My wanderings took me to the Deutsches Historisches Museum today. As I began traveling as an adult, I have begun to truly appreciate what museums have to offer. When I was younger, I never knew quite what to focus my attention on and became bored rather that actively engaging my mind and attention span. Albeit, after 3 hours my brain was tired and it was time to grab something to eat. This museum is a place where you could spend multiple hours for a week browsing the contents.
While browsing, I was especially happy because they broadened the exhibit on the DDR until November. Modern history and the rapid growth of society and how people attempted to adapt to those changes really interests me.
Yet, I can't seem to shake the notion of how biased our history can be. Going to a museum is interesting and informative, but it should also be supplemented with other reading from other sources. This is just a skill that should be utilized for productive critical thinking skills in general.
What stuck out to me the most was that the Germans refer to the Treaty of Versailles as the Treaty of Shame. German history, along with much of history, is predominately explained by their engagement in war, and the mobilization of people for the purpose of conflict. The Treaty of Versailles, a document that limited German military force, was one of the driving forces that allowed political extremes, to the right and left, to take hold of popular opinion in the early 1900's. The Germans look at this treaty as the start of a slippery slope exaggerated by shame that eventually lead to to Hitler's rise to power.
Shame is often used to incite reform, yet over time it has proven to be a factor that only encourages more strife and violence.
What a play on words to convey such a concept. Well done, well done.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
SO..
Here it goes, the big announcement of the day:
Due to some unforeseen circumstances, and my extreme allergic reaction to the cats of the family I am living with, I will be headed back to the states on November 6th. Yes, election day and three days before my birthday.
Life is about adventure. I have had a great time and will continue to have a great time for the remaining two weeks. However, after some thinking, it will be in my best interest in preparing for law school and focusing on my health to come back to the states.
Alas, I am coming home, but will continue to keep my blog up, because I have found writing to be cathartic and useful for developing my personal thoughts.
Love,
Crys
Due to some unforeseen circumstances, and my extreme allergic reaction to the cats of the family I am living with, I will be headed back to the states on November 6th. Yes, election day and three days before my birthday.
Life is about adventure. I have had a great time and will continue to have a great time for the remaining two weeks. However, after some thinking, it will be in my best interest in preparing for law school and focusing on my health to come back to the states.
Alas, I am coming home, but will continue to keep my blog up, because I have found writing to be cathartic and useful for developing my personal thoughts.
Love,
Crys
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The Internet, A Positive Haven
One of the most amazing aspects of the internet is the speed at which it enables people to connect with one another. This also has its pitfalls, but if you use the internet in a strictly positive way it really is amazing what the results can be. In moments, you can find a blog that reenergizes you or renews your spirit, a forum of people discusses something that interests you, an article that gives well-researched information about a topic that you always wanted to investigate, or a friend that you can find some comfort it.
Like most things, the internet can be as positive as your outlook and your utilization of it. Utilize it for the positive, and that is what it will yield to you. Heck, sometimes, when I am in need of some good advice, but my wisest mentors are unavailable, I google search for morale enforcements.
In fact the other day, every time I opened my laptop to use it for something, I made a pledge that I would write someone a kind message over e-mail or facebook. This made my time intentional, and what I did afterward was filled with the genuine happiness that I felt for letting someone, whom I appreciate and care for, know that I cared for them.
Like most things, the internet can be as positive as your outlook and your utilization of it. Utilize it for the positive, and that is what it will yield to you. Heck, sometimes, when I am in need of some good advice, but my wisest mentors are unavailable, I google search for morale enforcements.
In fact the other day, every time I opened my laptop to use it for something, I made a pledge that I would write someone a kind message over e-mail or facebook. This made my time intentional, and what I did afterward was filled with the genuine happiness that I felt for letting someone, whom I appreciate and care for, know that I cared for them.
Poverty? Only in India...?!?
Throughout the last two years it seems that the discussion of poverty has come up very often. Yes, I mean often almost in the sarcastic manner that suggests it took a movement, Occupy, to re-incorporate poverty into the everyday speech of the average American.
Why?
Well, I wouldn't say that Americans are ignorant about the concept of poverty. If you ever over hear an American speaking about India or developing countries in South America or Africa, I am sure that the term would be thrown about it. (Please excuse my mass generalizations here, I am just trying to make a point.) However, I would venture to speculate that many Americans would ever want to consider themselves as living in relative poverty.
As someone who studied Sociology with a focus in poverty and inequality I have to hand it to the Occupy movement for introducing the idea that a citizen needs to analyze relative poverty within the country that he/she resides in. Although, one step of the process was missing in order for this to be a productive conversation. One needs to research the terms and concepts that he/she is throwing around in discussion in order to make valid arguments that could be the basis for realistic and meaningful change. I found, when listening to people discuss these issues, I was appalled by how much they made up based on what I knew from my studies, and how little I knew after a certain framework of thought. The reason why this is so shocking is that if frameworks and definitions of poverty are not understood by average citizens, who is going to make the call for reform?
For those of you interested in a basic introduction into the issue of poverty in the U.S. I suggest reading this, which is an overview of poverty thresholds and guidelines for the U.S. developed by the original center for research on poverty at UW-Madison.
Sorry for the flip-flopping nature of my blog. If anything, this gives an insight into the differences in my patterns of thought.
Why?
Well, I wouldn't say that Americans are ignorant about the concept of poverty. If you ever over hear an American speaking about India or developing countries in South America or Africa, I am sure that the term would be thrown about it. (Please excuse my mass generalizations here, I am just trying to make a point.) However, I would venture to speculate that many Americans would ever want to consider themselves as living in relative poverty.
As someone who studied Sociology with a focus in poverty and inequality I have to hand it to the Occupy movement for introducing the idea that a citizen needs to analyze relative poverty within the country that he/she resides in. Although, one step of the process was missing in order for this to be a productive conversation. One needs to research the terms and concepts that he/she is throwing around in discussion in order to make valid arguments that could be the basis for realistic and meaningful change. I found, when listening to people discuss these issues, I was appalled by how much they made up based on what I knew from my studies, and how little I knew after a certain framework of thought. The reason why this is so shocking is that if frameworks and definitions of poverty are not understood by average citizens, who is going to make the call for reform?
For those of you interested in a basic introduction into the issue of poverty in the U.S. I suggest reading this, which is an overview of poverty thresholds and guidelines for the U.S. developed by the original center for research on poverty at UW-Madison.
Sorry for the flip-flopping nature of my blog. If anything, this gives an insight into the differences in my patterns of thought.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Cleansing
Holy Crap?!? I am in need of a giant hug right now that will last about 8 hours.. at least, and will allow me to type, edit, and create essays, resumes, and cover letters. (Look at that proper use of the comma within that list leading into yet another list.)
Yes, the most relaxing part of my day may have been discussing how historians have essentially erased sexual violence from Nazi Germany, but hey?!? Tomorrow is a new day...
Yes, the most relaxing part of my day may have been discussing how historians have essentially erased sexual violence from Nazi Germany, but hey?!? Tomorrow is a new day...
Monday, October 15, 2012
Maybe in two months from now, I will laugh at my decision to be an au pair after an internship and graduating. However, at the moment, I'm taken aback by what a young, naive, and rash decision this was. But I guess that is what your 20's are for; discovering your strengths, weaknesses, likes, comforts, slightly stretchable boundaries, no crossing zones, and engaging in thought processes/journeys that would be too risky for a middle age person.
Man, its funny how similar we are even though we aren't talking anymore. That was one of the hardest friendship break-ups of my life.
After visiting the Roman baths in Trier, and others in previous trips to Italy and Greece, i have come to the conclusion that everyone should have access to big bath tubs because they are conducive to positive mental health.
And the little Viking for good measure...
Man, its funny how similar we are even though we aren't talking anymore. That was one of the hardest friendship break-ups of my life.
After visiting the Roman baths in Trier, and others in previous trips to Italy and Greece, i have come to the conclusion that everyone should have access to big bath tubs because they are conducive to positive mental health.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Blogging Hiatus
While visiting the Western side of Germany, bordering France and Luxemburg, I took a blogging hiatus for a few reasons...
- I do not have a laptop
- I am currently and have been frequently been chasing or have been chased by my 2 year old second cousin
- When your free time consists of watching Toy Story for the 4rth time in a day, it is difficult to form speech that would not be considered for Woody's character in Toy Story 4
Yes, this week has been full of family time, learning about the military lifestyle (my cousin's husband is in the Air Force), and visiting ancient Roman baths.
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