tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33436404.post117526562012975171..comments2023-03-20T15:28:40.685+01:00Comments on Erin est perdu!: Back In The SaddleErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829328546422441537noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33436404.post-7926332086482211942007-08-04T22:05:00.000+02:002007-08-04T22:05:00.000+02:00I was wondering how you're feeling now, having bee...I was wondering how you're feeling now, having been back a few more months? I got back from Germany just under a month ago now, and more than anything, it's made me want to go out and affect change everywhere I go. There were lots of things I didn't like about American society before, and I had a loose conception of how I would want to change it for the better, but now having lived somewhere where the cultural norms create an environment much closer to my ideal than the US has ever come, it makes me want to communicate to everyone how things could be different here if people would just wake up and start caring.<BR/><BR/>I try really hard to not sound like that guy everyone hates who comes back from traveling somewhere and won't stop talking about how much better it is there than at home, since I hate that guy just as everyone else, but it's so difficult to just sit back and accept a society that's so backwards from my personal ideal. So many people seem to be unable to open themselves up to the concept of changing the way they live! They're unwilling embrace social interaction and civic engagement in favor of continuing to chain themselves to the mind crushing and soul deadening effects of TV and suburban sprawl. Why does food have to come in 30lb industrial sized frozen packages for home consumption? What ever happened to appreciation for quality, unprocessed food. Why are people so ready and willing to acquiesce to the idea that cars are essential to modern living?! Things are this way because this is what is dictated to us and not enough people are willing to take a stand against this culture of personal isolationism and instant gratification! All in pursuit of the American Dream I suppose.<BR/><BR/>Really Erin, I'm not bitter though, just more aware (I hope). I'd love to hear more of how you think your time abroad has changed you since you've been back.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I found your blog by way of the class notes in the Roeper alumni magazine, so kudos for putting the note in there (or to your parents on your behalf, which ever it was).<BR/><BR/>-MichaelMichaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13290758545734240843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33436404.post-44836764323882829012007-08-04T22:02:00.000+02:002007-08-04T22:02:00.000+02:00This comment has been removed by the author.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13290758545734240843noreply@blogger.com