Friday, May 23, 2008
Butter doesn't taste this well in Texas
I have dined in the most beautiful halls, and have breathed the most wonderful and crip air and I have had some of the most wonderful conversations among people that look nothing like myself. I even watched the "Simpsons" in German today!
We went to the gardens today and traveled the city. At the gardens people were laughing and singing, there was even a band. It was wonderful! I saw the home of Mozart and even grabbed a few souvenirs for the family. While at the garden I noticed a little boy straying from his family and my motherly instinct kicked in, I had grabbed the boy from running away before I even knew it. The mother and I had made eye contact and without any common language, we knew that he was going to make a run for it.(That's the kid pre-runaway)
Tonight we sat in front of the fireplace. The professors and staff are so "down to earth" and inviting. We laughed and talked about everything from race relations to being a mother (and great-grandmother in some cases). We started on our small group projects, my group has the France and Algerian immigration. Difficult, be very intriguing. There are so many things that I am learning in this small amount of time and it has only been two days. I was really interessted in speaking with Champa Patel, just listening to her speak at a distance I want to learn more about her. Norman Yetman is amazing too, I've never been so comfortable speaking about my culture to anyone and would have never thought in a million years that I could express my concerns and be understood by him!
The Streets of Salzburg
The Streets of Salzburg What an awesome day it has been! I'm getting ready to begin research about the historical relationship between the UK and South Africa and will share the information tomorrow with my group, which Michelle is a part of and Dr. Wood is facilitating! Then we'll discuss all of our "finds" and how they relate to immigration.
My morning started very early (a little trouble sleeping) so I was in the library about 6:15 am and had a delicious breakfast. Then ... Julissa and Michelle allowed me to tag along and we walked around the lake in the light mist - Julissa and I with umbrella's and our adventurous Michelle braving the mist on her own. How beautiful the scenery was and Julissa and I laughed as Michelle took a picture of fisherman in their tent on the sly. What a picture that was - the Schloss on one side of the lake and a green tent with fishing poles opposite.
I'm very impressed with the faculty here and their "heart" to work with students who want to learn. This morning Norman Yetman introduced us to immigration in the 20th and 21st centuries. After lunch we were able to go into Salzburg. What a beautiful hike that was with Melissa. We had the BEST tour guides - Dennis Jaehne and his wife Jill and Norman and his wife Anne Yetman. Dennis and Norman are both part of the faculty for this seminar - great teachers and encouragers and their wives are SO supportive and just as eager to get to know the students! Mealtimes are an adventure as we sit with different people each time and continue to learn about each other and continue our "discussions." The Jaehne's and the Yetman's have been to Salzburg multiple times and took Melissa and I on the scenic route -- UP and down. We saw Nonnberg Abbey and the Mirabellgarten's and the church bells were ringing from at least seven different churches one right after the other! What a beautiful sound. How wonderful it was for these two couples to take the time to give us our very own "private" tour! After spending two hours with us, they left Michelle and I to search for souvenirs AND our own way back to the Schloss! AND WE MADE IT BACK just in time for dinner, without "wondering" while we were "wandering" where we were. :)
Well ... I guess I should start my research -- it takes me a LONG time to formulate my thoughts and read. When I think back on the day, I've laughed, I've smiled, and I'm making new friends! Sweet dreams to you!
My morning started very early (a little trouble sleeping) so I was in the library about 6:15 am and had a delicious breakfast. Then ... Julissa and Michelle allowed me to tag along and we walked around the lake in the light mist - Julissa and I with umbrella's and our adventurous Michelle braving the mist on her own. How beautiful the scenery was and Julissa and I laughed as Michelle took a picture of fisherman in their tent on the sly. What a picture that was - the Schloss on one side of the lake and a green tent with fishing poles opposite.
I'm very impressed with the faculty here and their "heart" to work with students who want to learn. This morning Norman Yetman introduced us to immigration in the 20th and 21st centuries. After lunch we were able to go into Salzburg. What a beautiful hike that was with Melissa. We had the BEST tour guides - Dennis Jaehne and his wife Jill and Norman and his wife Anne Yetman. Dennis and Norman are both part of the faculty for this seminar - great teachers and encouragers and their wives are SO supportive and just as eager to get to know the students! Mealtimes are an adventure as we sit with different people each time and continue to learn about each other and continue our "discussions." The Jaehne's and the Yetman's have been to Salzburg multiple times and took Melissa and I on the scenic route -- UP and down. We saw Nonnberg Abbey and the Mirabellgarten's and the church bells were ringing from at least seven different churches one right after the other! What a beautiful sound. How wonderful it was for these two couples to take the time to give us our very own "private" tour! After spending two hours with us, they left Michelle and I to search for souvenirs AND our own way back to the Schloss! AND WE MADE IT BACK just in time for dinner, without "wondering" while we were "wandering" where we were. :)
Well ... I guess I should start my research -- it takes me a LONG time to formulate my thoughts and read. When I think back on the day, I've laughed, I've smiled, and I'm making new friends! Sweet dreams to you!
What the difference between a "Scottish-Irish" and a "Scottish"?
Dan would have nailed that question in discussion!Dan! We found a pup! We sure wish your were here!
I am without words, figuratively.
I can't express the gratitude that I am filled with for the opportunity to be here. I have meet so many interesting people in the first day.
I was very interested in the "Mapping Global Ethnocentrism" discussion. One of the students made a remark about the difference in wanting to learn more about other cultures and accidentally learning. I feel some sort of alliance here because all of the students and faculty are obligating themselves to learn more about our different cultures and I don't feel alone.
It was weird the questions and comments that I felt confident about I didn't answer or respond to. I'm just in sensory overload, my pallet has gone crazy. There was a pitcher of brown liquid on the table at lunch. I poured it up and said, "Wow this tea is really sweet." Everyone was lighting up because we though that there would be no sweet tea. Regretfully on a second wind of this brown liquid I sipped again and replied, "This is apple juice."
Travel, Arrival, Expectations
Wow! Hard to believe we are actually here. It is beautiful. Our trip over went so smoothly, no delays, missed connections or rediculous lines. I absolutely love to travel and have endured some pretty trying circumstances in doing so. I am grateful for the stressfree manner in which we traversed the globe. I did however crave a hot shower and even that was granted before dinner and our first session.
I really enjoyed getting to meet the other students and am sooooo excited (and nervous) to work in small groups. My life has always been a little unconventional, and I feel that here with most students way younger and further down the educational path than I am. Oh well, this is where I am and I am going to enjoy every moment and experience.
The first session on Mapping Ethnocentrism was very interesting, although there were times I found it difficult to keep my eyes open. It was a very telling yet comforting thing to understand that each of us has ethnocentrism, it's universal. It is yet another exciting opportunity for learning and growth.
I really enjoyed getting to meet the other students and am sooooo excited (and nervous) to work in small groups. My life has always been a little unconventional, and I feel that here with most students way younger and further down the educational path than I am. Oh well, this is where I am and I am going to enjoy every moment and experience.
The first session on Mapping Ethnocentrism was very interesting, although there were times I found it difficult to keep my eyes open. It was a very telling yet comforting thing to understand that each of us has ethnocentrism, it's universal. It is yet another exciting opportunity for learning and growth.
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