You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'Euro 2008' tag.
So, I’m home now. Alas, I finally got on my blog to update my journey since arrival home. So, let me bring you back up to speed.
Upon arrival in the states on the 18th, I was able to feel a contrast after making it through: passport checks, baggage returns, and customs at the end. All these were suprisingly fast in a post-9/11 USA. All, but one of our friends had problem with their luggage. It was remarkably good to see my parents, and I could tell they had missed me from more than a month away. It has been awhile since they’ve known me to be gone for these long periods since they’ve moved back at the end of my sophomore year. That night, I spent at my aunt and uncles. Unfortunately, while being so jet lagged, I collapsed on the prepared bed for me around 9 o’clock. That has to be the earliest I’ve gone to bed in half a decade.
I awoke to a very blackened sky outside, and a clock that showed 5:15 in gigantic, vibrant, crimson numbers. I spent time eating breakfast and researching information on the world and the EU with the Lisbon Treaty. After it was about 7:45, I decided a jog/run was in store. It felt amazing to be outside in the USA. The warm sun was shinning down on me, while I strided across the hilly land. As I saw many hispanics doing lawn care business, I was all too reminded how ethnically tied together we all are. No matter where we’ve all originated, it is everywhere. Ideas of ethnic and racial superiority have shattered their false chains, forever, in my mind. Being raised in a virtually, all-white town of Spencer, IA, these ideas coud somehow sink their subconscious ways into your life. However, looking around, I felt overcome by ideas of equality in each human. Genetically, we may have different dispositions, but we are equal in God’s eyes. Politically, religiously, culturally we have so much to learn from each other. If only we put down our cell phone, stopped our car, and maybe said “hello” or waved at each other.
As, a week has past since then, I find myself somehow slipping back into the “all too familiar” routine of who I was pre-Poland. It’s interesting how these old habbits can sink back into our lives. Poland gave me so much, I hate to see all this go to waste. In the mean time, I’ve helped my brother-in-law and sister move back here to Cedar Falls and volunteer fixing up a house for a person who has MS. It reminded me of a quote I have heard all too many times: “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.”
-Edmund Burke
A voice, a vision, feels like it is gripping my life with something more powerful than words. A vision of repair, healing, hope that people globally need. So, I have been researching into options of what I want to do post-China. It looks like I’m considering options of learning Spanish in either Spain or Latin America. This would provide me with the chance to go into humantarian work or other NGO work that I feel the world and USA coud use. The goal to get a job doing this line of work through learning spanish, peace corps for 2 years, and then get a job (maybe with the Red Cross, I’m looking into right now, or something similar). It’s a long road, but a road which I feel will be worth the journey. I have to decide come Monday on what I want to do. Time is rapidly depleting and I need to accomplish much before I leave besides this.
As, I’ve played some Soccer with old college friends, watched Euro 2008, and helped volunteer for some work, I realize my life is leading elsewhere outside Cedar Falls. A long, a long way maybe away from here, but so much is out there to be experienced. It all calls my name somewhere away. I know many people who love and care for me don’t want to always hear these things, but it’s the truth. I’m 23, and it’s time for me to go out there and do these things I may never otherwise do.
Wish me luck my friends, it’s time to buckle down.
PS – Hope you enjoy the new China header that will be coming momentarily to now.
(Conquering the Zakopane mountains)
These last 3 days couldn’t have gone by any quicker. When everything seems to be just about over, you want to make every minute count. You want to make sure you do everything you wanted to do, but you had no time before. However, in the end, our time is limited. Our choices sometimes can’t be the most maximizing of our time. Lastly, when there is other friends involved, anything is subject to change. So what has been the theme of this entire trip to get you through: “you roll with it.” These quotes are only echoed too many times by Chris. Let me reflect for a few moments though.
Krakow has been an amazing city. I’ve probably seen more of this amazing, inner city than some people who live here for their whole lives. I’ve been subjected to new experiences and environments that complement my past experience or create a new. It seems that this has constantly occurred during my stay here. Study Abroad for UNI definitely has this program well planned. I will miss this city, and I could see myself coming back in the future, depending on many factors. In a larger sense, to Europe in general. For now, I know I must move on. This is only the first ending (“Koniec”, polish word for “end”) to a two part series, or three, or four if you will.
Secondly, I will come back to the states, which will add a lot of value to what I’ve been exposed to over here. Constrasting ways of life, history, education, foods, etc. will be crucial for my development. Third, I will head to China. Upon, the ending, begins an entirely new slate of opportunities for me to explore in my fourth phase. This phase is far more open, far more flexible, and with that comes stress and uncertainty. However, I’ve already been exploring options for my future.
So, what have I been doing in these last 3 days, let me bring you up to date. Tomorrow, I leave on my plane back to the states, and I know I’m going to be jet lagged and unprepared for this.
As I’ve reflected more and more on my experiences here, it is hard for me to sit idly and not reflect on the current situation in Iowa. I saw a figure today that about 55 of the 99 counties are currently in a state of emergency by Gov. Chet Culver, and that speaks loudly to the devastation occuring right now. I’ve seen many of many of pictures, and have read the news, but I’m sure nothing compares to those experiencing it right now in the state of Iowa.
Just today, one of my friends who lives in Cedar Rapids is currently experiencing the devastation of the flood. Her family has already evacuated the town, and her car was vandalized during these periods of mass flooding. Now, my car was hit by a trampolene and had to be repaired due to the back window getting blown out, but her’s was vandalized on purpose. It really brings a sense of what Katrina was like close to your home. Not to compare too much, because they are different in many ways. However, this is the most flooding Iowa has ever had by about 3 times. My heart really goes out to you back in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and beyond. After going through a class like the Holocaust, the last thing I want is to come back home to devastation and destruction. However, we do not control the weather, nor do we control when it happens, we only control how we handle it.
That is why, I want to really help when I get back. I mean it. Please let me know anyone who has information on how to get involved. This is going to start once I return because this is my home. I might need a day or two for re-orientation into the Country due to jet lag and cultural factors, but I really feel I owe my family and community atleast something.
In the grander scheme of things, I hope this will bring people closer together, families closer, God close to those who don’t know him, and neighbors helping neighbors in complete symbiosis. It’s not every day your home town and state gets in the national news, unfortunately, it’s not in the way you want it. Nonetheless, we carry on.
PS – Croatia beat Germany last night 2-0, huge upset, and Poland tied Austria 1-1 (with a PK in the 92+ minute which I really didn’t agree with.
Tonight is the symphony and to celebrate Chris’s Birthday thereafter.
Eventhough I am here in Poland, my heart is truely in Iowa.
God bless you all, and godspeed for answers to all your anxieties. You are all in my prayers and thoughts.
Picking up from the 7th. I saw the Polska game which puts most sporting events to shame. The crowd was amazingly enthusiatic for the game with phrases which all the people knew. The sight next to the mall, which we were at with 32 LCD screens. The ending result was 2-0, Germany won. Regardless of the outcome, it was a great environment to be around for the 1st half, but the 2nd half was much better somewhere more tame.
7/08: Saw an Opera tonight called Rigoletto. It was amazing, and I had front row seats. The voice of Gilida or something close to that was so amazing, I thought glass would literally shatter. I have never witnessed such a voice! I would highly recommend this Opera if anyone doesn’t really like Opera, generally, like me. Saw the Netherlands destroy the Italian soccer team 3-0 after the game with Konrad too.
7/09: Marta, came down to Krakow today. She’s a friend from Krosno to and I went out with some friends from Texas A/M to see the river and the legendary Krakovian Dragon. We had a fun time going to a club called Prozak and dancing as well, ironically it’s the name of an anti-depressant in America… Weird, huh?
7/10: Vladik had a lecture and we got to see another University where Copernicus attended as a member of the University. The museum was amazing here too, and our tour guide was halarious!
7/11: went out for a Banquet tonight and had a blast at the Jewish Quarter and thanked our professors for all the work, and the Professors thanked us and the Supervisor of the University for all their work. They also played some
7/12: heading out to see the Croatia vs. Germany then the Poland vs. Austria game. Got to grab some pizza and watch the game! Sorry for the quick entry, more to come later, probably tomorrow.
Love you all,
my thoughts and prayers to all of you with the flooding going on in CF. I plan to help out with the relief effort once I return.
POLSKA, POLSKA, POLSKA!
