Monday, December 10, 2012
Summing up my Semester
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Shifting My Paradigm
From a western standpoint, there is not much known about Russian culture, politics, and society. Needless to say, over the past sixty years the relationship between Russia and the United States has been marked by competition and rivalry. Starting at the end of World War II and through the Cold War, the result of which being the U.S. and the Soviet Union as the two major superpowers, the dynamic between these two powers has been nothing more than cordial. The relationship between Russia and the United States has not only had a global and economic effect but has also hindered the growth of these two societies on a communal level, as the stereotypes placed upon each culture by the other has been based in fear and contempt.
Throughout the Cold War the fear of communism and the ousting of it from within American society became the focus of domestic initiatives. The fear of communism became more than just an idea, it was an idea embodied by the Soviet Union- a massive enemy which was slowly gaining more and more political power. Over the past year I have begun to notice the overall lack of knowledge that I had, and that many Americans do have, of Russia. I feel that many still associate Russia with the Soviet Union and that through an apathy of awareness and inability to understand, many Americans are still stuck in the psyche that was present thirty to forty years ago.
Last semester I took a course titled Communism in America. One of the things that first interested me in the course was the concept of an idea. The power that an ideas has over people; whether through passion or fear the idea has the power to make people move. It fascinates me that communism caused an extreme amount of hysteria and fear in the states. The rejection of communism in the 1950s is unlike any other movement. The core values of communism and state control brought such an extreme terror to the American public and to see the power of an idea and the extremity to which people are willing to lives by or against absolutely fascinates me. As such, during the course I learned a lot about Russian history and studied the beginning of Communism and began to see how for Americans it became synonymous with Russia today.
Today, not much is known about Russia. In general, I feel that most Americans have little knowledge to the extent of the history and tradition that is present within Russian culture. This is a culture that is full of art, philosophy, theology, and has been the breading ground for revolutionary ideas and people that have shaped the actions of the world. The extent of history to which is the foundation of Russian society absolutely astounds me; however, that history has often been judged by its Americans counterparts who claim superiority over the history of other nations.
Over the course of this semester I have begun to see the difference between generalizations and stereotypes. In that, everyone generalizes. It is a way for human beings to process what is going around them and it is ultimately inevitable. It is stereotypes though that hinder the growth of that process. They limit a person and their potential. I can say that after having spent nearly three months in Lithuania among student from all over eastern europe many of my stereotypes have been proven wrong- well what stereotypes I had considering my overall lack of knowledge in general.
While I have always been told that there is something beneficial to gain from a different culture, it is hard to accept that when every inherent action seems out of place. Simple actions such as smiling and laughing were seen as strange, and often got me strange looks in the streets. While this resulted in me trying not to smile or laugh out loud in a desire to "blend in," I began to see instead that it is these things make me seem weird that I actually appreciate most about myself and my home culture. It has been the recognition of the values I appreciate in different cultures that have also made me appreciate the things that I value from my own culture.
All this is to say that my week spent in Russia was by far one of the most amazing experiences. I know I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn about this culture first hand. It is a culture that is full of tradition and being from a society where many of its members proclaim that the American way is the only way, it was humbling to see the way in which tradition is embodied into everyday lives. Whether that be respect for elders, displayed through always offering your seat on the metro to an older person or a woman, or through the reverence of religion and law.
It is funny for me to contrast my week in Russia to my four months in Lithuania to years spent in the States. Take the politics of each of these nations: while Russia and Lithuania have historically and geographically been around the longest, they are still among the youngest democracies. Living in Lithuania I have seen this to be a nation striving for freedom and democracy. While the United States is only a mere 300 years old, it is seen as a guiding light for striving countries such as Lithuania. While talking with one of the members of the Liberal Party in Klaipeda, she described the United States as a "mother of democracy" for Lithuanian politics. It is easy for me to forget the youth of Lithuanian politics, after all they only began an independent state for twenty years. Thus it makes sense that Lithuania is still only in the beginning stages of democracy. It is clear that they are striving for freedom but the system is simply unequipped. However, seeing that they look to the United States as an example gives me pride in my home country.
However, that is not to say that the United States is without fault. I think it is the inability of many Americans to be humble that is the falling point within our society. Today there is present an attitude of "manifest destiny," that it's my way or the highway, and it is this mentality that is patronizing to developing and striving countries. I can see the perseverance in the spirit of these nations. Americans are quick to judge without looking within our own culture for faults. I have seen this in the attitude toward Russia. I think unawareness of the unknown produces fear. There is a fear of things we do not understand, and I believe that this has hindered the growth of relations between the United States and other nations.
In today's society Russia and China are considered among the top rivals to the United States, but that does not take away from the fact that there are people who live within those states. It is a reminder to us all when thinking about politics, internally and internationally, that states and parties are made up of people. I even noticed this within the presidential election. Republicans and democrats alike were criticizing each other for their beliefs and in many ways it was a shame to humanity. People transcend social groups and no matter what category they are thrown in they ultimately deserve respect and time to be understood and made important.
Throughout the Cold War the fear of communism and the ousting of it from within American society became the focus of domestic initiatives. The fear of communism became more than just an idea, it was an idea embodied by the Soviet Union- a massive enemy which was slowly gaining more and more political power. Over the past year I have begun to notice the overall lack of knowledge that I had, and that many Americans do have, of Russia. I feel that many still associate Russia with the Soviet Union and that through an apathy of awareness and inability to understand, many Americans are still stuck in the psyche that was present thirty to forty years ago.
Last semester I took a course titled Communism in America. One of the things that first interested me in the course was the concept of an idea. The power that an ideas has over people; whether through passion or fear the idea has the power to make people move. It fascinates me that communism caused an extreme amount of hysteria and fear in the states. The rejection of communism in the 1950s is unlike any other movement. The core values of communism and state control brought such an extreme terror to the American public and to see the power of an idea and the extremity to which people are willing to lives by or against absolutely fascinates me. As such, during the course I learned a lot about Russian history and studied the beginning of Communism and began to see how for Americans it became synonymous with Russia today.
Today, not much is known about Russia. In general, I feel that most Americans have little knowledge to the extent of the history and tradition that is present within Russian culture. This is a culture that is full of art, philosophy, theology, and has been the breading ground for revolutionary ideas and people that have shaped the actions of the world. The extent of history to which is the foundation of Russian society absolutely astounds me; however, that history has often been judged by its Americans counterparts who claim superiority over the history of other nations.
While I have always been told that there is something beneficial to gain from a different culture, it is hard to accept that when every inherent action seems out of place. Simple actions such as smiling and laughing were seen as strange, and often got me strange looks in the streets. While this resulted in me trying not to smile or laugh out loud in a desire to "blend in," I began to see instead that it is these things make me seem weird that I actually appreciate most about myself and my home culture. It has been the recognition of the values I appreciate in different cultures that have also made me appreciate the things that I value from my own culture.
All this is to say that my week spent in Russia was by far one of the most amazing experiences. I know I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn about this culture first hand. It is a culture that is full of tradition and being from a society where many of its members proclaim that the American way is the only way, it was humbling to see the way in which tradition is embodied into everyday lives. Whether that be respect for elders, displayed through always offering your seat on the metro to an older person or a woman, or through the reverence of religion and law.
It is funny for me to contrast my week in Russia to my four months in Lithuania to years spent in the States. Take the politics of each of these nations: while Russia and Lithuania have historically and geographically been around the longest, they are still among the youngest democracies. Living in Lithuania I have seen this to be a nation striving for freedom and democracy. While the United States is only a mere 300 years old, it is seen as a guiding light for striving countries such as Lithuania. While talking with one of the members of the Liberal Party in Klaipeda, she described the United States as a "mother of democracy" for Lithuanian politics. It is easy for me to forget the youth of Lithuanian politics, after all they only began an independent state for twenty years. Thus it makes sense that Lithuania is still only in the beginning stages of democracy. It is clear that they are striving for freedom but the system is simply unequipped. However, seeing that they look to the United States as an example gives me pride in my home country.
However, that is not to say that the United States is without fault. I think it is the inability of many Americans to be humble that is the falling point within our society. Today there is present an attitude of "manifest destiny," that it's my way or the highway, and it is this mentality that is patronizing to developing and striving countries. I can see the perseverance in the spirit of these nations. Americans are quick to judge without looking within our own culture for faults. I have seen this in the attitude toward Russia. I think unawareness of the unknown produces fear. There is a fear of things we do not understand, and I believe that this has hindered the growth of relations between the United States and other nations.In today's society Russia and China are considered among the top rivals to the United States, but that does not take away from the fact that there are people who live within those states. It is a reminder to us all when thinking about politics, internally and internationally, that states and parties are made up of people. I even noticed this within the presidential election. Republicans and democrats alike were criticizing each other for their beliefs and in many ways it was a shame to humanity. People transcend social groups and no matter what category they are thrown in they ultimately deserve respect and time to be understood and made important.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Doing the Things You've Always Been Told Not To.
You know those off handed comments that are made to be funny? The ones that you don't really intend to follow through with? Well, I made one of those. It all started while a group of friends and I were hanging out at the local jazz club. Then it happened, "Wouldn't it be funny if we Hitch hike raced to Vilnius?!" And just like that, I was committed.
The goal of the race: 1) Make it to Vilnius faster than the other group. 2) Make it alive 3) Meet at Cathedral Square (center of Vilnius) 4) Win.
We began our saturday morning taking the bus out to the highway. We determined the best way to get picked up would be separating ourselves from each other along the highway. It was Hannah and I versus Julie and Bree. So there, on the side of the highway, we said our goodbyes. It was during that last long hug to Bree that images from Taken began to swarm my brain. Hitchhiking?! Was I crazy? This is one of those things you're warned not to do... well, I've never been one to heed warnings.
Hannah and I began to walk further down along the highway until we came to the next onramp. We had been standing there, in the classic cardboard in hand and thumb up position, and within five minutes we were picked up! I was definitely expecting it to take at least a half hour or longer. It might have helped that we two clearly normal looking girls. The man who picked us up spoke a little english and he was nice to talk to. Through broken english he was able to tell us a little about his family which lives in Kaunas (a town half way to Vilnius), about his work in neighboring countries, and he asked us about school and our studies. Then he dropped us off near another onramp in Kaunas.
So we were back to the sign, and AGAIN within five minutes we had another ride! This man we found out was from Belarus but spoke no english at all. As we began driving we saw Bree and Julie on the road! We we're winning! The funny thing about Mr. Belarus was how particular he was about his CDs. Not only did he like to listen to a a specific song but on a specific CD- particularly number 18.
Upon arriving in Vilnius he said "autobus,"pointed to the bus stop, and dropped us off. So we had made it! Sort of. Hannah and I walked over to the bus stop and not having any idea which bus to talk I timidly asked one of the men standing there "koks autobusas vaziuoja i centra?" (which bus goes to the city center?). Somehow I don't think he understood what I was asking and just pointed to a bus number- one that didn't run on saturdays. Great. So instead of continuing in confusion we hopped on the first bus that came. Turns out it took us straight to the city center!
We had Won! Only winning really meant that we had to wait an hour for Julie and Bree to arrive.
After settling into our hostel we decided to go Bar hopping- only minus the bar and add kepta duana. Which for those of you who don't know what kepta duana is, its a delicious appetizer made from fried bread and cheese. Trust me- it is every ounce of deliciousness and more. While Kepta Duona Hopping we met some interesting people, among them were a couple of awesome Lithuanian guys who happily talked music, politics, and told us how we were pronouncing lithuanian wrong. It turned into quite an entertaining evening.
We woke up sunday morning and began our journey back out. Hitchhiking out of Vilnius turned out to be far more difficult that getting in. Julie and Bree got picked up first and then Hannah and I maybe fifteen minutes after. Our driver was the most silent man ever. The only word he said the entire time was "Kaunas," which was exactly where he took us. Upon getting dropped off in Kaunas we saw Bree and Julie walking ahead of us to the highway, just as a car stopped to pick us up.
So we get in the car with two younger lithuanian guys, and the first thing he says to us is "Beer?" Oh dear, what had we just gotten into.... We begin driving only to have them blaring metal rock music, and them insisting we take some beer. Let it also be noted that it wasn't even One O' clock. Then Tadas, our new drunk friend, explained that they were going to stop and get the driver a drink because he wasn't drinking- thank god. Not going to lie, Hannah and I definitely contemplated getting out of the car then. However, we didn't. Bad life choice. So we continued our car ride, and upon them finding out that we were from the United States they began to chant "USA!" "USA!" "USA!" Yea, that happened. Tadas kept asking us why we were going to Klaipeda, after about the fourth time of explaining I gave up. He was certainly quite the character. He kept insisting that we come with him... eeek! Luckily they had to take another exit off the highway so they dropped us off again. So long Tadas.
So there we were... again... only this time we were quite literally in the middle of nowhere. The funny thing was that all the cars who were passing us were ones that had already rejected us, twice. Then we hear a honk- It's Julie and Bree!! I see a quick glimpse of Julie waving as she goes whizzing by in a minivan. So Hannah and I began to try the desperate an depressed look. It consisted of her sitting on the railing looking tired while I hung out my thumb and tried to catch a car. It worked!
So we get into the next car. He seems like a pretty normal guy who seems to speak english well. He seems content with just driving silently as well, which was appreciated after our last ride. So we're sitting there and we notice that our driver is getting a lot of phone calls. Also, that he has two cell phones.. weird. He tells us that he just got back from a business trip in Holland. Hannah recognized him also speaking German on the phone... then he says that he needs to give one of his friends/ co-worker something. So he pulls over the car. In the middle of nowhere. Then a car pulls off behind us, there are two men and a girl inside. All of a sudden our driver opens his trunk and hand them a couple of license plates.... uuuummmmm...... who is this dude? We can over hear him telling his friends that he picked up two hitchhikers. That's us. After finishing his cigarette, he gets back in the car and continues driving. Then I notice the radio, the types that old school policemen have, in the front of his car. Needless to say- I think our driver was an undercover cop.
After about an hour we got dropped off aaagaaaiiiinnnn. So we were back to the highway. Take Four.
luckily, after about ten minutes we get picked up by the sweetest old man. He was a native Lithuania, spoke a little English, and broken German. As soon as he found out that Hannah spoke German he was so excited and began telling us all about his daughter who is going to school right now and his wife. He offered us some of the mint tea he had in a thermos, and apples. He literally would have driven us to the doors of the dorms at school had we let him. The change of pace was definitely appreciated after our many rides that day.
Clearly we did not win the race back; however, ending in a tie gives us an excuse to do it again.
The nice thing about hitchhiking in Lithuania is that it's not taboo. It is legal and so easy to get picked up. It is great to be able to a)get a ride for free and b) be able to have a unique experience. It was cool to meet back up with Julie and Bree later and hear about their stories because we knew they would be so different from ours. It's a unique experience and you never know what you're going to get. Never once did I feel uncomfortable or in any amount of danger- Even drunk Tadas was just funny. So if you ever get the chance I say do it! You'll never know until you try.
The goal of the race: 1) Make it to Vilnius faster than the other group. 2) Make it alive 3) Meet at Cathedral Square (center of Vilnius) 4) Win.
We began our saturday morning taking the bus out to the highway. We determined the best way to get picked up would be separating ourselves from each other along the highway. It was Hannah and I versus Julie and Bree. So there, on the side of the highway, we said our goodbyes. It was during that last long hug to Bree that images from Taken began to swarm my brain. Hitchhiking?! Was I crazy? This is one of those things you're warned not to do... well, I've never been one to heed warnings.
Hannah and I began to walk further down along the highway until we came to the next onramp. We had been standing there, in the classic cardboard in hand and thumb up position, and within five minutes we were picked up! I was definitely expecting it to take at least a half hour or longer. It might have helped that we two clearly normal looking girls. The man who picked us up spoke a little english and he was nice to talk to. Through broken english he was able to tell us a little about his family which lives in Kaunas (a town half way to Vilnius), about his work in neighboring countries, and he asked us about school and our studies. Then he dropped us off near another onramp in Kaunas.
So we were back to the sign, and AGAIN within five minutes we had another ride! This man we found out was from Belarus but spoke no english at all. As we began driving we saw Bree and Julie on the road! We we're winning! The funny thing about Mr. Belarus was how particular he was about his CDs. Not only did he like to listen to a a specific song but on a specific CD- particularly number 18.
Upon arriving in Vilnius he said "autobus,"pointed to the bus stop, and dropped us off. So we had made it! Sort of. Hannah and I walked over to the bus stop and not having any idea which bus to talk I timidly asked one of the men standing there "koks autobusas vaziuoja i centra?" (which bus goes to the city center?). Somehow I don't think he understood what I was asking and just pointed to a bus number- one that didn't run on saturdays. Great. So instead of continuing in confusion we hopped on the first bus that came. Turns out it took us straight to the city center!
We had Won! Only winning really meant that we had to wait an hour for Julie and Bree to arrive.
After settling into our hostel we decided to go Bar hopping- only minus the bar and add kepta duana. Which for those of you who don't know what kepta duana is, its a delicious appetizer made from fried bread and cheese. Trust me- it is every ounce of deliciousness and more. While Kepta Duona Hopping we met some interesting people, among them were a couple of awesome Lithuanian guys who happily talked music, politics, and told us how we were pronouncing lithuanian wrong. It turned into quite an entertaining evening.
We woke up sunday morning and began our journey back out. Hitchhiking out of Vilnius turned out to be far more difficult that getting in. Julie and Bree got picked up first and then Hannah and I maybe fifteen minutes after. Our driver was the most silent man ever. The only word he said the entire time was "Kaunas," which was exactly where he took us. Upon getting dropped off in Kaunas we saw Bree and Julie walking ahead of us to the highway, just as a car stopped to pick us up.
So we get in the car with two younger lithuanian guys, and the first thing he says to us is "Beer?" Oh dear, what had we just gotten into.... We begin driving only to have them blaring metal rock music, and them insisting we take some beer. Let it also be noted that it wasn't even One O' clock. Then Tadas, our new drunk friend, explained that they were going to stop and get the driver a drink because he wasn't drinking- thank god. Not going to lie, Hannah and I definitely contemplated getting out of the car then. However, we didn't. Bad life choice. So we continued our car ride, and upon them finding out that we were from the United States they began to chant "USA!" "USA!" "USA!" Yea, that happened. Tadas kept asking us why we were going to Klaipeda, after about the fourth time of explaining I gave up. He was certainly quite the character. He kept insisting that we come with him... eeek! Luckily they had to take another exit off the highway so they dropped us off again. So long Tadas.
So there we were... again... only this time we were quite literally in the middle of nowhere. The funny thing was that all the cars who were passing us were ones that had already rejected us, twice. Then we hear a honk- It's Julie and Bree!! I see a quick glimpse of Julie waving as she goes whizzing by in a minivan. So Hannah and I began to try the desperate an depressed look. It consisted of her sitting on the railing looking tired while I hung out my thumb and tried to catch a car. It worked!
So we get into the next car. He seems like a pretty normal guy who seems to speak english well. He seems content with just driving silently as well, which was appreciated after our last ride. So we're sitting there and we notice that our driver is getting a lot of phone calls. Also, that he has two cell phones.. weird. He tells us that he just got back from a business trip in Holland. Hannah recognized him also speaking German on the phone... then he says that he needs to give one of his friends/ co-worker something. So he pulls over the car. In the middle of nowhere. Then a car pulls off behind us, there are two men and a girl inside. All of a sudden our driver opens his trunk and hand them a couple of license plates.... uuuummmmm...... who is this dude? We can over hear him telling his friends that he picked up two hitchhikers. That's us. After finishing his cigarette, he gets back in the car and continues driving. Then I notice the radio, the types that old school policemen have, in the front of his car. Needless to say- I think our driver was an undercover cop.
After about an hour we got dropped off aaagaaaiiiinnnn. So we were back to the highway. Take Four.
luckily, after about ten minutes we get picked up by the sweetest old man. He was a native Lithuania, spoke a little English, and broken German. As soon as he found out that Hannah spoke German he was so excited and began telling us all about his daughter who is going to school right now and his wife. He offered us some of the mint tea he had in a thermos, and apples. He literally would have driven us to the doors of the dorms at school had we let him. The change of pace was definitely appreciated after our many rides that day.
Clearly we did not win the race back; however, ending in a tie gives us an excuse to do it again.
The nice thing about hitchhiking in Lithuania is that it's not taboo. It is legal and so easy to get picked up. It is great to be able to a)get a ride for free and b) be able to have a unique experience. It was cool to meet back up with Julie and Bree later and hear about their stories because we knew they would be so different from ours. It's a unique experience and you never know what you're going to get. Never once did I feel uncomfortable or in any amount of danger- Even drunk Tadas was just funny. So if you ever get the chance I say do it! You'll never know until you try.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The Network of Humanity
Well. I made it. Finally. It seems as though my journey hardly began and yet I look back and I feel as though I have been traveling forever- which three weeks spent with no knowledge of where to sleep each night can do. I look back on my backpacking experience and feel as though I have gained a wealth of knowledge about what kind of traveler I am. I know how much spontaneity I can handle- and that I get crabby when I haven't eaten.
More than that, I learned about myself in a new way. Traveling on my own challenged me to think outside of my comfort zone: because I didn't have one. I had to rely on the kindness of strangers and trust that everything was going to work out. If anything I gained the knowledge of believing in a network of human kindness.
Now, I am going to go off on a tangent now, but I promise I'll connect it in the end. Have you ever read The Two Towers, the second part of the Lord of The Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien? There is a part in the book where Sam is watching the Elephants, and in particular the Easterlings, or the men from the East. In the book one of the Easterlings falls down dead in front of Sam and whereby he begins to have an internal dialogue about the origin of the man. Was he innately Evil? Was he forced to participate in this war? Or did he choose to fight for Sauron by choice? In addition, in the book For Whom the Bell Tolls by earnest Hemingway, the setting takes place in Spain during guerilla warfare and the main character wonders what the relationship with his "enemy" would be like had there been different circumstances. Very well his enemy could have been his friend. That under a different setting he could have been invited into his home for dinner, welcomed as a friend. I mention these books as there is an innate human connection between us all. In instances such as war, it is easy for a man to overlook that connection and see a grander enemy than simply the man standing across from himself. I believe that society defines the differences between us as a wall in which cannot be crossed; however, I have come to see that it is our actions that define who we are.
While traveling I saw the kindness and compassion of strangers, whether letting us sleep on a floor, helping with directions, or just simply trying to do their best to understand english. I have also learned that no problem is too large to overcome. No matter what tomorrow is another day and your problems today will end with the beginning a new refreshing moment.
There is an illusion of permanence to pain and suffering. It is easy to think that our emotions control our experiences and that what we are feeling will last forever. That is simply not true. However, it is hard to reason with the mind when the problem at hand seems like too much to control. I speak of this because I know that culture shock is going to hit me. It will probably hit me harder than I am willing to accept. However, I know that when the home-sickness, cold weather, roommate problems, and homework overload begin to set in that I should invest in the things that matter. That I should invest in the people around me. Whether fellow study abroad students or the diverse community of students from other countries, I have been given a rare opportunity to share my experiences and learn from the experiences of those around me. There is no right way to adapt to culture; however, there are better ways and I believe that a one is by investing oneself fully in your environment.
So as I begin to settle into a new routine I have decide to be BRAVE. To not allow myself to hide in my room or make up excuses for not participating, I am going to be a risk taker. I am going to throw myself outside of my comfort zone, literally throw/hurl/ wildly shake myself out, because I do not want to miss an opportunity to learn from being uncomfortable. The funny thing about humans is that we often underestimate our own abilities. We say we can't, when in actuality we are fully capable but are simply afraid. I'm don't want to not be afraid, in fact I want to face my fears boldly and do exactly what it is I'm afraid of.
Also, Lithuania is great! And Norm says Hi.
More than that, I learned about myself in a new way. Traveling on my own challenged me to think outside of my comfort zone: because I didn't have one. I had to rely on the kindness of strangers and trust that everything was going to work out. If anything I gained the knowledge of believing in a network of human kindness.
Now, I am going to go off on a tangent now, but I promise I'll connect it in the end. Have you ever read The Two Towers, the second part of the Lord of The Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien? There is a part in the book where Sam is watching the Elephants, and in particular the Easterlings, or the men from the East. In the book one of the Easterlings falls down dead in front of Sam and whereby he begins to have an internal dialogue about the origin of the man. Was he innately Evil? Was he forced to participate in this war? Or did he choose to fight for Sauron by choice? In addition, in the book For Whom the Bell Tolls by earnest Hemingway, the setting takes place in Spain during guerilla warfare and the main character wonders what the relationship with his "enemy" would be like had there been different circumstances. Very well his enemy could have been his friend. That under a different setting he could have been invited into his home for dinner, welcomed as a friend. I mention these books as there is an innate human connection between us all. In instances such as war, it is easy for a man to overlook that connection and see a grander enemy than simply the man standing across from himself. I believe that society defines the differences between us as a wall in which cannot be crossed; however, I have come to see that it is our actions that define who we are.
While traveling I saw the kindness and compassion of strangers, whether letting us sleep on a floor, helping with directions, or just simply trying to do their best to understand english. I have also learned that no problem is too large to overcome. No matter what tomorrow is another day and your problems today will end with the beginning a new refreshing moment.
There is an illusion of permanence to pain and suffering. It is easy to think that our emotions control our experiences and that what we are feeling will last forever. That is simply not true. However, it is hard to reason with the mind when the problem at hand seems like too much to control. I speak of this because I know that culture shock is going to hit me. It will probably hit me harder than I am willing to accept. However, I know that when the home-sickness, cold weather, roommate problems, and homework overload begin to set in that I should invest in the things that matter. That I should invest in the people around me. Whether fellow study abroad students or the diverse community of students from other countries, I have been given a rare opportunity to share my experiences and learn from the experiences of those around me. There is no right way to adapt to culture; however, there are better ways and I believe that a one is by investing oneself fully in your environment.
So as I begin to settle into a new routine I have decide to be BRAVE. To not allow myself to hide in my room or make up excuses for not participating, I am going to be a risk taker. I am going to throw myself outside of my comfort zone, literally throw/hurl/ wildly shake myself out, because I do not want to miss an opportunity to learn from being uncomfortable. The funny thing about humans is that we often underestimate our own abilities. We say we can't, when in actuality we are fully capable but are simply afraid. I'm don't want to not be afraid, in fact I want to face my fears boldly and do exactly what it is I'm afraid of.
Also, Lithuania is great! And Norm says Hi.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
France. Paris and Nice.
I think that every stereotype I have of french people has been broken while traveling through France. To begin we arrived in Paris and planned on only having about 14 hours to wander around before we caught a night train to southern France. The problems began though when we realized that Paris is so much larger than any other city we have been to. There is no central part of the city because everything is so spread out. As such, we had no idea where we had to go to catch our next train. So we just walked into one of the train stations and asked which one we had to get to to get to Nice. He said Gare de Lyon. So we figured we had little time before needing to get there so we might try to see the Eiffel tower. Which ended up being quite a walk, but completely worth it. It was so cool to see it and I had forgotten just how large and magnificent of a feet it was to complete.
So we headed off toward the Gare de Lyon only to find out upon our arrival that it wasn't the train station we were suppose to be at after all. Welp, that sucked. Luckily the one we did need to be at was only a bock or two away- only our train was leaving in about twenty minutes. So we headed back out to the next train station. However, we soon found out that to leave Paris on a night train required a reservation... we didn't have one. And the station was closing in an hour with no trains available for us to take. Turns out though that we were not the only one in this predicament. We met a girl named Sophia who also didn't have a reservation and missed her train. She was Awesome. Super quirky and funny and she wanted to know if she could hang out with us until the morning when we would all be heading back to the station. We figured we would just go out to the Canal and sit on a bench. When we were about to leave a korean woman who spoke very little english cam eup and asked if she could come with us. Why not? So it was the five of us, me, Destiny, Logan, Sophia and Mi'young all heading out toward the water at 1 am.
The funny part is that we just kept walking until we were stopped by this young group of kids who had been sitting by the water drinking drinking wine and hanging out. They could clearly tell how confused we were and a few of them spoke such great english that they invited us to sit down and hang out with them. Most of them were 21 &22 and were so much fun! They asked us where we were all from and what had happened, so we told them about being stranded in Paris. Then one of them Tomar, offered for us to sleep on his floor. Having five of us and no place to sleep, we said sure!
I have realized while traveling that no matter what goes wrong it will all work out in the end. Even in the moments when I had no idea what we were going to do, I knew that tomorrow was a new day. That even if we stayed up the until 5am and caught another train, everything will work out. I have enough faith in humanity in believe that.
So we headed off toward the Gare de Lyon only to find out upon our arrival that it wasn't the train station we were suppose to be at after all. Welp, that sucked. Luckily the one we did need to be at was only a bock or two away- only our train was leaving in about twenty minutes. So we headed back out to the next train station. However, we soon found out that to leave Paris on a night train required a reservation... we didn't have one. And the station was closing in an hour with no trains available for us to take. Turns out though that we were not the only one in this predicament. We met a girl named Sophia who also didn't have a reservation and missed her train. She was Awesome. Super quirky and funny and she wanted to know if she could hang out with us until the morning when we would all be heading back to the station. We figured we would just go out to the Canal and sit on a bench. When we were about to leave a korean woman who spoke very little english cam eup and asked if she could come with us. Why not? So it was the five of us, me, Destiny, Logan, Sophia and Mi'young all heading out toward the water at 1 am.
The funny part is that we just kept walking until we were stopped by this young group of kids who had been sitting by the water drinking drinking wine and hanging out. They could clearly tell how confused we were and a few of them spoke such great english that they invited us to sit down and hang out with them. Most of them were 21 &22 and were so much fun! They asked us where we were all from and what had happened, so we told them about being stranded in Paris. Then one of them Tomar, offered for us to sleep on his floor. Having five of us and no place to sleep, we said sure!
I have realized while traveling that no matter what goes wrong it will all work out in the end. Even in the moments when I had no idea what we were going to do, I knew that tomorrow was a new day. That even if we stayed up the until 5am and caught another train, everything will work out. I have enough faith in humanity in believe that.
Belgium
We began our belgian adventure with... WAFFLES! And man were they tasty. I had mine with some nutella but Destiny got hers with white chocolate instead. Brussels is such an interesting city, but definitely don't spend longer than a day or two. Everything is pretty concentrated and there were a lot of cool shops, but when you're a poor traveler it can be a little redundant to pass by stores you can't buy thing from... waaa..waa...waa... So we took a train to Brugge! Ever seen In Brugge?? If you haven't, you should. If you have then YES! You know exactly how cute/creepy the town of Brugge is. It is a fairy tale. Plus we got to see the tower that mad eyes commits suicide on in In Brugge (not HP to clarify). But Brugge was awesome.
The night before heading there though we learned that you can not sleep in the train station in Brussels because they will kick you out at 12am, when it closes until 5am. So yea, don't try that. That being the case though, we decide to stay in a hostel that we found while in Brugge. And it was definitely a good choice. Funny enough we ended up staying in a room with 5 guys from Austin, Texas. They were all super chill and one guy we ended up talking for a bit after dinner. In general, hostels are just a fun environment and it was great to have a bed and internet.
The night before heading there though we learned that you can not sleep in the train station in Brussels because they will kick you out at 12am, when it closes until 5am. So yea, don't try that. That being the case though, we decide to stay in a hostel that we found while in Brugge. And it was definitely a good choice. Funny enough we ended up staying in a room with 5 guys from Austin, Texas. They were all super chill and one guy we ended up talking for a bit after dinner. In general, hostels are just a fun environment and it was great to have a bed and internet.
Amsterdam
Oh man, Amsterdam. We started off our first day in Amsterdam with our pack on our backs and no place to stay. Getting off the train I was instantly overwhelmed by the tourist focused center of the city. We decided to chill out on a bench in front of "Beer and Babes" bar, while we figured out our next plan of action. We figured having internet might be beneficial to figure out where to go. We found this tiny hole in the wall bar/cafe with THE COOLEST bar tender. The internet wasn't working so he just gave us his iphone to look things up, and was so helpful in telling us where to go and what to see. Our main goal at this point was to find a place to lock up our pack and then rent some bikes for the day. After talking to the bar tender we were directed to one of the tourist stores which then agreed to lock up our packs if we rented bikes from them. Double Win. We were able to rent bikes for 24hrs which took care of both our needs.
So we set off on our bike ride. Not having a place to stay that night we figured we could just ride out of town and find a place to camp for the night. So we took off and rode through the city. Amsterdam kind of reminded me of a one night stand. Just a hot mess all around. The architecture of the city was absolutely awesome, but when riding through there was so much trash and beer cans everywhere it was hard to enjoy the city. At one point we literally washed a woman hose cigarette buds across the street. A broom would have taken far less time and been far more effective. It made no sense. However, being able to rent the bikes was awesome and we got to see most, if not all, of the city. As we made our way out of the city we found a great place right by the canal where we laid out our sleeping bags and slept for the night. We woke up the next morning and made our way back to town.
When in Norway our friends had used couch surfing in France and had recommended us to use it. So while there we had sent out message to people and we got a response in Amsterdam. His name was Robert, and for the most part it didn't seem like he was going to kill us in our sleep. After meeting him my affirmation was confirmed as he was super stoked to host us and so helpful in helping us around the city. Plus we got a free shower, couch to sleep on, and a kitchen to make some pasta- which after only eating peanut butter for a whole week was very much appreciated.
So we set off on our bike ride. Not having a place to stay that night we figured we could just ride out of town and find a place to camp for the night. So we took off and rode through the city. Amsterdam kind of reminded me of a one night stand. Just a hot mess all around. The architecture of the city was absolutely awesome, but when riding through there was so much trash and beer cans everywhere it was hard to enjoy the city. At one point we literally washed a woman hose cigarette buds across the street. A broom would have taken far less time and been far more effective. It made no sense. However, being able to rent the bikes was awesome and we got to see most, if not all, of the city. As we made our way out of the city we found a great place right by the canal where we laid out our sleeping bags and slept for the night. We woke up the next morning and made our way back to town.
When in Norway our friends had used couch surfing in France and had recommended us to use it. So while there we had sent out message to people and we got a response in Amsterdam. His name was Robert, and for the most part it didn't seem like he was going to kill us in our sleep. After meeting him my affirmation was confirmed as he was super stoked to host us and so helpful in helping us around the city. Plus we got a free shower, couch to sleep on, and a kitchen to make some pasta- which after only eating peanut butter for a whole week was very much appreciated.
Munich, Germany
So after a lovely ten days well spent in Norway, Logan and I headed off to Munich, Germany to meet up with our friend Destiny. Let it be known that if you ever need to just have a long layover in any airport- have it be the Munich airport. It is SO cool. Straight up there was a wave house in the middle of their airport. It was a little ridiculous. While we opted to pass on the wave house we did decide on having a nice beer outside would suffice. We figure for Destiny's sake, after having just traveled 9 hours, an hour or two sitting down might be nice.
So after a relaxing afternoon we took a bus into the main city center of Munich. We arrived at the bus station and to our pleasant surprise we were able to put our bags in lockers for only 4 euros. Such a great deal! So then we just walked around downtown. Even as the sun began to fall asleep we were exploring the city and soaking up the beautiful architecture and lifestyle. While our stay in Munich was short lasted, as e had to take a train at 3am to Amsterdam, we thoroughly enjoyed being able to walk around and take everything in. Luckily, we were able to just post up camp in the train station and sleep until our train left at 3am.
We also got the Eurail pass to be able to travel within four countries and have 6 travel days. We chose Germany, Holland/Belgium (they count as one country), France, and Switzerland. So we set off on the train to Amsterdam, having no clue what the next fifteen days would hold for us.
So after a relaxing afternoon we took a bus into the main city center of Munich. We arrived at the bus station and to our pleasant surprise we were able to put our bags in lockers for only 4 euros. Such a great deal! So then we just walked around downtown. Even as the sun began to fall asleep we were exploring the city and soaking up the beautiful architecture and lifestyle. While our stay in Munich was short lasted, as e had to take a train at 3am to Amsterdam, we thoroughly enjoyed being able to walk around and take everything in. Luckily, we were able to just post up camp in the train station and sleep until our train left at 3am.
We also got the Eurail pass to be able to travel within four countries and have 6 travel days. We chose Germany, Holland/Belgium (they count as one country), France, and Switzerland. So we set off on the train to Amsterdam, having no clue what the next fifteen days would hold for us.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Blueberry Pie
The wonderful thing about Norway is its vast forests and outdoors, and the specifically wonderful thing about Norwegian forests are the native blueberry bushes.
So yesterday morning Jess and I went for a little hike and picked blueberries along the trails for about two hours. Then we made this:
Here is how: Ingredients: water, vinegar, butter, flour, sugar, and berries of your choosing (preferable wild norwegian blueberries if you happen to have them on hand).
Mix 4 Tablespoons of water, 1.5 teaspoons of vinegar, and 200 grams of butter(approximately 1.5 cups) of soft butter in a large bowl. The key here is to let the butter soften- you can't go for any of that melted butter nonsense, as that just won't do. So you mix those and then add flour until you meet an almost crumbly consistency. You don't want it as soft as say a pizza or bread dough, but not so crumbly that it is too dry. You just kinda gotta wing this part. Then you let it cool in the fridge for a couple hours. Once cooled you roll it out and place in a pie tin. In another bowl mash the blueberries and mix in roughly a cup of sugar- really just until you like the sweetness of the berries.
We used the left over dough to make a cute little design on the top. Put it in the oven for 20-30 minutes then let it cool so that the berries don't run. And Voila!
I recommend a side of vanilla ice cream to go along as well.
So yesterday morning Jess and I went for a little hike and picked blueberries along the trails for about two hours. Then we made this:
Here is how: Ingredients: water, vinegar, butter, flour, sugar, and berries of your choosing (preferable wild norwegian blueberries if you happen to have them on hand).
Mix 4 Tablespoons of water, 1.5 teaspoons of vinegar, and 200 grams of butter(approximately 1.5 cups) of soft butter in a large bowl. The key here is to let the butter soften- you can't go for any of that melted butter nonsense, as that just won't do. So you mix those and then add flour until you meet an almost crumbly consistency. You don't want it as soft as say a pizza or bread dough, but not so crumbly that it is too dry. You just kinda gotta wing this part. Then you let it cool in the fridge for a couple hours. Once cooled you roll it out and place in a pie tin. In another bowl mash the blueberries and mix in roughly a cup of sugar- really just until you like the sweetness of the berries.
I recommend a side of vanilla ice cream to go along as well.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Summer Adventures. Part One: Norway
Well, I'm off on another adventure! For those of you who have not heard, I am studying abroad in Lithuania this fall. Yea, I know.. Lithuna-what? Well, Lithunaia is a little country situated along the baltic sea next to Russia. Why lithuania you may ask?? Well, random fact- I'm Lithuanian!! And of course, as a young child who loves the weird/unique things about themselves, I have been obsessed with the country since I did a report on it in sixth grade. So upon my arrival to APU, and finding out that they had a study abroad program located in Lithuania, I was pretty stoked on the idea. Now, while one might say that a third semester abroad is a little much, I say "Nay!" I like to think that I'm taking the most out of my college experience. I mean lets be serious, a semester in Yosemite, South Africa, and Europe all sound way better than main campus.
So.. now Norm and I are off again, to adventure, explore, learn, make friends, and find out if my weird family tradition of putting butter on your nose on your birthday, which my parents have always claimed to be a Lithuanian tradition, is actually Lithuanian. My semester begins at the end of August and my friends, Destiny and Logan, and I have all decided to travel together before hand. Logan, Norm and I are traveling to Norway for 10 days then meeting up with Destiny in Germany where we plan to travel from for the remaining 11 days until our semester starts.
Step One: Norway We made it! We are currently staying with one of my close friends, Lisa whom I know from APU, and who is a native norwegian. Today she showed us some great little hiking trails that can be taken to the grocery store. Literally, through a forest. It was awesome. Norway is absolutely beautiful. Lisa's house which is located on a peninsula, along a fjord, across from the main city of Oslo. The view from her balcony is stunning as we look out upon the sea and city. Along with the beautiful scenery and bountiful amount of wild berries, I have simply enjoyed relaxing and being with friends. I was surprised upon our arrival to find so many wonderful APU people waiting for Logan and I at the airport in Oslo. There are currently four of us staying together at her house and we all played a thrilling game of Hand and Feet, a popular card game which is slightly similar to Rummy with a few exceptions.
I certainly think that Norway has stolen my heart, along with my money. The only down side is how expensive there food (to eat out) is. However, being smart and savvy shoppers we plan on simply making our meals and enjoying the simplicity of life. I think we'll be eating a lot of peanut butter and bread. Yummmm....
So.. now Norm and I are off again, to adventure, explore, learn, make friends, and find out if my weird family tradition of putting butter on your nose on your birthday, which my parents have always claimed to be a Lithuanian tradition, is actually Lithuanian. My semester begins at the end of August and my friends, Destiny and Logan, and I have all decided to travel together before hand. Logan, Norm and I are traveling to Norway for 10 days then meeting up with Destiny in Germany where we plan to travel from for the remaining 11 days until our semester starts.
Step One: Norway We made it! We are currently staying with one of my close friends, Lisa whom I know from APU, and who is a native norwegian. Today she showed us some great little hiking trails that can be taken to the grocery store. Literally, through a forest. It was awesome. Norway is absolutely beautiful. Lisa's house which is located on a peninsula, along a fjord, across from the main city of Oslo. The view from her balcony is stunning as we look out upon the sea and city. Along with the beautiful scenery and bountiful amount of wild berries, I have simply enjoyed relaxing and being with friends. I was surprised upon our arrival to find so many wonderful APU people waiting for Logan and I at the airport in Oslo. There are currently four of us staying together at her house and we all played a thrilling game of Hand and Feet, a popular card game which is slightly similar to Rummy with a few exceptions.
I certainly think that Norway has stolen my heart, along with my money. The only down side is how expensive there food (to eat out) is. However, being smart and savvy shoppers we plan on simply making our meals and enjoying the simplicity of life. I think we'll be eating a lot of peanut butter and bread. Yummmm....
Monday, June 4, 2012
"The unexamined life is not worth living" -socrates
I've heard it said that punctuality is the result of boredom. In my case, blogging is the result of boredom. It is proof by my lack of blogs that I have indeed been busy. However, now that life is beginning to take it's time for me I can enjoy the simple pleasures of Slowness. The idea of taking ones time, walking from place to place, and even allowing oneself to just sit and think have been lost in my life through the hussle and bussle of college life. I am glad to say that I am done with that, for at least another two months at least. The Freedom of Summer. It brings a freshness and rejuvenation just saying the word. I have taken this summer to be my Me Summer. I bought a Jillian Michael's work out video. It's called "Ripped in 30." I think I might die. I figured when is a better time to get in shape than now? Lazy Kim's answer: Another five minutes. Jillian Michael's answer: RIGHT NOW. It might be out of some weird desire to be in shape, but after one of her workouts part of it is out of fear.
So along with being besties with Jillian I have also begun playing tennis with my dad. The funny thing about that is that when I was little my parents had us take these summer tennis and golf lessons. They were actually really awesome too. We would start out the morning playing tennis, have a pool and lunch break in the middle, and then finish the day playing some golf. I'm surprised to say that those lessons actually paid off. I can play tennis. All be it, I'm still not very good. But considering my dad use to be good about seven years ago and hasn't played sense, we are about at the same level. Plus, we both get tired after about half an hour so it is really turning out to be a win-win situation. This summer is proving to be an excellent time for me to reconnect with my family on a new level. I feel as though I have completely changed from who I was in high school, but the fact it that I am not really that much different. I have been fortunate to experience things that have challenged me to think about who I am and it's not that I have changed, but rather discovered who I am. Sadly over this three year period I haven't spent much time with my family. In many ways, I am learning about who they have become just as much as they are beginning to see who I am. It's certainly a funny thing to go from a place of comfort, such as home, to one extreme environment after the next(i.e. South Africa, to Invisible Children, back to college and then back to home). The past year and a half has been spent going and going. I've heard it said "Don't Think, Do." Well I did. And now I think I'll think.
The fact is, since I began college my life has constantly been divided into six month sections which has made it easy for me to compartmentalize my experiences. To box them up and place a nice little bow on top. I am now at the point where I am untying the ribbons wanting to make sense of all the experiences and how they have contributed to who I am. I've realized how much I have changed and yet the core of who I am and, most importantly, who I want to be remain the same. I have to continually reminded myself that I am not the only one who has changed, that everyone around me is experiencing life int heir own way. Everyone is taking things in, processing, learning and adapting. I was told that leaving Invisible Children would be hard. That people wouldn't understand my experience. I came to college and all people asked me were "Oh, you have a boyfriend, what's he like?" It frustrated me. There was so much more to my experience that I wanted to share; I wanted to tell them everything. I wanted to share how I had never worked so hard in my life for something. I wanted to explain the wonderful things that this organization was doing to tangibly affect the lives of people in Central Africa. How my passions were developed and challenged. But people didn't get it. Relationships are relatable; living for others is intangible. It just showed my desire to connect with others; a want to share my struggles and my accomplishments. That is all we ever want though. Connection. It's what keeps the world going.
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