Austin, Texas

Last Wednesday I drove down to Austin, Texas to visit the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT Austin. I hadn't been to Austin in a few years, and it was nice to go and visit my cousin. I also got to have lunch and see the campus with a friend from SMU, so that was also nice! To be honest, I didn't like the city of Austin very much, but I really liked the campus of UT. It's a huge campus, but has a really friendly atmosphere. Another thing I really like about the campus is that it's really green, with lots of trees and fountains. The traffic in Austin is horrible. To keep from having to drive the entire way on I-35, I took a different way through Groesbeck and had lunch with Aunt Nancy and Uncle Tom! I like being back here in Texas, except for one thing... the weather! It is so hot! I am really looking forward to the cool Monterey weather.

I hope everyone who reads this blog has a happy Memorial Day!

The Top 15 Cities (according to Molly)

Rules: These are all Molly's opinions. I don't care what your opinion is or if you disagree. The only rule that I enforced in making my choices was that I had to have physically been in the city the past year. The past year is defined as May 2007-May 2008. So, this would exclude Santa Fe and Washington, DC (two cities that would have likely made the list) but would include places like New York City and Boston (I had a connecting flight through Boston while coming home from Paris).

1. Most Relaxing City: Monterey, California
Put aside the fact that Monterey is a stunningly beautiful place, there are seals, and you are constantly looking at one of the world's most well preserved ocean sanctuaries...it's the atmosphere of Monterey that is so relaxing. The weather rarely goes above 70 degrees, the fog gives a comforting feel to this harbor city, and the people are warm and friendly.

2. Most Charming City: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Webster defines charming as "extremely pleasing or delightful: entrancing". Go to Luxembourg City and see if you can walk away from the city without being entranced. Luxembourg City is a multi-layer city, connected with bridges. It's so often overlooked, but Luxembourg is a major hub in Europe, as Luxembourg is home to the EU Secretariat.

3. Most Beautiful City: Pebble Beach, California
The other candidates for this title were Nice, Geneva, Zurich, and Strasbourg. But these other candidates do not compare to Pebble Beach. I've yet to see a place in the world that comes close to the natural beauty and splendid views that Pebble Beach offers.

4. Most Cosmopolitan City: Geneva, Switzerland
With over 250 world headquarters (including the United Nations and Red Cross), it's hard to argue that there is a city more cosmopolitan than Geneva. Geneva has world class shopping, banking, universities and businesses. Geneva is also very beautiful and clean.

5. Most Touristy City: London, England
This was a difficult choice for me to make. But, honestly, when I look back at all the cities I've visited and the memories that are evoked, the memory of London that I have is of all the tourist shops. Also, everything costs money for tourists. For example, in Paris, you rarely have to pay to go into a church. In London, you have to pay to go into almost every church. And when the dollar is so weak against the pound, it's no fun.

6. Most Efficient City: Copenhagen, Denmark
Hands down, Copenhagen was the most efficient city I've ever visited. The airport was easy to navigate, the trains ran like clock-work, the Copenhagen city card was well worth the money, and the city is easy to get around. One of the highlights of my Copenhagen trip was taking a water bus across the harbor...and it ran right on time!

7. Cleanest City: Vienna, Austria
Vienna offers a lot to see but one thing that really struck me about Vienna was that it was so clean. The parks were well maintained, the city had very little trash in it, and the tourist areas were particularly clean. Vienna has a really creepy metro system, but it's balanced out by the clean-ness and open atmosphere of the city.

8. Most Historical City: Paris, France
After living in Paris for a year, I can assure you that this could possibly be the most historical city in the world. From the Louvre to Notre Dame to Montmartre, there is historical appreciation everywhere in Paris. No matter what era of history you enjoy, be it the French Revolution or World War II, Paris has something to offer for every history buff.

9. Friendliest City: Strasbourg, France
I was so surprised with Strasbourg. For more information, you can read my previous post on the city. It was such a nice blend of French and German cultures. The people were very helpful and friendly, nothing like what I was expecting (probably because I had been living in Paris for 7 months). It's too bad that more people don't visit Strasbourg because if they did, France might have a friendlier reputation.

10. Best Food: Munich, Germany
Let me just say that I do not normally like German food. But, out of all the places I visited, I had good food at every meal I ate in Munich. Granted, it was a lot of beer and pretzels, but it was really good.

11. Most Affordable City: Salinas, California
Salinas is the "salad bowl of America", meaning that almost 80% of all fruits and vegetables come from Salinas. Driving through Salinas is a great drive, but more importantly, there are the many farmers markers that Salinas offers, from Monterey to Santa Cruz. It's possible to buy 2 pounds of strawberries for $3.00. That's affordable.

12. Best Shopping: New York City, New York
If you disagree, visit my Mom when she's in Manhattan, and you'll change your mind. Trust me.

13. Most Majestic City: Boston, Massachusetts
I flew from Paris to Boston and got a beautiful view of the Boston skyline. There is something majestic about the skyline of Boston right on the harbor. I have fond memories of strolling down Newbury Street, visiting the Boston Aquarium and walking the Freedom Trail. So maybe my version of Boston has been idealized, but to me, it's one of the most majestic cities in the world.

14. Best Overall City (Europe): Zurich, Switzerland
This was a difficult decision, but ultimately, Zurich encompasses everything that I loved about many different European cities. It is beautiful, peaceful, charming, and friendly. The churches are lovely and the swans on the lake are magical. Being in Zurich is like being in a snowglobe.

15. Best Overall City (United States): San Francisco, California
Why San Francisco? If you remember my rules, I had to have visited the city since May 2007, otherwise I would have put Washington, DC. But I really, really like San Francisco. I love the cool weather, the fog, the lights on the Bay at night, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Chinese food. The people are friendly and there is a lot of culture in the city, and I like that a lot.

There you have it! I'll be living in Monterey, California this summer but plan on making many trips. I have ideas about going to Big Sur, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, possibly Napa or Sonoma, and San Francisco. Also, after I graduate (in December), I want to take a big trip. My first choice right now is Cairo, Egypt. If anyone has any other ideas, send me an email and let me know!

Measure your life in Love

Finally my time here in Paris is coming to an end. I am returning to Monterey, California this summer to continue my Arabic, so this blog will live on! This semester was not as easy for me as last semester. I was homesick much more often and in February, I was tired of speaking French to everyone. But there have been a few people who I am particularly grateful for this semester, so I thought I would show some appreciation.

Drumroll please....

First, I should thank my parents. Dad was always faithful in putting $100 in my account every week, ok let's be honest, every 3 days. He always kept me very focused on both now and the future, which has paid off with my internship at the Red Cross. Also, Dad is one of the few people who I know if I call home, he'll be there. And Mom, thanks for not dying. You always kept me in the "know" with all the family gossip and parties and whatnot. In addition, thank you for not replacing me with the "other" BFF. Mom always kept me up to date on Matt...

Matt: Even though it will be a sad day for you when we go running when I get home, you've been a constant support, always putting things into perspective...kind of, except with the whole Revolution in America thing.

Grandma and Grandpa: I should definitely say that Grandma was, by far, the person who was always the most excited to hear from me, which really meant a lot, especially on days that I was feeling down. Grandma and Grandpa always knew the exact number of months, days and hours in which I would return, which at first was sad but now is a joyful thing! And Grandpa, thanks for eating the chocolate cake for me.

Kelle and Matt: They really made my fall semester by coming to visit! It's not often that I got visitors in Paris and it really meant a lot to me that they took the time (and money) to come to Paris. Kelle always answered my emails faithfully, and I'm looking forward to seeing her again in May.

Aunt Nancy and Uncle Tom: Even though we didn't talk very much this semester, I've heard through the grapevine that you read my blog. I'm so thankful that Aunt Nancy is better and we will see each other very soon.

Kim, Matt and Maggie: Really, this is the most amazing group only because Kim claims that Maggie reads my blog...and if that is true then Maggie is the coolest baby ever. Seriously, Kim always made an effort to keep in touch, which is really considerate because I know how busy she is. Soon they will be in Texas which will be very cool!

Mrs. Wilkinson: Probably my most loyal reader. My mom tells me that you have to inform her of when I update this blog! I still have the angel you gave me, it has been sitting beside my bed all year. I think of you often and know that we will see each other soon.

Erik and Inga Gjerstad: Copenhagen was the best trip I took, the entire year, and it was all because of your kindness and hospitality. The trip was so relaxing because it was like being with my Mom and Dad! Erik always supplied me with amazing stories of Afghanistan and Macedonia, with Inga always providing a listening ear and a beer.

Emily: I feel like I should always be apologizing to you for being your maid-of-honor, but being gone the entire time! Despite all the wedding planning, Emily always had time to talk...on the phone, which is very exciting for someone who is over 5,000 miles away from their best friend!

Rebecca: My Monterey Best Friend...we got so close, yet so far. You made it to Spain, but not France. That's alright, I will visit you in Cairo one day, I promise. Until then...money money money...

Adrienne and Fhar: It means a lot to me that we have remained friends. I will visit you in Cairo, but will probably see in you Monterey before that. Adrienne, your perspective on Middle Eastern affairs always interests me and I hope that when I get to Cairo, the city will be a little more liberal because of you! And Fhar, bike riding in Carmel is one thing, but Cairo is another. Please don't get killed!

Stephanie and Drissa: I will miss our African nights. But don't worry, they will continue in St. Louis. Stephanie and Drissa always patiently listened to my dreams, from living in Austin to owning a banana farm in Kenya.

Julia: My faithful travel companion...where haven't we been? Strasbourg, Brussels, Lille (sadly), Toulouse, Montpellier, Vienna, Zurich, Munich, and we can't forget the American Hospital in Paris! You're a very strong person and this semester would not have been the same without you.

Brittany: Your constant interest in my Arabic and humanitarian studies has always kept me inspired. Even on my worst days, I could always count on Brittany to lift my spirits. Without Brittany, I would never have discovered some amazing music. Also, she's the only other person on Earth who appreciates the movie "Prime".

Megan: The weekly trips to H&M has been a highlight for me this semester...And who am I? That's one secret I'll never tell. You know you love me. xoxo, Gossip Girl.

Of course I couldn't have endured this semester without my Arabic class, but I don't think that any of them read this blog. French people, while they are hard to get to know, are some of the most loyal people I've ever met.

And, though it seems my time here in Paris is over, I am not sad. I am excited to see everyone and to get back to Monterey to continue Arabic.

This is not the end.

One Clear Thing

After I graduate I am considering the possibility of becoming a developmental/aid worker. Last semester I read a haunting book, "Emma's War", about a young British aid worker who worked for an international organization, moved to Sudan, and became so disillusioned that she married a warlord. Her idealism was sacrificed when she became part of the cause. This book haunted me for many months, until early January when I talked to a close friend about the book. This friend is involved and knows many people in international organizations. I was shocked when she told me that she, too, had heard of Emma and actually had met her. It seems that among international organizations Emma has become a legend. It became personal to me. Emma was no longer just a character in a book.

I re-read the book a few days ago, and found a part that I thought would interest the Western reader. The book generally is about southern Sudan, not about Darfur, but there is one part of the book that briefly discusses Darfur, the current "popular" genocide among the West.

In the early 1990s, the journalist who wrote the book, Deborah Scroggins was in Khartoum and southern Sudan. She couldn't find the famine she had heard about in various countries, such as Somalia or Ethiopia. She consulted a friend, Alastair, who worked at Oxfam who told her to go west.

This is the journalist's recollections on how she found out about Darfur:

"What do I remember about that night? An apartment a little less empty than most...the smell of curry, a couple of British aid workers sprawled on the couch...How Alastair later took me aside to say that the famine I was looking for wasn't in Ethiopia but more than two thousand miles in the other direction, in the far western province of Darfur, on the Bahr al-Arab River in the land of the Baggara Arabs--and that was a famine the United States wasn't talking about...

I read quickly. A large influx of destitute southerners has been moving into south Darfur since December. Their arrival is connected with the collapse of security in and around Wau...Confidential: Two thirds of the children in the feeding center have MUAC ratio of 60 percent or less...MUAC means 'muscle upper arm circumference'...I knew from my reading that MUAC ratios of 60 percent was aidspeak for saying that two-thirds of the children had lost almost half their body weight...How do you say that again--Safaha? 'Yes, said Alastair, There it is, he said, pointing to a tiny strip of letters in the empty lower left of the map next to the crooked line of a river. Safaha lies above the northern boundary, he said. Technically it's outside the war zone...

Patta called everyone to dinner."
(Emma's War, pgs 90-91)

The situation in Darfur has been going on since the early 1990s. But sadly no one cared then. And I sometimes wonder if people really care now.