop by Thalia after work to pick up my own copy.” But I pay no great attention to them. I dive into it again, into a trans-like state of mind.

What, it is time to leave? We have been here for two hours?! Impossible! Yet true, as I take a look at the clock on my cell phone. A twenty-five-minute walk to Amy’s apartment. I half-heartedly help out with the lunch, not even hungry, even though I have not eaten anything the whole day. Huh, my life has completely veered off course today, has it not? Then, William comes home from work, looking at me as if I had turned purple. I ignore him, as usual, and go on with my business. But, I do hear him ask whether we would like to watch Madagascar; anyone who knows me at all can say that Madagascar is one of my all-time favorite movies. I sigh as I agree to watch it with them—I need at least one thing today to be normal. Surprisingly, I do enjoy it. Aside my love of animals, Marty, Melman, Gloria, and Alex take me to a different world, a carefree world, without the hustle and bustle of the big city. As the credits roll down the screen, William tricks me into staying there and watching ‘Allo! ‘Allo! ; I definitely suspect foul play now. He never wants to do anything fun, and he chooses today to be the good boyfriend. Ugh, men (I have to blame somebody).

When Iris and I finally get back to Darius’s apartment, the sun has already set and it is well over nine o’clock. I cannot believe I went on for so long without it, and did not have the time to fully enjoy it today! Notwithstanding, I have time now. I flop onto the bed and get lost into it. When I finally put it down, I see that Iris has gone to bed, the clock on my cell phone saying 4:21. I get up and stretch. As I brush my teeth I think of all my predictions about it: they were true. Who knew I had such a good intuition? I get into the bed, happier than ever before. Yes, all was well, and this was one of the best days of my life.

I wake up the morning after around nine, at my usual time. I thought I would sleep more after last night, but my system seems programmed to wake up at this time, and that is fine with me. I enjoy the morning. During breakfast Amy asks me whether she can look at my copy; I see no reason why I should not give it to her. She is my best friend, after all. Later that day I see Amy curled up in the armchair, engrossed in it. I smile to myself. The days go by. We visit many places, go shopping, have fun. I even made Amy go to the zoo one day; Vienna has the oldest zoo in the world, and with me being the animal lover that I am, I could not pass up the offer (if I can call it that). Amy finished it in a week, also amazed by it. What can I say, it has mysterious powers. The day of our departure comes, and I am very sad to go, even though I think Iris is fed up with this place by now. I have the memories to always remind me of this summer in Vienna.

I had the most amazing summer ever. I do not think I will ever forget it; I might even tell my grandchildren about that special trip to Europe. It brought on an ending, a spectacular ending, never-before-seen. Nonetheless, I feel emptiness inside me that the ending has left as I say to myself: “What now?” Although during most of the fifteen-hour flight I have these thoughts, I even manage to sleep a little. As the plane is landing in Seattle, I feel the inaudible whisper: “Welcome home.”

Rosa Parks - The Woman Who Changed A Nation

Who would think that a woman from a small town in Alabama would change the way African Americans are perceived? Rosa Louise McCauley Parks never thought that by refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, she would start a nation-wide movement for promoting the rights of black people. When she was arrested on December 1, 1955, African Americans decided it was time to do something about the racial segregation that permeated their societies. Thus, the Montgomery Bus Boycott began—thousands of people refused to take the bus and walked to show their support for what Rosa Parks did. But what really made Parks decide to stand up to the law? In many books and interviews, she discussed numerous reasons why she did what she did, but she always emphasized a few that were most crucial.

Parks talked a lot about her mother and grandmother. She explained why they inspired her throughout her life. Her grandmother faced more difficulties than Parks ever did—slaves were just freed at that time, and were still considered servants by many. Parks told reporters of how her grandmother had to work on a plantation as a child and how grueling her job was. Parks’ parents were not the perfect example of a happily married couple—they split up when Parks was a child. She stayed with her mother, who was a teacher, which motivated Parks to finish her schooling. These strong women taught Parks never to be afraid of anything, to always do the right thing. She stated that when she refused to give up her seat, she was not afraid; instead, she thought of the many people before her who had to suffer from similar humiliating situations, and of the ways her mother and grandmother taught her. That is what gave her strength to face the unknown.

Ever since she was a little girl, Parks was a faithful member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her family members taught her that whenever in doubt, Parks should read the Bible, for it holds all the answers she needed. So, at that fateful moment of her life, Parks thought of the almighty Lord and prayed that justice will prevail. She knew what happened to people who disobeyed the law, especially African Americans; nevertheless, she had faith that God will keep her safe and help her out of her problems.

More than anything, Parks stressed that the main reason why she refused to get up was that she was tired. She was tired of social injustice, of how she and her fellow African Americans were treated just because of the color of their skin. She hated prejudices, and rarely judged people. In one of her books, she speaks of an incident when her house was broken into and the robber forced Parks to give him all her money. Even then, she says, she tried not to judge the person, because she did not know what he had been through, and how much he needed her money. She just wanted all Americans to be treated the same, in all aspects of life. Parks knew that what she did would not change the way people saw African Americans all over the world, but she hoped at least someone would understand her message.

When she got on the bus on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks never knew that what was about to happen would change the American nation forever. For what she did, many consider her to be the “mother of the modern-day civil rights movement.” Starting from the law about racial segregation on buses, many other laws followed suit and were changed. Today, the United States of America is still affected by racism, but the intensity of racism has been enormously reduced in the past fifty years. With an African American as their President, African Americans in the USA have the same rights as everyone else. Alas, there is still a lot more that can be done: there is still racial segregation in some high schools in Georgia, USA. It should cause everyone great lament to find out that such situations still exist in today’s world; that some people still think that one race is superior over another race. Clearly, there is still a lot of work to be done, but the future generations must continue what Rosa Parks left behind and let her legacy live on forever.

Many Things Changed the World in June 2009

The month of June 2009 certainly kept journalists all over the world busy. New discoveries, attacks, releases of highly anticipated products, and plane crashes marked this month halfway through the year.

As June 1st rolls by, the first tragedy is on the way, too. Air France Flight 447 disappears over the Atlantic Ocean, near the Brazilian Fernando de Noronha Islands. After it did not arrive in Paris the following day as planed, it was confirmed that the plane has crashed; it did not land on any other airport in the world, and two days had already passed. Thus, it had definitely run out of fuel. With the investigation still ongoing, the reasons why the plane crashed, killing all 216 passengers and crew of 12, remains a mystery. The two black boxes that were onboard the plane are yet to be found, as well as the remains of the plane. This event devastated the people in 2009, and is one of the airplane accidents with the most casualties ever.

Over 50 people were killed in combat between Peru’s Army and indigenous peoples on June 6th. The natives, who lost 30 of their people, were protesting against the expansion of Peruvian cities and industrial zones in the Amazon Rainforest. The president of Peru, Alan García, did not approve of this, and sent the Army to calm things down. Instead, 22 soldiers died fighting against the natives. This outrage strained Peru even more during its time of critical political instability.

June was also the month of many discoveries. Scientists at Harvard University discovered a molecular mechanism that regulates coagulation. This finding is very significant to the field of medicine because it aids in the perpetual search for a cure for blood diseases such as hemophilia. A little further east, in Holland, Dutch researchers confirmed that ‘space headache’ is an actual medical condition which some astronauts have while not within the Earth’s atmosphere.

Several multinational companies launched one of their most anticipated products of the year in June. Apple Inc. launched the newest version of their famous iPhone, iPhone 3GS, which included a video recording option on the camera, and the voice control tool. Palm Pre smartphone from Palm, Inc. also hit the market last June. These new gadgets sure kept the techies busy, at least for a while.

An event that sent shock waves all throughout the world: the death of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, on June 25th. The reason for his death in the Ronal Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, is still being discussed, but the Los Angeles County Coroner said in the official statement that it was a mixture of prescription drugs that ended Jackson’s life. The memorial was held on July 7th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, but his service and burial was held on September 3rd, ten weeks after his death, at Forest Lawn Cemetery of Glendale, Los Angeles, California. On the same day, June 25th, another death shook the world: former Charlie’s Angel Farrah Fawcett lost the battle with cancer. She was buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, on June 30th. The world had lost two great people on the same day, and the grief and mourning will never be forgotten.

But while the world was at its knees because of the events that happened in June 2009, what were the dwellers of NOVA doing? Let’s have a look at the lives of NOVA students in June 2009.


Final Exam Haze


Last minute reviews. To-do lists. Notes. Are you ready? The final exams are here.

As June slowly crept up on the residents of Praska bb, the anticipation and anxiety levels shot up the sky. Everybody was looking forward to the well-deserved break, but several nervous breakdowns were also on the horizon because of the upcoming final exams. The first week of June went by so fast, and was not nearly as long as most school weeks are; not nearly long enough to finish all of the reviewing. With more than five hundred pages to cover, some students feared failing the year. As the first day of exams came by, the students of NOVA High School sat down in the chairs, pens in trembling hands, and began to write. The exam time seemed fatally short, and the nights in between even shorter, not long enough to even skim the material once. Within the blink of the eye, the exams were done, and everyone felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders. What to do now?

Before the students could get comfortable enough, they were summoned back to Praska bb to collect their transcripts and possibly “face their doom,” as some put it. But before all that chaos and disorganization began, there was an important event marked on the calendars of about 80 NOVA students: graduation. With ups and downs, laughs and tears, the seniors got their diplomas, happy they are through with high school, but sad to be separating from their friends. Along with the seniors to share the emotional high were the recipients of this year’s President’s Awards. Simply gleaming, they got the awards, taking in the experience, and taking home Barack Obama’s signature. With transcripts and diplomas in hands, NOVA students were off to enjoy the rest of the summer.

Fashion Forward

Feeling glam these days? In need of fashion advice? What’s in and what’s out? These questions are answered in The Discourse Detectives’ first fashion-oriented article.

Have you ever heard the term haute couture? I certainly have, many times. It means high fashion. But that’s only for the really bold ones. For now, the focus remains on how to make your everyday outfits a bit more chic.



Fall Trends:

Who isn’t in love with neon colors? They can make a dark outfit pop, with just the right amount of color. Add neon pieces with care; over-using is a don’t. Neon-colored jewelry, sneakers, or scarves are good ideas.

The biker is back on! With these metal accents, you will immediately feel tougher, not to mention a lot more glamorous. Try (faux) leather jackets, boots, vests, belts, and bags with studs, buckles, and zippers.



For all the girls out there: bring out the boyfriend trousers! Looking cute and comfortable in jeans, or polished and sophisticated in slacks, this trend is sure near perfection.

Another trend this season is lace. It might seem girly, but it is also quite mysterious. This vintage-y fabric can be added to just about any piece of clothing, from dresses to earrings. Still too girly for you? How about cool sneakers with just a little hint of lace, then?

One fool-proof way to make your outfit instantly dazzling: statement bangles. Mix-and-match them to get this season’s fashionable look.

Motorcycle jackets—definitely a do. Whether you like yours made of leather, or with zebra stripes, bomber jackets are a must.

Don’t shy away from ruffles. To make them less country and girly, add tough accessories and boots.

Want to stay warm this fall? Stock up on corduroy! It comes in all cool colors, sizes, and designs.

Plaid is so in. Whether you like your dosage of plaid in the form of skinny jeans, mini skirts, button-downs, dresses, or boots, make sure your closet has at least one plaid piece.

Add color to your outfit by putting on a pair of colored denim jeans. Jewel tones always work.

Ankle booties are everywhere. Studded, leather, with zippers—you name it. But the must-have booties are the peep-toe ones. Magic!

Go through your boyfriend’s closet and dig up that old blazer that he refuses to wear. Hey, if he doesn’t want it, why not make use of it? Pair it up with a belt or roll up the sleeves for rocker look.

This season it’s all about slim chains. Layer different lengths and play with pendants for a New York look.



Always Fashionable:

Whether your style is laid-back or sophisticated, the oversized tote bag will help you achieve it.

A timeless do is the LBD (little black dress). It can be girly enough for a date and glam enough for a party.

A little note from Paris: trench coats are in again. A tan one goes well with just about anything. If you add heels, it immediately screams just-off-the-runway. A look that is fierce can be achieved with a bright trench, boots, and chunky jewelry.





Key Wardrobe Pieces:

• Ripped jeans + cool sneakers

• Wedge boots + slashed tights

• Band jacket + black leggings

• Slouchy sweater + shirt and tights in similar colors

• Flouncy skirt + oversize cardigan



Hot Prints This Fall:

- Stripes

- Graffiti

- Houndstooth

- Aztec

- Geometric



Feeling bold enough? True fashionistas would love to try out these trends:

Every red carpet includes at least a couple of sparkly dresses. Why shouldn’t you try it out, too? Just keep the accessories, make-up, and shoes simple, as to not overwhelm the outfit.

This spring the pocketed dresses were a huge hit. Well, this fall we have the belted dresses, which accentuate your waist and curves.

Strong shoulders can be found on almost all of the catwalks: from Yves Saint Laurent, Hermés, and Malandrino, to Betsey Johnson, DSquared², and The Blondes. Pull off this eccentric look with a cool fitted jacket.

Punk is definitely not dead this season. Add a few leather pieces to your wardrobe that have that grunge-y vibe.

Velvet is this season’s key evening fabric. Anything from jackets and dresses to pumps and clutches goes.

The key to balancing heavy tweed, such as seen in Marc Jacobs’ last collection, is combining it with light pieces, like a simple white button-down.

There are few lucky ones that can actually pull off the over-the-knee boots. Suede is the key material this season for this type of boots, present in London Fashion Week.



New York’s Must-Buy:
The Asymmetrical Dress

London’s Must-Buy:
The Avant-Garde Shoe

Milan’s Must-Buy:
The Oversize Bag

Paris’ Must-Buy:
The Bold Jacket

Los Angeles’ Must-Buy:
The Statement Bracelet

Headlines in Macedonian Newspapers—A Sensation

1. “Worker fell from the second storey and got hurt”
An article reporting that a construction worker fell from the second storey of the building he was working on. The enormous height—four meters—greatly injured this not-so-old man. Gripping headline.

2. “They beat him up because they owed him money”
Long story short—some people owed a man some money and beat him up because of it. Where has this country gone when a person lends 5000 denars and then gets beat up?

3. “He beat up his cousin with a baseball bat”
Who would have thought that there are baseball bats in Macedonia? And people beating up their cousins with them for questionable reasons?

4. “They smoked marijuana”
Real news—two twenty-year-old guys smoked marijuana. I have never heard that before.

5. “Pigeons were burned”
Sixty pigeons were burned in a fire in Skopje. The owner couldn't extinguish the fire.




6. “They stole windows”
We are feeling the impact of the global economic crisis in Macedonia; we don’t have enough money for windows, so we have to steal them. From such robberies we cannot recover.


7. “Store crashed in a fight about beer”
A piece of advice: it is not wise to crash the store where you buy your beer, especially if you owe the owner 150 Euros.

8. “They mortgaged their house and then they sold it”
This is what happens when the mother of three sons passes away before leaving a will.

9. “Store robbed with a plastic gun”
Note: this only happens in small villages in the beautiful Republic of Macedonia. Profit: less than 200 Euros.

10. “Minerals were dug”
It is not bad enough that so few of Macedonia’s mines are working, but now arresting people who still appreciate the natural resources of their country. Who cares if they did that illegally?

Reading: Pain or Pleasure?

I asked my friend whether she has read the book that is currently hitting the bestseller lists. She asked me if I was crazy. "Reading books is social suicide," she said. Actually, what she had said was on the minds of most of today's youth. Why read when you can watch the movie? Why spend do much time thinking and trying to understand the depth of the book when you can read the summary on the Internet? I have answered these questions: the value of a book is not in its length, but in its meaning; the words will be etched in your mind for a very long time, maybe even forever. You can always learn something from a book. Reading should be for pleasure, and today's youth is lacking this opinion. Here are some ideas that can change that.


The love for reading should be developed at a very young age. Children, as they are learning to read, should be guided carefully through the path of knowledge since they can easily stray; the distaste for reading in general is often passed on by the main teacher- the parent. Children do what they think is right, what they see at home. If parents encourage reading, children will develop a natural fondness of books. As the children mature, the books they read will become more and more sophisticated. By the time those children become adults, they will be capable of passing on what they have learned from their parents: reading that is welcomed.


The reading spectrum of children, especially teenagers, should be broader. The books assigned for reading at school, even though educative, are often boring, and therefore avert students even more. “De gustibus no est disputandum,” was once said. About taste we cannot discuss. Everyone is different. What might appeal to one may repel another. That’s how many genres appeared. Because many students do not read anything else than what is assigned by teachers, the books that are assigned should sometimes be more about fun and relaxation than about education. That could be a way for the students to develop the love for reading they lack.


Reading is good; it always has been, it always will. A good book can take you to a beautiful world not present in reality. After all, don't we all want to live in a fantasy world from time to time? "Some books should be tasted, some should be devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly." Those few that Cornelia Funke is talking about are the ones that matter; the ones that will change the way of thinking of the majority, that will improve it. Ever since the dawn of time, people have written books to express their emotions, theories, beliefs. No man knows it all; to gain the knowledge, one must gather it from many sources. Reading gives us knowledge. Knowledge means power. Keep on reading.