From the Midwest and Around the World

I will warn you that this blog entry is a bit graphic and emotional as it describes the Peace Museum of Hiroshima. So if you are sensitive to those kinds of things, please read with care.    As an international relations major and history nerd, I was really looking forward to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. I had already steeled myself for the emotional weight of the descriptions and facts surrounding the human life lost and the misery of the living. However, I don't think anything can prepare anyone for the stories and symbols that surround the park.    First, I got to the park before the museum opened, but I did not want to start wandering the park until after I watched the introductions. While I was circling the main square, an older man approached and asked me if I spoke English and what time the museum opened. I told him and we started chatting a bit. He was a German-Australian and we talked a lot about the park, history, and WWII (his parents and grandpa...

   The Midwest blizzard that occurred this past weekend (January 5-6) affected travellers and news reports internationally. I was one of those unfortunate travelers that got stranded in an airport as I was attempting to get to Japan in time for orientation and placement tests. Unfortunately, I did not make it and a combination of weather and overbooked flights prevented me from actually leaving Indianapolis until Friday morning. I therefore missed one day of orientation, all the placement tests, as well as two days of class. However, I have to remind myself to turn my life-lemons into lemonade and I got about four extra days at home. I will also have to be totally imersed as soon as I get to Japan, as there will be no guide sent by the school to get me to Hikone. I also got to experience being stranded at the airport for 30+ hours because there were no taxis working and I was still hoping for a flight that would take me to Detroit.    One learns a lot while travell...

Sunday: I woke up early and with my family drove from Indianapolis to Grand Rapids. I got all moved in to my single room and watched "Serenity" with a few friends in their apartment. Overall a nice, relaxing day Monday: Labor Day. Again, just relaxed, and mentally prepared myself for the beginning of classes on Tuesday. Bought a few decorating items for my room and went to Starbucks with a friend. Tuesday: First day of classes. Quite a busy day! I had three classes (two of which are 300-level classes). From 8:35-9:50, I had The President and Congress (POLS-314) which seems like it will be a very entertaining class. From 12:05-1:20, I had International Organizations and Law (POLS-309) which also appears to be interesting. After that, I had Oral Rhetoric (CAS-101) from 1:30-2:45. Seems like it will be a fairly easy, relaxing class. It was really nice being able to bike to and from classes. A lot easier on the feet and definitely faster! Wednesday: I only have two clas...