become more cultured

I am Filippino, but way too Americanized…

After a deep thought.. i consider myself cultured but in certain fields! i don’t consider that a shame anymore.. I am just not that interested in politics!! why should i have to be!! I am interested in geography and i believe i should learn more about it.. I believe every1 should do only what he wants to do, Not what the world think he should do!!

So far:

- favorite books are A Clockwork Orange, The Catcher in the Rye, Flowers for Algernon, etc.

- I’m learning Spanish and know some German

- I meditate

- I recently became interested in the philosophies of Friedrich Nietzsche

- I read Psychology Today and Reader’s Digest

- I love classical music and jazz

- I play the saxophone.

- I go to the theatre a lot.

It really is hard going about this for the simple reason that it means ripping up your comfort zone. Moreover, it also means doing some things that appear hypocritical, snobbish, “fake”, etc. But if you sincerely think what you will do/ are already doing will actually help you to be: more respectful, more polite, more clear and transparent (and therefore more approachable)... hey what are you waiting for? Go for it!

It’s actually more than just books to me. This is a very challenging goal and to just focus on the intellectual/ fashionable stuff might lead to a temporary effect.

...So how do we go about being cultured permanently?

Hey, if you dont message/ comment on this, you wont know!

I’ve been working at the same job for years, hanging with the same people for years, raising a kid now a teenager. I don’t get out much and that needs to change.

There’s this guy in my school who’s been so-o many places, and he always astounds me how much he knows about the world. Wars, historic people, you name it, he knows it. I want to be like him. I love geography, but I wish I knew more about it.

I know this one is more of a life long journey than something I can do in a day to cross it off my list. It’s all about taking steps. I am reading a lot more, practicing yoga and meditation, I am teaching myself other languages, and I am taking an Intro to Sociology class where I am learning loads and loads about other cultures.

I have read two Orwell novels and am now reading travel writing to prepare/excite me for my gap year next year :)
Yayyyy !

I have done this all of my life. So being cultured is very natural to me, it’s who I am.

Before diving into the depths of classic novels i’ve recently acquired a taste for independent magazines that focus on music, film, and culture…MIGHT I suggest my favorite…PASTE MAGAZINE is definetly a good read. I love the humor, film and music reviews, and most of all the free sampler cd that comes with…ENJOY!