WORLD MARKET

Osama

(Netflix)

I wasn't sure what to expect, and though I have little to compare it to, it seemed sadly very realistic. This was one of the first movies made post-Taliban Afghanistan apparently inspired by a newspaper article and directed by Siddiq Barmak. It's a story very much focused on the struggles of women in the culture especially when run by the Taliban. Widows and other single women don't have a way to make a living. At the beginning of the movie the camera is in the perspective of a journalist that eventually is caught and sentenced to death for filming a women's protest. The women, fully covered, are protesting for rights to have jobs. The Taliban attack them, capture them, and spray them with hoses. Out of desperation a small family of women cut their girl's hair and dress her as a boy so that she can get a job. As a boy she is called Osama. Osama holds a job for no more than a couple days before being forced into a Taliban camp along with the other boys nearby. Eventually she is found out and forgiven for her crime, but she is forced to wed an much older man and live in captivity with his other wives and children.
Overall, this movie just really highlighted the rights of women and men in Afghanistan, and what was/is expected in that culture. Women were expected to be fully covered head-to-toe when around Taliban; it seemed in more relaxed and reasonable situations they could uncover their face and feet. Life just seemed like a struggle for everyone in this movie except the Taliban and friends of the Taliban.

This definitely is not a happy ending kind of movie, but it really gives perspective on how difficult life was and still is over there. I feel endlessly blessed after seeing this movie.

ENFORCE Military Ball

So, my boyfriend Jacob invited me to the ENFORCE conference taking place where he is in Officer's Basic Training which is in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri home of the Army Engineer's Branch. Included in the conference was a ball, where he had to dress in his best uniform and I wore a fancy long dress. That was about all the knowledge I had about ENFORCE and the ball when I agreed to come up to Missouri for a much needed visit.

What I really learned about when I was actually at the ball was how the army community works, such as what shared values and ideas people have while involved  in this sometimes high stress lifestyle. There are many traditions that are held dear to the military. Some traditions include taking the time to stop and salute, singing songs specific to each branch that includes strength, values, and almost always something about drinking, setting one extra table at the ball with symbolic pieces of food or table setting in remembrance of those who are prisoners of war and those missing in action, they had a table of honor where those that were specifically invited and highly regarded are recognized, they also recite multiple toasts to which everyone repeats and drinks, they go out of their way to be gentlemanly to all the ladies, and finally there is always a speaker that reminds the men and woman of unity and honor in the work they do.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the ball, and I feel like I learned a lot about the military culture. They stick together working hard for the cause of freedom, justice, and security for everyone in America. The servicemen's families form a support community were they share the same struggles and know how to support one another. I would be proud to be a more permanent part of that community.

Cafe Berlin

       I asked my mom if she’d be interested in trying some authentic German food, so we ended up deciding on a small German café in Huntsville called Café Berlin. The décor was very simple earth tones for the most part; fresh flowers and a small lamp set atop black and white tablecloths was also a neat and fresh pattern. As we looked over the menu I appreciated how most items on the menu were not “Americanized” by changing the German names to descriptive English names.  We started off with a wiener sampler that came with sauerkraut and spicy mustard.

We loved it! Then, I ordered the jaeger schnitzel (pronounced “yager”) as my entrée along with au gratin and a salad with real bleu cheese dressing.  The jaeger schnitzel is breaded pork topped with a burgundy-onion, mushroom sauce, the au gratin is basically seasoned, sliced, cheesy potatoes, and as for the real blue cheese salad, it was strong but very tasty! It all went together so well! I noticed the pattern seemed to be breads, meat, cabbage, and potatoes, very full and rich flavors that are most popular in German culture. I enjoyed the experience; although, I did see one thing on the menu I won’t be trying anytime soon- Escargot.

        I was born and raised in the USA, more specifically Huntsville, AL. I’m accustomed to Suburbia, English as a language with an occasional country accent, engineering/military based industries, at least 2 Protestant churches on every street, and of course Football being the most popular sport in the country.

When it comes to my more individual experiences, I’d say some of the biggest contributors to my view would be making God the leader of my life at 9 y/o and having grown up with His support and great love ever since, developing alopecia at 15 y/o,  having divorced parents, playing competitive soccer since 9 y/o, and living in Atlanta, GA while I attended massage school last year.

I have always been active with soccer and I enjoy any other outdoor activity, so I'm drawn to friends who also have those interests. I can talk with people in health professions much easier than I could before massage therapy school. I’ve developed a growing interest in foreign languages and cultures, so I chose to pursue some of those interests in college. I've been dating my boyfriend, Jacob, who is now a 2 LT in the Army for 3 years, and I'm currently working as a massage therapist while taking classes at UAB.

These few experiences have impacted the way I perceive my world.