Long-distance Relationships

I met a wonderful man with very clear goals for his life and dreams that mirror my own. He also has clear boundaries and isn't afraid to tell me "no". Most things that are important to me are also important to him. I am happy to have met such a man, as I think they are few and far between. One of the few things we don't agree on is football. He is a die hard Nebraska Huskers fan and I am an Alabama fan. At least he knows the Alabama theme song, so it is something to work with. I think he plans to try and convert me to a Nebraska fan....so I wish him luck with that one. I can teach him some German and maybe I will learn a little Huskers history.

Abortion rights

I am a avid supporter of the right to choose abortion. I am not sure if I could ever actually have one myself, but I believe that every woman in the US should have the freedom to make that decision. I support Dr. Carhart and his mission to ensure that women have a safe and legal alternative to giving birth.
What I do not understand about this issue is that the people who are avidly against abortion will go to any lengths to stop it, even if it means murdering the abortionist and harrassing clinic workers. Yet they use the belief that any killing is wrong to defend their anti-abortion stance. It seems to me that if they are against abortion they would also be against murder, however it is apparent with the murder of Dr. Tiller, that they don't have a problem murdering a doctor in his church.
It saddens me that Dr. Carhart has been named the number one target of Operation Rescue's murdering mafia. I wish that no matter what side of the issue people are on that they could back up and realize that the decision is very private and personal and they should respect that privacy. However, some people never grow up and make this realization.

Friends in Mobile

A truly good friend is one who will play the piano for you over Skype when you need cheering up, or drop you a line just to say that she is thinking about you . I am fortunate to have one of those special friends.

The best part of the story is that now she can play the piano for me in person and leave the sometimes unreliable Skype out of the equation. I am looking forward to the coming week with her and making lots of music and laughter during this time that we have together.

Racism

Racism, I believe, still runs rampant in the U.S. , however, what right does the President of the United States have to comment on a case that he did not personally witness? Answer, he doesn't have a right. It is true that racism still exist in the U.S. and throughout the world but unless you are a witness to the events, please hold your tongue Mr. President.

Medical Insurance Program

In the papers this morning was a story about the Senate Finance Committee's struggle to get some kind of medical insurance reform passed. I am extremely happy to hear that the talks now include a discussion about providing support to nonprofit cooperatives to sell insurance in competition to private companies and hold down cost as opposed to Obama's proposal that there be a government (socialist) medical program. As a general Obama supporter, I was alarmed when he wanted to introduce a government run medical program. All the american people have to do is look to Canada and Europe to see that government run programs are not the best in the world. While Germany has the best social medicine program, none of them could possibly work in the US. We have the best medical care in the world and it comes (unfortunately for most) at a cost. What is needed, is a new way to reign in the rapid acceleration of medical cost without curtailing the research being done to improve the quality of care.

Job Losses

It concerns me deeply that the people in the US are suffering so deeply from the fear of companies closing their doors. This translates into job loss of which I am now a part of the growing problem. I am looking for a job anywhere in the world and am willing to relocate, as long as the pay is sufficient. I wonder, though, about the people who have families which will be uprooted if the painful choice to relocate in order to secure a good paying job is made. Being single and childless has afforded me a flexibility that most people don't have.

My question to the President is this "What are you doing to reduce the economic strain on the American people?" So far I don't hear an answer and being an Obama supporter I am disappointed.

American living in China

I am an American who would defend our wonderful country in a heartbeat, yet I wish I could be somewhere else. I recently received a job offer to teach in China, which sounds very interesting. The american in me says, wait a second, what are you doing, and the adventurist in me says, what are you waiting for? I would love to hear from other americans who live or have lived in China in the recent past to be able to judge whether or not I should take the plunge and sign the one year contract. I have a phone interview with the school this week so that I can ask the questions I need or want answered and I have a list of questions prepared, however some input into the situation would be helpful.
Please feel free to comment or make suggestions.

Friendship

I am learning alot about people in Europe and Germany especially living in Dresden. The people have a different attitude toward work and family here than they do in the US. I am an American through and through, but I don't think we spend enough time with each other to listen and talk about what is important.
Have you ever gone home from work, ordered pizza, had it delivered, and ate while watching tv with your significant other? What kind of relationship is that? Better yet, what are we teaching our children about relationships?
The tough thing to do is sit down with someone we love and ask them how they really feel. Why? We (me especially) are afraid of what the other person might say. Are we really happy working 50 hours a week, ordering fast food and not talking about the things that count? If not, how do we change our lives? I don't have any answers for the questions above. I only hope that when I meet someone out there that I am honest enough with myself to be honest with my partner and that I am able to take the things I have learned from both sides of the Atlantic and use them to have a better life. I hope the same for all of my friends who plan to venture outside of the US.

Living in Germany has been a true adventure, you just never know what's around the corner. I love it here, but without a permanent position in the workforce I am no longer allowed to live here. It's a shame that I can't stay, however the memories that I have made here will last a lifetime. The people are so kind and willing to help, even if you only speak broken german. I have traveled throughout Germany and to Prague in the Czech Republic. I haven't found a place yet that I thought was ugly or where the people were unkind.
I think Americans could learn a lesson from the people here about what is important in life. We can always find another job, move to a different city, buy a new car and house, but we cannot buy friendship, or help from a good friend when we need it. People and the relationships we have with them is what is important. Relaxation, and taking time to smell the roses is also important. I believe many Americans are so enthralled with work and making a dollar that they often forget to relax for a minute and call a friend.
I will be returning to the US next month and although I will admit to missing KrispyKreme and Starbucks I am in no hurry to return to the hustle and bustle of American life.

Small World

It seems to me that the world is becoming smaller and smaller. I am living in Dresden, Germany teaching english. One of my studnts mentioned today that he is from Romania and moved to Bamberg to study. Upon graduation he took a job there and his boss at the time had lived in Mobile, Alabama for two years working as an engineer. My home town is Mobile, Alabama and the woman I am now rooming with has a son who is studying at the same University that my student graduated from. Coincidence? Not sure, but because I have had several conversations with different people here in Germany who have mentioned being in Alabama or Mobile it drives home the fact that the world seems to be shrinking. Language will soon no longer be a barrier to discussions about whatever one chooses to discuss with his or her fellow passanger on a train, plane or boat headed to another country, and who knows perhaps the person sitting next to you has been to "your neck of the woods".