Um,

it places an unrealistically large burden on me to represent the stereotype of American math students in general.

I didn't realize we had a stereotype. And even if we do, why do you have to reperesent it? Why not just act however you want, and he'll form his "stereotype" from that? To "represent the stereotype of [an] American... in general" would mean that every time you traveled, you would make special effort to talk loudly, wear T-shirts and shorts with sneakers, and go to McDonald's (or the vegeterian equivalent -- eat veggie burgers or something) at every opportunity. I don't think that's what I would want to do.

Honestly, there's a stereotype of American math students? I want to hear about this one.

"stereotype"... I don't see you fitting into any stereotype... You might fit into the stereotypical commited rower!! or I could broaden it to stereotypical athlete. But I don't see "math major" eminating from your presence. And I think that is good! You are math smart without being "style challenged". Your dad pulled it off too - otherwise you wouldn't be here. I personally find it interesting when people are not easy to figure out - but rather possess unusual combinations in character. And anyways - don't even try to be that stereotypical math person - you're a girl, tall, athletic, fashionable, attractive, great sense of humor, no glasses, you don't even own shirt with a pocket in the front to put your pencils...you could maybe get away with being the opposite in image... or just maybe break the century old tradional stereotype and break new trails (i know i get metaphors mixed up - sorry) and knock the socks off the old geek model! You go girl!!!!

I thought you would enjoy this:

I got into a taxi yesterday (here in Amman, Jordan) only to hear country music playing! Most often I hear the Koran being sung or crazy Lebanese pop music. It was almost refreshing to hear music in English but the country/bad 80's music didn't quite satisfy me. However, you will be glad to know that country music can be found around the globe!

Oh, that makes me very excited to hear! It would be rather bizarre to hear a country song after not constantly hearing English music. Well, I guess that country music in general is bizarre enough for people, but it would be very welcome to my ears. It's kind of odd to me that they would listen to country music in a non-English-speaking country, though, because it's the lyrics that make the music worth it, not the sound...

Jazz is huge in South Africa, isn't it? Practically their national music? And that is an American invention.

It is kind of confusing with two Rebeccas. For a while there I was wondering why Rebecca was talking to herself. Your family is getting to be like my family (which has two Scotts, one of which just named his son Scott, yielding a third Scott, as well as two Karens).

Jazz is rather big in South Africa, although I've definitely noticed the whole pop music craze a little more. And yes, the whole Rebecca thing is really ambiguous, but since we both go by Becca and Rebecca and not Becky, neither one of us wants to acquire a new nickname to make it less confusing...