Facebook + WhatsApp Marriage = Free Calls For You. But, Is that Enough?

Calling home has just been made easier!

Facebook has updated their systems to reflect that they have acquired WhatsApp.  Since the merger last month, many people were nervous about how these two companies would be affected by each other.  The  ramifications of the union are not yet fully known.  What we DO know is that as of today, Facebook Messenger has incorporated free calling to all members.  This feature is similar to WhatsApp's original features.  Look for Facebook to make more changes and upgrades in the near future to further the competition between rivals Viber, WeChat and even Skype.

Of course, the acquisition is profitable to Facebook.  However, not everyone sees this as a positive one. One concern among thousands of users deals with personal privacy.  Many WhatsApp users pride on the fact that former owners, Brian Acton and Jan Koum, stand by the protection of user's privacy and not wanting or needing to know much, if anything, about users.  Facebook on the other hand is based on personal information and data and correlates their advertising on user likes and shares.  Tech experts worry that hackers will have access to Facebook chat history with the new messenger system.

On March 3, 2014, WhatsApp's services were disrupted or lagged globally.  64 billion messages were transferred yesterday.  This outage, another red flag, may be considered a warning that Facebook is not ready or capable for the overabundance of calls being made.  However, people are now flocking to the new messenger system as an alternate means of communication.  It is free.  All that is needed is Wifi access or data coverage.

Facebook and WhatsApp's honeymoon phase has been a bit bumpy.  If yesterday's activities foreshadow the future, then this is only the beginning.  People are questioning this, but their questions are not making them apprehensive about using the app.  I guess the solution for now is to discuss it on a call with a friend.

Meanie

I remember telling a friend once (well actually a few on several different occassions) that I need to learn how to be "the mean girl".  I finally see that it isn't so much the act of "being mean" and disregarding everyone else around me that I needed to work on, but realising that the arrogance that emits from these types of girls is what sets them apart from everyone else.  Arrogance isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Of course, too much of anything is bad.  Knowing when to be arrogant and about what is what separates a fool from a genius.  We are taught at an early age that girls should be nurturing, sweet, demure and complacent.  I've tried to live my life with a pseudo-Buddist approach.  Then I meet women with very dominant personalties.  They know what they want and will accept and refuse anything different.  Because of this,  we automatically label these types of women as "mean", "stubborn," and "bossy" (I'm using nice girl adjectvies here).  I see now that those women are winning in life.

They ain't got no time for that!

The last 46 days I've realiszd a few things about myself.  I see that wasting time and energy on how people perceive me is futile.  Unless they are paying my rent or providing me emotional, intellectual or physical care, whether they think I'm nice, evil, hardworking, lazy, fat, flaky, or Aphrodite in the flesh will not change my current situation.  Truly successful people don't waste time caring about the haters or fans.  They just keep on doing what they need to do to bridge the struggle gap.

 Besides, haters and fans equate to publicity. Although I'm not a celebrity by any means (except for in my own head maybe), this "publicity" is some perverse way of networking.  I mean, think about it.  Someone asks, "Oh, you know Kisha?"  The response is, "Oh that short girl who is always disappearing from Brno?  Yep, she's nice...a little weird...always leaving...always dreaming...whatever."  When I was a little girl, my dad told me that everyone has an opinion, you can't really change what they think.  Dad was right.  So, instead of freaking out that this person things x way about me and that person said x about me, I recognize that now that it's a way of keeping me relevant within one's networking circle.

They know their value.

Some people cannot take a compliment.  When someone tells me something nice, I smile painfully and say thank you.  For many people, hearing anything about themselves puts them in an uncomfortable place.  For "mean girls", this is not a problem.  They nod and confidently respond.  For them, this person has just affirmed what they have known forever--that they are spectacular and this should be common knowledge.  They know their self worth and value and anyone who questions this is quickly corrected.

The other day I had my "aha" moment.  I'd been corresponding with a prospective employer regarding my rates for a few articles that I'd been requested to write.  I was asked to lower my fees by 80%, produce six articles in an unreasonable time frame, and condense the information to appease the audience's attention span.  Basically, I was told that my contemporaries in another region of the world were turning around mass quantities of "literature" at an alarmingly quick speed and that I should conform and produce work of "equal value".  These types of articles are crowd-pleasers and circulate various social media platforms faster than a California wildfire in June.  

There was a time when I would have bowed down and started churning away at my laptop, thinking that a job is a job.  I'd spent so many years trying to please employers, friends, family, everyone around me.  "Mean girls" make sure that their happiness is priority and their needs are met before adapting to anyone else's requests.  Given my education, experience, intellectual integrity, and self respect, I knew that I could no longer be the nice girl. I'd finally realized MY value.  Granted, it took a grammatically incorrect quasi-rejection letter from an editor for me to quantify my worth.  I had acknowledged the fact that I'm a clever girl with more to lose than to gain by accepting what was being offered to me.   I took a second, stepped away from my laptop, and then decided to reply to what was on my screen.  That day I also learned the art of telling someone to sod off without being disrespectful or vulgar.

It should also be noted that "mean girls" will never down play or depreciate their work or worth.  Ever.

They are resilient princess warriors.

Everyone has misfortunes in their lives.  The difference between a "mean girl" and everyone else is how you react to those experiences.  Instead of dwelling on the fact that they have gone through some hardships, mean girls cut their losses, bury the casualties, and move on to plan B (and look glamorous while doing so).  As stated before, they just don't have time or energy to waste on lamenting over things that they have no control over.  They are adaptable.  If a "mean girl" finds herself with $200- in her pocket until payday, she'll find a way to make the best Chinese dinners for the next thirty days with Ramen noodles.  You will never see this girl crying  in a corner about a guy or a job (at least not openly).  

So, I wear my invisible armor and take a head count of those adversaries that stand in my way.  Everyone serves a purpose in your life.  Knowing when someone's shelf life has expired is essential.  Holding on to dead weight or being unable to tell a friend from a frienemy  will keep you from rising to the top while everything else around you is burning.

I've had to learn a few lessons the hard way.  In true "mean girl" fashion, |I've only had to be taught once.

They have goals.

Some people are ok with reaching a certain level in life and staying there.  Others are ok with settling into a role that has been determined for them or that they think is expected of them.  Mean girls want to transcend to the next level.  Mediocrity is not in their vocabulary.  They fight for pay raises.  They compartmentalize to balance their social life because they are constantly seeking self improvement.  They key, mean girls have found, is to surround yourself with like minded people.  Mean girls have a competitive streak.  A little friendly competition never killed any one.  I have made goals for myself.

 I've aligned myself with the most creative and intellectual people spanning two continents.  Doing so has pushed me to follow through with various projects, hold myself accountable with personal objectives, be more aware of my health, and continue to prosper in every aspect of my life.

So, when I think about it, the next time someone tells me that I'm "mean", I'll just nod and confidently say "Thanks!" before I walk away.

10 Reasons to Give a Czech Guy (or His Slovak Brothers) a Chance

Living in a bigger city in the Czech Republic will introduce you to many different nationalities within the Expat community. 
Since the population of potential suitors originating from everywhere but Czech Republic has increased throughout the region, it seems that the ancestors of said West-Slavic tribes are becoming overlooked and depreciating within the dating market.

Sure, you can choose from the beautiful Italian programmer in Brno or the very hip and collective Australian who teaches English in Prague.  Before you rule out Stanislav, Petr, or Radek, keep the following things in mind:

 1. He  is Thoughtful 
When asked the question, "How are You?", Czech guys only ask this question if they really want to know the answer.  They remember the little things that you tell them and put forth much effort once they begin relationships.                              
                                
2. He Loves His Hobbies.
 Every Czech person has a hobby that they are awesome at. Most Americans think of extracurricular activities as something that you do after school.  Whether it's running or fishing or art, Czech men take their hobbies seriously and usually excel at one or two things outside of their certified professions.

3. You wont be stuck inside playing Halo for dates. 
Most guys in Czech Republic like some sort of outdoors something or other.  Now that the weather is warmer, you will find everyone outdoors.  Even in the winter, many Czech men take advantage of the natural beauty of the mountains by going skiing and snowboarding.   Finding a guy who prefers sitting at home and playing Wii or his guitar all day every day is quite rare.

4. They are a nation of pretty people.
Czechs are insanely attractive.  Let's face it.  Websites of a certain nature bank on the fact that they have symmetric faces
 (based on the Golden Ratio),  take pride in being fit, and never wearing baseball caps.

5. Most Czech guys, at the very least, can make toast.
Being invited for dinner by a  Czech man could end up with you being surprised with three course meals and recipes that have been passed down from this mother and grandmother.

6. ...and understand how to set a table for tea.
Gender roles do not limit tea and coffee etiquette in Czech Republic.  Being invited to a house for coffee or tea will mean that you will ACTUALLY be served coffee or tea (with various options of tea, of course) at a properly set table that includes teapots, teacups, saucers, and little snacks.

7.  He likes to time travel.
Slavic men are like gentlemen of yesteryear with their sentiments and behaviors.  It is not surprising to have a man help you put your coat on, hold the door for you, find it disrespectful to look at a watch or cell phone while in your company, and walk you home regardless of weather or time. 

8. He is supportive.
Like most men, he is eager to help.  If you have a hair brained idea, he will talk you through the steps that you need to do in order to make those dreams come true.  Is a language barrier a problem?  Don't worry.  Knowing that a "Foreigner" is interested in his language and culture will bring out his sympathetic side and earn you respect.  Within a few months time, you will have  the basics down with his thoughtful ways of helping you remember vocabulary.

9. They are direct.
This goes hand in hand with #1.  If they don't like something, Czech men will tell you.  There is no sparing of feelings when discussing sensitive topics.  If you ask a guy if your butt looks big and he responds with a "yes", you are probably dating a Czech dude.

10.  They have a strong sense of family.
It is not unusual to hear a 40 year old man ( or one in his twenties or thirties either) say he is leaving town for the weekend to spend time with his mother.   Holidays are spent with extended families.  If you are invited home, consider yourself lucky and appreciated enough to meet everyone whom he holds dear to his heart.

So, if you happen to turn the head of a Branislav or a Libor, you may want to answer with "Ano" when he asks you if he can buy you jednou pivo.

50 pounds or pay up...

Tonight I am preparing myself for yet another global expedition.  This time I am going "home".  Really I am not sure what this word even means.  Since birth, I've been a nohmad.  Whenever the chance to settle down comes, I get a bit jumpy and the itch to travel gets to my skin.

Tomorrow I return to the US for a little while.  This trip was a bit unexpected but long overdue.  I told myself that I would travel light but find myself attempting to stuff everything that I own into a blue rucksack and a red duffle bag with wheels.  Surprisingly, I still own too many things.  I spent the last two days downsizing my worldly possessions--dividing everything into keep, throwaway, and donate piles.  My flatmate's scale is broken so I cannot check, but I am pretty sure that my bags exceed the airline limits.

I know that I should be happy to see my parents and my friends from school, but for some reason a wave of sadness hit me a few hours ago.  Every time I leave I try to prepare myself mentally, as if it is the last time that I will see my flat, my friends, and my neighborhood.  It's always so hard to say goodbye--even if for a few weeks.  It should be so much easier for me.  After all, I've been doing this since birth basically.

It's icy out and the forecast predicts snow...truly wonderful weather to travel in.  The ironic thing is that I will be landing into a crazy winter wonderland.  I have no idea what to expect when I get there.  Everyone tells me that I should be excited.  America is wonderful and so much fun.  Yes, this is true.  For me however, I anticipate the high cost of everything and the lack of public transport and the calm way of life that I have grown accustomed to.  I really should be more positive about this trip and look on the bright side of it all.  

Back to packing and cleaning and then an early night in bed.  Tomorrow shall be a long day.

theExpatGirl.