So much has happened since my last post. I'll start from the beginning. The AIPRG (Armenian International Policy Research Group) Conference was held the World Bank on January 18-19. I attended briefly on the first day only to hear the banking session. While there were some interesting mentions of mortgage options and teaching Armenians to save, I hardly understood a single number. The next day was the more Diaspora focused sessions which I attended. It was a success, but it was also last week so the thoughts aren't fresh in my brain. Sorry.
Following the conference, we went to a friend's house to catch the AFC Championship game where the Patriots claimed their win to move onto the Superbowl.
The week was crazy busy. The big news was the Protest for Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan's visit. He has begun a more aggressive approach to not only denying the genocide was a genocide, but actively attempting to remove the entire event from the history books. So the AYF in DC coordinated with the Kurds and protested outside of the American Enterprise Institute where he spoke. All Thursday morning through lunch we chanted and made our presence very well known. The New York Times published an article on us, the Turkish press was there reporting on our protest, and the people on the street couldn't help but inquire what was going on. We had flyers of info ready to distribute which flew out of our hands. It ended once all the Turks left the building. Little did they know the same greeting was waiting for them up in Boston the next day during Erdogan's visit with his son at Harvard University.
Though I didn't get there in time for the Boston protest, I did arrive in Boston soon after. I caught up with my good friends Baykar and Narine and then crashed on Raffi Meneshian's futon as he watched Oz. The concert was Saturday night and I was mezmorized by Lilit. Her performance, her presence, her voice, the Chamber Quartet, Aharon, the whole night was spectacular. I can't say much else than that. We had a reception after the show where I had a chance to congratulate her and talk about a possible show in DC... keep an eye out for that. Otherwise, she is a very down to earth and sweat character.
Next morning I jumped in my car at 6 am and got back on the road down south. I picked up my passenger in Providence on the way down and only stopped once for some coffee. Otherwise, it was a straight 8 hour drive to DC where a nice Superbowl Party awaited. I invited all my fellow Patriot fans and then some to watch the game on my not so big, but decent size screen. WHAT A GAME!!!! Though I am a Redskins fan before anything, when the Skins are out for the count, I direct all my obnoxious competitive football fanaticism toward the Patriots. That and Tom Brady is one big hunk of gorgeous. ;)
So GO PATRIOTS!!! Another win, but sadly this time I wasn't in Boston to celebrate with all of New England. Have a good party up there and don't get frostbite standing in line at the Rack after the Pats Parade... you wont get in, believe me.
Following the conference, we went to a friend's house to catch the AFC Championship game where the Patriots claimed their win to move onto the Superbowl.
The week was crazy busy. The big news was the Protest for Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan's visit. He has begun a more aggressive approach to not only denying the genocide was a genocide, but actively attempting to remove the entire event from the history books. So the AYF in DC coordinated with the Kurds and protested outside of the American Enterprise Institute where he spoke. All Thursday morning through lunch we chanted and made our presence very well known. The New York Times published an article on us, the Turkish press was there reporting on our protest, and the people on the street couldn't help but inquire what was going on. We had flyers of info ready to distribute which flew out of our hands. It ended once all the Turks left the building. Little did they know the same greeting was waiting for them up in Boston the next day during Erdogan's visit with his son at Harvard University.
Though I didn't get there in time for the Boston protest, I did arrive in Boston soon after. I caught up with my good friends Baykar and Narine and then crashed on Raffi Meneshian's futon as he watched Oz. The concert was Saturday night and I was mezmorized by Lilit. Her performance, her presence, her voice, the Chamber Quartet, Aharon, the whole night was spectacular. I can't say much else than that. We had a reception after the show where I had a chance to congratulate her and talk about a possible show in DC... keep an eye out for that. Otherwise, she is a very down to earth and sweat character.
Next morning I jumped in my car at 6 am and got back on the road down south. I picked up my passenger in Providence on the way down and only stopped once for some coffee. Otherwise, it was a straight 8 hour drive to DC where a nice Superbowl Party awaited. I invited all my fellow Patriot fans and then some to watch the game on my not so big, but decent size screen. WHAT A GAME!!!! Though I am a Redskins fan before anything, when the Skins are out for the count, I direct all my obnoxious competitive football fanaticism toward the Patriots. That and Tom Brady is one big hunk of gorgeous. ;)
So GO PATRIOTS!!! Another win, but sadly this time I wasn't in Boston to celebrate with all of New England. Have a good party up there and don't get frostbite standing in line at the Rack after the Pats Parade... you wont get in, believe me.
posted by Arsineh at 7:30 AM
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