Home

It is so weird to be home. I miss Sweden more then I thought I would have. I miss my friends, I miss the food, I miss hearing Swedish all the time, I miss everything except Uni. but well, those that have attended Jonkoping Uni. know why it's one not to miss.
I was only in Chicago for a day in a half, before I came up to Michigan to see my Mom, David and Aleah. I really missed them, but... I hate to say it, I still miss Sweden and everything about it more.
I do however miss my friends in Chicago a lot. I can't wait to be able to catch up with all of them and hear all the things that they have been up to these last few months.
I am finishing up a few loose ends with school this year, and found out my new roommate is a Swedish girl from Jonkoping which is for sure going to help me keep up with my Swedish out of the classroom, and in turn help her loads with being in a new city, meeting people, and maybe with her English.
I cant say that I am happy to be home, but I am at the same time not unhappy either. I didnt think this was going to be so hard coming home, I for sure thought that going to Sweden would have been harder. Now more then ever I am certain that I belong in Europe, I feel more at home there, I am happier there. Many might say that of course I think this way because I just got home and I am board, but.. I felt this way everytime I have left Europe and came home, these feelings are just more strong after have being there for so long.
What do I do to be happy here?

Some personal thoughts while Traveling

So I haven't really kept a travel journal just my blog, but while I was in Italy and Spain I had little to NO time to put anything up, and I haven't been able to upload any pictures yet. So I got a little notebook, just to help me get my mind around some things I had been thinking about.

Personal Discovery!!

Americans have a hard time with something called, the art of doing nothing. Europeans have an easier time then we do, why... I don't really know, but I have a few ideas. But I have been on a quest to try and perfect this art. So while I was alone in Barcelona, I walked into this amazing park. It had so much to see, and there were people everywhere, so after I had a look around, I sat at this amazing fountain, back to people walking around, and just sat there. I sat there and listened to the water, and the sound of kids playing in the distance, and the most scary sound maybe ever, My own thoughts. I sat there for almost 45 min I think, with no book, no i-pod, nothing to drink or eat, and I didn't even people watch. I just sat there.

While I sat there I thought about something that I am sure I had herd somewhere before, but at that moment, it was my own.

Life is a gift, that you cannot return or exchange. It's the only one you have like it, and it something that you have to use to endless amounts, because it's irreplaceable. You need to fill it with joy and love. Slow down more, breath it all in, enjoy this gift. Look at things in a different light.

Smile more, worry less. This is how I feel, and I will never forget this and how I came to this. I cant always worry about money and time, I am not by any means saying its not important but, there are more important things in my life.

God has been with me during this whole trip. I know he has. He has kept me safe, and has brought people into my life that are irreplaceable. No matter how much debt I may be in now, I even had my heart broken, but regardless, it has been the best 8 months of my life. I have learned more about myself because I took the time to listen to myself.

Interesting conversation

The other night I had a very interesting conversation with a bunch of Danes. The cartoon drawing of Mohammad the Islamic Prophet was brought up. This part of the conversation came up right after I tried to convince them that all the followers of Islam are NOT terrorists and the Middle Easterners living in other parts of the world don't all have connections to clans back home or are parts of jihad. Yes this mentality still exists, and although there are many Muslims currently living in Denmark, there is a negative feeling toward them. These guys I spoke with also said that it is not fair that the girls who live in Denmark are given special treatment during PE classes just because they cant show themselves to guys and that they should conform to the society they are living in. Conform on all aspects of the new society. So, basically I asked, because the majority of Danes are not Muslims, Jewish, or Atheists, but are "Christians" that everyone should conform to Christianity and live a Christian life with Christian values. And of course they said no, that wouldn't work. And that, that is not the same thing, hmm... WHAT?? Are you serious?

This in itself was a heated conversation, but the cartoon conversation is what really put me over the edge. I am surprised at the narrow minded thinking from the Danes in this conversation actually, and thus the reason for this blog entry.

For those of you who are living in a bubble and don't know about this, The Danish newspaper; The Jyllands-Posten published twelve editorial cartoons, most of which depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad. One in particular that we discussed was one that had a bomb as his hat.
Now, these guys said there was no reason Denmark should give any sort of an apology for any of these drawings. That the "Danish humor is Irony, and that was the kind of humor in the cartoons". They also said that these drawings were meant for Danes, who understand this kind of humor, not for the rest of the world. No one should get so upset over them.
They also said it was a huge disrespect that the Danish flag was burned in retaliation to these cartoons.

Now, I want to know what you think about this. I have my opinions and any of you who know me will know how I feel about this.

I am completely against this kind of "freedom of speech". I think that the Danes should have actually thought about this before publishing them. I understand that cartoons have been a means for Danes to communicate issues, etc. but to think that the Muslim people shouldn't be mad or feel any sort of animosity toward the Danes for doing this.. is ridiculous. What is more funny is that after saying this they got upset about the issue of the burning of the flag... hmmm, really?!?
There was nothing I could say, every point I brought up, all they could talk about was the flag burning fiasco. And how they had no right to do that. Ironic?

Obviously these guys are not only narrow minded, and ignorant. This kind of mentality is what keeps all forms of hatred like stereotyping and racism so prominent and in circulation all over the world, leading to wars, conflicts, etc.

Do all Danish people feel this way? Or the majority of them? Or do they feel like this was the wrong way to approach this, and a bad call of the newspaper?