I am in Pittsburgh entering into my second year here. It is difficult to believe that I stayed (for the most part) in one location. I'm actually beginning to wonder how it is I changed places so many times before I came here. As I finally get near my college graduation I am beginning to look into opportunities to continue my education. There isen't much I can do with a degree in English Literature, much less a degree in Religious Studies. I want my future to be one that incorporates my RS degree rather than my English Literature, but that seems to be a bit of a challenge and I keep asking myself if it is worth the hassle.
Today I was watching PBS and former president of Harvard University (as well as many other distinguished things and I cannot remember his name) was talking about globalization and the world power that India will soon be. He was saying that there is a major need for the United States to look past all of the data and things that come from India's economic footprints in society and to really comprehend India...to understand Indians and how they view things. This was encouraging to me because I really feel as though this is what I want to do. I want to comprehend other places and cultures and help others do the same--specifically from the angle of religion.
Today two mormons rang my doorbell and at first I was super hesitant to talk to them, but figured it was the perfect opportunity as a RS major to learn about them. I asked them if they had been Mormons their entire lives and they both ecstatically said yes. Their answer helped to further my point of why I feel religion is so important...here are two young girls who are going around knocking on people's door trying to convert them to a belief they have lived their entire lives around. These girls did not go to school at Pitt and were both from the West coast and yet they had willingly come to Pittsburgh for their placement...to share their belief. There are few things in life that would cause a person to do something like that. I think that religion must be considered when looking at motives.
In other boring religious news I am currently reading a book on the Buddhist concept of Hell. It's frightfully confusing and I haven't made much of it yet. One angle of the book seems to suggest that as per the Buddhist view, humans create their own hells here on earth.
School starts on Monday. Seems weird to reflect on the summer now. I seperated out my pictures earlier and was amazed at the things that I had the opportunity to do this summer. I am so thankful that I have been able to travel around the world. Now I face the challenge of finishing my education and saving money!
On my balcony.
Back from my trip.
Back to the routine.
I am back in Pittsburgh and along with that back come many more. I am back to my apartment, back to my bed, back to my job, back to sitting on my balcony looking at the cathedral, back to Taco Bell, back to my cell phone, back to routine, back to pinching pennies, back to my mom and dad, back to friends, and on and on and on.
I am ready to get back to the road, back to the travels, back to the instability of scheduling, back to unknown beds and back to new faces. What is this in me that loves travelling so much even whenever I am exhausted?
Drove across the United States with Katy and Amanda. I decided to leave them on the other side. It just wasn't working out. :) I will miss them though--just whenever I adjust to getting used to them being here...
I will update more later, but my battery is dying on my computer and I don't want to lose what I have written thus far.
