I can not believe I am starting week four of this amazing journey. It seems like I only arrived a few days ago! In my last blog I mention the confusion that Barzini and I share, I have been thinking a lot about it and have yet to wrap my head around the idea. This week was packed with tours and lessons and kept me up until the break of dawn studying once again. By Thursday evening, I was positive I had saw every church in Rome. When I glaned an the syllabus for the week to come, I realized I have not even saw half of them!
Margaret Visser writes in "The Geometry of Love," "Memory, in a church, is not
only individual, but also collective: the building is a meeting place for a
group of people who agree with each other in certain important respects." I could not agree more with her. It seems as if on every corner of the street there is a new church with its doors open beckoning people of all faiths to come in and admire its beauty. I am not Catholic and until I attended Walsh, I only knew a few Catholic people. I know hardly anything about the religion but when I walk into a church in Rome I feel like it does not matter whether you are catholic, jewish, or hindu everyone in the vast rooms with you are thinking the same things. It is a weird feeling, feeling so close to complete strangers.
While I was in highschool, I was very active in the Drama Club. I loved dressing up and pretending I was someone else for a few hours. There is no place in the world that I love more than a beautifully decorated stage. On the other hand, there is no place I hate more than a stage with no lights or sets. It is depressing to walk onto a stage that was once a whole new place. Visser stated in Smiles that a theatre is like a church the only difference is churches continue to "impress" others even when the lights are shut off. After visiting so many churches, I must agree with her.
I leave Rome in 34 days. It is bitter sweet knowing this information. I have fallen in love with the City and am not sure I am ready to leave it. On, the other hand I am looking forward to following a routine again and sleeping in sheets that do not give me a rash. I plan to make the next 34 days, the best of my life and living each moment to the fullest.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Soc 490, Week 2!
When I googled the definition of a right every website I clicked had a different definition. Some said it was what was just and some believed it is based on morals. Basically, I did not have any clearer idea of what a right is than before. I have concluded from all the opinions, definitions, and examples that a right belongs to a person to protect them from someone or something else. Every person is born with rights and deserve to have those rights no matter what happens in their lifetimes. In the fight of universal health care the question is whether it is a right to have health insurance or whether health care is a privilege. I believe health insurance is a privilege, however; I can see how many believe it is a right.
If eating is a right that all human beings have and the government does everything in its power to feed our nation how do we not have the right to be healthy as well? I always think of the children during this argument. Would any person in the world deny a starving child something to eat when they had a full plate? No. So, why is it ok to turn a sick child away from medicine when it could save their life just because their parents can not pay for it? Mark Creech believes we should not have to pay for anyone but our selves, why would we help those who are taking advantage of the system? I understand where he is coming from but, not everyone needing government help is taking advantage of the system. What if his children were starving and needed a bite to eat?
Canada has universal health care and can most easily be compared to the lifestyle that many Americans lead. Although our lifestyles are very similar, Canadians out live Americans, are healthier, and have lower infant mortality numbers than we do. Why? Many people trace all of these things back to universal health care. As a child you can go to the doctors more often, which can educate you on healthier living. If you are sick, you do not have to wait until you can barely get out of bed before deciding to go to the doctor. Although nothing has been scientifically proven, there are many many links that prove these thoughts true. Helen Redman even discusses how many Americans are job locked because of private insurances. People stay at jobs they are miserable at just to receive health insurance. Maybe, if universal health care was put in place more psychological problems like depression would also lower.
One link that stands out in my mind is how people living around the greatest hospitals in the world, for example the Cleveland Clinic, have the opportunity to see a doctor as much as they need to but are still unhealthy. Health insurance is so unaffordable even people who can walk to a hospital from their house can not go because it is an expense they can not afford. With universal health care people would not have to worry about the large expenses of hospital bills if they were paid for. If this was the case, maybe people would not let that lump continue to grow or let their persistent cough get worse.
Writing this side of the argument has really made me think about my opinions of why health care is a privilege. I stand by the decision I made in class last week but, I believe something should be done to lower the cost of private insurance so we can begin to move forward to better lifestyles.
If eating is a right that all human beings have and the government does everything in its power to feed our nation how do we not have the right to be healthy as well? I always think of the children during this argument. Would any person in the world deny a starving child something to eat when they had a full plate? No. So, why is it ok to turn a sick child away from medicine when it could save their life just because their parents can not pay for it? Mark Creech believes we should not have to pay for anyone but our selves, why would we help those who are taking advantage of the system? I understand where he is coming from but, not everyone needing government help is taking advantage of the system. What if his children were starving and needed a bite to eat?
Canada has universal health care and can most easily be compared to the lifestyle that many Americans lead. Although our lifestyles are very similar, Canadians out live Americans, are healthier, and have lower infant mortality numbers than we do. Why? Many people trace all of these things back to universal health care. As a child you can go to the doctors more often, which can educate you on healthier living. If you are sick, you do not have to wait until you can barely get out of bed before deciding to go to the doctor. Although nothing has been scientifically proven, there are many many links that prove these thoughts true. Helen Redman even discusses how many Americans are job locked because of private insurances. People stay at jobs they are miserable at just to receive health insurance. Maybe, if universal health care was put in place more psychological problems like depression would also lower.
One link that stands out in my mind is how people living around the greatest hospitals in the world, for example the Cleveland Clinic, have the opportunity to see a doctor as much as they need to but are still unhealthy. Health insurance is so unaffordable even people who can walk to a hospital from their house can not go because it is an expense they can not afford. With universal health care people would not have to worry about the large expenses of hospital bills if they were paid for. If this was the case, maybe people would not let that lump continue to grow or let their persistent cough get worse.
Writing this side of the argument has really made me think about my opinions of why health care is a privilege. I stand by the decision I made in class last week but, I believe something should be done to lower the cost of private insurance so we can begin to move forward to better lifestyles.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
GL 350, Week 2!
When I decided to come to Rome, I knew I would be learning a million new things, tasting food I have never tried before, and trying to speak a language that I barely mustarded a B in back at Walsh! When I arrived I was shocked and stressed about all of these things. So far, I have over come every obstacle that has come my way! I am really proud to say that. This week though, has been eventful to say the least.
The first obastacle I had to overcome was riding a bike. When I was told I had to ride a bike down the old Appian Way I laughed, but on the inside was mortified. The last time someone tried to make me a ride a bike I wrecked into an old man's truck and left a lovely pin strip down the side. As everyone joked about me never riding a bike, I tried to hide my horror of actually trying to do it. When I was handed my bike, I was also given a brief tutorial how to ride it. I was a little shaky at first, but quickly caught on! The cobblestone made it difficult to manouver but, I adjusted quickly! I was thrilled, I even rode better than most of those who teased me! I had a great time, I was sore the next three days but, I would glady go riding again!
The next obstacle I had to over come was traveling to a flooded Venice. Danilo kindly told us the water was taller than Henna; making the water reach my hair line! He did not seemed phased by the high water, but he left the rest of us in a tizzy. How do you even begin to pack for such a trip! I had not even left Rome yet but, was already thinking of Barzini's statment about how nothing compares to Rome. When we arrived the water had gone, thank goodness! I had renewed hope that I would enjoy Venice, it is after all one of the most touristy areas in the world. By the end of the weekend, the water was rising again and my mind was back on Barzini. I spent the entire weekend trying to find a real Venetian to talk too, it is nothing like Rome where you can find a native just about anywhere! It seems as though the only Venice natives are the gondaliers!
Returning to Rome home, the nickname we have all picked up for our home away from home, felt like the best day in the world. I was exhausted from all the traveling and wated nothing more than to see the familiar iron gate of our home. When I laid down in bed, I talked to my family for a while and I realized how homesick I really am. Rome home, is nice but it does not compare to my quite family farm in Ohio. It is strange to me how while I am away from Rome, I miss it and can not wait to return but, when I am back I miss my real home. The confusion in my head does not stop there. It is only week two being here, but I feel like I have been gone for a month. I also feel like my time here is so limited but, on the other hand I feel like the middle of December can not come soon enough. I suppose the once again Barzini somes all of this up for me; "Man must have many things, a great confusion, in his head, one must allow contradictory tendicies to proliferate, one must cultivate opposite ideals..."
The first obastacle I had to overcome was riding a bike. When I was told I had to ride a bike down the old Appian Way I laughed, but on the inside was mortified. The last time someone tried to make me a ride a bike I wrecked into an old man's truck and left a lovely pin strip down the side. As everyone joked about me never riding a bike, I tried to hide my horror of actually trying to do it. When I was handed my bike, I was also given a brief tutorial how to ride it. I was a little shaky at first, but quickly caught on! The cobblestone made it difficult to manouver but, I adjusted quickly! I was thrilled, I even rode better than most of those who teased me! I had a great time, I was sore the next three days but, I would glady go riding again!
The next obstacle I had to over come was traveling to a flooded Venice. Danilo kindly told us the water was taller than Henna; making the water reach my hair line! He did not seemed phased by the high water, but he left the rest of us in a tizzy. How do you even begin to pack for such a trip! I had not even left Rome yet but, was already thinking of Barzini's statment about how nothing compares to Rome. When we arrived the water had gone, thank goodness! I had renewed hope that I would enjoy Venice, it is after all one of the most touristy areas in the world. By the end of the weekend, the water was rising again and my mind was back on Barzini. I spent the entire weekend trying to find a real Venetian to talk too, it is nothing like Rome where you can find a native just about anywhere! It seems as though the only Venice natives are the gondaliers!
Returning to Rome home, the nickname we have all picked up for our home away from home, felt like the best day in the world. I was exhausted from all the traveling and wated nothing more than to see the familiar iron gate of our home. When I laid down in bed, I talked to my family for a while and I realized how homesick I really am. Rome home, is nice but it does not compare to my quite family farm in Ohio. It is strange to me how while I am away from Rome, I miss it and can not wait to return but, when I am back I miss my real home. The confusion in my head does not stop there. It is only week two being here, but I feel like I have been gone for a month. I also feel like my time here is so limited but, on the other hand I feel like the middle of December can not come soon enough. I suppose the once again Barzini somes all of this up for me; "Man must have many things, a great confusion, in his head, one must allow contradictory tendicies to proliferate, one must cultivate opposite ideals..."
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Soc 490, Week 1!
Is health care a right or privilege? This question has been asked all over the world many times. Both sides of the argument have excellent points. It is hard to take a side with out having conditions for your reasoning. This argument leaves people confused and angry and splits the country almost 50/50.
I believe healthcare is a privilege. It was a hard decision to come too though. Growing up in a small town with one of the worst unemployment rates in Ohio, I have seen first hand how people abuse the government funded healthcare systems. It is so easily done that even a high school drop out can figure out a loophole.
This was the deciding factor in my decision.
People say that with universal healthcare you can still have private insurance to supplement what the government will not pay for. This sounds like a great answer however; for those who believe in universal healthcare argue we need it because insurance is too expensive. What do you think will happen to the cost of private insurance if half of their clients drop them? They will be forced to raise their prices. If the middle class can barely afford healthcare now, braces and contacts will be a luxury only the rich can afford because the government does not see them as necessity. I enjoy having choices. I want to be able to decide what is necessary for me and what is not.
I believe healthcare is a privilege. It was a hard decision to come too though. Growing up in a small town with one of the worst unemployment rates in Ohio, I have seen first hand how people abuse the government funded healthcare systems. It is so easily done that even a high school drop out can figure out a loophole.
This was the deciding factor in my decision.
People say that with universal healthcare you can still have private insurance to supplement what the government will not pay for. This sounds like a great answer however; for those who believe in universal healthcare argue we need it because insurance is too expensive. What do you think will happen to the cost of private insurance if half of their clients drop them? They will be forced to raise their prices. If the middle class can barely afford healthcare now, braces and contacts will be a luxury only the rich can afford because the government does not see them as necessity. I enjoy having choices. I want to be able to decide what is necessary for me and what is not.
GL 350, Week 1!
Luigi Barzini's take on Italian people has been different that my experiences In the last week I have had the opportunity to explore Rome, Albano, and Castel Gandolfo. The cities are unique in their own ways and are completely different from one another except in one way; the people. The Italian people I have met have fascinated me!
Unlike America, everyone here seems to be bilingual this has been extremely helpful considering my Italian does not extend past what I learned from Jersey Shore. (Even that turns out to be wrong most of the time! )Barzini said Italians love it when you try to speak their language but, I'm pretty sure he threw that in his book to make Americans look bad. When I try to speak Italian, my waiter laughs or looks at me in complete confusion.
Barzini also said Italian people are the most beautiful people in the world. The most beautiful paintings and sculptures can not even compare to Italian women. Although thy have lovey olive skin and pretty hair, I have to argue that Americans are equally as beautiful. Apparently Barzini just is not a fan of blondes.
This weekend my friends and I traveled to Barcelona, Spain. We had a great time. The night life is incredibly fun. However, I must agree with Barzini when he said Italy is like no other place in the world and although there are flaws you will miss even those when you leave.
Unlike America, everyone here seems to be bilingual this has been extremely helpful considering my Italian does not extend past what I learned from Jersey Shore. (Even that turns out to be wrong most of the time! )Barzini said Italians love it when you try to speak their language but, I'm pretty sure he threw that in his book to make Americans look bad. When I try to speak Italian, my waiter laughs or looks at me in complete confusion.
Barzini also said Italian people are the most beautiful people in the world. The most beautiful paintings and sculptures can not even compare to Italian women. Although thy have lovey olive skin and pretty hair, I have to argue that Americans are equally as beautiful. Apparently Barzini just is not a fan of blondes.
This weekend my friends and I traveled to Barcelona, Spain. We had a great time. The night life is incredibly fun. However, I must agree with Barzini when he said Italy is like no other place in the world and although there are flaws you will miss even those when you leave.
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