For some time now I have shockingly neglected to post here, for which I am very sorry! The strangest thing is though, although my head has been in an awful muddle for the past few weeks - which is due to so many things, like worries, stress, expectations and everything else that goes along with moving to another country on one's own - despite all of this, I haven't actually done much or had much that I had to do. And yet somehow I still feel pretty drained.
However yesterday evening I had some very good news that have brought my energy levels up somewhat! The skating club that I was hoping to join here, not only would like to welcome me as a member, but is also starting training sessions tonight! This is excellent news, given how much I have missed having skating in my day to day life like nobody's business!! So I will be going for a trial session tonight to see how I like the club and the coaches and if all goes well I'll soon be skating three times a week again!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Putting names to the numbers... may they never be forgotten!
This evening whilst on a quest for all the videos that youtube could supply me with pertaining to Stephen Fry, I came across an episode of "who do you think you are" in which Stephen traces the roots of his families as far back as he can in order to fill in some gaps in his family's history.
As part of a Jewish family, he is particularly keen to find out more about his mother's side of the family as there is a picture of his mother's aunt, her husband and their three children. Although the family had always suspected that they had died in a concentration camp, the scenes that show him finding their birth and death records is incredibly moving, as are the scenes in which he returns to England to share with his living family all that he has discovered. Despite being very familiar with the fate of many families in the Second World War, seeing someone I have grown to love, being confronted with his own family's fate made me cry as if it were my own family being talked about.
My own family is of both Austrian and Polish origin. My father's polish side of the family being Jewish, although the members I grew up with (my father and my grandmother) were not practising. My Austrian grandparents grew up during the second world war in Austria and my grandfather was forced to fight for Hitler's army on the Russian front. I have always been brought up talking openly about the war, anti-semitism and the consequences, and living life in a war-torn country. My Austrian grandmother in particular always told us of her life as a child both during and after the war. However she told the stories with a moral to us that always said: "look how hard we had it as children, you don't know how easy you've got it now" And I am very ashamed to say that as a child in particular, I grew rather fed up of hearing her "preach" at me. I see now however that she is right, a bad week to me now, is one where I have no internet access, or no phone signal, whereas to her a bad week was one in which the local shops had no bread again, or worse, where something broke that had to be replaced and there was simply no money for food!
I have never been very good at stomaching emotionally heavy things, sad and touching things have always had a very profound effect on me. For example I am incapable of watching war movies without feeling sick, or usually even being sick. No one knows why and very few people can understand or sympathize. I used to think this was a personal weakness of mine, but my mother explained to me that it was simply because I care so deeply and I am so deeply moved that things have such a profound effect on me.
Despite this I force myself to try and find out as much as I possibly can, on the subject of my family and their lives, because when they are gone (as sadly too many of them already are) no one but their family will be there to remember them and their stories.
They may not have been great heroes that changed the world, but they all added their bit, and put in their effort towards shaping history. My Grandmother, on my father's side Proffessor Irene Lachmann for example was a scientist who was very well known in scientific circles, was a close friend and worked very closely with Professor Rotblat, the founder of the Pugwash conference and winner of the Nobel Peace prize. This is something that only a few concerned people know. Even fewer however know that she survived during the war because of her scientific knowledge, amongst other things, her knowledge of how to make soap! This small personal detail will be of little interest to her scientific colleagues, but it's important to me, as it shows the human aspect of the war.
This human aspect is what this post today is actually about. Everyone knows that many Disabled people, Jews, Roma, Sinti and other so called "undesirable minorities" died in the war. Many people have been to visit the concentration camps. But few really think about the people behind all these numbers. In England we are urged every year not to forget the soldiers that died at the hands of Hitler, we have walls with their names on them, and large ceremonies in their honour. As a member of the British Armed Forces I am very proud and grateful to them, as they are all heroes who died fighting for our freedom. But I also am proud of every man, woman and child, every mother, father, daughter and son that struggled through the war "on the other side" Each and every one of them will always be important to me, and though I will never know, or be able to know their names, I will never again make the mistake of forgetting that they all had them. For they all had name, lives and families that were destroyed by an atrocious war that was started because dangerous people, with dangerous ideals, were given power by people that were too hungry, tired and fed up of hardship to care about the politicians true intentions!
No nation will ever allow another war to happen based on the grounds of Anti-Semitism, and no self-respecting society tolerates Anti-Semitism. But what about all the other racism, and discrimination that is allowed to reign unchecked in this world?? Does there really have to be a global war in order for an issue to become important??
I have noticed that in their zeal and passion, people often confuse things, and get so caught up in their mindset they can no longer see the wood for trees. I have noticed that since 9/11 this phenomen is becoming increasingly widespread. People have begun to confuse religiously motivated terrorism, with religion. Specifically, fundamentally Islamic motivated terrorism. I read recently that there were plans to build a mosque vaguely near Ground Zero. Plans which had been met with outrage from certain parts of the community. Now although I understand that people have suffered unspeakable loss and pain at the hands of Islamic terrorists, I do NOT see that this gives them the right to hate all Muslims the world over, and see the Islamic faith as dangerous and wrong. No one believes this of the Catholic or the Protestant faith dispite the many acts of violence and terrorism committed in Ireland! The media, and a few rhetorically gifted politicians have managed to brainwash a lot of people, and I would like to take this opportunity of highlighting that similar brainwashing was what caused the last attempt to wipe out an entire faith and race.
And so, having completed a full circle of though, I guess the upshot of tonight's post is, be as tolerant and as open as you can, without forsaking your own ideals and morales. And the second is, remember that behind every number, is a person, with a life and family.
God Bless, And May We Never Forget The Fallen!
As part of a Jewish family, he is particularly keen to find out more about his mother's side of the family as there is a picture of his mother's aunt, her husband and their three children. Although the family had always suspected that they had died in a concentration camp, the scenes that show him finding their birth and death records is incredibly moving, as are the scenes in which he returns to England to share with his living family all that he has discovered. Despite being very familiar with the fate of many families in the Second World War, seeing someone I have grown to love, being confronted with his own family's fate made me cry as if it were my own family being talked about.
My own family is of both Austrian and Polish origin. My father's polish side of the family being Jewish, although the members I grew up with (my father and my grandmother) were not practising. My Austrian grandparents grew up during the second world war in Austria and my grandfather was forced to fight for Hitler's army on the Russian front. I have always been brought up talking openly about the war, anti-semitism and the consequences, and living life in a war-torn country. My Austrian grandmother in particular always told us of her life as a child both during and after the war. However she told the stories with a moral to us that always said: "look how hard we had it as children, you don't know how easy you've got it now" And I am very ashamed to say that as a child in particular, I grew rather fed up of hearing her "preach" at me. I see now however that she is right, a bad week to me now, is one where I have no internet access, or no phone signal, whereas to her a bad week was one in which the local shops had no bread again, or worse, where something broke that had to be replaced and there was simply no money for food!
I have never been very good at stomaching emotionally heavy things, sad and touching things have always had a very profound effect on me. For example I am incapable of watching war movies without feeling sick, or usually even being sick. No one knows why and very few people can understand or sympathize. I used to think this was a personal weakness of mine, but my mother explained to me that it was simply because I care so deeply and I am so deeply moved that things have such a profound effect on me.
Despite this I force myself to try and find out as much as I possibly can, on the subject of my family and their lives, because when they are gone (as sadly too many of them already are) no one but their family will be there to remember them and their stories.
They may not have been great heroes that changed the world, but they all added their bit, and put in their effort towards shaping history. My Grandmother, on my father's side Proffessor Irene Lachmann for example was a scientist who was very well known in scientific circles, was a close friend and worked very closely with Professor Rotblat, the founder of the Pugwash conference and winner of the Nobel Peace prize. This is something that only a few concerned people know. Even fewer however know that she survived during the war because of her scientific knowledge, amongst other things, her knowledge of how to make soap! This small personal detail will be of little interest to her scientific colleagues, but it's important to me, as it shows the human aspect of the war.
This human aspect is what this post today is actually about. Everyone knows that many Disabled people, Jews, Roma, Sinti and other so called "undesirable minorities" died in the war. Many people have been to visit the concentration camps. But few really think about the people behind all these numbers. In England we are urged every year not to forget the soldiers that died at the hands of Hitler, we have walls with their names on them, and large ceremonies in their honour. As a member of the British Armed Forces I am very proud and grateful to them, as they are all heroes who died fighting for our freedom. But I also am proud of every man, woman and child, every mother, father, daughter and son that struggled through the war "on the other side" Each and every one of them will always be important to me, and though I will never know, or be able to know their names, I will never again make the mistake of forgetting that they all had them. For they all had name, lives and families that were destroyed by an atrocious war that was started because dangerous people, with dangerous ideals, were given power by people that were too hungry, tired and fed up of hardship to care about the politicians true intentions!
No nation will ever allow another war to happen based on the grounds of Anti-Semitism, and no self-respecting society tolerates Anti-Semitism. But what about all the other racism, and discrimination that is allowed to reign unchecked in this world?? Does there really have to be a global war in order for an issue to become important??
I have noticed that in their zeal and passion, people often confuse things, and get so caught up in their mindset they can no longer see the wood for trees. I have noticed that since 9/11 this phenomen is becoming increasingly widespread. People have begun to confuse religiously motivated terrorism, with religion. Specifically, fundamentally Islamic motivated terrorism. I read recently that there were plans to build a mosque vaguely near Ground Zero. Plans which had been met with outrage from certain parts of the community. Now although I understand that people have suffered unspeakable loss and pain at the hands of Islamic terrorists, I do NOT see that this gives them the right to hate all Muslims the world over, and see the Islamic faith as dangerous and wrong. No one believes this of the Catholic or the Protestant faith dispite the many acts of violence and terrorism committed in Ireland! The media, and a few rhetorically gifted politicians have managed to brainwash a lot of people, and I would like to take this opportunity of highlighting that similar brainwashing was what caused the last attempt to wipe out an entire faith and race.
And so, having completed a full circle of though, I guess the upshot of tonight's post is, be as tolerant and as open as you can, without forsaking your own ideals and morales. And the second is, remember that behind every number, is a person, with a life and family.
God Bless, And May We Never Forget The Fallen!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Day two - the joys of moving in and the perils of the resulting trip to IKEA
Today started early again - though I suppose some people would call 0845 a lie-in - as my dad and I headed over to the flat to sign the contract and pay the deposit etc. for my room! for all the time it had taken to pack the car in the first place, the unpacking was surprisingly quickly finished! So we decided to make a "quick" trip to IKEA to get a few bits and bobs and some lunch.
Now anyone that knows me, or indeed that knows IKEA, will realise what a dangerous place it can be! No matter how carefully you plan, and how many lists you write, you always buy more than you planned and still manage to forget something! As was the case with our trip today of course. We did however get some fantastic pillows, and duvet covers and I even learnt a new word "fantasmo" ghost - which I needed in order to buy one of those amazing little ghost shaped children's lights that light up blue! So after a fairly uneventful lunch at IKEA, we headed back to the flat to start unpacking and sorting things out.
Needless to say, I did NOT get much unpacking done, before succumbing to the temptations of facebook and the rest of the internet world. I did however meet 2 new people that will be a part of my life here for the next year, Sarah who works in the B&B that joins on to our flat with student rooms, and David a young army guy who lives in the room that is one but next to mine.
In the evening my father and I embarked on the adventure of trying to find somewhere to have dinner. It would appear however that hardly anyone eats full meals in restaurants in Zaragoza, as almost every place we saw was a bar or café that served only sandwiches or Tapas (small entrées, usually finger food) When we finally found a Sushi place that had just opened they asked us to come back at 2100 as they weren't yet ready for guests (despite the sign on the door saying that they opened at 2000!) So we finially gave up and got ourselves chicken and chips at the Kebab shop!
My dad then left to go back to his room at the B&B in order to be rested for his early start and 20 hour drive (!) back to Austria tomorrow. I think I may conceivably have the loveliest Dad in the whole world!
And so now I'm lying here in my newly furnished bed looking at the suitcases and boxes that require my attention - but true to form I think I will quite simply turn the light off, switch my fantasmo on and ignore their existence until tomorrow morning - as I do with most things I don't want to do!
Night night!
Now anyone that knows me, or indeed that knows IKEA, will realise what a dangerous place it can be! No matter how carefully you plan, and how many lists you write, you always buy more than you planned and still manage to forget something! As was the case with our trip today of course. We did however get some fantastic pillows, and duvet covers and I even learnt a new word "fantasmo" ghost - which I needed in order to buy one of those amazing little ghost shaped children's lights that light up blue! So after a fairly uneventful lunch at IKEA, we headed back to the flat to start unpacking and sorting things out.
Needless to say, I did NOT get much unpacking done, before succumbing to the temptations of facebook and the rest of the internet world. I did however meet 2 new people that will be a part of my life here for the next year, Sarah who works in the B&B that joins on to our flat with student rooms, and David a young army guy who lives in the room that is one but next to mine.
In the evening my father and I embarked on the adventure of trying to find somewhere to have dinner. It would appear however that hardly anyone eats full meals in restaurants in Zaragoza, as almost every place we saw was a bar or café that served only sandwiches or Tapas (small entrées, usually finger food) When we finally found a Sushi place that had just opened they asked us to come back at 2100 as they weren't yet ready for guests (despite the sign on the door saying that they opened at 2000!) So we finially gave up and got ourselves chicken and chips at the Kebab shop!
My dad then left to go back to his room at the B&B in order to be rested for his early start and 20 hour drive (!) back to Austria tomorrow. I think I may conceivably have the loveliest Dad in the whole world!
And so now I'm lying here in my newly furnished bed looking at the suitcases and boxes that require my attention - but true to form I think I will quite simply turn the light off, switch my fantasmo on and ignore their existence until tomorrow morning - as I do with most things I don't want to do!
Night night!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
day one in Zaragoza
My dad and I arrived in Zaragoza yesterday evening, very tired after a 21 hour car journey from his place in Hemel to our B&B Pension Roma. We were both extremely tired and so went straight to pretty much, in order to have an early start in the morning.
And we started off early this morning in search of the correct place on the main campus of the university where I would be able to register with the university. Unfortunately we began in completely the wrong building, and I think my less than brilliant Spanish skills only helped confuse the situation even more! But José the lovely guy in the office managed to work out who I was and where I needed to go and sent me off in the direction of the international office. When I got there however the very lovely and helpful lady said, she could give me all the basic information that I would need for studying in Zaragoza - like a map of the city and a map of the campus (both of which are worth their weight in gold!) - but that she wouldn't be able to help me register, that would need to be done at my faculty main office. She also told me that the person who would deal with me at the French department office, wouldn't be in until the 27th of August and to just stay "tranquilla" till then.
So the next place our quest took us was to the main information office on campus in search of information about how to find people still looking for one or more people to live with. Upon entering the office we were greeted by one of the most helpful and pleasant people that I have ever met in an information office in any country! She immediately gave us a small folder with seperate page entries listing where the rooms were, at what price, what this price included, how many people would be in the flat in total and how many people they were looking for. This is a fantastic system, especially helpful for new students that do not know the area or any people in it! So we picked 4 apartments, rang the owners and agreed on the times that we could come and see them.
We were scheduled to see two apartments today and one tomorrow, so we arrived at the first one to meet Alvarro, a very friendly person (like just about everyone I've met so far!) who took a great deal of time and trouble to show us around two of his flats. Both my Dad and I liked the look of them, but they were quite expensive, so we agreed to have a look at the others and see what they were like in comparison. So we went to the next one at 1700 and we were both immediately impressed! The landlord José Ignacio showed us around and the entire place was immaculate, with a brand new fitted kitchen. The room is about the size of most university halls bedrooms, and fitted with simple, but high quality furniture and has it's own little sink and mirror. We agreed straight away that this was the perfect place at a very reasonable price with all bills included! And so we asked the landlord when I could move in, and he said straight away which is perfect us!
So tomorrow at 1000 we will be moving me into the room which will be mine for the next year of my life!
I started the day tense and slightly apprehensive about finding a place to live before my dad has to leave (taking the car with him) and also about all things uni-registration related. But thankfully I finished the day with all my doubts assuaged and a lovely place to live for the year. I sincerely hope the rest of my Erasmus year here in Zaragoza will be as smooth and successful!
And we started off early this morning in search of the correct place on the main campus of the university where I would be able to register with the university. Unfortunately we began in completely the wrong building, and I think my less than brilliant Spanish skills only helped confuse the situation even more! But José the lovely guy in the office managed to work out who I was and where I needed to go and sent me off in the direction of the international office. When I got there however the very lovely and helpful lady said, she could give me all the basic information that I would need for studying in Zaragoza - like a map of the city and a map of the campus (both of which are worth their weight in gold!) - but that she wouldn't be able to help me register, that would need to be done at my faculty main office. She also told me that the person who would deal with me at the French department office, wouldn't be in until the 27th of August and to just stay "tranquilla" till then.
So the next place our quest took us was to the main information office on campus in search of information about how to find people still looking for one or more people to live with. Upon entering the office we were greeted by one of the most helpful and pleasant people that I have ever met in an information office in any country! She immediately gave us a small folder with seperate page entries listing where the rooms were, at what price, what this price included, how many people would be in the flat in total and how many people they were looking for. This is a fantastic system, especially helpful for new students that do not know the area or any people in it! So we picked 4 apartments, rang the owners and agreed on the times that we could come and see them.
We were scheduled to see two apartments today and one tomorrow, so we arrived at the first one to meet Alvarro, a very friendly person (like just about everyone I've met so far!) who took a great deal of time and trouble to show us around two of his flats. Both my Dad and I liked the look of them, but they were quite expensive, so we agreed to have a look at the others and see what they were like in comparison. So we went to the next one at 1700 and we were both immediately impressed! The landlord José Ignacio showed us around and the entire place was immaculate, with a brand new fitted kitchen. The room is about the size of most university halls bedrooms, and fitted with simple, but high quality furniture and has it's own little sink and mirror. We agreed straight away that this was the perfect place at a very reasonable price with all bills included! And so we asked the landlord when I could move in, and he said straight away which is perfect us!
So tomorrow at 1000 we will be moving me into the room which will be mine for the next year of my life!
I started the day tense and slightly apprehensive about finding a place to live before my dad has to leave (taking the car with him) and also about all things uni-registration related. But thankfully I finished the day with all my doubts assuaged and a lovely place to live for the year. I sincerely hope the rest of my Erasmus year here in Zaragoza will be as smooth and successful!
random ramblings
I've realised that I love to follow what other people are doing, how they're doing and the travels their life is taking them on... I have friends spread all over the world, so in order to keep up-to-date I check facebook and follow their various blogs.
I have always admired the people that keep blogs, as they find some time in their often hectic lives, to let their friends and interested followers know what they are thinking and what's going on... It then occurred to me whilst reading a friend of mine's posts about her Erasmus preparations, that with all the things going on in my life, and all my many travels, it would do me some good, to take some time out every so often and let people know where I am, and what's preoccupying me... let's hope some of you find it interesting enough to follow!
I have always admired the people that keep blogs, as they find some time in their often hectic lives, to let their friends and interested followers know what they are thinking and what's going on... It then occurred to me whilst reading a friend of mine's posts about her Erasmus preparations, that with all the things going on in my life, and all my many travels, it would do me some good, to take some time out every so often and let people know where I am, and what's preoccupying me... let's hope some of you find it interesting enough to follow!
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