Listening to MC Solaar and Reading about Algerian Emigration

Should be reading, but wanted to post something since it's been at least 35 days since my last post. Hopefully this summer I will be more active, blogging about working for the Sentinel, my tackling of a diverse reading list, and my hopeful attempts at discerning where God is calling me for the next year or so.

For now, I'll return to my research for my historiographical essay about Algerian Emigration and Immigration to France. Here's praying I can make some progress before the weekend so I don't have to spend it it entirely in the books and writing.

Until next time, bonne nuit!

Oh and since I'm going to miss them terribly this summer, here are some pictures of the amazing children I've volunteered with this spring at the Village Center. (Thanks Leslie for taking these!)

Une Nation "Romantique"

Okay, I'll admit it. I've often romanticized France. It's history, culture, language and general beauty often astounds me and draws me in like the warm, sweet fragrance of a fresh baguette.

I often refer to myself as a francophile due to my tendency to obsess over anything related to Paris or France. The 4ft-wide map of Paris

on my living room wall might be the first indication. Spending six weeks in Paris was not nearly long enough to satiate my thirst for une vie francaise.

But alas, I am coming to terms with some of the horrendous fates dealt by the french, especially during and since the colonial years. The racism, misogynistic and ignorant hatred for the "other" by the french is astounding--something my francophile self hates to reconcile.

As an American, I have had to learn the harsh fates dealt throughout my nation's history. I have had to learn how those fates still prevail today. I have had to learn to comprehend and liberate myself from the potential continuance of prejudices and ignorance that will be the demise of any nation. But I have also learned that as a nation we can grow and change. I am blessed to be an American.

And through that blessing, I want others to know that they can experience that same joy if they only acknowledged the problems they must overcome. So, in order for me to make some impact, I must first learn more.

I plan to follow-up this post with more insights into my studies of France's colonial involvement in North Africa and current issues related to immigration and religion. For such a romantic nation, France sure has a lot to get right to really become the republic it thinks it already is.

I fully recognize I am far from an expert on any of these issues, but as far as I can tell no one in America knows they exist even as the romanticize France. I believe I will always love France and hope to live there one day, but it seems only fair to understand the entire beast.

To share my love, here is a beautiful photo of one of my favorite places in Paris, the Rodin chateau (photo courtesy of Stuck in Customs' flickr).

And if you want to read an amazing book about the Veil Ban in French schools, which goes beyond the actual ban into France's problems with racism, gender discrimination, sexism and more, read Politics of the Veil by Joan W. Scott.

Just a short note since it's been awhile...

I can't believe March is more than halfway over. It's been almost two months since I posted anything, so I guess it's time I wrote something new. I wish my posts were as witty and fascinating as Lydia's or I was on an amazing spiritual journey as Sarah is abroad right now, but my meager meanderings will have to suffice if you're reading this.

I just felt like sharing some of the thoughts I've been marinating on the past few days. The Lord has really shown me not only how dependent I am on his provisions, but also that when I am consumed by my own life, He knows just how to rock my world and bring me to my knees because of his insurmountable love for me.

Now would be the appropriate section for me to insert an fitting quote or scripture, but I am lacking in the knowledge right now so I will just share a tweet my good friend Ann Hughston shared with the world earlier this evening that helped me refocus on the One who truly loves me unconditionally although I am completely undeserving outside of his grace.

"If there is nothing in this world that ever satisfies us, then it must mean that we are made for something beyond this world."

I'm not sure whose quote that originally is, even though I've heard it outside of the AH's tweets. But thank you wise soul.

And PS, the wind is seriously howling up a severe storm out my apartment. If I didn't eerily find it calming I'd be pretty freaked out right now.

Some Awesome Sermons

I just wanted to share the awesome sermon Matt Carter gave Sunday at the Austin Stone on Genesis 2:15, 18 about work and marriage. It was something I definitely had not heard said quite before and something I think is really important given today's marital climate--or lack there of.

http://www.austinstone.org/resources/sermons/ It is the sermon from Jan. 24 entitled Genesis: Theology of Work: A Helper Suitable and everyone single, dating, married should definitely listen to it.

I am also eagerly looking forward to watching NewSpring's 10th Aniversary Service online and will share that link here as well. Wish I had been in Greenville this weekend to attend alongside 15,000 others at the Bilo Center.

http://www.newspring.cc/series/thebestisyettocome

Fast-forward 5 or 10 years

The future has been on my mind a lot lately. Probably because it takes a tragedy like Haiti to remind you of not only how grateful and blessed we are to live in such a wonderful and stable country and that we are blessed to help others who are not. As a broke, but blessed grad student, I wish there was more I could do to help Haiti, especially the orphans beyond donating small monetary amounts here and there.

I wish I could share my blessed life and the gospel with those children.

Here's where the 5-10 years fast-forward would help. If only I were a few years older and gainfully employed, aka not still living off my parents, I would wholeheartedly adopt a Haitian child. I often think that there has to be a greater purpose for my french skills beyond being extremely helpful as a tourist.

Right now I hope my language skills might help from a journalistic perspective, covering issues in France and North Africa that get completely slighted by American media outlets. (I may need some Arabic to help there too).

But even better than that, being able to share even a basic french vocab and help a Haitian child is becoming an even stronger desire for me personally. So hopefully in a few years I can help someone and fulfill these future/fast-forward dreams. Until then, I will do everything in my power to help support Haiti as best I can and pursue a life where I can not only share the Gospel with others but fulfill His plan for my life.

Whether here in the South, France or Haiti.


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/world/americas/27children.html?pagewanted=2&ref=americas

Saw this in a documentary in class today and had to share. It's pretty humorous.

Bono's American, Right?

I just finished reading this op-ed piece by Bono in the New York Times and a wave of varying thoughts and emotions washed over me. [Disclaimer: I am not a Bono fan, though he tends to do amazing things for the world]

First, it is great to be an American--most days. But there are some days when deep down I think there's something greater than being identified and growing up in such a blessed country. I know we have our issues, serious ones that are usually brushed under the rug, but considering the rest of the world there is no better country to have citizenship in.

After reading Bono's thoughts, I did start to waiver towards this personal feeling that America isn't so grand. I sometimes feel like my former self hails from another motherland. And it's words like these that reinforce those lingering thoughts.

For example, "the idea of America, from the very start, was supposed to be contagious enough to sweep up and enthrall the world.And it is. The world wants to believe in America again because the world needs to believe in America again. We need your ideas — your idea — at a time when the rest of the world is running out of them."

These so-called ideas may be what the world needs, but right now all I hear are words with no weight behind them. Bono praises Obama for 36 words, which when spoken sound amazing and have the potential to impart hope to all listeners (and readers), but I took rhetoric and know that you can say a whole lot with out really saying anything.

Sometimes I think our great nation does just that. We may be the most popular country again, but it doesn't mean squat if we don't do anything to back that claim up.

So these meanderings might be in the same vain as Bono's, but I obviously don't have the platform, recognition or fame to pass them off as wisdom for the New York Times. Maybe for my next post I'll compose 36 inspiring, highly illustrious-sounding words and get the opportunity to rant for the Times--on second thought, maybe not.

Oh, and btw, I know Bono's not American--he just wishes he was.

5 Careers a Day

So lately I've been distracting myself from doing actual school work with trying to figure out what I might like to do with my life. I'm in my first semester of grad school and thoroughly enjoying it, but still not quite sure what I am going to do in just a year and half! So, right now through my study abroad searches, random class discussions, and just some creative mental meanderings, here is the current top five (in no particular order):

1. Multimedia/Online Journalist (video, editing, a little writing, etc.)
2. English Teacher abroad (preferably France)
3. Fulbright scholar (just for the 1st year after graduation)
4. Publication Designer (need work on my skills in this area, b/c it's becoming more interesting everyday)
5. Working as a Foreign Service Officer or at a US Embassy (again, preferably in France)

These are strictly ponderings, though I will continue to work towards each equally so I can be as qualified as possible when I start applying for jobs next spring. And until May 2011 rolls around, I will be looking for local internships and possibly studying abroad again to help my resume. Until then I'll just be keeping up with the news, Clemson athletics (not football anymore), and staring at this photo, courtesy of http://www.spearsphotography.com/index.php

It's been awhile...

So it's been a while since I posted anything. I don't think I have had anything really worth commenting about, but tonight was a good night so I thought I'd share some thoughts.

Tonight on campus at Bass Hall was AfterDark, which is this event that travels to college campuses and brings the Word and some great worship to basically anyone. Joe White builds a Roman cross on stage and gives an amazing message, some shares their testimony and an awesome singer performs. I think 3 years ago AfterDark came to Clemson through FCA and it rocked my world. Lecrae performed and Joe White brought it.

Tonight he hit it home again. Colt McCoy (who is UT's version of Tebow or Spiller) shared a little of his testimony and a quite humorous anecdote about a dead rabbit, and Matt Wertz performed.

I have to admit I went tonight because of Matt, and he was definitely worth it, but I came away with more then another awesome concert experience. I left with a renewed heart and calmed spirit that I've really been needing.

It is an awesome experience to be surrounded by people renewed in their love in the Father and sing together in some awesome worship. And to cap off the night, Wertz performed a set with a few of his new songs.

So if you live in a college town, check out http://www.whatsafterdark.com/ to see if Joe and his crew are coming near you. And if you love awesome songwriting and singing, watch this unofficial video of Wertz singing one of my personal faves.

Gameday...in Austin

I'm about to join a new sea of orange today, and it brings me back to freshmen year. Remember when you didn't know the fight song, the chants, even the star players? Well I sort of feel the same way as I venture on to campus today. I know the signal for hook 'em horns and I know to where burnt orange, but that's about it. Unfortunately I don't have the childlike enthusiasm of a freshman today because my heart is with another team about 1000 miles away. Most would say I've upgraded football teams, which may be true on paper, but it's not about national championships. Though a Clemson one would be nice.

Some things will be the same, the miles of traffic trying to get to campus, the mobs of tailgates, and the general energy that flows through the crowds as the anticipation of the first game gets underway. I won't be watching from the student section in Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium as Mack Brown and Colt McCoy start on the path to Pasadena. I will be watching though. But more importantly I'll be watching my phone for text updates with the Clemson score. I will throw up the horns while wearing my Clemson orange. And maybe once I receive the final score from Death Valley, I might break out into cadence count and cause a scene wherever I'm watching the UT game.

I can't wait til Thursday night when the GA Tech game is on TV and I can share my passion for Tiger football more openly with my surrounding Austinites. Until then, all I can say is...
1, 2, 3, 4! 1, 2, 3, 4! C-L-E-M-S-O-N-T-I-G-E-R-S! Fight Tigers! Fight Tigers! Fight Fight Fight!

Newly Navigating the Blogosphere and Texas Roads

So, I've decided to take on a blog. I have thought about doing this before but for several reasons I haven't: 1) I never got around to creating one 2) I was worried I might over think every single post instead of just writing in more of a stream of consciousness style and 3) I never thought anyone would read it. (I apologize in advance for any grammatical or style errors; I'm definitely not proofing these posts). But what the hey, now is as good a time as any. I need to start writing more, considering I just started the charge to my future career in journalism. Today was the first day of my classes at UT. Which brings me back to the title and theme of this blog, I am now living in Austin, Texas working on my masters in journalism.

And that's the other UT for everyone outside of Texas and the Big 12. I am officially a Longhorn and am supposed to start wearing Burnt Orange instead of the more attractive Clemson Orange. Life has changed a lot in the past four years. This time four years ago I was a Clemson freshman, living in a new state, making new friends, and starting the best four years of my life. Now I'm starting all over again, in a new state, trying to make new friends, and hopefully having at least two great years here in Texas.

As far as starting over goes, I am enjoying it thus far. This is the first time I have ever truly lived on my own; no roommates, no parents, no rules, and I definitely like it. I've only been in Austin for about 10 days, and it's been swell so far. Although I have not been as adventurous in discovering new places and people, I have enjoyed some good alone time in my apartment, the shopping in my area, and discovering random shortcuts, neighborhoods and roads around town. Speaking of driving, that is one new and somewhat challenging thing here in Texas. So I heard before how much Texans love their roads and love to drive, but I really think they have a few things to learn.

First of all, what's with all the overpasses and u-turns? Simple intersection with traffic coming from four directions is too simple for TxDot. You would think with a slogan like "Keep Texas Moving," the simplest road design for maximum traffic movement would be ideal, but oh no, something more like this apparently makes sense to the engineers.

Now you may be thinking that just looks like a normal interstate interchange, but it is not. This is the "intersection" of two major highways that basically take me everywhere I need to go, or "stacks" as they're appropriately called here. Oh, and it's the least impressive of the Austin stacks. To make things more confusing, these highways are generally aligned with feeder roads which serve the same purpose of the highway as far as lanes and speeds are concerned, but also provide access to businesses and other roads. It's rather confusing to explain in words and pictures, you just need to experience the roads here for yourself. Personally, I like to think of myself almost as a road or directions connoisseur, because I enjoy driving and finding new ways to get places, and Texas roads provide a frustratingly irrational challenge. My first few days here were spent yelling at the gps women for "recalculating," too many u-turns for my liking (which are basically a daily requirement for drivers here apparently), drastically shooting across multiple lanes in order to take the right road or exit, and even driving between two lanes because there were no painted lines to designate the lanes during construction.

The roads here are a perfect example of how Texans pride themselves on doing things differently in an attempt to make it seem bigger and better than everyone else's seemingly more rational, simplified, and proven ways. But don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to hate, it is just taking some time to adjust to the Texan way after spending four years loving the way things are done in the South and even coming to appreciate FDOT's own ideas. Although my 22 years as a Floridian and Orlando native have been spent hating tourist drivers, 7 of which I myself spent driving/conquering them, I have come to miss them to a certain extent. After figuring out the necessary algebraic formulas for navigating the Austin roads sans accidents and a gps, I still feel that my local drives are lacking in a few things. 1) Texas drivers are not aggressive. Aggressive and defensive driving is a must when driving, isn't that what they teach you in drivers ed? Well Texas drivers are just too nice. This was true in South Carolina, but it didn't stand out as much to me probably because I never needed to get on the interstate in Clemson, which does not apply at all here in Austin.

For example, my daily drive to campus has become somewhat frustrating. Last week I tested the drive midday to learn the route and see its optimum driving potential, i.e. the fastest I could get there. It isn't more than a 10 minute drive with no traffic. Then last Thursday I had to be on campus at 830am for orientation. I knew this my drive would unfortunately occur during the morning rush so I gave myself plenty of time and it only took about 25 minutes at the most with traffic and I had allotted myself 45, so no prob right? Well today for the first day of class, I allotted myself 30 min to arrive 10 min before my 8am. Bad idea. I forgot to take into account Texans' slow and passive driving style. Let's just say driving in an exit-only lane in order to pass the snail's pace traffic quickly became my new driving-style a la Texas. I have always found this to be an incredibly rude driving style, but if it means saving me approximately 10 minutes in my morning commute, I think it is a grand idea. It also makes me feel a little like I'm sticking it to the man, well at least the TxDOT.

Well, I didn't see this first blog taking this turn, but I guess I just needed to post some freeway frustrations. I know I will have lots more to say in the coming weeks and months about my move and new life here in Austin. A lot of different emotions and ideas are flowing trying to meld my southern comforts courtesy of Clemson, with my Florida roots and my new Texas trails. And hopefully in the next week or so I will have completed adjusted to the time change. That might have to be my next posting--frustrations and adjustments to the central time zone. One hour makes a whole lot of a difference, I'm just saying.