European Studies

After many years of flip flopping between majors I have finally come to a decision: European Studies.

There are many reasons why I decided to take on such an endeavor. One being the fact that I have been in college way to long to not be working at one specific degree. However, I am fascinated with the European cultures. Everything about them and their history and how they came about is intriguing to me. 

So far I have been to Austria, England, Denmark, and Hungary. I plan to go to many more countries, especially since I want to do a study abroad next year. I was all also be taking on the rather large task of trying to learn German. Good luck to me.

The Truest Statement

"If you hold back on the emotions-- if you don't allow yourself to go all the way through them-- you can never get to being detached, you're too busy being afraid. You're afraid of the pain, you're afraid of the grief. You're afraid of the vulnerability loving entails."

Tuesdays With Morrie

Morrie Schwartz

Written by: Mitch Albom

Twilight Zone

So most people have heard of the fiber wires that were vandalized sometime in the super early morning hours of April 9. I mean it was national news, you couldn't really miss it. But let me tell you what it was like to experience it: ridiculous.

First of all, most of us don't realize how much we lean on technology. Yesterday morning chaos hit. Imagine having no phone lines, cell phones, internet, computer systems, debit and check systems, bank access, can't even call 911, and I'm pretty much describing all forms of communication. It really sucks.

I was working that morning at good old Trader Joe's and work was hectic. Customers were pissed off, we were pissed off, everyone was in the bitter barn. A news team for channel 8 came in and taped us working (really awkward when you hear you were on TV but you didn't see it). I couldn't even get lunch on my break because I had no cash and there was no way to get cash. Good thing I work in a grocery store. 

The creepiest part though, it almost felt like there was silence everywhere. It's like all the towns just stopped functioning. Seriously a Twilight Zone episode. Whoever those people were that vandalized the lines to prove a point: NOT COOL. 

There is an award of $250,000 if someone knows who did it. Man I wish I was like a psychic right now. 

Europe

I don't even know how to approach the idea of writing about my recent excursions in Europe. Do I reveal all my secrets and indiscretions? Do I stick to all the boring traditional sites and explanations? Do I try to explain all the inside jokes that my bestest friend and I conjured up? The possibilities are endless. 

Let me begin by saying I spent 5 days in London, England and 5 days in Copenhagen, Denmark. I did not go to Amsterdam people. For some reason everyone kept asking me how Amsterdam was and all I really had to say was never been there, but the airport is nice!

London: Was intense. I fell in love with London and everything in it. I saw the traditional sites like The Big Ben, Buckingham Palace (way disappointing), The London Bridge, Camden, The O2, Harrods (we did not actually go in, too confusing), and so on. We did a night of Karaoke, ate lots of potatoes, drank too much, and walked everywhere. You think San Francisco is diverse, try going to London. I've seen cultures and ethnicities I've only heard or seen on T.V. or read in books. I hung out with English, Welsh, and Swedish folk. Met crazy people in bars and have decided the Irish are too intense for me.

Copenhagen: Surprisingly astonishing. I have never been to a Scandinavian country. In all honesty, I had no idea what to expect. But I adore it. Everyone speaks English there which really helps you get around. The history is amazing and it's like you can really feel how old the city is. They have the best sculptures around the city. Massive amount of shopping, but since I was broke the whole time, shopping was not a part of my vocabulary. I sat on a cannon, saw the Little Mermaid (Denmark's famous statue), walked only on cobblestone, saw live Danish bands, and again drank a lot. 

May I also say that Europe, especially Denmark, but also London, has some of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Everyone ranging from male to female, young to old, it didn't matter, everyone was radiant. 

My obsession with Europe has really hit an all time high. Being Hungarian and going back to visit family has always intrigued me. But exploring other European cultures absolutely fascinates me. I intend to go back as much as I can and am playing with the idea of doing a study abroad before I graduate (which graduation seems eons away).

And just as a final note, the best part of my trip was seeing Sarah. I was sad the minute I left. She really is the greatest person and my bestest friend. She is my family. I'm so proud of her for what she has done in the past year and admire her more than words can say. But might I also add, the awkwardness that the two of us possess when we are together is ridiculous. I know Sarah, story of our lives.