Reflecting on my first term at ICU

Wow, it’s hard to believe that a whole term has passed already in two and half months. I’m not quite use to terms being over so quickly, it feels like I’ve barely gotten into the subject and now it’s time for something new but perhaps it’s appropriate for graduate school. I’m looking into possible ideas for my thesis. One idea I am considering is about the meaning of home when it comes to refugees.

Particularly, I was interested in looking at the Palestinian refugee issue. When I visited Jordan this past spring, I met with people who had never been to Palestine yet called it there home? Why are they so attached to this place they've never set foot on? Is it so deep within the psyche of the palestinian that they must return to this "home" and not really build roots in Jordan or wherever else they have settled?

I also was interested in looking at the conflict in the Balkans. This last year I worked on a documentary that highlighted the still current ethnic conflict in Kosovo. I observed how much these people were attached to their "home" because they ancestors had live there for 200 years or so. they were unwilling to start their new lives and accept their circumstances even if it meant that their children would get stoned on the way to school or that they lived in constant fear for their lives.

Very interesting. I can see a whole film coming out of this project, which is exciting but one thing I can observed that this film would only make a statement and offer no solution. And I ask myself why am I in this program? I believe that my hope is to offer some kind of solution, or to highlight some work that is being done.

Maybe there is some NGO working to reduce the identity/attachment with home?
Alright, I’m going to do some research on that. If you have any suggestions let me know
love,
Megumi

Rotary Weekend Retreat

Hey, these are photos from the Rotary Weekend retreat taken in the begining of October. It was a wondeful experience to connect with people in my program dedicated to creating peace.

click on the photo for more photos.

Sometimes we need reminders..

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory ofGod that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,

we unconsciously give other peoplepermission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,

Our presence automatically liberates others.

-Marianne Williamson