Music and Books

I have discovered the Romanian radio and have been listening to a few radio stations. There are a couple of songs that I have heard a lot on the radio and in the taxi cabs, oddly enough. Many have a very strong “techno” beat since apparently techno really does live on in Central and Eastern Europe (where, in contrast, it had a few short-lived years in the late 90s in the U.S.).

Here is one of the songs that is on ALL of the time ("everybody's dancing, everybody shine"): http://www.trilulilu.ro/viorel88/5a4a06cabade1a

Now, for a little Romanian techno-rap...that is right (Puya featuring Gheorghe Hora):
http://www.trilulilu.ro/Hybrid555/65bee4ab385553

And, of course, the uber-techno song (Morris, "Desire"):
http://www.trilulilu.ro/erikka/b007657fb09014

Another one that is on pretty frequently (Edward Maya, "stereo love" - what does that even mean?):
http://www.trilulilu.ro/djsaulmix/5c30b2798cc92e

I have heard this one so much, and I had no idea they were saying "russian girl" - wow:
http://www.trilulilu.ro/djovidiuu/9ed04a28f396ff

Now onto to something a little more scholarly. I have mentioned the American Studies Library a few times, and I finally took a couple of pictures so that you could envision what I am talking about.

As you can tell, it is quite small, but still nice:

I have been reading a far bit of things from the library. They have a fairly interesting selection of literature and history books. I have already gone three Three Lives by Gertrude Stein, Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson, and Of the Farm by John Updike. I just got Anne of Green Gables (so good! how have I not read this before?), The Awakening by Kate Chopin, and Charlotte Temple by Susanna Rowson (apparently the best selling American novel until Uncle Tom’s Cabin!). This has been the 'smartest' set of "fun" books that I have read since starting graduate school!  In Arizona, I really took advantage of the local libraries and read lots of books in travel, food, mystery, and chick-lit.  None of that available here, so I am 'stuck' with the more classical literature.  They have been interesting and good for me to read, but I do not get through them quite as fast.  I have only read 1 history book so far, but am working on another one right now. There are a few that I feel like I need to read, just to catch up on some of my basic U.S. and women’s history reading.

And, I finally stumbled upon the Lucian Blaga library, which is the main library at BBU. I didn’t actually see any books, but it looks very institutional and very European, as I am sure you can tell as well from these pictures.

Here is a picture of the inside. Who knew there were still card catalogs?!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!