Systems

It is amazing to me that with all of the years I spent in education I really didn't learn that much. Furthermore, I'm often disgusted at how one-sided Western education tends to be. With that said, I'd really appreciate it if some really smart economic-minded person would come up with a new system because the ones we have right now are just crap. I understand that there are pros to each system whether they are found in theory or practice. So, let me explain my issue with the extreme systems of communism and capitalism.

Growing up in the Western world, I was taught that communism was bad, but now it's dead. Well, actually, it's not dead, and no one said why it was so bad. A person may say that if it's not good in practice then it's not a good theory, and I'd agree. However, I believe IN THEORY, the idea of communism may be more Christian. Now, before it sounds like I've really gone off the deep end, let me continue. The idea of communism is equality, no classes. The idea is that we think of others before ourselves. Yet, here's the problem- it doesn't work out that way. In our fallen world, selfishness takes over, and the top people reap the cream. There have been so many stories that I've heard and read about the atrocities of communism. I believe the reason is that communism in Eastern Europe did not run on the hope of equality; rather, it ran on the fear and distrust of the people which is why it did not last in this part of the world. For so many, it has truly ruined them in more than one way.

So, while communism has failed the people, I also struggle with capitalism. Now, capitalism has that "pull from the boot straps" mentality, so some people truly thrive on such a system. However, so many people are left behind. Of course, there are those that don't try "hard enough," but even within the system, people are let down, or rather pushed down, in order for the success of another person to continue. My even larger problem is on the larger scale. We are so concerned with how we are affected that we miss how others are being affected. Countries, as a whole, suffer because they cannot compete with larger, riches countries and corporations. Yet, that is how capitalism works- "I do what I need to do to survive and succeed." But, that's not Biblical. In both the Old and New Testament, there are lessons in love. There are lessons on reaching out and enabling the outcasts, the poor. Yet, in capitalism, they are the stones to be stepped on.

So where is the balance on this fine line within these vicious cycles? I don't know. I certainly do not support communism, but I continue to struggle with capitalism as well. That is why I'd like someone to come up with a new system. It would be a system of hope and equality. It would be a system where we can thrive without costing another. And, it would be a system of enabling. I feel that is really the large piece missing after all. In communism, people are made to be dependent- forever ruining their abilities. And in capitalism, while some don't try, others simply do not have the means to succeed. We need to educate and enable people in order to break some of these cycles, find the right balance, and build a new system.

Maybe this is too idealistic, yet I find no reason to settle for what is as permanent. As a professor once suggested to me, "Just because things are the way they are doesn't mean that's how they should be" ... or have to be.

Fancy Chairs

So one of my favorite stores in any mall is that store with the back massagers out on display waiting for you to use them. The best stores are the ones with not only the handle kind of massagers but also the chair massagers with different setting and focuses.

Here's a leap, but it will connect.

Today, I was riding the bus from my apartment to the Sunbergs' house. Now, there are some nicer buses, and there are the less than nice buses. Usually on Bus 88s, they are the crappier ones, but there is this one nice green 88 bus that actually has heat. I got to ride this one today. Now, even on the nice buses, when the bus is stopped, there are strong vibrations that shake you while you are seated. Some bus shakiness feels like it will fall apart soon, and others just have a large motor. And so if you are in a decent seat whether on a good bus or not so good bus and the bus is a nice kind shaky, you have moments at various stoplights of relaxation. For, if you pause and perhaps even close your eyes, those few moments at the red light are like having a personal massage chair.

Other times it can be scary to ride the bus or overcrowded or smelly or whatever, but a lot of the time I enjoy public trans because I just zone out and ride. And today's ride was particularly enjoyable because I was warm and (every now and then) given a gentle back massage. :D

Reading before Returning

This week I bought my tickets back to America. And since I have two lovely friends teaching in Spain, I am more than excited to be making a weekend stop in Madrid on my way back home. I am leaving a week earlier than I've been planning. So I'll actually be home for my birthday. (I get into CO on May 18th.) Having my bday in America is a little disappointing since I've been living abroad, but it'll be nice to be with my fam and friends on the day I turn 23.

With the excitement of seeing friends and family, I'm also really sad about leaving Bulgaria. The things that I have done here have been quite different than I expected. However, I have loved almost all of my experiences here. (Deportation is one I could have done without. ;D) And as one who hates countdowns, I am going to try and enjoy each day that I have left.

Outside of the things that I have done here, one of the joys I have been able to partake in (because I'm no longer in school) has been reading. 1. I am actually finishing books which is something I can't completely claim to have always happened the last 4 years. :) 2. I am reading books of my choice rather than from a long list on a syllabus.

Some books have been challenging reads that deal with theology and life. I have greatly loved those. And some have just been for fun such as books by Francine Rivers. The last book I read was The Count of Monte Cristo. While I love the newer movie, the book is so much better because it is filled with so much more detail and plots. It also ends completely different that I expected. My current read is Wicked. It is different than I expected, but I am enjoying it. I have a feeling that there will be some themes there that will get me thinking.

I've read so many books these last few months, and I know this type of reading will slow as I return to the States. While I'll be in CO during the summer months to catch up with friends and family (and hopefully make some money somehow), I'll be going to NTS to get my master's in Intercultural Studies in the fall. I'll move to Kansas City early August and hopefully find a good apartment and a decent job. While I'm excited to be in a learning environment again (I like to be around smart people and absorb information from them- I know, I'm a HUGE nerd), I'm a little hesitant on the homework and such part. Oh well... :)