Authors

Adam Even Engel – Contrary to popular belief, Adam Even Engel was not born in a log cabin in Kentucky. Rather, he was born and raised in the quaint little Brazilian town known as Framingham, Massachusetts, where the streets tend to be overrun after World Cup matches. He may seem a tad, err, schizophrenic when he writes, but he sometimes imagines what Stephen Colbert would say about… something or another. It’s usually pretty entertaining. He (Adam, not Stephen Colbert) was born and raised in a musical family and can be found fiddling on the guitar or keyboard in his free time. During vacations he enjoys walking around his house without pants – the boxers allow for a comfortable breeze, comparable in theory to a skirt. Not that he’s ever worn a skirt. If you have a Twitter, you’d best start following @adam_e before it’s too late. If you read this blog, you’re welcome to Facebook me too.

Oh, and if you like this blog, then you should put a ring on it.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez seeks out partners in exploring the possibilities of our time. She is an editor of Culture Shock, a student of International Relations and Economics, and a believer in our generation. When at home in New York, she likes to relax to Etta James and Hector Lavoe, but delights most in honest conversation over a cup of something warm. She hopes you enjoy following Culture Shock in its growth and would like to thank you for taking part in this grand experiment of media, mode, and prose.

Allison Glass is a Junior from Birmingham, Alabama.  She has an uncanny ability to make and maintain mysterious friends. In politics she takes particular interest in feminism and international relations.   Allison loves to travel – she just returned from study abroad in Paris where she learned a little about dancing and a lot about life.  When not reading BBC News, Allison enjoys watching college sports (particularly BU hockey and Alabama football), dancing, and socializing especially with a nice cup of coffee.

Anastasiya Dariavach is a senior at BU. She is completing her degree in International Relations with special interest in Iran, the Caucasus and Latin America. Anastasiya is originally from Moscow and currently lives in Jamaica Plain, MA. Her interests include researching urban planning and design, printmaking, learning Portuguese and Persian as well as Adobe CS3 in hopes of combining her interests in the form of animation.

Anastasiya loves writing for and reading Culture Shock Blog and hopes that you enjoy what you find!

Carly Fleming is a member of CAS class of 2012. She is a Political Science and Economics major from Hermitage, PA. Since she is the poster child of being average, she get really excited when people tell her about themselves- the real things- the things that are deep.

Carly wants to hear your experiences, your dreams; your strengths, your imperfections; she wants all of you. She wants to not only see the world for what it is, but also for what it can become.

Desa Larkin-Boutte is a senior in the College of Communications pursuing a degree in Film and Television.  Writing and storytelling have always been her passion and she is very excited to be a contributing member of the Culture Shock writing staff.

Desa likes the idea of learning from shared experiences and tries to give readers food for thought on social and/or cultural elements.  She would like to one day write for both television and the big screen.

Diane Keeney (Zeek) is currently a senior in CAS working toward a B.A. in Russian Language and Literature and Russian and Eastern European Studies. No, she is not of the Russian persuasion (at least, not that she knows of), and if you asked her why she studies Russian, or where she’s going in life, academically or otherwise, you would not get a definitive answer. Her given name isn’t really Zeek either– it’s Diane Erben Finbar Keeney. Feel free to refer to her either way. Zeek/Diane is a firm believer in the capacity for human beings to redefine “impossible” through introspective exploration. She has some issues with the world, but she won’t give up on it just yet. And finally, she prefers cats to dogs, but still loves them both.

Eric Baker is a Journalism and International Relations major.  Eventually, Eric hopes to work for the Associated Press or as a foreign correspondent for a major new source.  He hails from the great wheat filled state of Kansas or as many outsiders call it, “Oz.”  While leaving the munchkins behind was an emotional roller coaster, Eric has made Boston his new home.  An avid coffee and newspaper comic strip lover, Eric loves to explore any idea or landscape depending on the situation and welcomes all challengers. I primarily speak in the first person but I do enjoy breaking the fourth wall because I know you readers love it.  Right?  Right.

George Pitsakis is a freshman at CAS majoring in International Relations, with minors in Cultural Anthropology and Modern Greek.  Hailing from Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, the first su

burb directly out of North Philly, he grew up in a school devoid of the typical high school scene.  Half bro, a quarter nerd, a quarter hipster, and 100% Greek, George worships the mash-up of subcultures.  He has been playing drums for 10 years, and currently plays in a band called Arrow to the Sun. George enjoys dorm room workouts, high fantasy and science fiction, buffalo chicken and the darkest of dark humor.

Joe Sciabica is a Junior (2011) in CAS. He was born in Georgia and raised in Massachusetts. Joe is a double major in Philosophy and International Relations while taking Japanese. He thinks it is important to understand yourself and everything outside of yourself and his majors reflect that belief. One of his favorite films is the Matrix because it has everything you need in a movie. He loves reading and practicing spirituality. Joe believes the best way to find the truth about life is to share with and understand the different people in the world.

Jomar Perez is a senior at Boston University studying Accounting and Finance at the School of Management.  He was born in the Dominican Republic and moved permanently to Boston at the age of 9.  He attended the public school system in Somerville.  During his tenure, he: played baseball, became a youth peer leader for drug, tobacco and pregnancy prevention, and was a member of an art and film club.  While at BU, Jomar has been a member of Alianza Latina and also works a teaching assistant for a few classes at the School of Management.  Outside of school or work, Jomar is an avid runner and likes to hang out with his friends whether doing nothing or getting into trouble.  After graduation, he will begin his career in the financial services industry working for PricewaterhouseCoopers.  Other than that, he has no idea what the future holds for him and prefers it that way.  He may not know where he’s going, but he’s on his way.

Kim Gonzalez is a confused member of CAS, caught in a limbo between her passion for science and love of literature. She loves to dance, hates the cold, and will cook you delicious Mexican food if she really likes you. As of her last count, she has 60+ first cousins, and enough extended family to populate a state. Though she possesses the ability to beat up her black belted best friend(who also happens to be a ninja), Kim’s most lethal weapon is her sarcasm. Her ideal vacation involves camping, beautiful beaches, and Africa. She comes to us from beautiful California, where her parents and little sister reside.

Ksenia Lanin is a junior in CAS studying International Relations, Public Health and Public Relations.  Born in St. Petersburg, Russia she spent most of her childhood in Columbus, Ohio.  Ksenia loves volunteering with the Community Service Center and working in Chelsea. In the CSC she has volunteered with FYSOP, ASB, SFR, Joining Hands as well as other programs.  In Chelsea, Ksenia works at the Intergenerational Literacy Program as an adult literacy tutor as well as an ESOL I tutor.  She also interns with Chelsea Community Schools in the Department of Health and Human Services.  On campus, Ksenia can be seen working as an Activities Consultant at the Student Activities Office. A part of Spectrum’s e-board, Ksenia loves everything gay, especially RuPaul’s Drag Race.  Her other favorite shows include The Nanny, Criminal Minds and Undercover Boss.  Her favorite band is U2, and last semester she had the honor of seeing them in concert four times.  In her free time Ksenia enjoys hanging out with her roommate, competitive long-term bench sitting, and short walks on the beach.

Martina Hemm -Born into the back hills of Vermont, growing up in Germany, and making her way throughout the world, only one thing has remained constant in Martina’s life: food. The common language of any stomach.

However, since BU does not offer food as a second language, she has decided to make it her passion—and yours. One story, one recipe, one picture at a time. Nowadays, Martina writes to you from Madrid; giving you the dish on her culinary love affairs and what it means to be lost in translation. You can also find her recipes and photography on her website www.theforeignkitchen.com

Martin Begue was born on July 7, 1990 in the great city of Rhode Island.  His family returned to Peru, but within a few years moved to New Orleans, Louisiana.  Martin grew up in New Orleans until the age of eighteen when he moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend Boston University where he is currently seeking a film degree. Martin is six feet tall, about 150 pounds, dark hair, brown eyes, and very, very handsome. He is also good with children, elderly, and animals of all size and shapes. Martin enjoys pints of Ben and Jerry?s fudge and hates Wednesdays. He is survived by his black dwarf rabbit Mordecai.

Nairika Murphy is an Environmental Policy and Analysis major within the Geography and Environment Department at Boston University. She currently works for Sustainability@BU and, among other extracurricular activities, she is president of the BU German Club. Having spent every summer of her childhood in the Adirondack Mountains, Nairika holds the outdoors in high regard and values all experiences that bring her into contact with nature: camping, biking, hiking, picnicking, you name it. She also has a passion cooking and good food and likes nothing more than to pair it with a good friends, family, and mentally stimulating discussion. Nairika’s other interests include politics, writing, art (she loves museums and also paints and sketches), jazz, reading and travel. Nairika would also like to take this opportunity to introduce you to kiva.org. Stay posted for Nairika’s up and coming personal blog, available in May 2010.

Neal Moawed is one of the editors of Culture Shock. He is a Junior in CAS studying Biology and Philosophy. Neal is constantly on a search for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. On his search, he became a Howard Thurman Center ambassador, where he strives to build a community of thinkers and dreamers. Half Puerto Rican and half Egyptian, Neal refuses to be classified as either and prefers the term Egypturican. Being from Boston, it would be wise not to bring up the 2008 Super Bowl to Neal, unless you want to see a grown man weep. He believes the Patriots will rise to glory once again. An avid comic book and movie fan, Neal geeks out at any chance he gets, but hey, life’s boring if you don’t.