1. Starting Early – Well the birthday might not officially start until tomorrow, but tonight I had the first of three parties that are planned for the next twenty-four hours. I think it’s finally safe to say that my Cambodian family loves me more than my American one.
2. Twenty-Six – Twenty-six has gotta be one of the worst birthday numbers. I was cool with twenty-five, but I hate that I’m now in my late 20′s. At least I have four more years until the big 3-0 comes around.
3. Angelina in Cambodia – Here’s the $10 million Louis Vuitton ad that was shot last month in Siem Reap. It’s a nice photo, but I’m surprised they had to come all the way out here to get it? It doesn’t look very Cambodian to me? Yet according to Louis Vuitton’s executive vice President: “People are not used to seeing Angelina in this situation. I like the fact that it’s a real moment. This travel message we give through personal journeys is a fundamental one for the brand.”
4. The Biddy – My alma mater Amherst College just announced that it has hired its first female (and first openly gay) President, Carolyn A. Martin, also known as Biddy. Prior to Amherst Martin was the chancellor at the University of Wisconsin and provost at Cornell. Pretty cool. (Amherst College Press Release)
5. Here We Go Again – So Bachmann and Huntsman officially entered the race this week, Newt’s entire staff quit, and Romney seems to have come away with the W in the first debate. Is it safe to finally say that the 2012 race has officially begun? I can’t believe that we have another 6-12 months of this to look forward to. It’s almost too good to be true.
6. Where’s the Third Party? – Take a look at what David Brooks has to say about our two political parties: Pundit Under Protest…
Voters are in the market for new movements and new combinations, yet the two parties have grown more rigid.
The Republican growth agenda — tax cuts and nothing else — is stupefyingly boring, fiscally irresponsible and politically impossible. Gigantic tax cuts — if they were affordable — might boost overall growth, but they would do nothing to address the structural problems that are causing a working-class crisis.
Republican politicians don’t design policies to meet specific needs, or even to help their own working-class voters. They use policies as signaling devices — as ways to reassure the base that they are 100 percent orthodox and rigidly loyal. Republicans have taken a pragmatic policy proposal from 1980 and sanctified it as their core purity test for 2012.
As for the Democrats, they offer practically nothing. They acknowledge huge problems like wage stagnation and then offer… light rail! Solar panels! It was telling that the Democrats offered no budget this year, even though they are supposedly running the country. That’s because they too are trapped in a bygone era.
So why isn’t there any talk about a third-party? You would think with such a weak Republican field and a vulnerable President it would be the perfect time for someone like Bloomberg to step up. If the two parties don’t have any new ideas does anyone?
7. The Game of Thrones – It took me about three episodes to really get into it, but now that I’m about halfway through with the first season of Game of Thrones I’m totally hooked. It’s the best new TV show I’ve seen in a while and might even be more entertaining than the Lord of the Rings movies.
8. Quote of the Week – From Iraq War Veteran Don Gomez: “I don’t feel comfortable being called a hero. In fact, my brow furrows and my mind sharpens when I hear it. Words matter, and “hero” is so loaded and used so frequently that it stands to lose its meaning altogether. Maybe this is just New York cynicism, but I know I’m not the only veteran who feels skeptical when he or she is placed in the hero bin along with every other service member from the past 10 years. I admire the fact that men and women with whom I served chose a dangerous profession for their country – often making the decision after 9/11. But, these are soldiers. Soldiers are human beings. There are good ones and bad ones. A few do amazing, heroic things. The rest do their jobs – incredible, unique jobs – but jobs, nonetheless. Some perform happily, others grudgingly. And I argue that most feel embarrassed when lauded as heroes. (When Hero Rings Hollow)
9. The Last Frontier – Amongst Peace Corps Volunteers there’s a long running debate about which of the 77 countries we serve in is the most bad ass. Yet as far as I’m concerned it’s not even a question — the answer is Mongolia. Just check out this amazing photo essay from Foreign Policy Magazine: Paradise Lost. It honestly looks like something out of Game of Thrones.
10. Why the PGA Needs Tiger – And finally, because it’s US Open week and there’s no Tiger to keep us entertained, here are four of the PGA’s brightest young stars– Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, and Ben Crane — doing…. well… I don’t even know how to explain this. Just watch…
My US Open Prediction: Bubba Watson for the win.
Well JEEZE LOUISE (as we say in America…or at least in Denver) we had no idea you were feeling unloved from this part of the world. Maybe we should have sent more care packages or called more. Or given more attention to the blog. And I knew you felt neglected when Emmett and I left Cambodia after only one month. What were we thinking?! Damed if you do…
Here’s hoping ANGELINA and all that Cambodian family love doesn’t give you second thoughts about returning home to your American fam!
Happy (one day early here) Birthday sweetie.
WE LOVE YOU!
XO
ps/I had Court at 26 so it was a very good year for me!
Dont feel bad about your age–I turn 27 next month, and my husband turns 29 in November
Mongolia is super badass and supposedly a blank canvas for new business. I’m a k5 but for awhile I thought I was going to Mongolia because I was originally nominated for June, but I’m from Florida, and Mongolia is the opposite of Florida, so I’m very glad I got Cambodia. However, I’d like to live in a ger. -Jill Preston
Mongolia is definitely more badass, but I promise you Cambodia is more fun. You’re gonna love it.
I just spent the last two days walking around my village looking for houses for you guys to live in during training. Get ready! Good luck!
Cooper
Cooper Duper! Tomorrow is your birthdayyy!! You are so lucky to have three birthday parties, you’re like Paris Hilton!! We all miss and love you over here, tell your Cambodian family that the Castellani’s are gonna bring the love harder! Be prepared to party in the Dirty Jersey way when you get here….been planning your welcome home bash ever since you left!! Prepare to have your arteries temporarily clogged by Sacko”s, Tony”s Baltimore grill, and now this great place called Tony Boloney’s that has become an Atlantic City favorite! Caroline also makes a mean peanut butter cheesecake!! Her own recipe! WE LOVE YOUUU MORE!! xoxo
Thanks Team Castellani. See you in a month! I can’t wait.
6am in Denver and so even though you did all your official Cambodia celebrating “yesterday” it is June 16th “today” so HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY (again!)
Know we send you so much love and that we are counting the days until you touch down. Almost exactly a month.
We’ll all be there with bells on.
Love you sweetie. Hope the bday was fab.
And Team Castellani is right. WE LOVE YOU MORE!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Yay Biddy! And Amherst. She sounds so impressive. We are thrilled! “One of the nation’s top openly gay university leaders” and the FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT of Amherst since it was founded it 1821. Amen!
Lucky KBE! Lucky everyone.
xo
cooper,
no matter what anyone tells you, there is no wrong side of 25. look how accomplished you are at such a young age. when i was your age i had just finished learning how to tie my shoes.
Team Curtis things you’re fabulous. happy happy birthday. may all of your b-day wishes come true. just wait till you see how many parties will be thrown when you get home.” there’s no place like” it. corny but true. stay safe!
Lolly
hbc.
Cooper!!!
Happiest of Happy Birthdays! Hope it’s filled with all wonderful things- much love, good health and fun times. Hard to believe that it was a year ago that Ethan and I were in Cambodia with you. Was a trip of a lifetime that we talk about so often and will never forget. Hope that we get to see you upon your return home. We saw your little brother last night- still towering over Eth and tolerating the never ending punches he loves to dish out. Wish Emmett would just put him in his place one of these days. Think of you often (especially when anyone is referencing Don Drapper and Edwards…). Enjoy and love!
Peggy (and Ethan too)
Happy Birthday! Hope the festivities have continued and that your remaining month is a fun one. Looking forward to seeing you upon your return home.
xo Sam
Thought you should know there is controversy about Angelina’s ad because the bag in the photo is one of her own, from years ago, and is no longer sold/available to the throngs of customers who now want one!
Well how about that thrifty and practical minded ANGELINA, using her old bag for the LV ad. Girl after my own heart. Gotta admit (even though I’m not an LV girl myself) that the bag does look pretty fab. And really perfect for trekking around Siem Reap. Peggy, Amy and I certainly could have used one. Maybe JENNA too.
What a world!
xo