Actually I've been counting down for awhile, I know, but it still seems so crazy to me that I'm almost done with all of my classes for my Masters degree!! Have I really received the amount of education I should? Only in a short year? The system is quite different from programs in the States which are 2 years. But much of the condensed teaching is also about independent study; you get out of it what you've put in. I've gained so much by being back at school, in the academic world again. Even with all of education's faults, I wouldn't have changed my decision for the world. ---So, essays are coming up, and then exams. I should finally find out when my exams are actually scheduled for this week! 30 April - 25 May, anytime in between there. So, the next to the last week's topics include: Alternative Seculatiries: "Secularism" in the Middle East and Islamism, both with focus on Turkey.
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In addition to my studies, there has also been a lot going on! Unless you live under a rock, you've heard about Kony 2012. And it truly is amazing not only how things go viral but what goes viral. Tons of friends from completely different circles have been posting about the campaign to make this the year Joseph Kony is captured. Following the film that was released, there has been much criticism about not only the film, but the film makers, the organization who produced the film, and the way the message is being delivered. So, what do I think? I agree with some criticisms, but also agree with the ultimate message: to make Kony so famous that he continues to be in the public eye. There are so many issues in the world for our government to focus on that any number of things slips through the cracks. When there's a hot issue, everyone has something to say. If it's not hot at a particular moment, our representatives choose to focus their energies elsewhere. To keep pressure on the government to take action, the idea of keeping Kony in the public eye is the way to go. Why hasn't he been talked about until now? Why hasn't he been captured? Atrocities happen all over the world, and while agruments are made that if Kony is captured, he will only be replaced, if he is allowed to do what he did in Uganda, what makes someone else think they can't? If there is no accountability or punishment, what's to stop others from doing the same? Now, there are many ways to go about providing assistance, and again much criticism is made about the US going in to Uganda and the issue that Ugandans can fight for themselves. I have not decided my opinion on this yet, so here I am only concerned with the message of the film. Which brings me to the film itself. For the longest time I had no idea it was about Kony and Uganda except that the title told me it was. I understand where the film was going and it was made in a way to elicit discussion which is what I think the main point was. And even though there are lots of 'bad guys' in the world, it can't hurt to start somewhere. The challenge will be maintaining the impressive publicity the film and issue has received. Going viral is the easy part, staying power is the what I will be impressed about if it happens. For an interesting article and to watch the film, please visit: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/reality-check-with-polly-curtis/2012/mar/08/kony-2012-what-s-the-story. For an easy to follow list of criticisms, visit: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/polis/2012/03/09/why-i-think-the-kony-2012-campaign-is-wrong/
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Not only have I been engrossed in reading reading and more reading, I've been a tourist again! (Which I love to do) Saturday I went with some friends to Stonehenge and Bath. While it may just be a pile of rocks, Stonehenge is so utterly amazing that it's hard to wrap my head around. The theories are fun to listen to about how the rocks might have gotten there, but ultimately we will probably never know. The precision with which they were arranged is absolutely mind-blowing: the sun rising and setting at precise places within the stones. Following Stonehenge was an afternoon in Bath which was absolutely beautiful. The sun was shining and the town was alive. I had a fantastic mushroom and asparagus pie following by a lovely walk throughout the city. The views driving into and out of the city are stunning since like our guide described it, the city is like a fishbowl, you're always look up or down on the city (for bus reasons I couldn't get good photos during the drive!). The clouds and sun shine made for amazing background to Stonehenge and I did take a ton of photos at Stonehenge, so if you'd like to see more, just shoot me a message! Every time I travel, it makes me want to go somewhere else! There are so many fantastic places just within the UK, so it will be a very busy summer. Although next on my list is a trip to Morocco (just bought my ticket!) right after handing in 2 essays I thought a quick break would be in order before I hunker down for revision for exams!
-------Let the week begin!
Bath
Bath Abbey, stunning architecture
Mushroom and Asparagus Pie. YUM! 
