Spanish is the New English

For those of you that love trends, here’s one that will never go out of style. While Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States, according to the Economist, Spanish and English are vying for the spot of second most spoken language in the world, behind Mandarin. But why does that matter to you? Well, to recap with the trite phrase, “global village,” our world is shrinking and, United States Americans are still globally known as terrible linguists. But, we also love being ‘in the know,’ and obsess over current events and trends, joining every cause and organization. So, perhaps thinking of learning another language as a trend will get your butt in gear.

Motivated? Ready to print out the words, ‘Spanish is the new English’ on a shirt with reversible letters, or post it on your facebook status? If so, you’re ready to head to the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, “a public not-for-profit institution founded by the Government of Spain to promote Spanish language teaching, and knowledge of the cultures of Spanish speaking countries throughout the world.” What's that? You don't live in Chicago? While the institutes are located in most major U.S. cities, you can also take Spanish courses on-line, including Business Spanish courses which offer a diploma or certificate to boast on your resume.

See you in virtual Spanish class!

The Un-Real Housewives of Atlanta

“If it doesn’t make me any money, I don’t do it.” “People are intimidated by my success.” “I don’t keep up with the Jones’s, I am the Jones’s.” This suburban bubble of land rovers, Porsches and fake benefit events exists on the Bravo show The Real Housewives of Atlanta. We’re told we’re watching a reality show about rich, talented and insanely beautiful women. What a parody, because it only takes a few minutes to learn we’re actually watching a group of untalented, ungrateful –and let’s not forget vapid—women, who don’t understand there are currencies of wealth other than money.

Yep, we’ve all heard the saying, ‘money doesn’t buy you class,’ but now we get to watch it in action. Throughout the show, a group of five women boasts their ‘talent,’ ‘skills,’ and ‘hard work’ by turning their pretend hobbies into a career.

There’s Kim Zoliciak, an overwhelming blond who not only compares herself to the next Carrie Underwood and Cher, but also thinks she’s black for some reason and is aghast to learn that professional singers take vocal lessons.

Second, is Sheree Whitfield, the ex-wife of NFL player Bob Whitfield. She’s an aspiring clothing designer, albeit unoriginal, albeit, someone should tell her the show is not called the Real Ex-Wives of Atlanta. Third, there’s Lisa Wu Hartwell, wife of NFL Player Ed Hartwell. You’d actually kind of like Lisa, if you could get past her self-proclaimed business woman status, as a jewelry designer, fitness instructor, real-estate mogul and clothing designer.

Deshawn Snow, the wife of Cleveland Cavaliers Captain Eric Snow (who happens to be a great guy) plays foundation president, and ambitiously throws a benefit to raise a million dollars in one night. Forget the fact that all-the-while she’s revealing her crazy scheme to disapproving, somewhat practical friends, she still manages to go thru with the financially fruitless disaster. But, at least most of the women try to work. Nene Leakes, aka, the loser of the group and wife of a real-estate agent, never really articulates her career. Although, we learn she talks trash for a living, perpetuates an outdated black stereotype, is a ‘hater’ and says things like, “we’re paying for our son’s college out of our pocket.” Whatever that means, because if we’ve learned anything from this silly reality show, it’s that everything, including money, isn’t real.

Periodically, producers make an attempt to humanize or real-ify the lives of the five women. NeNe learns for the first time on the show that she doesn’t know who her real father is, and Lisa’s husband will move to Oakland to play for the Raiders while she is alone in Atlanta with their baby. We also learn these women are mothers, but we can’t help but wonder what values these parents impart, as most of us grew up with parents who taught us to live humble and giving lifestyles, or the complete opposite of what is portrayed here.

How has reality television become so obviously un-real, that now, most budding adolescents aspire to grow up and become the exact opposite of what our parents’ taught us? Perhaps we’re not all taught to “think outside the box” after all, but instead to be the box that sits inside our living rooms.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

What a truly global village we get to live in called Chicago, where art and culture unite. Not only did I get to view Kara Walker’s art in Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim in Spain, but I also got to see her work at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. And—among other amazing exhibitions—her art was just down the street from where Gehry designed a shell that would later reflect the Guggenheim in Spain, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park. Here’s the synopsis of what’s to see at the MCA, and what happened to me; a real life déjà vu. With this winter weather, you’ll need a long list of exciting indoor activities on your agenda, anyway.

Upon my entrance to the MCA, I ran into Jenny Holzer: Protect Protect. Running until February 1, 2009 (and also in MCA’s permanent collection), Holzer’s exhibition of electronic installations is known for its language in a public space and for analyzing social and emotional realities. While her work is often political, for me, the electronic billboards represent the modern masterpiece that is outdoor advertising and subliminal messaging. Yep, you thought you were just waiting for the EL this morning. However, the red letters running across a black screen –a black screen you didn’t even know you were reading— just decided when you’d buy your next big mac too.

Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art 2Also on display, the MCA’s USA Today exhibit showcases work from the 80’s and 90’s. Painting, photography and video express the ideology and ‘consequences’ of freedom, race, militarism and globalization in the modern era. In addition, memorable books on select topics were available for the public to peruse. Thought provoking, I noticed many adults sitting down to read them. Perhaps the book of celebrity caricatures commented on the pop-culture we’ve become increasingly obsessed with. Featured was Britney Spears’ belly button in her hey-day and “The Pitts,” when they were actually Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.

Finally, I came across my favorite exhibit, which recalled my visit to Bilbao, Spain last year; The Artists in Depth: Works from the MCA Collection. The collection contains the work of Kara Walker, which was also featured at Bilbao’s Guggenheim during 2007 – 2008 in, Art in America: 300 Years of Innovation. If you’re out of the loop, the eccentric Frank Gehry designed the massive Guggenheim building of half shells which swallow Bilbao’s Nervion River, as well as the shells that sit in our Jay Pritzker Pavillion in Millenium Park, just off our Lake Michigan.

Walker, an African American artist, creates paper-cut installations that often consist of large silhouette scenes resembling the stories of slaves who were once struck with everyday house utensils, a spoon, a knife. As her images conjure such an imaginative spirit while paradoxically portraying sad stories of race and gender, the art feels strikingly fantastical, like you’re watching a Disney film unfold in a parallel universe. They are intimidating and life-like.

Hopefully you’ll take advantage of our MCA. After all, it’s indoor fun when we’ve got an unfriendly outdoor environment. The MCA is located at 220 E Chicago Avenue. For hours of operation, location and additional information, log onto www.mcachicago.org

Feeling Stressed? Think about Therapy at the Northwestern Family Institute

Do you have great insurance? I thought I did, but let’s be honest. These days, who isn’t substantially aware of the rising costs of living compared to the value of what we’re actually getting? For me, 2008 brought many exciting, but stressful surprises and, like many of you, I function at my best when I feel in control and can compartmentalize my exciting and exhausting life. Unfortunately, when I decided to seek professional counseling to ease the stress, I learned that even with insurance, I’d need to spend $500 of my own money on a therapist before my insurance would step in to cover a portion of the counseling costs. Enter Northwestern Family Institute.

A colleague’s friend is a PhD student at Northwestern and informed me that the Family Institute offers their counseling services to the public for $20 a session (the small price I thought I was expected to pay with insurance). However, there’s a catch: in exchange for $20-per-session counseling services by student therapists, we are asked to participate in their studies. At the beginning of each session, I fill out a survey that measures my progress in therapy, as well as the progress of the student’s counseling. As the process promotes the betterment of the student’s learning, the survey is actually the most ingenious idea ever. Think about it. How many therapists out there spend your time staring at their clock? This survey ensures that both parties maintain their end of the deal. My counselor jots our conversation down in a journal as I’m speaking to outline my common themes and struggles back to me—something I’ve only actually seen on TV, in theory, not practice.

For those of you politically incorrect people who think therapy is only for the crazy, think about this: in college (and throughout most of our lives in grade school) we’re expected and encouraged to see our school counselor, advisors and professors for mentorship. But the moment we graduate that door quickly closes and we are left to our own mental and emotional devices to solve life’s excruciating surprises. Honestly, I find it even funnier that, as an adult, the moment we admit we need help, everyone asks, “What’s wrong?! What happened? Are you okay?!” Perhaps we’re conditioned to think that success means you must never admit you’re tired and need a break.

For those of you who are hip and “with it,” log on to Northwestern’s Family Institute site for further details, or perhaps consider other Universities with similar programs, as the demand may put you on a waiting list. Good luck and hopefully 2009 will bring more exciting challenges!