Archives: October 2007
Fri Oct 26, 2007
We need a break to recover from the break
When I first arrived in Italy 7 weeks ago I was overwhelmed. I walked around in a dream-like state for several days. Even after a week or two I wondered when it would all seem real. I remember wondering when I would know my way around or feel comfortable navigating the public transportation systems. When would it start to feel like home?
St. Peter's Basilica, one of my parents' favorite sites.
This past week my parents came over to spend the Fall break with me. From the beginning stages of their planning the trip I felt a little strange. Usually they were the ones in charge of picking what we saw, where we stayed, the restaurants we dined in. I never had to do much planning ahead of time; I just went along for the ride and gave my input when asked. For my personality that has always worked best. I am easy to entertain and don’t mind if plans change. I am also a procrastinator with a weak sense of direction. Luckily, I was able to help my parents find a place to stay and make those arrangements. I did get some help from the staff here on that one though. I’m sure they were more nervous than they allowed me to believe about me being in control of so many details. However, they seemed calm and patient throughout the weeks of phone calls and e-mails exchanged about their trip. When they finally arrived I had a taxi pick them up. I’m pretty sure my dad looked up a few taxi companies in Rome “just in case”. I can’t say I blame him. So far so good. They arrived at the villa and were able to get inside immediately. Two for two. When I met them later in the day they were tired and hungry. Guess who decided where their first meal would be? I don’t think any of us could believe what was happening. This pattern continued throughout the week. We spent two very full days in Rome seeing the major sites and utilizing public transportation with virtually no problems. After enjoying Rome, we were off to Florence. I can’t take very much credit for the two days we spent there since Dr. B recommended the Hotel Globus and my dad did all of the booking. I did have some input on what to see and eat though.
My mom and me on the upper level of the Florence sightseeing bus. (it was a little windy up there!)
After returning to Ariccia from Florence I suddenly realized that somewhere in the past few weeks I had reached a point in which I was comfortable here. I even started to miss by bed at the hotel after sleeping on a cot most of the week! Somehow I had successfully led my parents on a week-long journey in Italy. After re-capping the trip with them I am not sure who was more shocked by this accomplishment. Overall it was an amazing trip, and I am so glad my mom and dad could come and share in this wonderful experience with me. I think I’ll let my parents take back their role as family travel agent, but despite the anxiety, it was fun while it lasted. We crammed a lot into the short time they were here. I think maybe we need a break to recover from the break!
[0] Trackbacks [0] Pingbacks
Wed Oct 17, 2007
Reflections : Rome wasn't built in a day... And world hunger can't be fixed in one either.
This week is Hunger Awareness Week. On Tuesday, the group took a trip to the World Food Programme headquarters in Rome. We met with some of the top executives to discuss issues associated with undernourishment/malnourishment in countries around the world. The facts associated with this issue are astonishing. Every five seconds a child dies due to hunger related illness. Why do these innocent children have to suffer such an awful life and death? I sat in the boardroom listening to the presentation and could not help thinking about hunger from another perspective; that is, hunger and starvation as it relates to personal self image and eating disorders that many people in the United States suffer from.
As a student in the College of Human Sciences, I know that many people in the U.S. are combating personal self image problems (which are addressed by HDFS, CAHS, and NUFS majors). Every day many die from eating disorders and self-induced malnourishment/undernourishment. What causes eating disorders and why do people do such harsh things to themselves. Innocent children are suffering because they can’t afford, or can’t acquire, the food they need to survive, while others are purging or starving to fit a certain mold in society.
I, for one, know first hand about the issues associated with adolescents and eating disorders. I believe that by making children aware at an earlier age of issues related to world hunger, malnourishment/undernourishment, and starvation, we might also be able to minimize eating disorders. We need to get the issues and facts out earlier to ensure that a new generation is knowledgeable about food, health, and hunger. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and world hunger won’t be fixed in one either.
Hunger awareness is something that needs to be addressed from many perspectives. Those who starve themselves to maintain a certain body image might also need to be made aware of those who are starving because they have no food. If more focus was placed on helping those in need to acquire food, they might develop a new perspective on the unhealthy choices they are making, as well as the potential outcomes. Maybe this approach would be a step in the direction of combating two world problems in one swoop.
"Will we be able to eat tonight?" (From http://www.wfp.org/english/)
"I am not going to be able to eat tonight." (From a controversial Italian advertising campaign- see http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1666556,00.html?imw=Y)
[0] Trackbacks [0] Pingbacks
Tue Oct 09, 2007
"I'm Inspired"
An artist painting a piece of pottery at the factory we visited.
“I’m inspired”, I said as I watched this artist paint her designs onto a piece of pottery. This was about the fourth week in Italy, and we were touring a ceramics factory in Deruta, Italy. Since the beginning of our studies we have been immersed in the Italian culture and have been exposed to important historical masterpieces in architecture, mosaics, sculptures, landscapes, and painting. We have learned about how these things were built or made in the past, which is all very important. Then we've also gone to places like the ceramics factory and we have seen first hand how something is constructed and designed today. Patience and passion is something that these artists teach us as we watch them.
Many Italians makes a living on what they love. They create art like ceramics, jewelry, and paintings which they sell either on the streets or in their shops. It amazes me how everyday we visit a new city and walk down a new street but see the same passion in art. Maybe in Italy it is the history, landscape, or the way they live their lives. Whatever it is, it is contagious. There is something here that inspires me everyday to design or create my own masterpiece. I am going to take the things I have learned from this experience and bring them back to Auburn University to use in my studies and everyday life.
[0] Trackbacks [0] Pingbacks
Fri Oct 05, 2007
The precious sight of a greater joy
An adorable boy by the fountain in Castel Gandolfo
After being in Italy for only four weeks, I am already seeing so many things about myself that I am eager to change. I have learned to loosen my grip on the stresses that I have held on to in life. Back home, I was accustomed to everything being fast paced and right on time. Being in Ariccia, I have been reminded to embrace the moments that usually make me impatient. I have noticed that even though language barriers may be present, the genuine sincerity of a smile is universal. It is such a contagious and lively gift to pass on.
As time flies by, I find myself drawn to the carefree spirits of the children I see who seem to have a mysterious contentment that many adults wish to have. I am so guilty of being restless and wanting to rush on to the next thing. It is refreshing to see how easy it is for children to soak up every moment in which they find themselves and their excitement in doing so. I watch them as I walk from place to place and am captured by the glow that lights up their faces. They never seem to be in a hurry or rushing to the next destination. Time is not even a concern. Every experience seems to be revealed to little children in a different light. What if we all took the time to look up from our busy day? Maybe then we could lift our eyes and envision what exactly it is that they see… this precious sight of a greater joy.
[0] Trackbacks [0] Pingbacks