Paradise Now--Israel

The last day of the conference in DC we watched Paradise Now, the new award-winning film about suicide bombers in Palestine. When I first found out we were going to watch it, I was a little hesitant. I thought about walking out and not seeing it, but I changed my mind. I did want to see what it was all about, so curiousity got me and I stayed. The movie was actually pretty good. I thought it was well done with a few different perspectives represented. We later had a discussion with a leader from Morocco who talked us through economic, religious, stratigic, political and personal reasons the bomber may have had. Two Palestinians attended the discussion. They were wonderfulm very educated and well spoken. Just a few years older than us. One was from Hebron, the other from Gaza. We all had a pretty good discussion. Though the subject is so emotionally charged for me, I felt that I have a responsibility to participate. There are people who know nothing about the subject, and so I think it is my responsibility to engage in a dialogue that provides at least part of the other side. It's so hard because I know that the Palestinians in some of the territories suffer so much, don't have any freedom and the place is ridden with poverty and hopelessness. I do not agree with Israel on many of its political decisions, but I support Israel's right to exist, the people's right to peace, and I understand why the government does much of what it does. I think Israel is such a special place and I feel a real connection to it as well as to Israeli people. When people say, "it's fine that you're Jewish, but if you were Israeli, THAT would be a problem..." I somehow can't feel that thankful. I did speak, and I did manage not to cry. Though the conversation was hard. There is so much suffering on the Palestinian side, and I want to be sensitive of that. I support a bi-state solution (as do over 60% of Israelis...), but I cannot condone terrorism. It is hard for me to even condone giving it a human face. I feel that this will be one of the biggest challenges to me in Morocco. I want to learn and listen, but I also feel it is my responsibility to be a representative of Jews (and thus, at least in part, Israelis), Americans, AIESECers, women, and of course, me. I can't do that justice if I do not engage at least some people in conversation. That is why I am here: to learn productive and respectful ways to create dialogue. Nothing is going to get better in the Middle East if neither side can budge. Anyway, it was hard, and afterwards I just wanted to crawl in a hole, to leave. I have never felt so compelled to go to Israel as I did during that conversation. I wouldn't have to explain to them. But then, I am not going to Israel, I am going to Morocco.

Impressed

I am in DC waiting to head to the airport. I am so impressed with the cultural prep seminar. As usual, the AIESEC people were great. Seeing people who are just a couple years older and have had so much positive impact on others and have accomplished so much is always really inspiring. I hope I can develop my public speaking and facilitation skills to a level half as good as theirs. Seriously very impressive.

Thinking about Morocco- Little Tiny Missing details

Today I went shopping for some clothes for Morocco. I am not really sure what to pack. If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I am thinking generally a couple skirts and short/long sleeved shirts...right? eh, we'll see. I also stopped at Barnes and Nobel for some books. I was a little disappointed with the selection of books on Morocco. There was no Moroccan Arabic dictionary, and that is definitely preferable to the Arabic/English one I bought--there's a big difference in language. Also, the only travel book on Morocco was the Lonely Planet one, and sometimes the Lonely Planet books don't have as many budget travel ideas that maybe a Fromer's or a Let's Go would have. But I did buy a couple pleasure reads to console myself. :)

My mom is pushing me for more info about the traineeship, where I'm working, etc. I guess I was hoping that it wouldn't occur to her to ask me WHERE I was working (IGLC), and WHAT they do there... cuz, uh I don't uh, really know the answers. I'll definitely email some people about it. I mean the truth is, I am not that worried, but I know that is not a satisfactory answer to her. The thing is, I know AIESEC isn't gonna send me someplace that sucks. I have been to Rabat, and it is BEAUTIFUL, and I found out about the AIESEC community there--apparently it's huge. Great. Good enough for me, ya know? I guess I should be a little more proactive about finding some details.

About me

As suggested by the setter-upper of nomadlife (I did set it up, applause is appropriate here), I'll tell you a little about myself. I am 20, almost 21, have blondish hair, and am of medium height and weight. I just graduated from UW-Madison, and for the last week have not really known what to do with myself (neither in Madison nor here in Winona, MN--excitement capital of the world). Luckily, I won't have much longer to wait because I got an AIESEC (if you don't know, ask) traineeship in Morocco, and I'll be leaving for a prep conference on Wednesdayin DC. After I get home in late July, I will be moving to NYC to go to law school at CUNY. I'll be studying law, and specifically human rights law, and during my third year I really hope to get an internship at the UN. I like the color blue, I love trying new foods, travel, connecting with people (which often includes), having intelligent conversations, and I love to read. I love being outdoors, hiking, biking, etc. I ran a marathon with my boyfriend (it's complicated) last fall. I am kind nerdy and love to read and enjoy reseach projects and learning about pretty much anything so long as there are no numbers involved. During my sophomore/junior year of college (I graduated in 3) I studied abroad in Alcala de Hernares, Spain and Santiago, Chile, so I speak Spanish (and will talk to guys I would NEVER talk to in bars just to have a conversation in Spanish--that's perhaps one of my less impressive traits... ). I'm sure more will come up as I post more, but if you have any questions, ask! And my favorite ice cream is mint chip.

Nomadlife

I think this blog is now on at http://ljblank.nomadlife.org/ as well...but I am not sure. It will be a huge success if it is. I am awful with computers. Seriously. It took the longest time to set up the blogger.com blog. I got a beautiful computer for graduation, and I am so worried that I don't know anything about it. I mean I don't. I am trying but with baby steps. It always amazes me when I know the answer to a computer question (it happened at work once...) and that it's possible for me to know more about computers than some people (ei. my mom---unbelievable!).

Map of North Africa

Check out the cities I'll be visiting. I'll be doing my internship in Rabat, Morocco.

Places I've been

I might be forgetting a few, but I think the purple dots are representative of where I've been. List: USA, Mexico, Canada, England, Netherlands, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Czech Republic, Morocco, Chile, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Peru. That's it for now. I'll add green dots periodically as updates.

First post

I found out 2 days ago that I got an internship in Morocco. I'll be leaving for DC for a 2 day preparatory conference next Wednesday (May 24th). I bought my ticket this morning for Rabat, Morocco; I leave the 27th. I have been there before, but this will be a completely different experience. I'll be getting paid to teach American culture. I don't know too much about the job yet, but if you have any ideas about what to do with the class for 2 months besides feed them hotdogs, please let me know. I have had all kinds of input ranging from "start with John Adams" to "look up Best Picture Awards by decade," but I still feel a little overwhelmed. I don't even know what American culture is, so how can I teach it to Moroccan students? Nervous though I may be, I am really looking forward to teaching, living with a Moroccan host family and getting to know AIESECers in Rabat, maybe even making an impact in some people's lives. I'm sure my own perspective will change.