A smoke-free world

When Arizonans voted "yes" to ban smoking in restaurants and bars this November’s election, I had mixed feelings about it.

I am an “occasional” smoker. I enjoy lighting up a cigarette with a drink when I am in a bar or in the club. With the new law in Arizona, I will no longer be able to do that.

I used to smoke much more before I came to the United States, especially as a teenager in Serbia.

Almost all of my friends in Serbia smoke. My dad smoked up to three packs a day until five years ago when a doctor told him to quit. He had four by-pass surgeries last year, and I couldn’t be happier that he is alive and well today.

It’s a horrible habit in Serbia, especially among the youth. There, smokers rarely pay attention if they smoke around a pregnant woman or a child in the public or at home.

When I came to the U.S., I realized how wrong is to smoke around children and adult non-smokers. I started to respect people’s rights of having a smoke-free environment, because I saw the difference.

Whenever I go back home, I try to advocate that.

While I was unsatisfied for a moment about Arizona banning smoking in bars and restaurants, I also felt jealous. I felt jealous, because I wish something like this happens in my country and people realize how much smoking is bad for them and those around them.

Beyond boundaries

It amazes me how you never know where you might find, and who might be your true friends. I personally thought that once you reached a certain age, the friendships you made so far were it, and that people you would meet from now on would simply come and go.

I was wrong.

I will never forget when I landed in Seattle on Sept. 23, 2001 and had to go to school right the next day. I was exhausted, lost, tired, not knowing the campus, people, where to go and what to do.

On my first class, a moonlike smiling face with high cheekbones approached me.

"Hi, are you an international student?"” she asked.
"“Yes," I answered in surprise.
"“Well we have something in common. I am Sharon Rigbi, an international student from Israel. Nice meeting you."

That's how I met Sharon.

Friendship with Sharon helped me with my initial culture shock, because we were in the same situation. We were so different, but at the same time so similar. We sometimes had the same type of dark humor that only people who have backgrounds as we do, and who lived in war-torn countries, understand. For lots of Americans, we looked weird, and I don'’t blame them.

Even though I moved to Arizona last year to complete my studies and Sharon graduated and is now a working woman in Seattle, whenever we talk over the phone, or I go for a visit, it seems like we never got apart.

Because of Sharon, I had a chance to visit Israel this summer (shown in the photo). And it wasn'’t just a simple visit, it was her wedding. She and her now husband bought me a ticket and allowed me to pay it off whenever I can, just to be there with them. I don'’t think that "“really special" were the right words to describe how I felt.

My trip to Israel made me think that how despite the fact that there are differences between people in terms of culture, language and religion, there are no boundaries for friendships.

My priceless Navajo friends

Since I was a little girl, my dream was to travel, see different places and meet different cultures. I grew up in a dominantly Caucasian society, and I can clearly remember when I first saw an African American.

I was 13 years old, playing with my friends in a park. We saw a man passing by, and we were really curious with the way he looked. We’ve never seen a person with a darker skin before, except in the movies. We were all excited to come up to him and ask in English “what time is it.” When one of us had enough courage to approach him, we were all disappointed when he gave us an answer in pure Serbian.

Coming to the U.S., I had the pleasure to meet people from various cultures. Being a journalist is definitely a great excuse to learn and write about different traditions.

In Arizona, I’ve spent a lot of time learning about Native American cultures. I was amazed to discover that Arizona is a home to 21 federally recognized Native American tribes.

After writing an article for The State Press Magazine about two Navajo brothers putting their ASU studies on hold to fight in Iraq, we became really good friends. John and Cheston Bailon invited me to visit them and their family in Shiprock, N.M., and be a part of a traditional ceremony.

I was more than flattered.

In Shiprock, I spent two great days hanging out with the family and sightseeing (shown in the picture). I have never seen nature like that. On one side there was a moon-like landscape and on the other snowy mountains.

Spending time with their family definitely reminded me of my own. We found so many things in common. They enjoyed learning about my culture, and I enjoyed learning about theirs.

I still get e-mails from their mom checking if I am doing ok. They made me feel like a family member, and I made sure that they know that they are part of my family as well.

Friends like these are priceless.

Including international students into ASU curriculum

I’ve transferred to ASU last August, and since then I’ve met just couple of international students. I was really surprised how hard is to find other international students on campus.

I even signed up for the International Student Club, but it threw me off guard when I saw bible study in their newsletters. What does a club that should bring together different ethnic and religious, or non-religious, groups have to do with bible study?

I wish that there was a club where both Americans and international students can get together and exchange experiences and knowledge. We could both benefit so much.

I was reading about innovative campus strategies and ways to include international students to enhance the curriculum at the American Council of Education (ACE) Web site. I was really amazed with what other U.S. colleges and universities are doing.

For example, Beloit College in Wisconsin has the annual international poetry reading (shown in the image), where students are asked to read poetry, their own work or of others, in their native country's language.

All the way in Hawaii, Kapi'olani Community College has an International Café, an informal gathering place where international students can meet local students for cultural and language exchanges.

I think that ASU should step up and include its international students into the curriculum. It shouldn’t cost a lot of money, and it will certainly be beneficial for both Americans and international students.

What should I cut out of my diet?

Last week, I watched the documentary “Super Size Me,” by Morgan Spurlock. I heard and read so much about this movie in the past, but never actually had a chance to see it. Since in my previous blog, I wrote about culture and weight, it was perfect timing for me to see this documentary.

The movie made me think. But it didn’t make me think about McDonalds, it made me think about my eating habits.

While I understand what fast food can do to your body and that people are better off without it, what about us who don’t eat it? I don’t drink pop, I don’t eat fast food or ice cream, and I still packed on a lot of pounds since I came to the U. S. What should I cut out of my diet?

For international students like me, who grew up in the city and are used to walking a lot, Arizona turned out to be not so walk friendly. Part of it has to do with the heat in the summer, but also the big distances between places.

Back at home, I used to walk to my elementary and high school, or to the grocery store. Here, every weekend my boyfriend drives us to get weekly supplies.

Back at home, if I wanted to see a friend, I would just walk over to their place. Here, my friends are all over the Valley, and the only way to see them is by driving.

After seeing the movie, I wished I was a McDonald addict. It would have been easier for me to quit eating it than finding time to walk.

Culture and weight

When I came to the U.S., I couldn’t help but notice all the different fast food restaurants on every corner. Jack in the Box, Burger King, Taco Bell and not to forget McDonalds usually all piled up in just one neighborhood block.

In Belgrade, we only have McDonalds. Eating there was almost like a treat, because it was so expensive for our budget. Now, I am thankful for it, because I grew up eating healthy food.

The first thing I noticed in fast food restaurants in the U.S. was portion sizes. I still cannot believe how one person, for example, can drink a gallon of soda for lunch, or eat a super-size portion of fried chicken and fries.

I will be honest, Serbs are not all about healthy food. Every cake has to have butter and chocolate, we love bread and pastry, and we eat a lot meat and cheese. But as I saw a recent study about culture and weight, it made me think about why we don’t have as much problems with obesity as Americans do? It’s all about the portion.

I would add that moving, in terms of walking or biking, has a crucial role as well. I never had problems with my weight back at home, because I was constantly moving. Here, I have to be careful about what I eat, because I don’t move as much.

When I started living alone, I realized how much eating healthy was important. I thought I could survive on sandwiches and junk food, but after a month I started asking my mom for recipes.

I now admire and appreciate my mom even more, who as an electrical engineer worked full time, raised three children and always had a different meal on the table for us every day!

Welcome to my town of Belgrade

I have been fortunate to have a good ear for languages. Americans often tell me that they can slightly notice my Eastern European accent when I am speaking English. Usually the spelling and the real pronunciation of my first name gives me away, because Ljiljana definitely doesn’t sound native.

I think that international students are ambassadors of their country and as almost every student, I like to answer questions about my home. It’s an integral part of me and who I am.

Some Americans assume that I am tired of always being asked about the Balkan wars, but I am not. It’s part of my country’s history and while I might not be proud of it, I answer every question the best I can.

The question I enjoy the most is what my Belgrade is like.

I am proud of the fact that Belgrade, or Beograd (White City), is a 7,000-year-old city. It sits on two rivers Sava and Danube that divide the Old and New Belgrade. Belgrade has so many beauties including historical monuments, architecture, parks and museums that even a month wouldn’t be enough to see everything.

The fresh smell of the bakeries on every corner and the great food in the restaurants are so inviting that packing couple of pounds should not come as a surprise. But those pounds can easily be shed when the night falls, because Belgrade is famous for its nightlife that sometimes last until morning hours.

It’s hard to leave Belgrade, once you’ve seen and experience it. I could go on and on, but I think it’s better to see it from a foreigner’s perspective. Take five minutes and see what Don Pugh, an Australian, has to say about Belgrade. Enjoy and I hope to see you there soon.