The refugee crisis here in Germany has forced me to get involved in people's lives, who I normally would not have even met. The enormity of their needs is unimaginable. Basic, social, medical, entertainment, education......the list could go on. Once involved in one person's life, getting involved in another's life is unavoidable. My heart bleeds for those who have lost everything, some have even lost children to the war in Syria. The fact that there are so many idiots here in Germany who want to stop the flow of refugees into the country amazes me. The two world wars that Germany began have taught the people absolutely nothing about human rights and the value of life in general. My sincere hope is that the government will remain more intelligent than the general population, continue to keep its doors open and help as many people as possible.
When the camp on Bremerstraße opened and Dresden für Alle was the first there to help get the refugees food, clothing and other basic needs I was also there. When they left and the Red Cross took over I stayed to help and stayed as long as possible. Now that I have stepped out of the forefront and am doing what I set out to do in February when PEGIDA had been turning the streets of Dresden into a horrible nightmare of hate, violence and bombings for over 4 months it's still difficult for me to understand the motivation of people here to carry out such acts of violence. 2015 is the 70th anniversary of the bombing of the city by allied forces, the end of World War II and the 25th anniversary of the falling of the Berlin wall. It seems that the people would learn to be a little more tolerant within this timeframe; however, that's not the case. In their minds there is only fear of the unknown, hatred of all foreigners and the knowledge that they are the superior race on the planet. No one here questions these things. This is where our problems here in Dresden begin. My work will continue, despite the fear and animosity which exist here. #RefugeesWelcome
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Pegida in Dresden
As an American who has lived in Dresden for over 6 years, I'm shocked at the rate Pegida has grown and the lengths that their puppeteer Lutz Bachmann will go to, to start trouble here. A convicted criminal himself is preaching that refugees from Syria are harmful to the German people and their way of life. How can he say this, when he is a criminal himself? Are they more harmful than he is?
Yesterday morning a young black refugee was murdered and the police in Dresden, although the young man had stab wounds on his chest and neck, are slow to call it a murder. My personal opinion is that most of the police are at least Pegida sympathizers.
Dresden is no stranger to upheaval. Every year on February 13th, the Nazis march through the streets of Dresden and in some past years have caused riots. They say that the Allied Forces falsely bombed Dresden in 1945 and 'murdered' thousands of innocent people. Were they not the one's who started the war? Or murdered thousands of innocent Jews?
I'm so angry about all of the hatred that is part of Dresden and although I wouldn't exactly call it my life's mission, I will say it's my goal to help at least calm the tide of hatred that is an ingrained part of this beautiful city.
Yesterday morning a young black refugee was murdered and the police in Dresden, although the young man had stab wounds on his chest and neck, are slow to call it a murder. My personal opinion is that most of the police are at least Pegida sympathizers.
Dresden is no stranger to upheaval. Every year on February 13th, the Nazis march through the streets of Dresden and in some past years have caused riots. They say that the Allied Forces falsely bombed Dresden in 1945 and 'murdered' thousands of innocent people. Were they not the one's who started the war? Or murdered thousands of innocent Jews?
I'm so angry about all of the hatred that is part of Dresden and although I wouldn't exactly call it my life's mission, I will say it's my goal to help at least calm the tide of hatred that is an ingrained part of this beautiful city.
A New Chapter in Dresden
I took part in MIT's ULab at the beginning of this year and it was really an awesome experience for me. Please don't equate awesome with easy, it wasn't easy and took a tremendous amount of time and energy. However, it was really life changing in that it forced me to take a closer look at my personal and business relationships and think critically about how I could improve them by improving myself. Turning the mirror in my direction and taking a look inside was not at all easy, but the result was well worth the effort. I began to think about how 'I' was always thinking about how what people were telling me related to me specifically and, if I were honest with myself, how I didn't really listen to what they were saying most of the time. The ULab changed all of that. At the end of the course I had truly transformed myself into a deep listener and not only did I listen to the words people said, but the deeper meaning in them, not to mention that I learned to listen to myself in the process. As the ULab 2.0 gears up for a new start on September 10, 2015, so do I. As an entrepreneur, Buddhist, and human being who wants to improve not only my life, but the lives of others, I am so excited to start learning something that will help me realize the goal of integrating refugees into Dresden life and culture and helping Dresdeners open their eyes, minds and hearts to welcome and learn from the foreigners who will call Dresden home.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Starting a business in (East) Germany
I have never lived in West Germany for any length of time so I can't say what it's like to try and start a business there. The differences between east and west are still to be seen. They are obvious even to the passive observer. I don't want to dive into those differences at this time, though. The purpose is to let people who are thinking about moving here and starting a business know what challenges they will face.
One important thing to know is that if people here can't justify spending money on the product/service that your business supplies, then you will fail. There is no doubt about that. What they can justify spending money on is the question. This answer is still not known to me. I watch and pay careful attention to what people buy, when and ( if possible to find out) why. This is my form of market research.
I know that people here don't earn as much as their West German counterparts, but the cost of living is a lot less here, too. The question is, of course, is the pay in line with the cost of living. I think it is, so with that being said, the next question is 'what do they think is important?'. Okay, I know beer, sausage, and nice (read expensive) cars are important to everyone here. There are enough black Audi A3's, Beamers of every variety, and Porsches to prove that point. It also seems that expensive 'Jack Wolfskin' everything is in. I've seen people dressed from head to toe in the stuff, so they don't mind spending money on nice clothes.
They will take a bottle of water to a restaurant, though, to avoid having to buy drinks. I don't understand this. Why pay top dollar for clothes and cars and save a few euros on a drink in a restaurant?
The laws governing work are complicated, too. Employers are required to provide their employees with at least 28 days of paid vacation. Sick time is paid up to 6 weeks and then it's only minimally reduced. If the employee has a problem, let's say with alcohol, the employer can't fire him/her until all efforts have been made to rehabilitate the employee. This is definitely something to consider before you start a business here.
It seems that if you have a good idea and your good idea is needed here, then getting a business license isn't that complicated. A lot of paperwork, yes, but it could be worse.
Okay, I've told you about the comical things that could prevent you from taking your idea to the next step, let me give you some encouragement. The people here are awesome. Not to say that you don't have jerks, but the people you meet who like you will be loyal to you no matter what and lend a helping hand at every turn. They'll go above and beyond the call of duty. I have made extraordinary friends here who have helped, encouraged me and even given me a shoulder to cry on when I needed it. The friends you make here are genuine, not the 'good weather' friends who leave you the first time it rains.
I can only offer my encouragement here. If you really are serious about moving here and starting a business, do it. Weather the business is successful or not, you will leave with a whole new perspective on life and a lot of new friends.
One important thing to know is that if people here can't justify spending money on the product/service that your business supplies, then you will fail. There is no doubt about that. What they can justify spending money on is the question. This answer is still not known to me. I watch and pay careful attention to what people buy, when and ( if possible to find out) why. This is my form of market research.
I know that people here don't earn as much as their West German counterparts, but the cost of living is a lot less here, too. The question is, of course, is the pay in line with the cost of living. I think it is, so with that being said, the next question is 'what do they think is important?'. Okay, I know beer, sausage, and nice (read expensive) cars are important to everyone here. There are enough black Audi A3's, Beamers of every variety, and Porsches to prove that point. It also seems that expensive 'Jack Wolfskin' everything is in. I've seen people dressed from head to toe in the stuff, so they don't mind spending money on nice clothes.
They will take a bottle of water to a restaurant, though, to avoid having to buy drinks. I don't understand this. Why pay top dollar for clothes and cars and save a few euros on a drink in a restaurant?
The laws governing work are complicated, too. Employers are required to provide their employees with at least 28 days of paid vacation. Sick time is paid up to 6 weeks and then it's only minimally reduced. If the employee has a problem, let's say with alcohol, the employer can't fire him/her until all efforts have been made to rehabilitate the employee. This is definitely something to consider before you start a business here.
It seems that if you have a good idea and your good idea is needed here, then getting a business license isn't that complicated. A lot of paperwork, yes, but it could be worse.
Okay, I've told you about the comical things that could prevent you from taking your idea to the next step, let me give you some encouragement. The people here are awesome. Not to say that you don't have jerks, but the people you meet who like you will be loyal to you no matter what and lend a helping hand at every turn. They'll go above and beyond the call of duty. I have made extraordinary friends here who have helped, encouraged me and even given me a shoulder to cry on when I needed it. The friends you make here are genuine, not the 'good weather' friends who leave you the first time it rains.
I can only offer my encouragement here. If you really are serious about moving here and starting a business, do it. Weather the business is successful or not, you will leave with a whole new perspective on life and a lot of new friends.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Abortion Rights in the United States
I've been holding conversation groups at the TU here in Dresden and often have time before or after the meetings to peruse the bookshelves for interesting reads. The bookshelf closest to our meeting room happens to have lots of books in English about the American government and political issues that are also controversial. I found a book there last week that I'm currently reading called Bearing Right: How Conservatives Won the Abortion War.
I was an avid supporter of Dr. Carhart in the States and my views on abortion and women's rights haven't really changed since I moved to Germany. By the way, it's legal here and you don't hear much about it. One thing has though, I had a miscarriage last year and since then have felt a sense of loss; a hole in my heart, if you will. I wanted to be pregnant and losing it was heart-wrenching. So it's now my opinion that it doesn't matter how far along you are in your pregnancy when you either miscarry or choose to have an abortion; it's still a loss. Yes, with abortion the woman chooses to end the pregnancy, but the feelings of loss are there. The difference is the way she is treated afterward.
I know that the world as a whole doesn't think abortion is right, but stop for just a moment and put yourself in a woman's position. A woman who has 2 or 3 children at home, not far apart in age and thinks her tubes are tied, because that's what the doctor told her after her last delivery. She's not taking birth control because she thinks there's no need for it. Then a few months later, she finds out she's pregnant again. Her husband has a good job, but she stays home with the kids and they just can't imagine having another mouth to feed.
Imagine being a woman who has tried for years to get pregnant and hasn't been successful, until one awesome day in her 30's, and being absolutely thrilled, until she and her partner learn in her 26th week that the baby doesn't have a brain that is developing normally, or who has tested positive for Down Syndrome. She knows her life has changed forever. No matter what decision she makes, it's heart-wrenching.
Now, what about the 16 year old girl who has been molested since she was 11, who decides it's time for her to find someone who loves her. She meets Mr. Right, has sex with him, because it's natural for her, she's been doing it with her molester since she was 11, anyway. This time she gets pregnant, because Mr. Right isn't trying to cover his tracks, like her molester is. She wants an abortion because in her heart of hearts she knows it's the worst thing that could happen at this point in her life. But she can't, because she needs a parent's signature to have the procedure done. Her father is molesting her, her mother is in denial, or doesn't know. Both think she's a whore. Should she be forced to have that child and raise it, or give it up for adoption because she made a mistake at 16? If you say yes, or that adoption is the answer, you are heartless.
If you still think that no woman has the right to end a pregnancy because it's murder, well, there are worse things which could happen in life. You could be raped and told by someone else that abortion is murder, so you have to bear that child. Now, you have to raise a child that you hate. Or because you can't bear the idea of carrying your attacker's child, you drink motor oil and induce the abortion yourself.
Life is full of choices that you make, everyday, without much thinking about it. There are others which give you pause. Difficult decisions. Decisions that no one else has the right to take away from you because they are personal and private. No matter if you have a family to support you, or not. The decision is still difficult and you, not me, or anyone else, must live with the consequences.
I would like to say that abortion isn't an emotional issue, it's medical and personal. But the reality is, that it's very emotional. No woman makes it lightly. The least any of us can do, is respect her right to choose and support her in any way we can through that very difficult time in her life.
I was an avid supporter of Dr. Carhart in the States and my views on abortion and women's rights haven't really changed since I moved to Germany. By the way, it's legal here and you don't hear much about it. One thing has though, I had a miscarriage last year and since then have felt a sense of loss; a hole in my heart, if you will. I wanted to be pregnant and losing it was heart-wrenching. So it's now my opinion that it doesn't matter how far along you are in your pregnancy when you either miscarry or choose to have an abortion; it's still a loss. Yes, with abortion the woman chooses to end the pregnancy, but the feelings of loss are there. The difference is the way she is treated afterward.
I know that the world as a whole doesn't think abortion is right, but stop for just a moment and put yourself in a woman's position. A woman who has 2 or 3 children at home, not far apart in age and thinks her tubes are tied, because that's what the doctor told her after her last delivery. She's not taking birth control because she thinks there's no need for it. Then a few months later, she finds out she's pregnant again. Her husband has a good job, but she stays home with the kids and they just can't imagine having another mouth to feed.
Imagine being a woman who has tried for years to get pregnant and hasn't been successful, until one awesome day in her 30's, and being absolutely thrilled, until she and her partner learn in her 26th week that the baby doesn't have a brain that is developing normally, or who has tested positive for Down Syndrome. She knows her life has changed forever. No matter what decision she makes, it's heart-wrenching.
Now, what about the 16 year old girl who has been molested since she was 11, who decides it's time for her to find someone who loves her. She meets Mr. Right, has sex with him, because it's natural for her, she's been doing it with her molester since she was 11, anyway. This time she gets pregnant, because Mr. Right isn't trying to cover his tracks, like her molester is. She wants an abortion because in her heart of hearts she knows it's the worst thing that could happen at this point in her life. But she can't, because she needs a parent's signature to have the procedure done. Her father is molesting her, her mother is in denial, or doesn't know. Both think she's a whore. Should she be forced to have that child and raise it, or give it up for adoption because she made a mistake at 16? If you say yes, or that adoption is the answer, you are heartless.
If you still think that no woman has the right to end a pregnancy because it's murder, well, there are worse things which could happen in life. You could be raped and told by someone else that abortion is murder, so you have to bear that child. Now, you have to raise a child that you hate. Or because you can't bear the idea of carrying your attacker's child, you drink motor oil and induce the abortion yourself.
Life is full of choices that you make, everyday, without much thinking about it. There are others which give you pause. Difficult decisions. Decisions that no one else has the right to take away from you because they are personal and private. No matter if you have a family to support you, or not. The decision is still difficult and you, not me, or anyone else, must live with the consequences.
I would like to say that abortion isn't an emotional issue, it's medical and personal. But the reality is, that it's very emotional. No woman makes it lightly. The least any of us can do, is respect her right to choose and support her in any way we can through that very difficult time in her life.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Greatest Memories: Being an Expat
My happiest memory is when I got my tickets to Germany. I had thought about moving to Germany and becoming an expat for a very long time, but when I finally decided to do it, it was like having little fireworks go off in my heart. It was wonderful. Then came all of the planning, emptying an apartment, including all of those non-perishable things in the pantry and trying to decide what to stuff in my suitcase and bring with me and what could survive a few years in storage. This all sounds rather simple, but once you're neck deep in a lifetime of memories, it's just not that simple. That's one thing in itself, making all of the decisions that land you in a foreign country, but I think the most difficult part of the whole thing is saying good-bye to the ones you love and the surprising thing is that the people you think mean the most to you, won't be there a year after you leave, but the people who you really didn't think about or care for, will be the ones to lend a hand after you've left and need to tie up a few loose ends. They're the ones who will lend a listening ear and Skype with you in the middle of the night, when they have to work the next day.
When you leave your comfort zone and move to a country with a language other than your own, you will be challenge beyond your wildest imagination. Everything you think will be easy will become your worst nightmare. When you move you'll need to invest in Kleenex, or whatever brand of tissues are popular in your new country because you'll buy enough of them to make the investment a smart decision. Also, don't fool yourself into thinking that moving to Europe will be easy because the people are also 'westerners'. Yes, women are free to do as they choose, sex isn't taboo, smoking is normal and people generally share the same customs as Americans, but there are so many little cultural differences that it will make you sprout gray hair in no time. The little innuendoes that you totally won't get will embarrass you to no end and you'll need to excuse yourself and pull out your Kleenex. Don't worry though, within a year or two you'll start to feel at home, make friends with the locals and share national holidays and events that don't make sense in the States. Oh, did I mention enjoy your four weeks of vacation per year?
My happiest moments, after moving to Germany, are too many to count. I have found my second home here and would be devastated if I had to leave. It's still difficult sometimes dealing with government agencies and the occasional hater, but all in all, I wouldn't trade it for anything. So if you're sitting on the fence about making the leap across the pond I can only tell you to do it. Yes, there'll be days that you'll regret it, but in the long run, it will change your life forever and it doesn't matter if it's only for a year or even six months. If you have the chance, take it.
When you leave your comfort zone and move to a country with a language other than your own, you will be challenge beyond your wildest imagination. Everything you think will be easy will become your worst nightmare. When you move you'll need to invest in Kleenex, or whatever brand of tissues are popular in your new country because you'll buy enough of them to make the investment a smart decision. Also, don't fool yourself into thinking that moving to Europe will be easy because the people are also 'westerners'. Yes, women are free to do as they choose, sex isn't taboo, smoking is normal and people generally share the same customs as Americans, but there are so many little cultural differences that it will make you sprout gray hair in no time. The little innuendoes that you totally won't get will embarrass you to no end and you'll need to excuse yourself and pull out your Kleenex. Don't worry though, within a year or two you'll start to feel at home, make friends with the locals and share national holidays and events that don't make sense in the States. Oh, did I mention enjoy your four weeks of vacation per year?
My happiest moments, after moving to Germany, are too many to count. I have found my second home here and would be devastated if I had to leave. It's still difficult sometimes dealing with government agencies and the occasional hater, but all in all, I wouldn't trade it for anything. So if you're sitting on the fence about making the leap across the pond I can only tell you to do it. Yes, there'll be days that you'll regret it, but in the long run, it will change your life forever and it doesn't matter if it's only for a year or even six months. If you have the chance, take it.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Education
A post from a professor of German on FB started a long thread of condolences and comments about kids today who think they don't have to do anything and should be given everything. It started because a student didn't do an assignment and wanted an extension on the deadline. He told her that she knew in advance the assignment was due on a specific day and she didn't do it, so the answer was no, she couldn't have an extension. Her response was typical for someone in their twenties who has never been forced to do anything they didn't want to do. She complained about having to learn a foreign language, even though she has no need for it and that it was only a check beside a long list of classes she has to take that won't help her in her major or future. Her point was that the professor should give her a passing grade so she could go on with her life.
My question is what happened to her in her childhood to make her think that anyone should give her anything? Does the world owe her something simply because she was born? She most likely thinks she's privileged because she was born in the United States of America and doesn't need to do anything to earn a living or her place in society. The Mobile County School System is only exacerbating the problem by passing new guidelines instructing teachers that they must give extensions to students for their assignments if they don't meet the deadline. What do they think they are teaching the children? If you don't have time to do your homework, it's okay, you can do it later. You know, after you get finished watching all of your fave t.v. shows and facebooking all your friends and stuff. Like whenever you get the chance. K. What kind of education is that? What kind of adults will they be? Can our society survive with people who have this kind of mindset? My thoughts on that are: 1) That's not an education. 2) They will expect deadline to be extended regardless of the circumstances. 3) Our society can't survive with people thinking that way. Seriously. Go to a third world country and live for a while, maybe then you'll see that life isn't all about what you want when you want it. Make a contribution first and then maybe you'll have the right to ask for an extension on a deadline when you've just had surgery and need a few days to recover, or one of your parents die, or your child was just diagnosed with cancer.
My question is what happened to her in her childhood to make her think that anyone should give her anything? Does the world owe her something simply because she was born? She most likely thinks she's privileged because she was born in the United States of America and doesn't need to do anything to earn a living or her place in society. The Mobile County School System is only exacerbating the problem by passing new guidelines instructing teachers that they must give extensions to students for their assignments if they don't meet the deadline. What do they think they are teaching the children? If you don't have time to do your homework, it's okay, you can do it later. You know, after you get finished watching all of your fave t.v. shows and facebooking all your friends and stuff. Like whenever you get the chance. K. What kind of education is that? What kind of adults will they be? Can our society survive with people who have this kind of mindset? My thoughts on that are: 1) That's not an education. 2) They will expect deadline to be extended regardless of the circumstances. 3) Our society can't survive with people thinking that way. Seriously. Go to a third world country and live for a while, maybe then you'll see that life isn't all about what you want when you want it. Make a contribution first and then maybe you'll have the right to ask for an extension on a deadline when you've just had surgery and need a few days to recover, or one of your parents die, or your child was just diagnosed with cancer.
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