Latest and Greatest

Kind of a boring title but I'm not sure where I'm going with this post yet. Bear with me.

To the right is a statue titled, "Sokrates" (Polish for Socrates). I veered into a children's playground on the Odra River and discovered this statute. It was somewhat of an imposing structure but insightful a sculpture of a man known for philosophy and ethics was central to a children's playground. My thoughts on graffiti in general will follow in a future blog.

Yesterday was my International Friends day. How great is it to go to a meeting place and find so many people of different cultures and backgrounds. Yesterday's meeting including folks from Germany, Japan, Korea, China, Ukraine, Canada, Australia, England, Spain, France just to name a few. I am constantly amazed at the number of nationalities represented here. Obviously, the Polish economy is benefiting from the influx of new businesses and I'm certain the businesses are also benefiting from the educated workforce found here.

Having been in Poland for a year now and finding this city, in particular, to be incredibly safe I found it interesting that several woman from the International Group chose to leave their wedding rings in their native countries because of fear of theft here. Refreshingly, the woman will be returning with their wedding rings after finding their fears unwarranted. I think it does speak to the relative "unknown" of the country in whole. When we first found out we were going to relocate to Poland my initial reaction was, "why not London, or Paris"? Reactions of others around me were either, "how cool", or totally opposite, "why"??? After reflecting on my year here I would not have chosen a different location. We have been given an opportunity to explore a country that would have never been on my radar. It has afforded us adventures to other cities and countries within very easy reach (Poland is dead center in Europe), a historical perspective beyond belief and exposure to cultures and traditions our little, isolated, Oakdale, Minnesota would ever afford us. Not to mention the great friends...

On to politics...I had lunch yesterday with a group of folks from Japan, Brazil, Poland, Germany, Canada and England and the US presidential race was front and center. The Palin VP choice has really sparked interest here. I am struck by the knowledge and opinions about candidates people outside the US have. They find the backstabbing, verbal exchanges between candidates odd and not particularly healthy - but uniquely American. I really wish more Americans were as passionate and knowledgeable. It is obvious the world is interested in our process and the need for change!

The end of October I'm going on a girls only trip to Brussels Belgium!! The airfare was 30 zlotys or about $14.oo!! Feel somewhat guilty leaving Craig home so have opted to kennel Oliver so he is burdened with a whining, unhappy animal (nice to have something that loves and idolizes you so unconditionally even if it is a dog). Five years ago who would have ever thought I would be taking a weekend jaunt to Brussels??? How flippin' cool!!! I promise to sample the Belgian chocolate and if my family is nice and sends e-mails, letters, promises of unending love and adoration I may bring some home in December!!!

I am hopeful of linking a website that has miraculously been archiving all my blog pictures since the inception of time! Guess I can delete some of the old and moldy shots now, huh????

Happy Thursday...make the most of it!