Bonjour et au revoir!

Well, I am home. My adventures in Europe have come to an end. I have been home for a week and a half, and it feels so strange. It's not that I am not glad to be home. I am. I missed my friends and family. But my time in Europe was so amazing. It's change the way I think and the way I am.

How can I even begin to describe the experience of the last few months?This trip has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I don't know if I can put that into words, but I will try.

I think one of the most awesome parts of this trip was seeing history come alive. I know that is cliche, but knowing that the Berlin wall fell and hearing a room of people talk about how they experienced it are two totally different things.

One of the things I was looking forward to most when coming on this trip was seeing different cultures and what makes people think the way that they do. And that was definitely one of the things I enjoyed most. Yes, people are basically the same--but there are those subtle differences ingrained by culture, nuances that are beautiful to interact with. I think I learned so much about myself because interacting with people from other cultures made me realize where my own culture was ingrained within me.

Of course, I have learned a great deal about feminism and gender. When I say I have learned about feminism, I mean I have learned how diverse it is. I have learned how many different kinds of people can call themselves feminist. I have learned that my own brand of feminism isn't the way that everyone approaches feminism. And my views about gender have been greatly expanded. Already, in the time I've been back, I can tell I view gender and relationships differently. I think about it a lot more. I analyze things a lot more. Most of the time, that is a good thing. :) (Except when I can't turn off my brain when I need to).

I truly enjoyed my time in Europe. It changed my life in ways I never imagined it would. To whoever is still reading this (I can't imagine that being very many people considering I was kinda lax towards the end), thank you to everyone who encouraged me to go on this trip. And thank you for all your support, excitement, editing help, and love. I never would have been able to go if it hadn't been for the support I received.

Goodbye!
Jennifer

Paris

oh Paris.

I am in love with Paris (although if I could have Paris without having to navigate the subway system, I might be plus heruese.)

Yesterday, we went to Montmartre. Montmartre is an area of Paris on a hill--you can see the whole city from there. Sacre Couer Basillica is also there. We wandered around, enjoyed the view, and went to a fabulous Salvador Dali exhibit. I think I enjoyed it more than Dad did, though.

Today, Dad wanted to rest so I ventured out on my own. I found a place that sold good ground coffee online, so I went to that area, which happened to have the Centre Pompidou right near it. The building was huge with all kinds of pipes and such on the outside, very colorful, and it houses a modern art museum, a cinema, and a library. I visited the museum, which had an exhibition called the Big Bang. It was a modern art exhibition arranged by topics (destuction, chaos, sex, war, etc.). It was amazing.

I also bought some coffee and chocolate, which are essentials, of course. :)

Tomorrow, I leave for home (although I don't actually get to go to Wichita Falls--we leave from Dallas to go to Arkansas on Friday to see family). I am sad my wonderful European adventure is coming to end, though I am ready for some rest.

Jennifer

Bon soir!

Bonjour mes amies!

My French is very bad, which I am finding out. :)

Well, the last couple of days in London were awesome but sad. My friend Julie and I had afternoon tea! :) That was so fun. We need to incorporate afternoon tea into the American lifestyle.

The last night we were all in London, we decided to go to a bookstore with a cafe to have desserts together. It was crowded, so a couple of the girls suggested we go upstairs to the women's studies section to talk. We agreed, so we headed towards the elevator. Being the crazy people that we are, we all (all being 13) piled onto the elevator together. We were packed in like sardines! Well, of course, we got the elevator stuck! It took them 20 or 30 minutes to get us out because they had to call a technician. I thought the whole situation was hilarious, but some of the girls were not doing so well--a couple were close to fainting. They had to lower the elevator to the ground floor. When we finally got out, there was a whole crowd outside watching us pile out. One of the store clerks said, "Wow, there were a lot of you in there." The person limit for the elevator was 13--that was all we had in there. :) Hehe. That could only have happened to us.

So, then I spent a week in Taize. Taize is a monastery in the south of France. It's out in the middle of beautiful french countryside with rolling hills and streams and small villages. And it's really a unique atmosphere. Young people come from all over the world to be there. In my small group, there was a person from Australia, one from Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Argentina, and Korea. How's that for covering all seven continents (including myself)? Prayer happens three times a day, but it is very different from normal services. They sing short chants in various different languages, usually singing each one from ten to twenty times. There is no sermon, and there is always a long stretch of silence (usually 10 minutes or so). The days are packed with prayer, bible study, work, and fellowship. It was a very nice, relaxing week, though I did get sick (boo). Taize is a good place to be. I hope I can go back again.

Now I am in Paris. We went to the Louvre yesterday. It was very impressive--so huge!! I couldn't believe the size. Four floors that went around and around and around. We only did one floor and didn't really have time to look at everything on that floor even. But it was cool. And we saw the Mona Lisa, of course.

Today, we went to see the Eiffel tower. It is cool, but it is just a tower. :) I had to spend 5 hours at it once, so now I am not that impressed with it. :)

anyway, au revoir pour maintenant. (goodbye for now!)

Jennifer

Karaoke Night at the Lesbian Bar . . .

Well, time is almost up! I can't believe it. I leave London tomorrow!

We have had a lot of fun the last few nights. Obviously, we went to karaoke, which was a blast. We've had group dinners and group good-byes. I am really going to miss these people. They are truly amazing women.

I am going to France tomorrow and am traveling on my own. I am a little nervous, but I know things will work out. For one week, I will be in Taize, then off to Paris for four days. It will be a blast, but I'm having a hard time seeing past the good-byes now.

Anyway, I will write a sort of "final" blog when I get to Paris, or maybe when I get home. I don't have the time to do it right now.

Jennifer

"Run for your lives! But carefully."

Oh, Iveta.

So! It's been awhile since I updated last. Well, the other day we had a lecture in Amsterdam by this woman from an organization called Women on Waves. Basically, it's an organization started in 1999 by the woman who spoke to us. She and some other people go to countries where abortion is illegel and anchor the boat off-shore in international waters where they fall under the jurisdiction of Ducth law. Then they perform abortions on the ship. They've only had three campaigns in Portugal, Ireland, and Poland. The idea is not to give an abortion to every person who needs one . . . it's more to get the debate started again. And they have become an international phenomenon and gotten abortion back on legislation in all three countries. While I am still kind of in the middle on abortion (I can see both sides of the debate), I certainly admire the founder's ability to have an idea and put into action--and it actually have a huge impact. It was an incredible lecture.

So! I started writing this blog in Utrecht! I can't believe it's been so long since I have updated! I am in London now, of course. The lectures here have been awesome, the best of any country we've been to. We had one from Del laGrace Volcano, who is a photographer dealing with transgender/transexuals and so-called hermaphrodites. Del was really interesting. Anyway, I can't write much, as normal. I will be in London another week, then at Taize! My trip is almost over. :(

Jennifer

Procrastination is the name of the game

Would someone please save me from myself? :)

Well, I am updating, but mostly to procrastinate.

Yesterday, we spent most of the day in Amsterdam. We had a lecture in the red light district, which was a good lecture. (and yes, the red light district really has red lights . . .) I also bought two shirts, which doesn't sound all that exciting, but I have been wearing the same five shirts for about 2 months now. They kinda smell (though of course I have been washing them) and are getting a little worn. :) (speaking of smell . . . pretty much the whole city of Amsterdam smells like pot!)

Anyway, back to yesterday's lecture. It was talking about prostitution in Holland and the laws surrounding it. Basically, it is legal--the only thing that is illegal is coercian (as in pimping). This makes a lot of sense to me because then they can regulate health and working conditions in brothels, as well as decriminalizing women who really do choose this for their profession. I know how controversial that is, but what can I say?

Today, we had a lecture by Rosi Braidotti, who is one of the foremost scholars in feminst scholarship. She is almost too smart for her own good. Her lecture was very interesting. . . she was mostly interacting with us, reacting to our questions. She talked about sexual difference, embodied identity, post-structuralism, and psychoanalysis (a little bit) to name a few things. What was most interesting for me (although it was all interesting) was her critique of graduate students' tendency to chose a thesis topic related to defining identity . . . in other words, choosing a topic that relates to personal identity such as heritage, etc. . . her challenge to us (as soon-to-be graduate students) was to choose a topic that asks why we have this need to search for a definite identity, a certain truth written down out there. . . I don't give her challenge justice, but still, it was intriguing.

Tonight, we have a group dinner at a vegan restaraunt. It should be good. :)

Anyway, that's about all I have for now.

Jennifer

"Is the word 'bible' the same in every language? You know, like 'toilet.'"

Oh, my friend Julie. :)

Well, the last few days have been fabulous. :) Utrecht is a nice city. One day we had high tea and went to the park because the weather has been amazing. We have also gone shopping. Today, I went to the University library and tried to do work. I am getting some stuff done, but not as much as I would like. Oh well.

I am at a stage where I am homesick, but at the same time, not. It's so weird. That is, I miss being around people I love and who know me well. But I also love all the people here--they are so awesome. Julie is a bit reserved, but crazy and guillible when you get to know her. Karen just recently came out as a lesbian at home and is so excited about that. But there's much more to her than that. She is also one of the nicest people I have ever met. Mercedes is kinda crazy as well, but also amazingly nice and sensitive to not only boundaries within the group but cultural boundaries as well. Lexi grew up going to boarder schools and stuff, so she is smart and always has something interesting to add to the conversation, as well as being a nice person. Bobbie is a bit intimidating when you first get to know her--she definitely tries to bend gender boundaries. But, when I got to know her, she is one of the most sensitive, intelligent people I know now. Shalimar is always loud and very opinionated but is also a faithful friend and very funny. Kara is quiet (sometimes) but quirky and a political science major, so she also adds a different dynamic. Emily H. is sensitive to what's going on her around her and is very intelligent. Laura always add something to the conversation about the way gender is perceived and is also very humorous. Emily A. is funny and smart. Rachel is also very opiniated, but there is more to her than meets the eye (as with most people). Jackie seems really sweet and innocent--and is, but only to a degree. Jasmine comes from the Northwest and definitely has an exotic feel about her--but is also so nice. Aran is quiet at times but has a lot to say about sexuality. Anat is kinda of quiet, too but sweet and intelligent. Kelly, our program assistant, is a great mediator and a philosopher, which is a nice addition. Iveta . . . eh, how can describe Iveta? She's . . . smart, crazy, sometimes a little too blunt. So everyone is amazing . . . it's just a different dynamics, you know? I want to be here and at home at the same time . . .

But being here is still amazing. I can't believe I have been given this amazing oppurtunity.

I should get off the computer. There are people waiting. :) Good night all.

Jennifer

OH! Happy belated Halloween.