What The World Eats

Ever since TIME captured Obama's charisma through their brilliant behind-the-scenes photography on the campaign trail, I've been really impressed by the consistently provocative images their photographers manage to capture.


That's probably more true than ever this week, given the first set of photographs by Peter Menzel that form the multi-part project entitled "What the World Eats."


The e-exhibit goes around the world positioning families in front of a spread of food consisting of their weekly intake, providing the total cost and country below. Not only are the products and nutritional values staggeringly different from country to country, but food costs and presumptive breakdowns are fascinating as well.


Take a look at which countries drink more soda. Notice that although the Japanese families eat far more packaged food than expected--interesting, no? If I had to choose, I'd be torn between Italy and Mexico--so many fruits and vegetables (and let's not even mention all that delicious bread in the Italy picture!).


Perhaps my favorite observation--Nissin Cup Noodles in Japan. Aren't those made in the States? And Kosher? They're outsourcing ramen from us??? Click here to find out which photos belong where, check out some more great photos, and see the full stats.


Correction: Turns out this project wasn't done specifically by Time. Rather, Time ran the photos which were created for this book, called Hungry Planet: What the World Eats. Check out that book here, or check here for some more info. The kind folks with Peter Menzel request that if you continue to share these photos, that you please credit with "Photographs by Peter Menzel from the book 'Hungry Planet.'" Thanks!

On Change, and Much MORE Serious Things

Last week I left off on the idea that we need change in this country, and urged all you who are eligible to vote in the upcoming election. I hate to be anything but a lighthearted escape from busy and turbulent times for you, dear readers, but I'd love to steal your time (just two minutes of it, at least) for a far more serious call to change. You see, it's not only this country that needs change. We might be in desperate need for new leadership, but we've also blinded ourselves to certain countries in far greater need than our own.

Enter Maryam of MyMarrakesh, a blog I've loved for a long time and mentioned on here before. She's been spending some time away from her idyllic Moroccan home to report back on one of the darkest and scariest places on earth: Rwanda. The genocide there has been going on for so long that our own media outlets have simply deemed it "old news" at this point. But for cruelty this intense, there needs to be a voice of reason and a beacon of light.

I have never been so moved by blog-writing as I was when I read this post by Maryam last Friday, so now I'm urging you all to read it too. At worst, it's gorgeous writing. At best, it's a rousing call to action for those who need it most.

Please, please, please read Maryam's stories and, if you can, find the generosity in your hearts to do something. If you can donate, Maryam has specified how to do so on her page. If you, like me, have been far too beaten by this economy to donate before the holiday season, spread awareness on your own blogs in hopes that some of your readers can help as well. If our current presidential candidates are as in touch with grassroots efforts as they claim to be, maybe we can spread the word far enough to make this issue rise back to the top of the priority list. Really, this is the kind of change that we can all get behind.

On Change and Other Less Serious Things

With one round of presidential and vice-presidential debates behind us and only four weeks of campaigning ahead, I cannot emphasize how important it is that everyone who is eligible go out and vote next month--or, at the very least, register for an absentee ballot. Soon. Deadlines quickly approach, so please take a quick minute to register, request your ballot, and vote. This is the most important election in ages and we can't let it slip us by!


Let's keep politics out of it and turn to the next most important issue--style on the campaign trail. This new blog is documenting the Obamas--particularly their leading lady Michelle--and her awesome style. Did you know that she's been working with Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue, to look as great as she does? Check it out and grab some inspiration--at least maybe we'll get a "change" from those nasty leggings that won't go away.

Chop Chop

While my move has gone swimmingly, the cable guy has yet to arrive and install internet. I'm tapping today, but tomorrow we'll be back in full swing (I hope).

I've often referenced the terrible state of the economy in this blog, and today will be no exception. I woke up after my first full night of sleep in a long time feeling refreshed and recharged, and for once the phone rang after I'd gotten out of bed instead of before. My temp agency was calling--probably with info on the M/F job or my paycheck, I figured.

As it turns out, the magazine I was working for, too, suffers from this nasty economy.

All the temps have been cut, she says.

That includes me.

It's the name of the game in this time, age, and industry, but it makes it much harder to enjoy my beautiful apartment when my main means for paying the rent has suddenly disappeared. Good thing I'm still freelancing, I guess!

On the calendar now is an interview for an internship (we have yet to find out whether it's paid or unpaid) at a super-elite magazine for members of a super-elite worldwide club coming up at 2 today, and one for a fact-checking job at a medical website tomorrow.

And also tomorrow, a more upbeat post--I promise!

Return of the Job Hunt, Sort Of

Whenever things look smooth, some bump comes and screws with your mind a little. I haven't applied to any new jobs since scoring my M/F research position--mostly out of courtesy, and also because it's an opportunity to wait for the Big Company I worked for last year to scour the market and find a place for me.

Funny how when I stop applying for jobs, though, I get responses from places I thought were already out of the question. And suddenly they seem quite interested. But I'm somewhat committed. At least I haven't signed any paperwork?

Today, the newest prospective employers asked for references.

One bump in the road becomes two.

What happens when one of your references still wants you to work for her but has no jobs and might not want to refer you to a competitor? And what happens when one reference isn't usable because she can't know you're still pseudo-job hunting? And what about, in an entirely different referencing scheme, you put your future editor as your to-be employer instead of your temp agent, making the management company for your apartment very, very confused?

The road suddenly gets bumpier.

But editors are forgiving, and they understand when you explain that the first line asked for your boss's name and that the second clearly marked your start date to be in the future. They'll forgive the creditors at the management company for their strange phone call, and things will only be a little bit awkward on day one.

And the unusable reference will be replaced with another--thank goodness for having a bunch of employers. She'll only find out about the pseudo-job hunt if something comes up, in which case I'll find a way to keep everyone happy. Because that's what I do. Or try to do. Or something like that.

And the competing former boss will send me a short and sweet email indicating that she's not thrilled to see me going other places before she can snag me herself, but will do what's in my best interest rather than hers.

So we return to smooth patch of road and walk along... knowing we'll stumble upon another fork soon.

Let There Be Light... Or Not?

My roommate and I finally signed an apartment yesterday, and that means I'm officially allowed to think about decorating. Obviously, we're on as restricted a budget as ever, because the start-up costs of Manhattan apartments exceed your typical shopping spree at Tiffany's. Well, almost.

Though we're leaving the village, we're doing it in style. Our new, Upper East Side apartment is a beautiful 2 bed/2 bath duplex with a private patio, and we're hoping to throw our housewarming party in our gorgeous outdoor space. But just thinking about it, I feel like I've made one big mistake. Don't worry--it has nothing to do with the apartment itself. But if you flash back to early June, that's when the mistake happened.

My wonderful boyfriend and I were traveling in Morocco when I stumbled upon the most beautiful lanterns. They dotted the patios of our hotels and lit up shops in the souks with their stained glass panels and cut-out designs.


I was tempted--so tempted--but I resisted. Where will I ever put these, I thought?


Ah, if only I'd known I'd be throwing a garden party in my own patio a short three months later.


These babies are available online, but unlike in the souks, they'll cost you a pretty penny to buy and ship. Check The Moroccan Bazaar and Casbah Decor for prices if you feel so inclined!

Welcome--hope you're here to stay!

It's my 50th day in the real world. 50 days ago, I graduated from an Ivy League university and celebrated like wild--after four years of papers, exams, internships, and part-time jobs, I was ready to join corporate America. And how! But first, a trip was in order, and beautiful Morocco came and went, along with the first twenty days of my "real world" existence.

With suitcases unpacked and internet set up in my West Village summer sublet, I set out to contact the former boss who'd been promising me a job for the last year. And it wasn't just any job--if everything worked out as planned, I'd have a dream job at one of the world's most prominent magazine publishing companies. But alas, the headlines don't lie--the economy is craptastic, and so is the job market. There were no openings, and little red was thrown out of her dream life and into the real world--no kidding this time.

It's been thirty days since then, but who's counting? We're job hunting, and it's not the best time or place. But we're also determined, and we're bringing you along for the ride. So, what do you say? Are you in?