Just Notes

My biggest struggle is how to understand perspectives that don't see the world as I see it - those brute and violent ideas that are so silently embedded in society that I have never understood - and witnessing someone attest to those tactics - and wondering how on earth did you get to this place? How on earth are you so rotten in your views? I am the lucky one. I see the beauty in the world and the power that those who do see the beauty have. I long to experience every beautiful thing I can find.

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I found this saved as a note on my phone from January 11. I don't remember writing it, or if I did, in fact, write it at all. Perhaps I wanted to note something that I'd read in a book - but I tried googling the quote and found no results, leading me to believe I did write it. At least, I agree with myself... thought it was nice; a positive thing, even.

International Perspectives: A Short Anecdote

In my Multicultural Issues in Communication Disorders class, I gave a presentation on my experiences living abroad to offer my peers some more perspective. I asked some of my favorite people to answer questions about cultural values and perceptions of the United States present in their countries (Spain, France, Sweden.) I got some great responses and I am so pleased to have such brilliant friends who have taught me so much about our world and have shown me beautifully different ways to live life.

Kansas City, Missouri

Welcome to my home's city. Exploring your own city will make you very glad. Take the time to do that. Travel gives me perspective that makes me so thankful for Kansas City's warm and loving people who are genuinely here for good conversation and exchanging words, a tight-knit local music scene and supportive community bound by common interests, incredible craft beer and the most cooperative and positive coffee culture around. The sense of togetherness here is beautiful. The time spent abroad and out of my comfort zone and my culture makes me so much more aware of the ease and convenience of life in Kansas City. When traveling, I become aware that everything that I believe to be true and fact in life is simply a byproduct of my culture. I realize how tiny the world I know is. And here I am happy to be finding a place in a culture that has always been mine. It's something amazing to start seeing your city and your home for what it is instead of what it isn't.